Introduction
Breast implants are one of the most popular types of plastic surgery, and this will help to increase the size of the breasts. Individuals should have good physical and mental health and also have realistic expectations. Breast implants are prostheses surgically inserted into the breast made of silicone shells filled with either silicone gel or saline. Plastic surgeons insert breast implants to restore previous breasts. Correct asymmetrical breasts and restore breasts after a mastectomy.
What Are the Tips for Choosing the Right Breast Implant Size?
When planning for breast augmentation, one of the biggest decisions is choosing breast implants. There are multiple factors to determine the best implant size. For making the right decision, breast measurements, desired size, characteristics of breasts, tissue, and chest wall are all needed. The size of the implant must fit into the lifestyle. While doing high-intensity workouts or any kind of sports, there might be a need to steer clear of large implants. During implant sizing decisions, all these are important lifestyle considerations. Along with the size, it is necessary to consider the shape and position of the implants. When there are sagging or deflated breasts, a breast lift is essential, along with breast augmentation. During consultation, bringing a friend along is always nice to have a second opinion from someone we can trust. It is important to listen to the advice of board-certified plastic surgeons, as they can give recommendations based on their education and years of experience.
How to Decide on the Right Size, Shape, Type, and Profile of the Breast Implants?
The right implant size should be selected, which is one of the important factors for the pleasing appearance after the surgery. The other factors to consider are the shape, type, and profile of the breast implants.
- Size: It is one of the most essential factors for deciding to get breast implants. Breast implants are measured in Cubic Centimeters (cc) volume, not cup size. The size of the implants available ranges from 125 to 1200 cc. When deciding the right size for the individual, the surgeon will consider many factors, including frame, current cup size, and desired size, to provide the best recommendation possible.
- Shape: There are two options to decide on the shape of breasts, such as round or teardrop. Rounded implants are symmetrical, and these implants will give equal fullness of the breast around the nipple. Tear-shaped implants are designed to give more volume to the bottom portion of the implant, adding more definition to the area below the nipple. The main difference between the two shapes of the implants is that tear-drop breast implants will give a natural appearance while rounded implants will give a dramatic level of fullness and outward projection.
- Type: For breast augmentation surgery, the type of implants chosen are either saline or silicone implants. Both the implants have their pros and cons.
- Profile: The profile of the breasts determines how drastically the breasts will project outwards from the chest.
What Are the Different Types of Breast Implants?
The different types of breast implants are:
- Saline Breast Implants: These implants contain sterile salt water, provide uniform shape and firmness, and are approved by the FDA for augmentation in women 18 years and older.
- Silicone Breast Implants: These implants contain silicone gel, which will help in the breast's natural appearance. When the implant leaks, the gel might remain within the implant shell or sometimes escape into the breast implant pocket. To ensure that implants are functioning properly, it is necessary to visit the plastic surgeon regularly. The condition of breast implants can be assessed with an ultrasound or MRI screening.
- Round Breast Implants: These implants tend to make the appearance of breasts look fuller than form stable implants.
- Smooth Breast Implants: These implants move with the breast implant pocket and give natural movement.
- Textured Breast Implants: The advantage of these implants is that it diminish the risk of a tight scar capsule.
What Are the Ways to Figure Out the Implant Size for Breast Augmentation?
The three ways to figure out the implant size for breast augmentation are the rice test, water test, and in clinic-sizers and sizing sessions. The first two tests can be done at home by measuring out the uncooked rice. Breast implants are measured in cubic centimeters. Among the three, the rice test is the most popular test to determine the implant size, and the most appropriate test is the in-clinic sizing session.
How Are Rice Tests, Water Tests, and In-Clinic Sizing Sessions Done?
A pair of old pantyhose is grabbed to perform the rice test, and a 12-inch strip is cut off. The small knot is tied in the bottom end, and the amount of uncooked rice is measured to fill the pantyhose. The top end should be tied, and do this twice to have one for each bra cup.
In the Water test, a plastic baggy is used instead of pantyhose and rice, and water is poured from the measuring cup. For both tests, different tops and dresses should be tried over the new breasts to get an idea of how they would look.
The implant size is determined in the office for a sizing session in clinic-sizing sessions. A wide range of real implants are offered, and these implants are put into the bra. This is one of the best ways to determine the right size, as the plastic surgeon will be right beside to help out by answering any questions. To help the patients in this process, some surgeons even offer computer imaging technology where the breast pictures will be taken, and then a computer program known as VECTRA will show how it will look with certain implant sizes. The main drawback of VECTRA is that it is the stimulation of predicted results; that is it will help to give an idea of what it will look like and not an accurate representation.
How to Determine the Proportionate Implant Size?
The specific body measurements should be considered from a medical standpoint when deciding the right implant size. An overly large implant can cause complications such as separation of incision lines and excessive sagging right after the surgery and also a few years after the surgery. The body contour can only be improved with moderately sized implants. To determine the range of implant sizes, measurements like shoulder width, height, and rib cage width are used that will achieve proportionate improvement as well as reduce the risk of complications.
Conclusion
The size of the selected implants will affect the overall satisfaction with breast augmentation. Too large size will be uncomfortable, and too small feels like a missed mark; therefore, choosing the right size of breast implants is necessary to get satisfactory results.
