By The Plastics Clinic + Spa
Getting breast implants can be one of the most exciting and transformative experiences in a woman’s life. Whether breast augmentation helps to restore your pre-pregnancy body or gives you the feminine figure you’ve always wanted, the cosmetic and psychological benefits can be tremendous. As you are leading up to your surgery date, you will get to make a number of choices regarding your breast implant size, shape, and other characteristics. While this may seem overwhelming, a highly experienced and knowledgeable surgeon can help you better understand the type of implant that can best fit your body, lifestyle, and personal goals. Patients should keep in mind that one of the most common causes of postoperative complication, including implant displacement or unsatisfactory results, is choosing an inappropriate size or type of implant. This makes the guidance of a trusted and experienced surgeon essential.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jerry Chidester, affectionately known to his patients as Dr. Chiddy, and the award-winning team at Jerry Chidester, MD Plastic & Hand Surgery take great care to guide patients through the entire breast augmentation process, including making decisions about their breast implants that match their needs and will result in a stunning, long-lasting new look. Learn more about breast augmentation in Draper, UT here, including what factors you should consider when choosing the best implant shape and size for you.
What type of breast implant is best?
The most widely used types of synthetic breast implants are saline and silicone gel. While both implant types can achieve gorgeous results, each has its own unique set of characteristics that may make one or the other more appropriate for a particular patient. Use this helpful information to better understand the differences between saline and silicone implants and how one or the other may benefit you:
- Saline breast implants: Saline implants have been around for many years and continue to be the preferred choice for a large number of women. Because saline implants can be inserted unfilled, the incision required for saline breast implants is often smaller than that used for silicone breast implants. Additionally, the saline solution that fills the implant can be safely absorbed by the body should a leak or rupture occur. However, this means the implant will almost immediately deflate, leaving the woman with significant asymmetry that requires rapid implant replacement to restore her figure. Saline breast implants are approved for women 18 years of age or older, making them a popular choice for younger patients. Because saline implants may be more prone to show ripples, exceptionally thin patients or those with a small amount of natural breast tissue may be better served by silicone implants.
- Silicone gel breast implants: Silicone implants are somewhat newer than saline implants, though they still have a long history of helping women achieve their ideal physique. In fact, many women prefer silicone gel implants and consider them to both look and feel more natural than saline implants. In the event of silicone implant rupture, patients may not notice any immediate difference in their appearance or experience any symptoms. In fact, an MRI is often the only way to detect the rupture of a silicone breast implant. However, the implant will still need to be replaced to ensure the woman’s long-term health, comfort, and symmetric contour. Because silicone gel implants are only FDA approved for use in women over the age of 22, younger patients may not be candidates for this type of implant. Instead, saline implants or fat transfer to the breast may be considered. Finally, silicone breast implants may be an appropriate choice for women with a low BMI, thin skin, or a small amount of native breast tissue, as they often show less obvious rippling than saline implants.
What size breast implant is right for me?
Once you have selected the type of implant you prefer, you will then need to choose your desired implant size. This is often one of the most difficult parts of the entire process, as it can be challenging to imagine how you will look and feel before the implants are actually placed. Furthermore, the same size implant can look different from patient to patient. For example, a 5’2” woman with a petite frame may feel disproportionately large on top with 350cc breast implants, while a broad-shouldered woman standing at 6’0” may feel that 350cc is much too small.
During your initial consultation for breast augmentation in the Greater Salt Lake City area, Dr. Chiddy will evaluate many factors – including your body type, height, weight, and frame – and ask a number of questions about your concerns, goals, and ideal look in order to help determine the most appropriate implant size for you. It is also helpful to browse before-and-after photos of patients with a similar body type to yours in order to get a better idea of how certain implant sizes may look on your body.
Be prepared to make additional decisions about your breast augmentation
The type of implant and implant size are two of the most important decisions you’ll make during your preoperative appointments. However, there are several other aspects of breast augmentation surgery that you will need to consider, including:
- Implant placement (underneath or on top of the muscle)
- Implant profile
- Implant shape
- Breast lift or no lift
- Additional procedures
In some cases, women choose to combine their breast augmentation with additional procedures, such as tummy tuck or liposuction, to achieve a more dramatic transformation in a single surgical setting. If you have concerns about other areas of your body, be sure to discuss these with Dr. Chiddy so that he can take these into account when creating a custom-tailored surgical plan for you.
Be confident about your breast implant size and shape with the help of a board-certified plastic surgeon in Draper, UT
When it comes to altering your look with cosmetic surgery, don’t leave anything to chance. Consulting with a highly qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable plastic surgeon is one of the best ways to ensure a gorgeous outcome, long-lasting results, and a safe and successful procedure. Call the exceptional team at Jerry Chidester, MD Plastic & Hand Surgery to schedule your private consultation with renowned board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jerry Chidester today, and be confident about your decisions regarding life-changing breast augmentation in Draper, UT.
