Choosing the right breast implant - things to consider
Choosing The Right Breast Implant - things to consider
Choosing the right breast implant is crucial to your surgery outcome. Many women ask the question “How do I choose breast implants”. Luckily you don’t have to make this decision on your own, your surgeon will do the ground work to ensure the sizing and shape is suitable for you.
Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the world. Dr Isolde Hertess is highly experienced and passionate about this procedure. Her familiarity of the female anatomy and 27 years of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery will ensure your outcome is as positive at possible with minimal risk of complications.
We’ve put together some key elements that will help to choose the right breast implant size for you.
1. Initial consultation:
An initial consultation with your Dr Hertess Plastic Surgery is the perfect time to ask any questions, big or small! Honest and transparent communication is vital for your plastic surgery and breast augmentation Australia journey.
Honest communication
You may not always hear what you want to hear but it is imperative to patient safety, and reaching your goals that your surgeon is open and honest with you. At this time, your surgeon will evaluate your medical history, discuss surgical techniques, and what you can expect during and after surgery. You’ll be made aware of any risks and complications, and how your choice of implants can prevent or heighten these risks.
Inspiration pictures
At your consultation you can bring in inspiration pictures, or before & afters of breast augmentation to give your surgeon an idea of your desired outcome. Remember, everyone’s anatomy is different, and outcomes will differ. Pictures are just reference points for your surgeon to understand your specific aesthetic goals.
Dr Hertess Plastic Surgery Gold Coast will take you through the different types of implants and how they will change or shape the look you are wanting. This is also the time to establish realistic expectations, and to understand the outcome of breast augmentation is never perfection, but improvement.
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2. Sizing - key factors that affect your choice of size!
Anatomy & health - your weight, height, chest wall size, anatomical features, existing breast volume and shape and breast tissue characteristics will impact the size of the implant that is appropriate for you during breast augmentation surgery. Implant selection is highly individualised to the patient, your surgeon will determine what is a safe and realistic size for you when choosing the right breast implant.
Patients who are petite and shorter, with a smaller chest will have a different implant size to those who are more voluptuous, taller, and have a bigger bust.
3. Consider proportion over sizing
Take into account how your implants will change the look of your overall physique when choosing the right breast implant. Try not to get too hung up on size and consider how they will balance out your waist and hips when choosing to undergo breast augmentation surgery. It is often recommended to opt for implants that will give you a more balanced silhouette. Ultimately the choice is yours, alongside your surgeons professional advice.
4. Your age
Your age may be a determining factor in your implant choice, smaller implants might be more appropriate or a lift alongside augmentation may give you the desired results. Choosing to have a breast lift (Mastopexy) alongside breast augmentation will lift the breasts and remove the excess skin that appears as we get older. As eostrogen levels decrease, the breast tissue and skin strength declines - this alone will change the type and size of implants that can be used. But do not worry, your surgeon will take you through all of this.
5. Lifestyle
Your lifestyle plays a significant role in implant choice. If you are very active, play sports or participant in physical exercise regularly, it’s important to be practical and understand that the type of implant chosen can have repercussions. Larger implants will effect sports and exercise performance, or become uncomfortable. You may need to reconsider your mode of work out or the types of sports you play - high impact activities could be difficult. Don’t let your implants dictate your lifestyle - aim for longterm physical comfort with aesthetically pleasing results.
6. Your profession
We suggest our patients also factor in their profession before undergoing breast augmentation and choosing the type or size of implant. If your job entails a higher level of manual labour, physical movement or a specific uniform, take into account how your implant selection will affect this.
7. Aesthetic goals
Some patients seek a more subtle change in breast size and ask the question of ‘which breast implants look the most natural’, while others will want a more dramatic and noticeable change. This is a personal choice, and showing your surgeon imagery or before & afters that inspire you can help to ensure you are both on the same page with what outcome you are wanting aesthetically. Larger and more perkier implants will appeal to some patients, while others will prefer a small and more natural look. All implants will ‘drop and fluff’ after surgery, this is normal and is the process of them settling into their long term position.
8. Profile selection
There are three main profile types for breast implants: Low, Moderate and High. The profile of a breast implant refers to how much an implant projects forward from the chest wall when standing.
Low means that these implants will sit flatter in appearance with minimal projection on the chest wall. This type of profile is usually good for women with a wider chest.
Moderate profiles are known to give the most natural-looking results, as the name suggests, implants with a moderate profile will sit higher on the chest wall than low projection, but not as high as a high profile. This approach is mostly ideal for women with a smaller and more narrow chest.
Finally, high profile implants give more of a dramatic look, and provide maximum projection. This means they give a fuller and more rounded results, this can look less natural on some patients. High profile implants are great for women who are petite and have a narrow chest wall.
Your surgeon will asses and measure your chest to anticipate how implants of different profiles will look on you. Dr Hertess will advise on which profile is most suited to your body shape and desires.
9. Smooth or Texture
Smooth breast implants
Breast implants are made up of an outer silicone rubber shell, this is filled with either silicone gel or saline. Smooth implants are very smooth (hence the name) and shiny due to the silicone rubber shell. Smooth implants are known to not attach to the surrounding body tissue and are freely movable within the capsule that forms after surgery.
Textured breast implants
Textured implants on the other hand have a silicone rubber shell that has a micro-texture, it feels a bit like sand paper. This type of implant attaches to the tissue capsule and is less likely to move. There is conflicting research that textured implants can reduce the rate of capsular contracture (when the membrane surrounding the breast implant becomes very tight).
When the two types of implants are placed beneath the chest muscle, and the patient has enough breast tissue sitting over the muscle, it is nearly impossible to feel or see the difference. In a lot of circumstances, if you are opting for round implants, you will choose a smooth implant to compliment the shape. For teardrop implants, a micro-textured shell is often used to avoid the implant from shifting and moving around.
The decision between the two can only be made when you speak with your surgeon and have a thorough consultation.
10. Implant Shape
Teardrop
Teardrop shaped implants, or also known as anatomical implants, are for the women who want a more natural look, they give a less dramatic appearance and the outcome can be more subtle. Teardrop implants have the micro-textured outer shell which can help to keep the implant in place. They usually have a firmer feeling, but have been known to carry a higher risk of rotation.
Round
Round implants offer a more dramatic result with increased fullness. Round implants are beneficial as they can be at lower risk of rotation, which is beneficial if you want to avoid revision surgery. They can however carry a higher risk of capsular contracture or bottoming out. The research has revealed some conflicting results so always speak to your surgeon in detail about specifics.
11. Know the risks
Your choice of implant size, type and texture can determine the level of risk and potential complications down the track. Speak to your surgeon to understand how your choice can increase your chances of complications with breast augmentation surgery. All plastic surgery carries risk, be completely informed and educated on all possible outcomes, and how you can help to rectify these issues if they were to arise. Know your options, ask your surgeon everything and anything.
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How to choose the right breast implant size for you?
Below are some resourceful videos created by Mentor, our implant brand of choice.
Book a consultation with Dr Hertess to see which breast implant size is right for you. Call us on (07) 5601 0492 or by filling out this form.
