Living your best life means being confident in who you are and how you look. If you’re feeling unsure of your appearance, breast augmentation surgery can help. At the offices of Soler Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Tampa. We use this procedure to restore symmetry and enhance curves. With a little information, you can be assured of its benefits for you.
Breast Augmentation Surgery and Implants
Before we go further, we want to explain that breast augmentation uses implants to achieve the desired contours. The only difference between the two is this: augmentation is the procedure necessary for breast enhancement, while implants are the mechanism used. Each relies on the other to deliver results.
One discerning factor you need to know is that not all implants are created equally. The one that’s right for you will depend on multiple factors, which we’ll discuss later. For now, we’re going to cover the different implants available and what makes each unique.
Saline
These implants are filled with saltwater that’s been sterilized. They’re known for providing a uniform shape and feel, important factors in helping your breasts look as natural as possible. Saline is also associated with two key benefits: flexible sizes so you can have the customized appearance you want, and easy leak detection
Saline implants are inserted as mere empty shells. After they’re in place, we gradually add the saline until we reach the exact size discussed during your consultation. This approach allows us to precisely measure the volume of each breast and achieve optimal symmetry. It is a great solution for women with uneven breasts and/or those striving for proportion.
Leaks
In most cases, a leak can be immediately detected because the body absorbs the saline. We can then act swiftly to reduce the impact and restore your peace of mind. This is a great time to point out that leaks rarely happen; but for those who are worried, saline can provide a sense of security.
Structured Saline
Structured implants try to combine the best of both worlds. The natural feel provided by silicone and the balanced appearance of saline. They contain multiple chambers to control how the solution moves, and many believe this implant is the most customizable.
Silicone
If you guessed these implants are filled with silicone gel, you guessed correctly. The greatest benefit is that the gel closely mimics real breast tissue, making it difficult to tell you’ve had breast augmentation surgery.
With silicone, the implant does not deflate if a leak occurs. Routine follow-up appointments with our office can help monitor these implants to ensure they’re properly functioning.
Gummy Bear
There seems to be much talk about these implants among patients, and it’s no wonder. Known as form-stable implants, the gummy bear version retains its shape at all times. Even if the implant shell breaks, the thick gel inside remains immobile. That gel has a thicker consistency than even traditional silicone and provides a firmer shape as well.
Gummy bear implants are designed to taper at the top and have more body at the bottom. This is intended to more closely mimic the female breast.
Round
Rounded implants have a consistent shape all over. They make breasts appear fuller than many other options, and a high placement can help patients achieve still more projection. These are popular with women who feel their breasts look deflated and/or out of proportion with the rest of their body.
Smooth
Should you want an implant that feels silky soft, the smooth option is a good choice. Its design also provides for very natural movement to promote fluidity and consistency with the body.
Textured
Perhaps the greatest advantage with these implants is that typically remain in position. Their textured pocket adheres to scar tissue that develops after surgery. This reduces any likelihood of movement.
Details of Surgery
Breast augmentation surgery is pretty straightforward. We conduct this as an outpatient procedure so that after a brief recovery period, you can go home to finish healing. You can expect the surgery to take between one and two hours, but this window will increase if you choose to have a breast lift at the same time.
This brings us to a good point: your procedure can be combined with other therapies to achieve more dramatic results all over. For example, you might choose to target pockets of abdominal fat with liposuction. Coupling this treatment with breast augmentation can help achieve your overall beauty goals.
What to Expect
Breast augmentation essentially boils down to:
- Administering general anesthesia
- Making incisions in pre-determined locations
- Inserting the implants
- Securely closing incisions
The Recovery Period
If you’ve heard that breast augmentation requires substantial recovery time, you’ve heard the words of a bygone era. Yes, it’s crucial that you see your recovery to the end, but you will likely be able to return to work within a week. Sleeping upright can help reduce swelling those first two days out of surgery.
You’ll probably be told to halt physical activity for two or three weeks; don’t raise your hands over your head and limit what you lift to just eight pounds. We’ll let you know when you can resume all activities, which should be within about six weeks.
Tips for Recovery
The first week out of surgery will be the most difficult, so completing a few tasks beforehand will help immensely. For example, have clothes for four or five days already laid out or within easy reach so you can dress without complication. Opt for comfortable, loose-siting outfits and have some ice packs in the freezer to relieve swelling.
Also have easy-to-eat foods already prepared. Healthy choices like fruits, vegetables, and yogurt will provide the nutrition you need and also keep blood flowing steadily to assist with recovery. Lastly, skip caffeinated and sugary beverages and choose water and/or tea instead. Both will keep you hydrated: an essential step in helping you heal.
Which Implant Is Right for You?
No discussion of breast augmentation surgery would be complete without discussing how to choose the right implants. Among the many factors you’ll need to consider is the size of breasts you want. We will weigh this against what we believe would be medically appropriate based upon your body size and type.
Keep in mind that with regard to bras, cup size varies among manufacturers. For this reason, we measure implants in cubic centimeters. We will therefore work to match this measurement with the desired cup size you present to us.
Saline vs Silicone
Many women get stuck as they try to decide if saline or silicone is more beneficial. This is less a matter of scientific fact and more a question of personal preference. Both implant types are extremely safe, come in many sizes, and can provide you with a beautiful, voluptuous profile.
Benefits of Saline
This implant is beneficial for women with a fair density of existing breast tissue to disguise any rippling that may show. Additionally, saline is approved by the FDA for patients over 18 years old, while silicone is only for women 22 and older. So if you’re under 22, saline is the only option.
Another significant benefit is that saline does not require in-office monitoring, so if you don’t want to continue with these appointments, saline offers a little more freedom. The FDA recommends MRI scans for patients with silicone implants every two or three years. The goal is to watch for ruptures. Finally, saline implants get filled after they are in place. This requires smaller incisions during surgery, which many women perceive as beneficial.
Benefits of Silicone
It’s undeniable that silicone yields very natural results, particularly as the gel has a “give” that closely resembles breast tissue. If saline is overfilled – that is, if too much fluid is used to fill the implant – it becomes quite firm. Silicone is also lighter than saline, even when comparing implants of the exact same size.
This choice is best for women without a lot of breast tissue, which describes many women seeking breast augmentation. When implanted, silicone also tends to show less wrinkling. The other appeal of this choice is a variety of options. Women who want shaped implants must select silicone, as these are not available with saline.
Silicone implants require inframammary incisions or those made in the breast crease. Many health care providers prefer these incisions because they allow easy access to the breast pocket. This means more precision in placing the implant for optimal results. In addition, these incisions are hidden by the breasts’ natural crease line.
Reasons to Enhance Your Breasts
Breasts come in all shapes and sizes, a fact that we fully embrace. But we also understand that if you’re unhappy with your appearance, you’re more likely to feel general dissatisfaction with life. If this describes you, we’d like to say that we get it. Breast augmentation can give you the shape you want, whether you have naturally small breasts or simply want a fuller bust.
Weight Loss
After losing a significant amount of weight, the breasts can look shrunken. To improve your silhouette and restore voluptuous curves to match your new waistline, implants are nothing short of the ideal. It is therefore common for women to choose this procedure after they’ve attained a comfortable weight.
Pregnancy
Childbearing can put your body through rigors. It stretches, pulls, and deflates breasts until they appear to have lost all their volume. Augmentation can plump breasts to their pre-pregnancy fullness and remind patients that in addition to being mothers, they’re also women.
Asymmetry
Almost every woman has some breast asymmetry, whether it’s in shape, size, or areola appearance. But some women have breasts that are uneven, with one significantly bigger than the other. This can make it difficult to find bras that properly fit and wear a bathing suit in front of others.
Breast augmentation restores symmetry so both breasts are properly balanced. This can be particularly invigorating for women who have lost confidence in their appearance.
Loss of Youth
The breasts are not exempt from the aging process; just the opposite, tissues and ligaments can be seriously compromised by a loss of collagen. Gravity enhances these effects, causing breasts to look flat and stretched.
Breast enhancement can give back your youthful curves. It can also enable you to shop for more youthful clothing so that, overall, you look more energetic.
A New Shape
Breast augmentation surgery – and the use of implants – can give your body a completely new shape. It can also boost your self-esteem, an effect that will be visible to all. Call the offices of Soler Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Tampa today to schedule your appointment.