You know that you want to have breast augmentation surgery done, but you are not quite sure about the different procedures out there. You know you want implants, but you aren’t sure where or what type.
This article will give you a quick rundown on where breast implants can be placed. It will also give you information about types of breast implants are available and the pros and cons of each and how to choose an implant size.
Implant Placement
Implants are placed behind breast tissue in three main spots: subglandular, partial submuscular, and complete submuscular.
Subglandular puts the breast implant under the breast but above the muscles in the chest. This is the easiest of the procedures.
Partial submuscular puts the breast implant partially under the muscles of the chest.
Complete submuscular is exactly as the name described: the implant is placed completely under the chest muscles. This is the most difficult of the procedures and requires addition training.
Implants
There are many varieties of breast implants. They have differences in surface, shape, size, and filler material. The type you choose is based on your body’s anatomy and your goals for the procedure.
Shape, volume and profile of the implant are selected based on the goals you have set for your procedure. Your doctor will discuss this with you.
The surface of the breast implant is critical for several reasons. The advantage of a textured implant is that it is designed to reduce capsular contraction (read: bad!), but on the flip side, these textured implants are more likely to be seen through the skin.
There are two main fillers available: saline and silicone. Saline implants are safe in that in case of rupture, the material is safely absorbed into the skin. The drawback to saline implants is that they are more visible through the skin.
Silicone implants provide a more natural feel, but lawsuits in the early 1990s against silicone breast implants have made many surgeons hesitant to use them.
Your doctor will fully discuss these options with you and help you make an informed decision regarding your breast augmentation surgery.
Choosing an Implant Size
When it comes to breasts, you have probably heard it before, but bigger is not necessarily better. Each woman is unique, and different types and sizes of anatomy can support different sizes of breasts.
Your surgeon will measure how broad your chest is, the width of your breasts and the distance in between the breasts. These measurements will help your surgeon determine the optimum size of your breasts.
Another important factor is making sure you have enough loose skin to cover your implant and that your breasts are symmetrical.
It is helpful to bring in pictures of breasts you find pleasing to give your surgeon an idea of your goals. This may sound silly, but forget about bra size. Just as women are different, all bras fit women differently. These are helpful as a guideline, but that is about it.
Also, it is useful to remember that bigger breasts do not necessarily mean cleavage, cleavage is dependent on the amount of space in between your breasts. If you want cleavage, let your doctor know!