Breast implants can significantly enhance the size and shape of your breasts, giving you more wardrobe options. Furthermore, they may correct sagging breasts or improve asymmetry after weight loss.
Before undergoing surgery, consult with a plastic surgeon in Phoenix like Ciao Bella Cosmetic Surgery about the type of implant and how it will be placed. The implant can be inserted into either a pocket behind or in front of the pectoralis muscle.
Size of Breast Implants
Breast implants come in various sizes and shapes, made of either saline or silicone. When selecting your implant size, take into account your body type and frame; this will keep the breasts looking natural without looking overdone. Plus, smaller implants may save you back and shoulder pain associated with larger ones.
Implants are designed to give your breasts fullness and cleavage definition, but selecting the right size is essential. Consider factors like how you want to look and what activities you engage in.
Your doctor can assist in determining the ideal size for your body by measuring your height, weight and structure. They’ll also examine both current cup size and desired cup size.
Selecting the ideal implant is essential for providing comfort and confidence when at work, school or doing other daily activities. Larger implants may make certain sports and activities such as walking or running more challenging.
Your implant size may dictate the amount of clothing that fits you comfortably. You may need to invest in a new wardrobe with tops and dresses that accommodate your new shape.
Implants are usually placed through a small incision behind the pectoralis muscle on the chest wall. Once inserted, they can then be filled with either sterile salt water or silicone gel before being secured in place with stitches (sutures) and bandage.
Breast Implant Shape
Breast implants come in a range of shapes, such as round, teardrop and anatomical (contoured). Your choice will depend on factors like body type, sternum width, chest-wall contour and existing breast tissue.
Women seeking more breast volume and definition may opt for traditional round implants. Teardrop-shaped implants feature thinner top portions that gradually become fuller below the nipple.
Your implant’s shape and profile will also depend on the condition of your tissue envelope. Tightness in this area can restrict forward projection, leading to breast tissue atrophy or a depressed chest wall contour.
Both shapes have their advantages, but ultimately it’s up to a woman to choose which shape works best for her. That is why having an experienced surgeon who takes time to understand your aesthetic goals, preferred incision location and implant placement is so critical.
Selecting the shape and texture of your breast implants requires careful consideration, so consult a board-certified plastic surgeon for assistance. They will guide you through each step so that you get exactly the results that you desire.
Texture of Breat Implants
Breast implants consist of a solid silicone shell filled with an antimicrobial fluid (saline). They come in both smooth and textured shell varieties.
Textured implants feature tiny grains of varying sizes on the surface of their shell, similar to that of fine sandpaper. This creates friction and helps keep the implant stable, decreasing the chance that it will rotate and appear unnatural.
Though textured implants offer some advantages, plastic surgeons still do not always utilize them in every procedure. Instead, they favor smooth-surfaced silicone gel implants.
Due to several reasons, texture-textured implants may be associated with breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA ALCL). This cancer typically develops in the capsular tissue surrounding the implants.
Second, the crevassed texture of textured implants allows bacteria to lodge inside the implant shell, increasing the risk of bacterial infection around the implant and an increased likelihood of BiA ALCL.
In addition to BIA ALCL, textured implants may also be more vulnerable to capsular contracture – a condition in which scar tissue forms around the implant. While this scar tissue can be uncomfortable and painful, it is not life-threatening. Fortunately, surgery is an effective solution for this issue by removing both the implant and surrounding scar tissues.
Breast Implant Material
Breast implants are prosthetic materials designed to increase a woman’s breast size. They may also be used to replace tissue after cancer surgery or correct deformed breasts. Each year in America alone, over 300,000 breast augmentation surgeries take place.
Breast augmentation surgery entails inserting breast implants made from silicone or saline gel. These can come in round or teardrop shapes with either a smooth or textured outer shell.
Some women may be worried about the material used to construct an outer shell of an implant. It is essential that you speak with your doctor about which material works best for your needs and how comfortable the implant will feel.
Some people worry that breast implants might promote the growth of synovium tissue, which is not beneficial for health. This type of tissue could potentially lead to breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma – a cancer.
Most people do not experience issues with this type of tissue. More frequently, however, you may encounter cases of acellular matrix tissue. While not commonly used in all reconstructive breast surgeries, this type of tissue can be beneficial if you have a large volume of natural breast tissue available.
Breast implants are typically placed through a small incision on the underside of your breast, where it meets with its natural skin fold. If you have thin breasts or have had children, this cut may leave behind a noticeable scar.
Incisions
One of the most crucial decisions women make when having breast enhancement surgery is which incision to use for implant placement. This choice has implications on everything from scarring and recovery time, to long-term results and even future breastfeeding opportunities.
There are four primary types of incisions: axillary (armpit), periareolar (around the areola), periumbilical (belly button) and inframammary fold (under the breast). Each has its own advantages and drawbacks; generally speaking, surgeons recommend an incision near either the lower half of the areola or inframammary fold for optimal breast healing.
This approach offers optimal visualization of the implant pocket and permits precise placement with less risk of malposition. However, it is associated with a higher rate of bleeding and bruising, as well as restricting what size silicone implants can be placed through an incision.
Another option is a periareolar incision, which creates a minimal scar and may be almost imperceptible when healed properly. This technique may be especially suitable for individuals with large areolas or those prone to hypertrophic scarring (thick raised scars).
The third technique is the transaxillary incision, which provides optimal visualization of the implant pocket during surgery. Though more challenging to position the implants and more likely to experience bleeding or bruising, this approach offers greater precision than periareolar approaches.
Recovery after Breast Implants
The recovery process for breast implants can be more involved than other plastic surgery procedures. However, with proper planning and preparation, most patients achieve a positive outcome without any major issues.
In the days immediately following surgery, your breasts may feel sore or painful. This is normal and you should rest as much as possible during this time. Additionally, apply ice packs to reduce inflammation in the area and follow any pain relief recommendations provided by your surgeon.
After the initial week of recovery, your body should start to heal itself. Swelling should decrease and you should experience increased energy and less pain.
At this point, you can begin light exercise but refrain from any activities that could strain your upper body. For at least six weeks after surgery, do not lift heavy objects or engage in strenuous activity.
Within the first 10 years after surgery, approximately 10% of women will experience leakage or rupture of their silicone shell, leading to saline or silicone gel seeping into surrounding breast tissue. This often occurs when a patient’s body changes (weight loss/gain), and their implant doesn’t adjust accordingly.
Once your body has healed, breast implants should fall and settle into place. This helps your breasts look and feel more natural, especially if the implant is placed beneath muscle.
If you if you are researching and thinking about getting breast implants in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler or the surround area contact Ciao Bella Cosmetic Surgery.
