Most patients who come for consultations regarding breast enlargement are not here because they necessarily want just bigger breasts; rather they want a more balanced form. I have said for many years that breast augmentation is not just about bigger breasts, it's about shape and balance. After all, the goal of surgery is to have beautiful breasts. Beautiful breasts come in all sizes. Size is an individual thing. You can have beautiful breasts that are quite small, or you can have beautiful breasts that are quite large. The issue seems to be deciding which factors are the basis for determining "beautiful" breasts.
Factors to Consider
Everyone has a different body shape which should influence the contours of the enhanced breast. The process and outcome of breast enlargement are quite differenct for every woman. Breast surgery should not be a set formula for every woman. Different breasts and body contours will determine the size and style of the implant and in some cases the location of the incision as well.
Slope
Aside from the size issue, a beautiful breast has several components. First, it is desirable to have a gentle slope that extends from just below the clavicle to the peak of the breast at the nipple position. A bulge in that region is a telltale sign of an implant and a "scooped-out" area probably means the breasts are too saggy. A smooth, gentle line should be present.
Nipple Position
Second, the nipple position should be in the region of the center of the breast mound. The nipple should tilt slightly outward and upward. Then the line of the breast should dip in a gentle arc from the nipple to the breast fold.
Cleavage
Third, cleavage to one degree or another is always desirable, and when viewed from the front in silhouette or from the back, there should be a gentle suggestion of fullness in the midline and laterally.
Size
Once these components are considered, the size becomes the next most important factor. This can be determined by taking careful measurements and studying the patient's body shape and bone structure. It is also important to listen to the patient as well as view pictures or photographs of breasts that the patient feels are desirable.
Discuss with Your Surgeon
When choosing a surgeon to perform your breast enlargement, you should not only be certain that he or she has technical ability and experience in performing breast augmentations, but that he or she also has artistic ability. Your surgeon should demonstrate an ability to understand and produce the harmony and balance necessary to create the most beautiful breasts for you.
Every woman having breast augmentation wants to make sure she has the best possible operation and achieves the best possible results. Though the basic idea of breast enlargement is simple, there are many factors to consider, and a simple idea can become quite confusing. Obviously, one wants to be bigger, but by how much? Alteration in shape is another goal, but what shape? When discussing breast augmentation with a patient, I try to limit confusion by helping each woman define their goals. There is no one perfect breast for everyone, as every woman has preferences regarding size and shape. Therefore, each operation needs to be tailored to meet an individual patient’s needs. There are five basic variables I then discuss with each woman as part of her preoperative planning: Implant Size; Implant Shape; Implant Surface; Implant Position (relative to the pectoralis major muscle); and Incisions. Implant Size The issue of implant size is inherently tricky, as women naturally think about breast size in terms of cup size, while breast implants themselves come in discrete volumes measured in cubic centimeters. In other words, implant volumes do not directly relate to bra cup size. For instance, an obvious problem is that a 300cc implant might result in a C cup size in a small woman, but only a B size cup in a large woman. To circumvent this issue, we go over pictures of augmented women, and I ask the patient to identify those most closely to her ideal, as well as those that are unappealing. By knowing their body size and their goals, I can use my experience to select the appropriate implant size. Implant Shape As with size, most women have a preference when it comes to breast shape. However, while some want a gentle slope to the upper part of their breasts, others want upper breast fullness. To help accommodate these preferences, breast implants come in “tear drop” shapes for a more flat upper breast and a round shape for a more prominent upper breast. Generally speaking, tear drop shaped implants tend to look more natural, more quickly, in patients with very little breast tissue. Round implants tend to be favored by women who have had children and have preferentially lost volume in the upper portion of their breasts. A final shape consideration is cleavage. Tear drop implants tend to be narrower than a round implant of the same volume. When patients tell me cleavage is important, they will usually be happier with a round implant. Implant Surface Breast implant surfaces can be textured (rough) or smooth. Textured implants are designed to ensure breast softness after augmentation. Among saline implants, a textured implant is about 5% to 10% more likely to remain soft when compared to a smooth surfaced implant. Additionally, textured implants do not need to be massaged or moved to maintain their softness. Texturing, unfortunately, comes at a cost. Texturing causes the implant to adhere to one’s tissues (breast or muscle) and is more likely to result in rippling of the overlying skin. A textured implant is usually easier to feel than a smooth implant. To confuse matters further, all tear drop implants are textured to help maintain their orientation. Thus, implant shape and surface are somewhat interrelated. Implant Position (relative to the pectoralis major muscle) Saline implants have proven to be safe and reliable. However, due to the lack of viscosity (thickness of the water), saline implants can cause rippling of the overlying skin in thin patients. To reduce or eliminate rippling, saline implants are frequently placed beneath the pectoralis major muscle. The main consequence of this is that the surgical procedure is more involved, requires general anesthesia, and results in more significant early postoperative pain. However, in most patients, the long-term results are better with subpectoral placement of the implants. Incisions Implants are generally placed through an incision in one of three places: 1) inframammary (the fold under the breast); 2) periareolar (beneath the nipple); or, 3) through the axilla (or armpit). Implant placement through the axilla obviously leaves no scarring on the breast. The problem with this incision is it is the most difficult to ensure proper placement of the implant. Periareolar (beneath the nipple) incisions easily result in an excellent scar; however, frequently patients are intimidated by this incision being so close to their nipple. The most common incision used in breast augmentation is an incision in the fold underneath the breast. While this incision is on the breast, it is extremely difficult for anyone to see once the breast is augmented because the breast basically covers the incision. There is a fourth way to do breast augmentation, which involves an incision near the navel or belly button. Generally speaking, this type of procedure typifies gimmickry in plastic surgery. While it is possible to do a breast augmentation through this incision, in general, it has significant limitations, and the complications which can predictably ensue, meaning implant dislocation, are much more difficult to treat following this procedure. A scientific problem with this operation is that the implant cannot be placed beneath the pectoralis major muscle. For this reason, this is not a procedure I do as it simply does not efficiently accomplish the goal of breast augmentation. After explaining each of the choices to a patient, most patients generally have one clear preference and this is the approach that is selected for them. As you can see, there are many choices to make regarding breast augmentation. I strongly encourage patients to take the time to define their goals and make choices which seem most right for them. To me, patients who are the happiest with their breast augmentation are those who felt they helped select their final results. Breast surgery is used either for medical or personal reasons. There are three types of surgery involving the alteration of breast tissue. Breast reduction, where the breasts are made smaller, is most common in women with disproportionately large breasts that cause pain to the back or shoulders. During the breast reduction procedure, incisions are made around the nipple area and in the crease of skin under the breast where it meets the chest. Excess fat, tissue and skin are then removed. Depending on how much the breast is reduced, the surgeon may have to reposition the nipple and underlying tissue. Incisions are then sutured and the healing process begins. The second type of surgery is a breast lift and is available to women with sagging breasts. The incisions are similar to those of breast reduction but all that is removed in the breast lift is excess skin. Finally, breast augmentation is an option for those who wish to enlarge small or underdeveloped breasts. The enlargement is accomplished by use of an implant surgically placed either directly under the tissue in the breast or under the chest muscle behind the breast. Incisions can be made either around the nipple, under the breast, or in the armpit for placement of the implant. The first step for breast surgery is a consultation with a plastic surgeon. He or she can discuss your options and decide which treatment is best for you.
asymetry
Are your breasts different sizes? Many people have asymmetrical breasts and look to cosmetic surgery for correction. This procedure gives you several options. You can augment the smaller breast to look like the larger one, or you can reduce the size of the larger breast to match the smaller one. Both breast augmentation and reduction are common procedures in modern plastic surgery. Breasts can be augmented using implants. In this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision, lifts the breast tissue, creates a pocket in the chest area, and places the implant inside the pocket. Almost all implants used today are filled with a saline solution. There are different designs of implants you can choose from. If you want to reduce the size of one breast, an incision is made and the excess fat tissue removed. The length of the surgery to even out your breasts depends on the type of procedure you choose. Each procedure can take up to three hours, and you can probably expect to be under local I-V sedation for about two hours. If you think you might be interested in correcting asymmetrical breasts, contact a plastic surgeon for more information. Saline implants for breast enlargement can be placed through several types of incisions. Usually the type of incision used depends on the surgeon's technique. There are several types of incisions that are used for breast enlargement. One of the most commonly used incision techniques is an inframammary incision. This incision is made slightly above where the lower part of the breast touches the chest. Another common technique is the periareolar incision. This incision is made around the lower border of the areola which is the dark pink skin that surrounds the nipple. Another technique, which is used less frequently, is an incision in the armpit. Incisions are generally very small, one-inch incisions which are then filled with a saline-filled implant. Once the implant is complete, the incisions are then closed by a few sutures. The sutures will be removed within a week of the surgery and every effort is made to keep scars as inconspicuous as possible. For more information on breast enlargement incisions, contact a board certified plastic surgeon.There are several reasons women consider breast augmentation. The procedure is used to enhance the body contour of a woman who, for personal reasons, feels her breast size is too small, it can also be utilized to correct a reduction in breast volume after pregnancy, balance a difference in breast size or as a reconstructive technique following breast surgery. "By inserting an implant behind each breast, surgeons are able to increase a woman's bust by one or more bra cup sizes,". "After surgery, breasts appear fuller and more natural in tone and contour." Most plastic surgeons uses all forms of implants, but believes that in a high percentage of patients, anatomic or "teardrop-shaped" - implants provide the most natural look. "The teardrop implants most closely resemble the ideal breast shape and can produce beautiful results." he says. "However, every patient is unique, and some patients are best fitted with the round implants because of the original shape of their breasts."
