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Choosing the right breast implant is one of the more stressful experiences you will face when preparing for your surgery. If you don’t choose the right implant the first time around, you will have to go through the entire process all over again. The vast majority of revision procedures are done because the patient is unhappy with the results of the previous surgery.

While most women are 100% satisfied with their breast implant surgery, there are inevitably those who are not. This is primarily due to choosing the wrong implant size. Making your selection based upon a model you saw on t.v. or the internet is one of the worst things you can do. Your body may be entirely different than the model you saw and what looks good on them might not look good on you.

One of the first things you’ll need to consider when choosing the right implant is your own body type and shape. You need to choose implants that will compliment your body type and shape, otherwise they may look unnatural.

Things to Consider when Thinking About Breast Implants

All women have different breast types, shapes and sizes – there are no two breasts that are the same. The measurements of your breast will determine the implant size that fits your breast the best.  Every woman has a different amount of breast tissue, and this will affect the size. Women who have less breast tissue before surgery will be smaller than a woman who naturally has more breast tissue.

There are many different things you should consider when getting a breast augmentation as well as deciding on what size you should get. Every woman is different and what works for one person may not work for another. This is why it’s important to speak to a qualified surgeon who can help you choose what size is right for you.

Body Type and Shape

Women who are thin or have thin frames may want to think twice about getting large breast implants. Large implants tend to stand out a lot more on thin women. You’ll also find yourself getting a lot of attention from men. Some women are not comfortable with this kind of attention and after a while they may get tired and even annoyed with it. This could lead to unhappiness with the implants and even corrective surgery.

On the other end of the spectrum, women with slightly more robust body frames would be ideal candidates for a larger implant with a wider base. This low-profile implant can help accentuate the natural curves of the body as well as make it appear more natural.

Another important factor to think about is the shape of your body. Women with strong body frames can easily carry the added weight of large implants. Women with thinner body frames might experience back and other associated pains with larger size implants. For example, a “C”cup breasts on a woman with a thin body is generally accepted as normal. However, “C” cup breasts on a larger women would hardly be noticeable.

Choosing the Right Breast Implant Size

Getting stuck on an implant size, because of a friend’s size or a picture you saw on the Internet, does not mean you will get the same result by asking for that same implant size. Again, everyone is different.

It is also important not to get stuck on bra size. The bra industry does not manufacture their bras by the same size chart as breast implants. Keep in mind when you go to different stores you can be a different cup size. This is why it is very important to select a size that looks good on your body – not what bra size you will be.

How Big is Too Big When it Comes to Breast Implants?

There is a specialized technique of selecting an implant size that fits your breast. The method is called the High 5 System. This method has been published and proven to calculate the perfect-sized implant that fits your breast the best. The measurements will determine how much room is in the breast and how much volume needs to be added to fill out the breast.

Once the size range is chosen, the exact size will be selected based on your personal preferences. Vectra 3D imaging is a visual tool that is used during Dr. Adams’ consultation to allow patients to see their results before surgery. Being able to see the breast augmentation results on your own body will give you the confidence that you made the right choice before surgery.

The goal when selecting the appropriate size is not only to produce a natural and appropriate look; it also can help with lowering risks of complications and give you longevity. Women that go with an implant size that is too large for their breast will experience results that look unnatural. Even worse, receiving an implant that is too large can distort the shape of the breast. Over time, the skin will not be able to support the implant and will cause stretching, rippling and atrophy, which is thinning of breast tissue. This can cause irreversible damage that could lead to additional surgery sooner than you expect.

Utilizing these new technologies to visualize what your breast implants will look like, in addition to consulting with a board-certified surgeon, will ensure that you’re not overdoing it when it comes to the size of your breast implants.

Different Breast Implant Shapes

One of the most important decisions you’ll make is the shape of the implant. There are two basic shape types of implants: teardrop and round. Both implants when sized correctly can give a very natural result. If you are unsure of which shape is best for you, you can always consult with your doctor.

Teardrop Implants

Teardrop implants look like an actual tear. Rounder at the bottom and more protruding at the top. They have a contour that is sloped which makes it look more like a natural breast. Teardrops give off a greater projection than round implants.

Generally speaking, teardrops tend to cost more money due to the extra effort that goes into manufacturing them. If money is a concern, you might want to think twice before selecting the teardrop shape. They also require a textured surface to prevent them from rotating inside the breast and distorting the shape of it. This too adds to the cost of the implant.

Round Implants

The vast majority of women who get implants tend to go with the round implant. Round implants can project just as much as teardrops do. This is due to the 4 types of round implants that exist, which range from low projection to high projection.

Due to the fact that the round implant is round, it will not rotate inside the breast. Therefore it can be chosen with a smooth or textured surface. Generally speaking, it tends to cost less than the teardrop.

Rounds are chosen because of the fullness, cleavage and lift appearance they give to the breast. .

Saline or Silicone Implants?

The material used to fill the implant is also another important choice you’re going to have to make. There are two types of implant fillers: silicone and saline. Each has it’s own distinct advantages and should be chosen based on the desired results. The majority of women worldwide choose silicone as it is more natural looking and feeling.

Saline

Saline implants are filled with salt water. They are usually filled at the time of surgery, after the implant has been inserted into the breast. The benefit to saline implants is that they require a smaller incisions and are highly customizable.

Almost any volume of saline can be added, which will moderate the size and profile of the implant. If mild asymmetry exists between your left and right breast, the volume of saline injected into your right and left implant can be moderated, thereby evening things out.

A disadvantage to saline is that they are sometimes more prone to rippling and wrinkling, as well as feeling firmer and less like natural breast tissue. Some women have reported that if you over-fill the saline implant there will be less rippling, but will also feel more firm.

Silicone

Implants that are made out of silicone tend to feel more natural due to the material they are made out of. However, they are only available in pre-existing sizes and cannot be modified in any way during surgery. You can opt for a softer or harder feel by selecting a silicone implant that has a lower or higher density fill to it.

Finding the Best Breast Implants For You

Having breast augmentation surgery is a big deal and the decisions that happen before the surgery should not be rushed. Taking the time to figure out what results you want out of the surgery will help you make a well-informed decision about the size and shape of your implants.

One of the best pieces of advice we give to patients is to trust your doctor. Of course you obviously know what you want and what you think is best for you, but an experienced surgeon will be able to show you examples of how certain implant sizes and shapes look on people with your similar body type or build, and will be able to help you make a decision.

You should never select your implants based on how another woman looks. You should choose what is right for you, and your body. The last thing you want to do is to have to go through the surgery process all over again because you weren’t happy the first time around.

Contact us today to setup a consultation with Dr. Adams. He can advise you on the different options for breast augmentation surgery and help you get the results you’re looking for.