A lot of people don’t know where to start when it comes to choosing the breast implants they want. You have to take into account the shape, size, material, and more. Breast augmentation surgeons are here to help! Here are a few things you should consider when choosing your breast implants.
1. Size
When it comes to choosing the size of your breast implants, plastic surgeons can walk you through what to expect. Implants aren’t measured by cup size, but rather by volume in cubic centimeters (cc). The general rule is to add 250cc for every cup size you want to go up, but this can vary depending on your frame. Plastic surgeons are well versed in this, so be detailed with what you want and they’ll advise you on which size will best achieve your goals.
2. Shape
There are also different shapes when it comes to breast implants. The primary two are round and teardrop. Round implants are symmetrical with equal fullness around the nipple, while the teardrop shape adds more volume below the nipple and accentuates the lower half of the breasts.
Teardrop has become more popular because many people find that it looks more natural, but that’s not to say that round implants can’t look natural, too. It comes down to your personal preference, and one may be better suited for your body shape than the other. Experienced plastic surgeons can be extremely helpful when it comes to determining which will look best on your body, and which one best aligns with your body goals.
3. Material
Similar to the shape, there are two primary types of implants you can choose from when it comes to the material — silicone and saline. Both use silicone as the casing, but silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel, while saline breast implants are filled with saline, which is a sterile saltwater solution.
If you’re between the ages of 18 and 21, you have to get saline implants as silicone won’t be an option for you. The benefits of saline implants are that they require a smaller incision, which means less scarring, and it’s also easy to tell when they rupture. However, it may be worth waiting until you’re old enough for silicone implants because saline implants are more prone to wrinkling and typically look and feel less natural. At the same time, they’re easier to customize, which means they can provide a fit specific to your body.
Silicone, on the other hand, has a more natural look and feel and is less likely to cause cosmetic imperfections such as rippling. They’re also less likely to stretch the skin, so you may be able to avoid stretch marks. However, it’s more difficult to detect a rupture. The only way to be certain that it has ruptured is to get an MRI, so it’s recommended that you get regular MRI scans if you opt for silicone.
There are benefits and drawbacks to both materials, so speak to your plastic surgeon. They’ll be able to help you decide which is better for your body and your lifestyle.
4. Lifestyle
Speaking of lifestyle, this is another important consideration that many people don’t think about. For example, if you’re an active and fit person, you’ll have to think about how the size of your implants will impact your activities. It’s often recommended that highly active people get smaller implants because large implants can heavily impact a fitness lifestyle.
Furthermore, if you’re very active, you should probably opt for silicone implants. They are more durable, and certain types of silicone implants will adhere to the breast muscle more quickly, which means they’ll move less while running and jumping. This decreases the chance of rupture.
Lastly, placement is one of the most important considerations if you have an active lifestyle. There are two primary placements — above the pectoral muscle and below the pectoral muscle. While people typically opt for below the muscle so they have a more natural look, this isn’t recommended for people who build chest muscle. By placing it above the muscle, the implant won’t affect the functionality of your pectorals, and the muscle won’t compress and alter the appearance of the implant during vigorous exercise.
Make sure you discuss your lifestyle with your doctor before your procedure. This typically applies to physically active people because muscles and vigorous exercise can impact the implants, but there are other lifestyles that should also be considered. Your breast augmentation surgeon will be able to go into detail with you about this so you can find the right fit for you.
According to Forbes, almost 11.36 million plastic surgeries were performed worldwide in 2019. Plastic surgeons are here to help you get the body you want in the safest way possible. There are many things to consider and decisions to make when it comes to your breast implants, but plastic surgeons have the expertise you need to ensure your decision is an informed one. Contact Mark Crispin MD – Crispin Plastic Surgery by completing our online form today, and we’ll help you through the process.