Implant Size
Breast implants come in many different sizes, allowing patients to choose how much to augment their breasts. It is important to remember that larger breast implants are more difficult to place, more likely to cause complications, and more likely to need revision surgery in the future.
Implant Shape
Breast implants come in two basic shapes: round and teardrop. Round implants create the most dramatic cleavage, but many patients feel that teardrop implants are the most realistic. Teardrop implants must be textured to keep them from slipping or rotating after surgery, which sometimes creates a rippling effect.
Implant Fill Material
Today, breast implants are filled with either saline or silicone. Some patients feel that silicone feels the most realistic, but in the unlikely event of an implant rupture saline is safer for the body. Ruptures are also easier to detect quickly in saline implants. Finally, saline implants can be placed through smaller incisions: they are filled after implantation, while silicone implants must be filled before surgery.
Women with smaller breasts often feel insecure about their appearance. They may feel less feminine or less attractive than their friends with fuller chests. For these patients, our doctors from Miami perform breast augmentation, or breast enlargement, using implants. Serving Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County and surrounding communities in South Florida, our physicians provide comprehensive pre- and post-operative care that meets the highest standards for safety and quality.
Candidates for Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is appropriate for women from all walks of life who meet certain basic requirements. Women who do choose augmentation frequently enjoy lasting self-esteem benefits.
Good Overall Health: Anyone who undergoes breast augmentation needs to be prepared for the rigors of surgery and recovery. Patients who are affected by certain medical conditions, such as immune disorders, are not good candidates for breast augmentation.
Age: In most cases, breast enlargement is best for adult women. Teenagers may be able to undergo the procedure in some cases, but should remember that the breasts continue growing into the early 20s, which could make breast implants unnecessary. Only women at least 22 years old can have silicone implants placed.
Patients who have been pressured into surgery by others or who are affected by body image disorders should not have breast augmentation surgery. The procedure is also not appropriate for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Patients undergoing breast lift surgery sometimes choose to add implants in order to enjoy a more thorough transformation than either procedure makes possible on its own. See our plastic surgery before-and-after pictures to see how breast augmentation can benefit your appearance.
About Breast Implants
Choosing the right implants is one of the most important considerations for patients preparing for breast augmentation or breast reconstruction. Before surgery, patients must decide on implant size, shape, and fill material with the help of one of our physicians.
Implant Size
Implants come in many different sizes, allowing patients to choose how much to augment their breasts. It is important to remember that larger breast implants are more difficult to place, more likely to cause complications, and more likely to need revision surgery in the future.
Implant Shape
Breast implants come in two basic shapes: round and teardrop. Round implants create the most dramatic cleavage, but many patients feel that teardrop implants are the most realistic. Teardrop implants must be textured to keep them from slipping or rotating after surgery, which sometimes creates a rippling effect.
Implant Fill Material
Today, breast implants are filled with either saline or silicone. Some patients feel that silicone feels the most realistic. Ruptures are easier to detect quickly in saline implants. Finally, saline implants can be placed through smaller incisions: they are filled after implantation, while silicone implants must be filled before surgery.
The Breast Augmentation Procedure
There are also important pre-surgical decisions to be made regarding the breast augmentation surgery itself. Breast enlargement can be accomplished through incisions in several different locations, and implants can be placed either over, or under, the chest muscles. It is very important for breast augmentation patients to understand that they may need to undergo additional procedures in the future to address complications or replace implants as needed. Patients should not expect a one-time surgery.
Implant Placement
Implants can be placed either under the chest muscles (submuscular placement) or above them (subglandular placement). Submuscular placement is more invasive, but may provide the most realistic results. On the other hand, subglandular placement makes it possible to place the implants through more discreet incisions and also shortens recovery time.
Incision Location
Incisions in the inframammary fold, armpit, areola, or navel can be used to place breast implants for breast augmentation / enlargement. At our practice, all of these options are available to interested patients. Incisions around the areola or in the inframammary fold at the base of the breast affords the most control over the procedure. In addition, revision surgery can be performed through the same incision if necessary. Patients who choose another incision location will still need one of these incisions if revision surgery becomes necessary.
Patients who want to avoid scarring on the breast altogether often choose armpit incisions. Unfortunately, silicone implants cannot be placed through this style of incision. Incisions in the navel are the least visible after breast augmentation surgery. However, submuscular implants and silicone implants cannot be placed through these incisions.
Breast enhancement surgeries give new options to women who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their breasts. A variety of procedures are available to patients with different needs. After breast enhancement, patients typically enjoy breasts that are more comfortable and look more youthful. Visit our clinic to see gallery of plastic surgery before-and-after pictures to see the power of breast enhancement, breast reconstruction, and other procedures for yourself.