Is a Breast Augmentation That Easy?

A breast augmentation is an elective procedure designed to provide adult women with the opportunity to alter their breast size, shape, and position for a fuller appearance. Whether you would like to move form an A to a C or a C to an F, based on your body makeup, a skilled plastic surgeon will use the best techniques available in order to provide you with the more voluptuous silhouette you are looking forward to receiving. Beyond techniques and technology are the actual implants – a choice needs to be made based on the results you would like in the long term. So after you’ve thought about how you would like to look when it is all said and done, finding a few examples of your surgeon’s previous work shouldn’t be too hard. 

Before and after pictures provided by your surgeon will be your best friend. In the portfolio you want to look for evenness of the breast, nipple positioning, cleavage, and overall smoothness all the way around. Once you’ve found a previous patient who has the look you are going for, present the photo to your physician with a description of your desired outcome. Describe your lifestyle and health necessities. You will want your breast to add to your life, not take away from it. At this point during your consultation you will discuss type of implant, type of filler, and size that fits the impression you’d like to make.

There are two different kinds of implants. Textured or smooth describes the surface of the implant itself. Smooth implants tend to retain their shape over their life versus that of a textured implant. Either choice can be filled with saline (salt solution) or silicon. Saline has been stated to give more of a natural sway and movement while silicone provides an even perkier show stopper sensation. Please keep in mind that solution and size selection will have an impact on the final weight of the implant on your new chest.

Breast augmentation recovery depends on where your incision is made and where the implant is placed. These decisions are critical to scar size and pain post-operation. First, there are four places you and your surgeon can choose to insert your implants; that is, in the natural breast fold underneath, along side the areola (area around the nipple), the armpit, or the bellybutton. At this point your physician will inform you of scar size and texture based on the choice you will make as well as your skin type.

Second, your implant can be placed either directly under your mammary or natural breast tissue for a perkier appearance, or it can be placed under the chest muscle as well to provide a more natural settled look. In this case, placement can effect the pain post operation depending how far you decide to go beneath the chest muscle for placement. 

No one said change was a one step transition. In the end, no matter if you are looking forward to re-sculpting, lifting, or simply looking to plump up your breasts with a breast augmentation there is a way to make it happen. A qualified plastic surgeon can assess your body and find a way to meet your growing needs.