Surgical breast augmentation procedures are some the most reliable and popular methods of achieving the perfect breasts you dream about. While all cosmetic breast augmentation operations share certain common elements, the specific techniques and materials used will vary greatly from one procedure to the next.
Choosing which procedure is right for you is one of the most difficult aspects of the entire breast augmentation process. This essay gets you started in researching the best surgical techniques for your specific needs.
Catalog of Breast Augmentation Procedures
The main 2 considerations to think over when choosing an augmentation procedure are the implant placement and the location of the entry incision.
Breast implant placement is the actual anatomical location where the prostheses will be surgically located within the body. There are basically 2 main choices consisting of submuscular or subglandular placement and 2 sub choices consisting of subfascial and subpectoral positioning.
These bodily locations can be accessed by an incision placed in any of 4 anatomical locations including around the nipple, under the breast fold, through the underarm or through the navel.
Multiplying the possible entry incisions by the number of anatomical placement options already gives many choices when designing an augmentation procedure. Adding the variable of breast implant choice to this mix, adds other options and limitations to your choice of procedure.
Breast Augmentation Procedures and Implant Choices
Your choice of implants will certainly have an effect on which procedure you choose to create your beautiful new breasts. Saline and silicone implants each have individual properties which work better with specific types of procedures:
Saline breast implants are very versatile and can be located in any anatomical placement, through any of the 4 incision points. Saline implants are more prone to rupture when placed under the muscle than when positioned above the muscle. Saline shells are inserted into the body empty and folded, allowing very small surgical incisions.
Silicone breast implants, including newer cohesive gel implants, are more limited in their ability to be placed inside the body. Silicone implants can not be positioned using transumbilical incisions, since they are too large to fit into the tiny opening used during this procedure. Women with small nipple/areola complex will also have a difficult time having silicone implants placed using a periareolar incision. The implant might simply be too large to fit, unless the areola is surgically enlarged to help minimize visible scarring. The most common incisions used for silicone implants are inframammary and transaxillary.
Breast Augmentation Procedure Results
Choosing a perfect breast augmentation technique is the first and most important step in achieving flawless post-operative breasts. Do not allow a surgeon to sell you on some procedure, placement or incision that troubles you. Make sure to find a doctor who can perform your chosen procedure and offer you the results you expect from the augmentation.
Talk to a number of doctors to get objective advice on which procedure might work best for your body type and lifestyle. Once you have all the facts, take your time and choose the procedure which fits you the best.
While it is important to consider the results doctors have achieved in other patients when making your choice, remember that you are an individual case with individual needs. Make sure the procedure chosen will fit you, rather than trying to convince yourself that you can fit the procedure.