Your overall decision to have breast augmentation is a big one. Obviously, it will change your life, so it isn’t something to enter into lightly without doing the requisite research. Plus, you need to be sure you’re opting to have this surgery for yourself and not someone else.
Once you make the decision to move forward with the procedure, there will be a series of additional decisions you’ll need to make about the specifics of your augmentation. While the decisions may seem overwhelming, your board-certified Miami Plastic Surgery® surgeon and the rest of our team will walk you through each one during your consultation. We’ll give you all the information you need to help make you feel comfortable with your choices.
Here are the main decisions you’ll need to consider.
- Implant type. You’ll choose between silicone implants and saline implants — both types have pluses and minuses. Most people feel that silicone implants have a more natural feel than saline. However, if a saline implant ruptures, your body simply absorbs the salt water. If a silicone implant ruptures, you’ll need to have any silicone that has leaked removed. Today’s silicone is much denser than that of even a decade ago, so this isn’t as much of a problem. Also, no matter what type of implant you have, if it ruptures the implant will need to be removed and replaced.
A decade ago, a new type of implant, the gummy bear implant, came on the market. These implants consist of a much denser silicone gel, hence the name gummy bear. If they rupture, the silicone remains in the shell.
In 2014, a new option came out for saline implants, the Ideal Implant. These implants feature a nested style of construction that makes the implants feel more like silicone than traditional saline implants.
- Implant position. At first this seems like a silly question — where else are the implants going to go! But you’ll decide on the position of the implant, whether it will be placed atop or underneath the breast muscle. Many believe implants placed under the muscle have a more natural look, but this is all personal preference.
- Incision location. Where you want the incision will affect your scarring. Implants can be placed through incisions either at the bottom of the breast, at the base of the areola, or in the armpit. Obviously, incisions in the armpit leave the least visible scarring.
- Implant style. The last of your decisions will be the size and shape of your implants. Implant size is measure in cubic centimeters. This is the amount of material used — saline or silicone gel — to fill the implants, so the size will be something like 350 ccs, etc. Some implant styles feature more projection than others. Others, such as the above-mentioned gummy bear implants, are teardrop shaped.
If you’re interested in augmenting your breasts, give us a call at Miami Plastic Surgery® and set up your consultation with one of our surgeons. Call us at (305) 595-2969 to schedule your appointment.
