A woman’s breasts are often a significant contributor to her feelings of femininity. If you are one of the over 70% of women worldwide who are unhappy with the shape or size of their breasts, you know the effect that feeling can have on your self-esteem. With nearly 300,000 women choosing to undergo breast augmentation in 2022, breast augmentation consistently remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries.
If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery, you’ve probably researched breast enhancement and may have questions about what decisions (besides size) you may need to make along the way. Below, we discuss some of the choices you’ll go over with Dr. Bridges before undergoing breast augmentation surgery.
What Type of Implant Should I Choose?
Saline Implants
Saline implants consist of a silicone shell filled with a sterile saline solution. Because saline implants are typically empty when placed in your body, they often offer a bit more versatility than silicone implants regarding implant size and incision placement. A smaller incision can be used to insert the implant, and size can be adjusted by adding more or less solution. Additionally, while breast implants are designed to be durable, detecting a leak or rupture in a saline implant is quicker and easier than with a silicone implant.
Silicone Implants
While saline implants usually only come in a round shape, silicone implants come in different shapes, consistencies, and textures. You can choose from the following options when selecting your silicone implants:
- Traditional Silicone Implants: These implants are typically round and filled with a thick silicone gel, making them look and feel more like natural breasts.
- “Gummy Bear” Silicone Implants: This type of implant is made of a thicker, firmer silicone gel and comes in a teardrop shape that mimics the natural slope of your breast.
There are pros and cons to both types of implant, and ultimately, you should choose the type and shape of breast implant that works best with your unique anatomy and fulfills the look you desire.
Placement of Breast Implants
When it comes to placing breast implants, there are two choices: subglandular (under the skin) or submuscular (under the muscle).
Subglandular placement means the implant is placed under the existing glandular breast tissue but on top of the pectoral muscle. This approach is typically best for women with a good amount of natural breast tissue, as the breast tissue offers coverage of the implant, contributing to a more natural appearance.
Submuscular placement is the most common and involves inserting the breast implant under the pectoral muscle. This placement is recommended for women who don’t have a lot of existing breast tissue. Submuscular placement provides a bit more support for and coverage of the breast implant so that it looks more natural.
Incision Location
While there are several options for breast augmentation incision placement, Dr. Bridges prefers to use an inframammary or periareolar incision.
An inframammary incision is the most common incision used in breast augmentation. The incision is placed in the fold where your breast meets your chest. It allows for better control when positioning the implant and has the least negative effect on the milk-producing anatomy of your breasts.
A periareolar incision is made around the lower edge of your areola. It is typically used for women who have little to no breast fold. Periareolar incision scars are easily hidden in the pigmentation of your areola.
Again, the type of incision used for your breast augmentation is a choice that will depend on your lifestyle, anatomy, implant type, and implant placement.
Learn More About Breast Augmentation in Shreveport
At Bridges to Beauty, Dr. Bridges’ extensive training and experience are evident as he expertly guides you through your breast augmentation process from start to finish. You’ll work together to determine the optimal breast implant type, placement, and incision method to offer you the best possible outcome. His goal is for you to leave our care with renewed confidence in your shape and gorgeous results that will last for years to come. To schedule a consultation, call us at 318-219-8555 or fill out our online contact form.