Breast Implants
Below is information about breast implant type, implant size, and the placement of the breast implants as used for the breast augmentation procedure. To learn more about the acutal surgical procedure click here:
Breast Augmentation Information.
If you're considering breast implants as an option to enhance the size, shape or contour of your breast and live in the Fort Myers area your next step is to schedule a consultation or contact our office with any quesitons.
Implant Type, Size, and Placement
Breast Implants are placed in a pocket that is surgically created and can be located submammary under the breast tissue and on top of the chest muscle (subgladular), below the chest muscle (submuscular/subpectoral), or both partly below the muscle and partly below the breast tissue (dual plane/biplanar). The decision as to the size, shape and type of implant and the position of the implant above or below the chest muscle should be made by the surgeon based on technical factors and the patient's realistic goals for breast enhancement.
Your Individual Needs
There is no one right way to perform breast augmentation for all
women. Just as there is not a one size fits all tire for all cars, breast augmentation should be performed by a plastic surgeon who tailors the operation to each individual patient and their specific breast
anatomy and other technical factors that are taken into consideration. What may be the best breast augmentation technique for one patient may not be the best for another.
Breast Implant Size
Breast implants are sized by volume expressed in cubic centimeters (cc's) of saline or silicone gel. They can range in size from as little as 150 cc to 550 cc or so for implants designed for cosmetic enhancement or up to 800 cc for breast reconstruction patients. Implants are also measured by diameter of the implant base or base diameter. This is a technical factor which is taken into account after measuring the patient's natural breast base diameter to select the appropriate prosthesis width for the patient's chest and breast width. The projection of the implant is the measurement from the base to the top dome of the filled implant. This will determine how far out from the chest the augmented breast will be projected or outlifted to create the "perkiness" that most women desire. It also is a factor in increasing cleavage between the breasts.
Saline Breast Implants
Saline implants are typically placed into the surgical pocket first, then filled to the desired volume. Some surgeons will add an additional volume of saline plus/minus 10% or so, to help avoid implant "wrinkling" or rippling, which can occur in a small percentage of women. This is a visible area on the breasts that may appear to have varying degrees of pleats or folds below the skin caused by waviness or pleating of the implant shell. Different volumes of saline can be placed to compensate for breast asymmetry to make a smaller breast closer in size to the other larger breast.
