July 02, 2012 | Breast Implants
3 minute read
Do you want larger breasts? These days it seems like everyone has breast implants, but doesn’t mean you should take the decision lightly.
Breast augmentation is a major surgical procedure. Any woman who is considering going up a size should always do plenty of research before stepping foot inside the plastic surgery office.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Ram Kalus weighs in on common patients questions:
“Proportion is the most important concept,” says Dr. Kalus. “Personal preference is also important. As a rule, the smaller implant sizes will provide a more natural result and are less likely to require future revision surgery. If the implant being considered will result in an obviously augmented look, I would consider that “too big”. It is relatively unusual to see small women with large breasts, and large women with small breasts, so, again, proportion is most important to consider.”
Even when you’ve decided on a size that aligns with your body type and personal preference, there’s also the question of saline vs. silicone.
“There are saline and silicone implants. Since 2006, silicone implants are back and readily available for cosmetic indications,” explains Dr. Kalus. “At one time, there was a lot of controversy in the media on whether the silicone implants were safe and the FDA after reviewing millions and millions of [cases] worldwide have come to the conclusion that they are entirely safe.”
Saline and silicone implants both have an outer silicone shell. The main difference lies in the material used within the shell. Saline implants contain saline – a non-toxic, salt-water solution. Saline implants are often filled during surgery. Silicone implants come pre-filled with a cohesive silicone gel.
Because saline and silicone implants differ in composition, there are some key differences in cost and overall texture that may affect your final decision. In general, silicone implants cost more, but many patients believe they feel more natural than saline implants. However, it is often more difficult to detect rupture or leakage with silicone implants because of their cohesive texture.
Once you’ve decided on the size and type of breast implant, choosing placement (in front of or behind the pectoral muscle) is another important factor.
“For most small breasted women undergoing augmentation, the implant is placed under the pectoralis muscle. This provides a more natural upper slope to the breast and avoids that artificial round “half grapefruit” look. It is also easier for mammograms to be performed and interpreted when the implant is under the muscle.”
When making decisions about breast augmentation, it’s important to stay true to yourself. Breast augmentation is designed to make you feel more comfortable in your own skin, not more self-conscious. Choosing the right plastic surgeon in Eugene, OR to guide you through the process can make all of the difference in the world.
Source: ABC News