In 2022 alone, more than 255,000 women underwent breast augmentation surgery in the United States. As one of the most popular forms of plastic surgery, many women find that the ability to customize their breast augmentation results helps them achieve their aesthetic goals. Knowing the ins and outs of breast augmentation is essential if you are considering this procedure, and our team at DMR Aesthetics is here to help.
What is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation is a type of plastic surgery that involves inserting implants into your breast area. Some patients opt for implants for breast reconstruction following a breast cancer diagnosis. Although this breast enhancement procedure does not impact overall breast health, many women receive breast implants to improve their self-esteem and self-confidence.
Are You a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Several criteria are used to determine if a patient is a good candidate for breast implants. As a general rule, you may be a good candidate for this surgical procedure if you experience:
- Sagging breasts from child birth, aging, or weight loss.
- Small breasts that have impacted your self-esteem or confidence.
- Desire to create a more youthful appearance or to increase breast size and shape.
Most plastic surgeons prefer that patients not smoke, as this can hinder their body’s ability to heal. It is also vital that you are in good overall health and do not have any illnesses that could cause excessive bleeding or problems during the recovery process.
Finally, you must have realistic expectations regarding the desired outcomes from plastic surgery. Having a positive body image before surgery is vital as breast implants are a huge decision and can dramatically enhance your appearance. However, it would be best to listen to your plastic surgeon and their assessment of your aesthetic goals to determine whether this surgical procedure will help you achieve them.
Breast implants are typically not a good option for individuals who have a weakened immune system or are battling infections. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have breast cancer may want to wait to have breast surgery.
Factors to Consider when Selecting Breast Implants
Factors to Consider when Selecting Breast ImplantsBreast augmentation is a customizable procedure. As such, you can weigh various factors to create your desired look. In doing so, there are several factors you should consider when determining the best type of breast implant for your lifestyle.
What Breast Implant Size Is For You?
The first thing you want to consider is the breast size of the breast implants you prefer. Implant size is measured in terms of cubic centimeters, or CCs. The total number of CCs in an implant typically indicates the overall volume. Larger implants will have a higher number of CCs, while smaller ones will have a lower number.
When choosing the right implant size, consider your body type and body shape. Your shape and type of body may influence whether you go with larger breasts or increase your breasts by as little as one cup size.
Which Breast Implant Shape Fits Your Contours?
In addition to selecting the implant sizes, you should consider the breast shape you want to achieve. Breast implants typically come in two shape options. These include rounded and contoured. Round breast implants are an exceptional option for patients who desire increased breast volume, more cleavage, and more fullness.
Alternatively, contoured breast implants, or teardrop implants, are designed to replicate the appearance of natural breasts. Due to their unique shape, contoured implants have less volume on the top portion and greater volume on the lower portion of each breast implant. Most women feel that contour-shaped breast implants feel more natural and have a more natural look than round implants.
Both of these factors will contribute to the results you achieve from your surgery. Additionally, the type of implant that you choose for your breast surgery will also make a difference.
Choosing The Right Implant Type
Along with choosing the ideal size and shape of your new breasts, the type of implant used can also impact the overall look and feel of your results. Typically, there are four main types of implants used in this type of procedure:
Saline Implants
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. These implants ensure you achieve an even feel and shape. They are also a firmer option compared to other available types. These implants are placed in the chest area and filled with solution until they reach the desired size. Saline-filled implants are an excellent option for individuals who have asymmetrical breasts, as the plastic surgeon can fill them with different CC amounts to achieve symmetry.
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone implants are another popular option. This type of breast implant is filled with a silicone gel, ensuring a more tissue-like form once placed during plastic surgery. Silicone implants can change shape when squeezed. However, they will return to their natural shape. This quality is designed to mimic the feel of breast tissue.
Gummy Bear Implants
Gummy bear implants are one of the more cohesive breast implant options. These breast implants are filled with a thick silicone gel and designed to create a natural look. Gummy bear implants are cross-linked, giving them a more solid foundation to keep their teardrop shape longer.
Fat Grafts
Fat GraftsFat grafts are another option for women who do not particularly like the idea of having foreign objects placed in their bodies. This type of breast augmentation involves using tissues gathered from various parts of your body during a fat transfer procedure. This procedure has the slightest chance of rejection and is performed with minimal incisions and limited scarring on your skin. Most patients appreciate fat grafts as they also receive liposuction under general anesthesia, which removes stubborn fat deposits and improves contour in other body areas.
It is best to discuss your desired final results with your plastic surgeon to determine which implant option is right for you.
Breast Augmentation FAQs
Can I Combine Breast Augmentation With Other Cosmetic Surgeries?
Breast augmentation surgery can be combined with several other procedures to expand your overall final results. A breast lift is one procedure that can be performed during your breast augmentation to enhance the overall appearance while placing your breasts in a more lifted position.
If you want to transform your entire body, this plastic surgery is an excellent option to include in a mommy makeover. A mommy makeover procedure can include breast augmentation, breast lift surgery, liposuction, and various other procedures.
Do Breast Implants Affect Mammogram Test Results?
It is common for breast implants to interfere with the mammogram readings. However, this is mostly seen in patients who have breast implants placed above the chest muscles or subglandularly on the chest wall. Interference is significantly decreased when patients have their breast implants placed submuscular placement or below the chest muscles, which is why many surgeons opt for this placement during breast augmentation.
How Long Does It Take to Recover After A Breast Augmentation Procedure?
After plastic surgery, you may be able to perform the majority of your everyday activities within 72 hours. However, you may have to wait a few weeks to perform more strenuous activities. Your plastic surgeon will be able to provide more insight during your consultation on what you can expect during your recovery.
Will My Insurance Cover my Breast Augmentation?
Generally speaking, your insurance healthcare provider will not cover the cost of implants if they are for a breast enlargement. However, they may cover breast implants for women who have had mastectomies.
How Soon Will It Take to See Results After Surgery?
Like other surgeries, breast augmentation does result in some swelling. As a result, it can take several weeks and sometimes several months to notice the final results of the augmented breasts.
Is Breast Implant Removal Required?
Many breast implants are designed to last for 10-15 years after they are implanted. If you reach the lifetime expectancy for your implants, you may consider surgery. However, in most cases, breast implant exchange is performed to replace the existing implants with new ones. This ensures you continue to enjoy the results of your breast augmentation for many years to come.
Are there potential complications with breast implants?
There are some potential complications that you can experience from breast augmentation. One potential complication is anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. This is a very rare type of non-Hodkins lymphoma that can result in enlargement of the breasts, lumps in the breast pocket, and pain.
Another potential complication is capsular contracture. Capsular contracture occurs when the breast tissue surrounding the implant hardens and causes pain.
It is essential to discuss all of your concerns about breast augmentation and any potential complications with your plastic surgeon to ensure you know what to expect.
See if Breast Augmentation Is Right for You
Breast implants are an effective way to boost your self-confidence while enhancing the contours of your body type. If you are considering this transformational surgery, contact our us at DMR Aesthetics to schedule an initial consultation.
Our surgical team will be able to meet with you and discuss your desired results to help determine whether breast augmentation can help.
Contact Dr. Dahlia Rice at our Chicago, IL, office at your earliest convenience. She aims to answer all your questions to help ease some of your concerns by providing you with some examples of breast enlargement surgery before and after results of past patients that we have on file. This will provide you with insight of the whole experience that you can expect throughout the process.
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/gummy-bear-implants#pros-and-cons
https://lymphoma.org/understanding-lymphoma/aboutlymphoma/nhl/anaplastic-large-cell-lymphoma/