If you are unhappy with your breasts, you are not alone. Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the US each year. It’s natural for women to want to increase their confidence, or look and feel younger, including after a pregnancy or massive weight loss. Such life events bring several changes to the body and, fortunately, these concerns can be addressed using a breast augmentation in combination with a breast lift. Here’s what to know about selecting the right implants to pair with your breast lift procedure.
Which breast implant is best for you?
During your consultation, there will be several important decisions you will need to make with your plastic surgeon. One of these decisions is the right kind of breast implants and their size. This will affect how you feel and look after your surgery, which makes it one of the most important decisions of your surgical process. At Gawley Plastic Surgery, our surgeons are dedicated to helping our patients understand their options and make the decisions that are best for them.
Saline Implants
These are the best implant option if minimal scarring is one of your main surgical goals. A tiny incision is made to insert the empty implant shell, which is then inflated with a saline solution. You must keep in mind, though, that these implants may not feel as natural as other options. They are often the least-expensive option.
Gummy Bear Implants
These are firmer implants and make for the best choice if you are worried about longevity. These implants are made of an outer shell and a cohesive inner gel made to stay in place. Many women find that these feel natural but firm, and they have the benefit of always holding their shape. They are often the most expensive option.
Silicone Gel Implants
These implants are filled with silicone gel and are the most common choice for most women. These implants feel the most realistic and mimic your natural breast tissue. In addition to the natural feel, it has a lesser chance of rippling. Like all implants, cost varies, and at Gawley Plastic Surgery we are committed to finding the best implant choice for your needs.
Choosing your implant placement type
Once you have decided on the kind of implants you want, it’s time to make choices regarding their placement. Your implants can be placed either under the pectoral muscle (submuscular) or under the breast tissue (subglandular). Submuscular placement will take longer to heal and the surgery session is also longer, but you can achieve a more natural look and feel with this kind of placement. It also means that there is minimum scar tissue and your breast tissue remains open for more accurate mammogram screening.
The subglandular implant placement is a faster surgery and requires lesser downtime. This also means that you can choose a larger implant, but there are some disadvantages to this method including the possibility of visible scar tissue, less support for the implants, and the fact that your implants may be more noticeable under the tissue.
Choosing your implant size
Your plastic surgeon can help you increase your breast size by one or even several cup sizes; however, you’ll need to determine what size will work with your body. If you have always had a low cup size, it can certainly be appealing to go big, but this is not always advisable. At Gawley Plastic Surgery, the recommended method to choose the most suitable size for yourself is to view our before-and-after gallery so that you get a clearer picture of what to results to expect with your chosen size. Keep in mind that implant sizes and bra sizes function on a different scale, so converting one to the other is not always an exact science.
Combining a breast lift with your augmentation
A breast lift removes excess skin, moves the nipple and areola to a youthful position, and lifts your breasts higher on the chest. This helps restore a perkier and more youthful appearance and is a great option for those with concerns of sagging, drooping, or deflated breasts.
When a breast lift is combined with your augmentation, it can help you achieve the most from your surgery. However, it’s not necessary to achieve excessive volume with this combination procedure. Many women opt for smaller implants rather than large ones during a breast lift since it contours your breasts and positions them correctly. This can be a great way to achieve rejuvenated, natural-looking breasts.
Schedule a Consultation
The best way to get started on discussing your options for a breast lift with implants is through a consultation with Dr. Gawley at our Scottsdale office. Contact our office by calling or filling out our online form to begin planning your ideal procedure.