It is a big decision choosing to have breast augmentation. However, it is a procedure which involves a lot of choices before you even go under the knife. These choices will help determine what type of breast implants you will have and how your breasts will appear after surgery.
So what kind of breast implant is right for you?
Silicone vs saline
Your implants will be made of a particular material – either silicone or saline.
Silicone implants are made up of a thick gel. This material most closely mimics the natural texture of the breasts. Meanwhile, saline implants are made up of sterilised salt water. These implants are inserted empty and are then filled.
At Centre for Surgery, we currently only use silicone implants which are approved by the UK medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency.
Shape
There are two different shapes you will have to pick from. Your two options are:
- Teardrop: this implant will be smaller at the top and bigger at the base. This is preferable for those who are wishing to achieve a more natural appearance.
- Round: this implant is spherical in appearance and will help to add fullness to the top of the breasts. This is ideal for those who are wishing to add more volume to the cleavage area and are wishing to correct any sagging. You will also have to choose a profile for this implant, which ranges from low to high. This will alter the appearance of the breasts and how natural they look. The higher the profile, the less natural the breasts will appear.
Texture
There are multiple options that you will have to consider when deciding on the texture of the implants. The options for texture are:
- Smooth: smooth implants will have a slippery, soft texture and will appear glossy on the outside. When the smooth implants are inserted they are able to move around within the breast pocket. Smooth implants generally result in a more natural look and feel.
- Textured: textured implants will have more of a coarse surface. This is designed to stick to the body’s tissue, which then holds the implant in place. This means the implant will never get repositioned. Teardrop implants are generally always textured.
Placement
You will not only have to decide on what the implant itself looks like, you will also need to decide where exactly in the breasts the implants will be placed.
The options for implant placement are:
- Sub-glandular placement: the implant is placed between the breast tissue and the chest muscle. This is considered to be a less invasive procedure and therefore gives you a more comfortable and shorter recovery period. This placement can help you to achieve a larger cleavage area, and the implants may appear to look less natural.
- Sub-muscular placement: the implant is placed under the pectoral chest muscle. As the implant is covered by both the muscle and the breast tissue, implants in this placement generally appear more natural looking. However, the implant will sit higher until the muscle relaxes, which will take around four to six weeks. This placement will also result in a longer recovery period as the muscle will also need to recover.
Size
You will also have to decide how big the actual implants will be.
Breast implants are measured in what is referred to as CC – otherwise known as cubic centimetres. There is a large range of sizes available for breast implants, ranging from 80CC to 800CC. The larger the number, the larger the breast implant will be.
There are several factors which will need to be considered if you are thinking about getting particularly large implants. You will have to consider your body frame and how much skin you have available. If you have a smaller frame and breasts, you may not be suitable for very large implants. If the implants are too large, the edges of the implant may be visible. Your surgeon may advise you against getting implants which are too large for you. If you are interested in having larger sized implants, you may need to get smaller implants originally, which will help to stretch the skin. Once the skin is stretched, you can get these implants replaced with a larger size.
It is often a good idea to have an idea about what size implants you want before going to your consultation with your surgeon. Not sure about where to start with the size of your implants? You may wish to undertake the rice test. This involves measuring rice to the same volume of the implant. One ounce of rice, or 1/8 cup, is equivalent to 30cc. Once you have measured the rice, pour it into a nylon stocking and tie the other end. You can then put on a sports bra and put the makeshift implants into place. This can help you get an idea of how a certain size of implants will look on your body.
Once you have been assessed and the surgeon has decided you are an eligible candidate for surgery, you will be able to look at and try on different size implants. Your surgeon will be able to help recommend the best size for you.
Are you interested in undergoing breast augmentation? This is a procedure Centre for Surgery specialises in. Contact us today to find out more details or to book a consultation.