How To Choose The Best Breast Implants For You

The decision to have breast augmentation is the first of many choices that you will need to be made before you have your procedure, and this is a complex decision, regardless of your age. Breast implants come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials and may be placed in the body using different surgical techniques. There is no one right choice for every patient; the ideal option for you will factor in your body type, lifestyle and desired outcomes. You will probably recognize the “best option” simply because it feels right.

When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, breast augmentation is a highly personalized and satisfying procedure. Dr. Scott D. Holley of West Michigan Plastic Surgery carefully evaluates each patient who visits him for breast augmentation in order to recommend the best breast implants for their needs and goals; this is the first step to achieving lasting and high-quality results. While you will discuss all options in detail during your consultation, as well as the pros and cons of each, you can have a more productive conversation with your surgeon if you are well informed about your options beforehand. There are several aspects of the surgery you will want to spend time considering to get the most value from your office visit.

The first big question — silicone or saline?

Breast implants fall into one of two main categories — silicone or saline. Implants filled with silicone gel tend to feel more like real breast tissue than their saline counterparts and are less prone to rippling after surgery, which is cosmetic, not a functional, concern. They are a popular choice for women of any age, hoping to achieve results that look and feel very natural. Because they come pre-filled, silicone implants typically require a slightly longer incision. If a silicone implant leaks, the implant will not collapse, unlike saline implants. This can make it more challenging to detect a rupture without routine doctor check-ups.

Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater that provides the device with uniform shape, firmness and feel. Saline implants may be the better choice if you desire a more obviously enhanced look with a high degree of upper pole fullness and projection. While saline implants are considered safer in the event of a rupture and can require a smaller incision during placement, they are more likely to wrinkle and can feel less natural than silicone implants. Both breast implant types are manufactured with a silicone outer shell.

Your next decision — round or teardrop?

Breast implants can be round or shaped like a teardrop. Round implants are circular and symmetrical, giving the breast an even level of fullness all the way around. This can achieve more outward projection and more volume at the top of the breasts, which may be desirable if you are going for a fuller look or want to correct sagging. There is no concern about a round implant rotating out of place because it is the same shape all the way around. This is the most common implant shape, in part for this reason.

Teardrop, or anatomical, breast implants are shaped with a sloping contour, with more volume in the lower half. The shape is designed to more closely resemble the shape of a natural breast, which can make teardrop implants the preferred option for women who are concerned with having a very natural-looking result after surgery. Teardrop implants are available only with silicone and a textured outer shell, and because their shape is not uniform, shifting inside the implant pocket can affect your look and will require a correctional procedure. However, both round implants and teardrop implants can look very natural with a surgery performed by a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Scott Holley.

Which shell texture is right for you, smooth or textured?

The outer surface of your breast implants may be either smooth or textured. Smooth implants are softer than textured implants, creating a more natural look and feel, but they may be more likely to shift position over time. Textured breast implants have a slightly coarse outer shell that sticks to the body’s tissue and helps the implant maintain proper placement within the breast pocket. Textured implants may look, feel and move less naturally than smooth implants. All teardrop implants are textured by design to reduce the risk of displacement. Some surgeons believe smooth implants pose fewer risks to patients based on patient reports of problems with textured devices; however, more research must be done before a conclusive finding can be reached.

What implant size will best fit your personality and lifestyle?

When you think about the size you want your breasts to be after surgery, you probably imagine a specific bra size. Although it seems like a logical way to measure, it’s not the best way to choose the size of your breast implants. Bra size differs between manufacturers, so it isn’t a consistent and accurate way to measure breast size. In addition, implants are measured in volume (cubic centimeters or CCs), which does not have a direct correlation to cup size. The best way to determine your desired implant size is to try on a range of breast implant sizers in your surgeon’s office or at home. Another way to preview your results is through the VECTRA 3D Imaging System, offered by West Michigan Plastic Surgery. This revolutionary technology can generate three-dimensional renderings, based on photos of your body, that can show you what you will look like with different implant sizes. You’ll also want to consider your body frame, current breast volume, wardrobe, personality and lifestyle as you select the implants that are right for you.

Lastly, which device profile best represents you?

The profile of your implants influences how full your breasts will look. Implants with a low or moderate profile are flatter and typically look more natural, while implants with a high or ultra high profile give the breasts a dramatic, pushed up look. The ideal profile differs from patient to patient, and yours will be determined based on two considerations: your existing body proportions and the breast appearance you wish to achieve.

Women Seeking Their Ideal Breast Augmentation Results Trust Dr. Scott Holley of West Michigan Plastic Surgery

Dr. Scott Holley has helped women of all ages find the implants that best meet their cosmetic goals and has performed their surgeries safely. Since 1997, Dr. Holley and his practice, West Michigan Plastic Surgery, have served the needs of women in the Portage and Kalamazoo areas, putting the sum of their expertise, training and judgment to work to achieve the quality, lasting results his patients deserve.

Call to schedule your in-person consultation with Dr. Holley today. You can reach the practice at 269-222-1611. Dr. Holley and his entire staff look forward to helping you achieve lasting wellbeing through breast surgery.