Breast augmentation surgery involves enlarging the breasts and giving them a more appealing shape and appearance. Breast augmentation corrects a number of problems through reshaping, restoring fullness, and correcting breast asymmetry. If you’re considering breast surgery please read the below information and contact our skilled Chicago breast augmentation surgeons to determine if the surgery is right for you.
Is Breast Augmentation Right for You?
If you want your breasts to be larger or fuller, a breast augmentation may be the right choice for you. Implants provide fullness to the upper chest and lower part of the breasts. If you wish to regain the breast size and shape you had years ago, augmentation with implants may be an option.
What is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation surgery involves reshaping the breasts with implants of varying shapes and sizes, consisting of saline or silicone. Nipples (areolas) can be reshaped and refined during the surgery to exhibit a more appealing size and position. The surgery can be done by inserting implants either above the muscle (behind the breast tissue) or under the chest muscle.
Types of Breast Implant Surgery
Surgery is often characterized by how the incisions are made. How the incision is made and the implant inserted determines the size and type of scar that will develop. Breast implants can be inserted in the following ways:
Under the breast, in the fold:
This allows our experienced surgeons to hide scars effectively, and is the most common method used. Care is taken to make the incision in the crease between the underside of the breast and the chest itself. The implant is then placed under or over the chest wall muscle, and sometimes it is just partially underneath.
Around the nipple:
In this method, the implant incision follows the outline of the areola. Referred to as a periareolar, this procedure is preferred by some women because the scar is particularly discreet. There can however, be drawbacks with this option that include altered sensation in the nipple. Also, the ability to breast-feed can be compromised if nerve damage occurs (an uncommon side effect, but it does happen).
Under or Above The Chest Muscle For Your Augmentation?
Determining whether to place an implant behind the chest muscle or within the breast tissue can affect both recovery time and the overall aesthetic result. Most commonly, implants are placed beneath the muscle to reduce scarring/hardness and to decrease sagginess or visibility. Determining optimal placement requires a number of considerations including the anatomy, size, and shape of your breasts, the type of implant that will be best for you (silicone or saline) and the size and shape of the chosen implant.
Implant Shape and Content: Breast implants are typically either round or teardrop/anatomic in shape.
How To Determine Breast Implant Size?
The amount of excess skin you have on your breasts influences how large implants can be. A small amount of excess skin will limit the size increase in order to ensure your optimal appearance, physical comfort, and safety. If you have a small rib cage, a thin frame, and very little excess skin you may achieve the best result with smaller implants. However, if you have lost a good deal of fullness, you may have the option of selecting larger implants.
Combining Breast Augmentation & Breast Lift
In some cases, the best result comes from a combination of breast augmentation and breast lift. Large implants alone will give you an increased cup size, but their aesthetic appeal can be compromised by a poor position. Likewise, if you are satisfied with the shape of your breasts, but dislike their position, you may be a good candidate for a breast-lift.