Are you considering having breast augmentation but haven’t quite decided on the type of implant? When choosing the best breast implant, there are many variables which you will have to decide on.
Which material will the implant be made of?
The first thing to decide is what the breast implant will be made of.
At Centre for Surgery, you will be given silicone implants. These are approved by the UK Medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency (MHRA). These implants are made up of a silicone gel which holds them securely together. This will feel natural and will closely resemble breast tissue.
Saline breast implants are no longer used in the UK. Saline implants consist of a silicone shell which is then filled with sterile salt water, otherwise known as a saline solution. Saline implants are more likely to rupture and may slowly deflate over time. However, if a rupture did occur, the saline solution would cause no damage to your body, but you may require surgery to remove the outer shell.
What shape will the implant be?
The shape of the implant will affect the overall appearance of your breasts.
There are two shapes you can choose from – round and teardrop. While some women may have an idea of which shape implant they wish to have, it is best to make this decision after seeing the sample implants and consulting with your surgeon.
There are numerous factors which will influence which implant shape is the best for your body. These include:
- The body type
- The shape of your chest
- How much breast tissue do you have?
- The position of your nipples
- How much sagging do your breasts have?
- Space between your breasts
- What look are you hoping to achieve?
Round implants tend to be a more popular choice. They are completely round in shape and will help women to achieve more fullness in the upper part of the chest. This is suitable for those who have breasts which sit closer together, have central nipple placement and only have mild sagging of the breasts.
However, those who want a more natural appearance may opt for the teardrop implant. As the name suggests, this implant is shaped like a teardrop, with more fullness at the bottom of the implant, which closely mimics the shape of the breast. Teardrop implants are suitable for those who have a slim body type, wide-set breasts, slightly sagging tissue or wide-set breasts.
What texture will the implants be?
You will have the choice of two different textures for your implant – smooth or textured.
Smooth implants have a softer texture, which can feel more natural compared to textured implants.
Textured implants feature a rough, pebbly outer shell. This was designed to stick to the body’s tissue, which will help the implant to stay still and not move around.
In the 1980’s research concluded that this type of implant would have less possibility of capsular contracture occurring. However, subsequent studies have found that there was no higher chance of capsular contracture occurring with smooth implants compared to textured implants. With the majority of implants being placed behind the muscle, there is no higher likelihood of movement or capsular contracture occurring with smooth implants.
Can a breast augmentation be performed at the same as a breast lift?
Yes. If you have a lot of breast sagging and want to increase breast volume, then a breast lift combined with breast enlargement is ideal. There can be slightly higher risks when performing a combined procedure, although our surgeons have many years of experience in performing combined procedures. Sometimes our surgeons may recommend performing two separate procedures and, in many cases, may recommend a single larger combined procedure if you don’t wish to go too big.
How long does breast enlargement take to perform?
A breast enlargement procedure takes 1 to 2 hours to perform. Most of our patients return to work after approximately five days, depending on the nature of their work. It may be sensible initially to start with light duties and build up slowly, preferably on a part-time basis.
How soon can I start exercise after breast enlargement surgery?
Our patients can begin gentle exercises 2-3 days after the procedure. It is recommended to start slowly and build up gradually. Patients should avoid lifting heavy weights for at least 4-6 weeks to ensure good healing.
What is the most common incision type for breast enlargement surgery?
All our surgeons use the gold standard inframammary incision, which is expertly placed in the natural fold of the breast. Although this incision leaves a small scar, it is very well concealed in the lower breast fold and allows the surgeon the best view of the inside of the breast during surgery. The best view means that breast implants can be placed accurately to create the most aesthetically appealing look. Our surgeons also use the Keller funnel as standard. The Keller Funnel is the most advanced technique for inserting breast implants and allows for small inframammary incisions.
Is it true that breast implants need to be replaced every 10 years?
Older-generation implants used to be replaced every ten years. Our surgeons use only the most advanced fifth-generation CE-approved silicone implants, so this is no longer the case. If there is no damage or rupture to the implants and you are happy with how the implants look over time, then there is no need for them to be replaced. Our surgeons do recommend having an MRI scan every three years to check the integrity of the implants for optimal peace of mind for you.
Can I still have breast cancer screening with mammograms?
Yes. It is still possible to have a mammogram after having had breast implants. Radiologists have now become experts in assessing patients’ X-rays with breast implants.
How long does it take for me to be fully healed after breast enlargement surgery?
The small scars after breast enlargement are more visible for the first few months before settling down. Initially, scars may appear reddish and raised; with time, these become flatter and paler. Our surgeons may recommend silicone gel therapy after about six weeks to improve the appearance of the scars even further. Scars often take up to a full year to fully mature. Our surgeons are experts in optimising the appearance of scars. They may recommend special brown tape to cover the incision lines for improved scar aesthetics in the weeks after your surgery.
Are you interested in having breast implants? Centre for Surgery will be able to help you choose your best breast implants. Contact us today for more information or to book a consultation with one of our surgeons.
