Ready for a Breast Augmentation? These Are Your Options

There are so many breast augmentation options, it can feel overwhelming to make a decision that’s right for your body and the look you want. And, while size is important, there’s more to consider when choosing the best breast implants for you. Shape and profile matter, too.

In this post, you’ll learn about the different types of implants available and how they work to change the size and shape of the breasts.

Implant Types: Saline vs. Silicone

The material used to fill your breast implants affects both their appearance and feel. Your 2 primary breast augmentation options are silicone gel and saline. Both have a high safety profile and are approved by the FDA.

Silicone Gel Implants

Silicone gel breast implants are silicone shells filled with silicone gel. Many women favor these implants because the thick gel feels similar to natural breast tissue. Another advantage of silicone is that if an implant ruptures, it typically holds its shape rather than deflating. However, this can make it more difficult to tell if an implant rupture does occur. This is why I recommend women with silicone implants schedule periodic checkups to confirm their silicone implants are intact.

Within the silicone implant category are multiple options based on the cohesivness of the gel. “Gummy bear” implants are highly cohesive silicone implants that hold their shape, much like gummy bear candies. Less cohesive implants may feel more like natural breast tissue, but the decision is ultimately yours.

Saline Implants

Saline breast implants consist of a silicone outer shell filled with a solution of sterile saline (saltwater). While these implants don’t feel as natural as silicone, many women choose them because the body safely absorbs saline with no side effects if the implant ruptures. It’s noticeable when a saline implant ruptures because the breast rapidly loses volume.

Breast Implant Size, Shape, and Profile

When it comes to choosing the size of your implants, bra cup measurements are not very useful because there is no standard from one brand to another. Implants are measured in cubic centimeters (cc’s). Several factors are involved in what your breast augmentation results look like, including:

• Volume
• Diameter
• Shape
• Profile
• Placement

These all contribute to the projection of your implants, how full your new breasts will be, and how natural they’ll look and feel.

There’s also your own body shape to consider, as this affects what size and shape of breast implants are right for you. A plastic surgeon will consider:

• Your natural breast size and base width
• Your height
• Your build

Generally, the larger your frame, the more implant volume you’ll need to achieve a specific cup size.

Volume and Diameter

Volume is perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing your implant. A 400cc implant is bigger than a 300cc implant.

Diameter is another important implant measurement. This is the widest point of the implant. In general, an implant diameter that is similar to or complementary to the base width of your natural breast will give the most natural result. Many plastic surgeons suggest that you pick the volume first—because it’s most important—then the diameter that best complements the base diameter of your breasts.

Teardrop vs. Round Implants

Breast implants come in two different shapes:

• Round
• Teardrop (anatomically shaped)

Round implants have the same amount of fullness all the way around. Teardrop implants are shaped like their name sounds. The lower half of the teardrop implant is fuller than the upper. This means when the implant is placed, the breast has more fullness in the area below the nipple.

Teardrop implants tend to give the breasts a more natural-looking appearance, while round implants give more fullness to the bustline.

Note: Teardrop implants have a textured surface and are not currently being used as often while the safety of textured surfaces is further investigated.

Breast Implant Profiles

An implant’s profile refers to 2 things:

• How wide and tall they are (diameter)
• How far they project outward from the body (projection)

Generally, there are 3 profiles you’ll hear about from your plastic surgeon:

• High: Implants with a high profile are rounder than the other profile types and have the most spherical shape. They have the highest level of outward projection, so breasts look fuller and more dramatic.
• Moderate: These Implants are flatter and less rounded than high-profile implants. The moderate profile looks natural on most women.
• Low: These are the widest and flattest of the 3 profiles. They tend to be best suited for women who want a softer-looking bustline or those with larger frames. They may be too wide at the base for women with a petite body type.

In general, the more rounded the breast implants are, the higher their profile.

Specific profile choices have increased greatly over the last few years. Two of the largest manufacturers of breast implants in the U.S. are:

• MENTOR®
• Allergan

MENTOR offers six profiles (from lowest projection to highest):

1. Moderate profile Classic
2. Moderate profile plus
3. Moderate profile plus Xtra
4. High profile
5. High profile Xtra
6. Ultra profile

Similarly, Allergan offers five profiles (from lowest to highest):

1. Low profile
2. Low plus profile
3. Moderate profile
4. Full profile
5. Extra full profile

Your surgeon will help you understand the best option for the look you want.

Implant Placement: Over or Under the Muscle?

Surgeons can put the implants either over or beneath the chest’s pectoral muscles during breast augmentation surgery. Each location involves some pros and cons.

Recovery is faster and more comfortable when implants are placed over the muscle. However, over-the-muscle placement is associated with higher rates of a complication called capsular contracture. The placement can also make it more difficult to read mammography results.

One advantage of placing implants behind the muscle is that there is a buffer between the implant and the skin. This can help the breasts look and feel more natural. Additionally, the risk of capsular contraction is reduced, and mammography results are more easily interpreted. The trade-off is that post-op discomfort is lengthened by a few days.

Incision Placement

Many approaches have been used to place breast implants:

• Inframammary (near the crease below the breast) – This is the most common incision placement because the rate of capsular contracture is 3 times lower than the other approaches. It is also the most accessible incision if reoperation is needed.
• Periareolar (around the nipple) – This is used occasionally but has decreased because of a higher rate of capsular contracture.
• Transaxillary (through the armpit) – The use of this location is less common because of a higher rate of capsular contracture.

Inframammary incision are much more common than the other 2 options, but if you have questions about other incision types, don’t hesitate to ask your surgeon during a consultation.

Your Breast Augmentation Is Customized

One of the best things about getting breast implants is your ability to choose what your new breasts will look like. Whether you want natural-looking breast implants or a dramatically full bustline, the choice is yours. With breast augmentation options such as material, profile, and more, your final result will be tailored to you. And when your surgery and recovery period are over—and your breasts look as great as you dreamed—there’s nothing like the confidence of knowing that you look your best.

I’m happy to discuss your options with you. Request a consultation using the online form or call our office at (912) 503-2738.