Question #1:  Which type of implant should I choose?

 

Answer:  As a patient, you are able to choose between saline or silicone breast implants, both FDA approved.  Saline implants are filled with a liquid saline solution.  Silicone implants are gel-filled. Silicone implants feel more like natural breast tissue.  The breast moves in a more natural fashion with silicone.  I highly suggest silicone implants overall, but especially for thinner, smaller breasted women because the saline-filled implants have a tendency to ripple under the skin.  The FDA requires all patients requesting silicone implants for breast augmentation to be at least 22 years of age and recommends that women with silicone implants have a breast MRI exam three to five years following surgery and then every few years after to ensure the implant is still intact.

 

Question #2:  Should I ask for my implants to be placed over or under my chest muscle?

 

Answer:  There are advantages and disadvantages to both placement locations.  Implants may be placed over or under your pectoral muscle.  If the implant is placed over the muscle, you can expect less pain and a quicker recovery.  If you chose to have your implants placed under the muscle, there is more recovery pain; however, placement under the muscle results in less interference with future mammograms.  Patients should note there are possible complications with breast feeding in both over and under placements.  This question is best answered based on a consultation with your cosmetic surgeon after looking at your personal anatomy. 

 

Question #3:  How do I know what size implant is best for me?

 

Answer:  Again, this is another question best answered during your consultation based on your personal anatomy, but one should note that the most common reason patients have additional surgeries following a breast augmentation is their dissatisfaction with the breast size.  Determining the right size for you is important.  Another consideration when choosing implants is the use of high or low profile implants.  High profile implants result in increased projection.  Low profile implants are wider with less projection.  It is also important to remember that I can make “sisters” not “twins” meaning every effort is made to make the breasts as symmetrical as possible, but your original breast anatomy may impact the final outcome of the surgery.   

 

Question #4:  Where will my incisions be located?

 

Answer:  I prefer to place my incisions around the nipple because this allows me to have the easiest access to all areas of the breast and a higher success of proper implant positioning.  Also, if a follow-up surgery is needed at any time, the same incision may be used to avoid additional scars.  There are three other incision options from which the patient can choose:  under the breast, through the armpits, or through the belly button.  Incisions under the breast are more visible.  Incisions through the armpits create a constricted path to implant placement limiting the size of the silicone implant able to be placed.  A belly button incision limits the ability to place the implant with accuracy.  Those patients requesting silicone implants are unable to have a belly button incision due to the size of the implants. 

 

  

Tags: breast augmentation, saline implants, silicone implants

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 1st, 2009 at 4:25 am and is filed under Breast Augmentation and/or Reductions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.