Because plastic surgery, in general, has become less stigmatized, I decided I wanted to learn more about it, so I did a little research on breast augmentation. What I found out is that breast augmentation is the top cosmetic procedure in the United States with over 300,000 surgeries performed in 2017 alone. From young 20-somethings to women in their 60s, and even 70s, breast enhancement is in high demand. I also found out that surgical techniques have advanced tremendously since early breast augmentations, so women can now enjoy better safety and better results.
Consultation
Another important thing I discovered is that no 2 breast surgeries are alike. Which means, your surgery should be individualized to fit your needs. Before surgery, you’ll have a consultation with your surgeon, and the 2 of you will discuss your desired results, personal anatomy, and your lifestyle. These are all things the surgeon needs to know before the surgery and to help with deciding on what size implant to get. Once the surgeon knows all this important information, he or she will create a customized surgical plan based on your conversation.
Make sure to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who has years of experience performing breast augmentations. Plastic surgery is not something to be taken lightly—you want the very best for your body.
Implant Type
I found out that choosing an implant is more than just picking a cup size; you must also consider shape, material, and profile. Implants can be either round or teardrop shaped. Round implants provide more cleavage and a “fuller” look, while teardrop implants more closely resemble the slope of natural breasts. Implants can be filled with a saline solution or silicone gel depending on your preference. The “gummy bear,” highly cohesive gel implants have become very popular because to many people they feel more like natural breast tissue. You need to also think about what profile you want. In this case, “profile” refers to how much your implants stick out from your chest. Different implants will give you a different profile.
Incision Placement
Like so many things these days, you have a lot of options when it comes to what type of incision is used for placing the implants. Your surgeon will help you choose one that is right for you. Options include:
- Transaxillary. In this procedure, the surgeon makes the incisions in the natural crease of the armpit, so no scar is visible on the breast. Also, breast and nipple sensation is preserved.
- Inframammary. This option makes incisions in the fold under the breast. This type of incision is good for silicone implants but may have an impact on breastfeeding. If you plan on having children and breastfeeding in the future, be sure to tell your surgeon because that might affect what implant placement is best for you.
- Periareolar. In this option, the incisions are made along the edge of the areola. The scar is less noticeable than inframammary incisions but may result in nipple numbness.
- Perithelial. This is an approach that makes the incisions beside the nipple and within the areola. Like periareolar incisions, these incisions are less noticeable than inframammary incisions, but they can cause numbness in the nipples.
Implant Placement
Once the incision is made, your surgeon will create a small pocket for the implant. This pocket can be made on top of or below the chest muscle. Doctors typically recommend below the muscle placement for women who have little existing breast tissue. This will provide more coverage, so the implants feel more natural.
Keller Funnel®
The Keller Funnel is an innovative new tool to safely that precisely inserts your implants. Board-certified surgeon Dr. Shim Ching uses the Keller Funnel in his plastic surgery center in Honolulu. According to Dr. Ching, the Keller Funnel reduces the risk of infection, allows for a smaller incision, and is gentler than traditional insertion methods.
During the consultation, ask if your surgeon uses the Keller Funnel!
Recovery
With any surgery, you want to know about how long it will take to recover. What I found out is that breast augmentation recovery has improved greatly over the years, and your surgeon can give you information on how much time you’ll need. But regardless of the recovery time, it is important to carefully follow your surgeon’s post-op instructions. Typically, they will provide a specific timeline and list of tips for your recovery period. Some of these tips include:
- Clearing your schedule—give yourself time to relax in those first few days post-op
- Asking a friend or family member to drive you home from surgery
- Choosing button-up shirts that don’t require raising your arms
- Keeping everything that you’ll need close by, so you won’t have to constantly stand up
If you are interested in breast enhancement, do some more research about it and book a few consultations to meet with reputable plastic surgeons. Don’t rush into anything—wait until you’re 100% ready! You should be doing this for you and NOBODY else.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. For more information regarding Plastic Surgery and Breast Augmentation, please visit: Dr. Shim Ching
