Breast implants may also be used after mastectomy, to reconstruct the breasts, but cannot correct severe drooping. If you want your breasts to look fuller and to correct sagging, a breast lift will be required in conjunction with breast augmentation surgery, which may often be done at the same time.
Ideal candidates for breast augmentation surgery:
- Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that may impair healing
- Individuals with a realistic outlook in mind for breast augmentation
- individuals bothered by the feeling that their breasts are too small
- individuals whose breasts are asymmetrical
- Non-smokers
If you are bothered by the overall appearance or size of your breasts, breast augmentation surgery may be right for you.
Types of breast implants
Saline breast implants
Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. If the implant shell leaks, it will collapse and the saline will be naturally absorbed and expelled by the body.
Silicone breast implants
Silicone breast implants are made of a silicone gel surrounded by a shell, that feels more like breast tissue. If the implant should leak, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may seep into the breast implant pocket, but will not collapse.
Gummy bear or tear drop breast implants
Form-stable implants or gummy bear breast implants maintain their shape, even when the outer shell is broken. These implants are also firmer than traditional implants and are less likely to break.
Gummy bear breast implants are tear drop shaped rather than round. They project more at the bottom and then taper towards the top. If a shaped implant rotates or shifts out of place, it may lead to an unusual appearance of the breast. Gummy bear implant placement requires longer incisions in the skin.
Round breast implants
Round breast implants tend to make breasts appear fuller than gummy bear implants. Larger profile options can achieve even more projection. Because round implants are the same shape all over, there is less concern about them rotating or shifting out of place.
Smooth breast implants
Smooth breast implants feel the softest out of all breast implant types. These implants move with the breast pocket, which gives a more natural movement. Smooth implants may create under skin rippling which can be visible.
Textured breast implants
Scar tissue forms and sticks to the textured implants, making them less likely to move around inside of the breast, shift, or rotate. This implant type offers some advantage in diminishing the risk of a constricting scar formation enveloping the implant.
Whether you choose saline or silicone implants, it is important for you to monitor your breast implants and follow-up with a plastic surgeon for appropriate ongoing future checkups.
Breast augmentation procedure steps
A breast augmentation procedure includes the following steps:
Step 1 – Consultation
Our surgeon will meet with you to evaluate your eligibility for your requested surgery, to discuss your goals and to advise you on the expected outcome. You will be required to complete a health questionnaire which will be reviewed during your consultation. It is very important to understand all aspects of your breast augmentation procedure, so be sure to ask questions. It is natural to feel some anxiety and preoperative stress and our team will make every effort to put your mind at ease.
Step 2 – Hospital admission & Surgery prep
On the morning of your surgery, you will be admitted to the hospital and our surgeons will go over your health questionnaire, take your vital signs and do a full blood panel to ensure you have no conditions barring you from surgery. The surgeon will come and mark the areas that will be treated and photographs will be taken.
Step 3 – Anesthesia
Once you have been cleared for surgery, medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia. Our surgeons will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 4 – The incision
Our surgeons will take great care in making tiny, inconspicuous incisions in specific areas as required for the area(s) being treated. Incisions vary based on your particular anatomy, the type of breast implant selected, desired enlargement degree and patient-surgeon preference.
Step 5 – Inserting and placing the breast implant
After the incisions are made, the breast implant is inserted either:
- Under the pectoral muscle
- Over the pectoral muscle (behind breast tissue)
The method for breast implant insertion depends on four factors: your particular anatomy, the type of breast implant selected, desired enlargement degree and patient-surgeon preference.
Step 6 – Closing the incisions
Using the layered suture technique, breast tissue incisions are closed. Skin tissue is closed using either sutures, skin adhesives or surgical tape. Over time the incision lines will fade.
Step 7 – Post Surgery
Immediately following your breast augmentation procedure, our surgeons will fit you with a compression garment(s) and you will be taken to the recovery ward for about two hours prior to being moved back into your room. On staff doctors and nurses will monitor you overnight and once cleared by our surgeon, you will be released the following afternoon and accompanied back to your hotel.
Step 8 – You will see our surgeon the following day and up to 3 follow up visits post-surgery. You will continue to wear the compression garment(s) for up to 6 weeks.
The results of breast augmentation surgery are visible immediately.
*All of our breast augmentation procedures are performed in an accredited, licensed ambulatory, surgical hospital facility.