Every breast is naturally unique. Made up of fatty tissue, glands, ducts and a thin layer of soft skin, the size and shape of one’s breasts are as unique to you as all your other physical characteristics. Some women are quite content with the size and shape of their breasts, while others are dissatisfied, or become so as they age and experience some loss in volume. If you are one of these women, breast augmentation may be a consideration. Breast augmentation continues to gain popularity, and the choices and options for this procedure have never been greater.
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is defined as the surgical placement of implants or fatty tissue to increase the fullness or size of one’s breast. The effects of age, weight loss, asymmetry, pregnancy and childbirth, or simple dissatisfaction are key reasons why some wish to undergo the procedure. Many patients of Sunset Cosmetic Surgery have reported that their breast augmentation in Los Angeles has helped them feel sexier, and enjoy their perkier, fuller bustline and/or more balanced figure.
Choice #1: Silicone or Saline Breast Implants?
When opting for breast augmentation, one of two types of implants is inserted: saline or silicone. Both have an outer silicone shell, but the materials inside differ in consistency and can impact the touch or feel of the breast thereafter. Choosing between the two is up to each individual patient, and your surgeon will certainly want to weigh in as far as the type of implant that will work for each person’s lifestyle and aesthetic goals, but below is some information to help you evaluate your options:
Saline Breast Implants – A saline implant is filled with sterile salt water. Typically it is filled at the time of the surgery, after it is inserted into the breast. A benefit to saline implant is that they can require smaller incisions. Upon the off-chance of leakage, saline implants collapse and the saline is absorbed to be naturally expelled by your body. Saline breast implants are approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to women 18 and older for breast augmentation, and to women of any age for breast reconstruction.
Silicone Breast Implants – A silicone implant is filled with a soft, thick, sticky gel. Mimicking the feel of human fat, silicone implants can more closely represent the look and feel of natural breast tissue. Always pre-filled, silicone implants often require a larger incision compared with saline implants. While it’s uncommon, if a silicone implant were to leak or rupture, it’s possible the gel will remain within the implant shell, or it may escape into the pocket of the breast implant. A leaking implant filled with gel does not collapse and is most often silent. It is advised for patients choosing silicone implants to schedule regular examinations in order to evaluate proper condition and functionality of the silicone implants. Silicone implants have been approved by the FDA to women 22 and older for breast augmentation, and to women of any age for the purposes of breast reconstruction.
Choice #2: Breast Implant Insertion Location & Placement
Breast augmentation surgery requires two more additional decisions for you and your surgeon. The first is in regards to where you might like your incision for implant insertion, and the second is in reference to placement of the implants: under or over the pectoral muscle.
Incision… Incisions… Incisions… – Aiming for inconspicuous, an incision can be made in one of a number of places: just under the breast (known as an inframmary incision); on the underside of the areola (known as a periareolar incision, and the most popular incision performed at Sunset); or near the armpit (known as a transaxillary incision and utilized for saline implant cases only). Over time, incision scars will fade, usually from bright red to a faint white. Sunset’s double-board certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Steven Svehlak and Dr. Daniel Yamini, aim to position the incisions for each case to minimizing scarring and as appropriate for each patient’s implant type and desired results.
Over or Under? How to Decide – After an incision has been made, the surgeon then creates a “pocket” (or space) to insert the implant, either behind the breast tissue or behind the pectoral muscle against the wall of the chest. Under the pectoral muscle is referred to as submuscular placement, while placement directly behind breast tissue (and over the pectoral muscle) is referenced as a submammary or subglandular placement. Generally speaking, the placement of an implant behind the muscle allows for extra protection and padding, while achieving the best possible outcome for mammogram interpretations. However, the method for insertion and positioning will depend upon the type of implant you select; your size and shape desired; as well as your body type and amount of breast tissue. You should listen to your plastic surgeon’s recommendations in order to determine the results right for you.
Breast Implant Size & Shape
With so many different implant styles in today’s market, patients seeking breast augmentation are sure to find a personalized fit to match their goals. At Sunset Cosmetic Surgery, we assist our patients throughout this decision process by providing patients with plenty of time for questions, answers and consultation. We provide a high-quality, FDA-approved implant selection that includes all shape styles and projections or profiles from the brand collections of Natrelle and Mentor. But, how do you find a fit that’s right for you?
Implant Size – Selecting the proper implant size is important in ensuring long-term satisfaction with your breast surgery. Breast implant size is measured in cubic centimeters (often referred to as cc’s). The larger the implant, the higher the volume of cc’s will be. Though it is should be based on your preferences, it is significant to recognize that breast implant sizes do not correspond exactly to standard bra cup sizes. Expressing your desired result in terms of cup size will help your surgeon understand your goals, but the process should be determined as much on recommendations regarding individual measurements, characteristics of your skin and your body type. Your plastic surgeon can provide valuable input to help avoid complications of stressed breast tissue (if the implant happens to be too wide) or unrealized cosmetic expectations (if the implant is too narrow).
Implant Shape – Breast implant shapes are often available in two forms: teardrop or round. Teardrop shaped implants are thinner at the top and gently slope to a fuller projection (also referred to as profile) point near the implant’s bottom, mimicking the natural shape of a breast. Round breast implants are circular and are able to shift slightly once positioned without distorting the shape of the breast. Breast implants can furthermore be of a surface that is smooth or textured. Typically, textured implants are selected when a surgeon prefers to help keep the implant from shifting around within the breast pocket.
The Natrelle or Mentor breast implant collections offered through Sunset Cosmetic Surgery, both provide options for either saline or silicone filled implants. Choosing the implant shape and texture that is right for your breast tissue will be a decision you make with your surgeon. The right fit for you is a balance between what shape and look you want to achieve, as well as your breast measurements and breast tissue characteristics.
Additional Factors to Consider When Choosing Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation can increase fullness and projection of your breasts, improve the balance of your figure and enhance one’s self-image and self-confidence. But, breast implants do not last forever, correct severely drooping breasts, abnormal deformities, or solve problems for those seeking natural methods.
Implant Replacement – It is important to know that breast implants will need to be replaced over a lifetime. Weight fluctuations, hormonal factors and gravity all play an impact on breast implants. Future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants and regular examinations should be scheduled to determine the health and condition of your breasts.
Breast Lifts or Reconstruction – In cases involving asymmetry, tuberous breast correction, or severely drooping breasts a breast lift or nipple reduction or revision may be required in combination with breast augmentation. Sometimes these procedures may be performed at the same time as your augmentation, or may require a separate operation. You and your surgeon will determine what is right for you.
Fat Transfer – Surgical placement of implants to enhance one’s figure may not be ideal for everybody. Breast augmentation by way of fat transfer is another option for women who seek a relatively small increase in breast size, but do not wish to have implants and prefer ultra natural results. Fat transfer breast augmentation is essentially performed using the fat that is transferred by liposuction from other parts of your body and then injected into the breast.
It’s What We Do Best
Trying to find the right size, right shape or what is right for you? Both Dr. Svehlak and Dr. Yamini have years and years of experience and are helpful to advise. Along with their highly experienced staff, they have assisted thousands of patients seeking breast augmentation. Recognized multiple times by both patients and peers, the surgeons take the time to get to know you, answer your questions and provide the information you need to make an informed decision. They are both compassionate and upfront about what to expect from the process and results.
Sunset Cosmetic Surgery’s offices include state-of-the-art medical facilities, in which the Drs. and their teams conduct all procedures. Treatment is designed and tailored for individual patients – perfect for achieving desired results that look as natural as possible. Dr. Svehlak and Dr. Yamni are both double-board certified in both general surgery and plastic surgery, so you can rest assured that you will receive experience you can trust, expert attention, the best possible care, safety you can count on, and results you’ll love. Have a look at Sunset’s breast implant photo gallery to see images of procedures they’ve performed.
Start Your Journey Towards Transformation
Your personal motivation for surgery is one of the most important considerations in your decision making. Book a consultation with Sunset Cosmetic Surgery and spend some time evaluating what is right for you. Our highly-qualified surgeons will help you understand the process and realize what to expect. Once you’ve talked with your surgeon and carefully considered all the factors, we hope you will be able to determine whether or not breast implantation is the right choice for you.
