Breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures. Patients who undergo breast augmentation surgery seek to reshape and enlarge their breasts. Some individuals choose breast augmentation surgery for cosmetic purposes, while others require surgery following a mastectomy.
Whatever your reasons are for considering breast surgery, it’s essential to understand what to expect from the procedure, how it works, and the types of implants available. At Rios Center for Plastic Surgery, we offer breast augmentation for qualified patients.
Breast Augmentation Procedures
Breast augmentation involves enlarging your natural breasts through surgery. This surgery is one of the most common cosmetic procedures in the United States. It assists individuals seeking to increase the size of their breasts or who desire to replace lost volume due to weight loss, pregnancy, the natural aging process, or breastfeeding.
Typically, breast augmentation involves the use of breast implants. A breast implant can contain silicone gel or saline and typically gets placed above or under the pectoral muscles. In some cases, surgeons can use fat transfer to improve the position of the implants in the chest area.
Some patients add other procedures to their breast augmentation surgery. For instance, they may pair breast augmentation with a breast lift, especially if they’re concerned about sagging. Others combine breast augmentation with liposuction or a tummy tuck.
Benefits of Breast Augmentation
There are numerous benefits to breast augmentation.
Enhanced Appearance
Many people undergo breast surgery to enhance the size of their breasts. They might seek a more youthful appearance or a curvier silhouette. Breast augmentation can also increase cleavage and give a lift to the bustline. Patients with small breasts and those with uneven breast size often get breast augmentation.
More Volume
Breast augmentation enhances naturally small breasts that lack curves. Some women prefer more volume to their breast size, allowing them to fill out larger-sized bras and bikini tops. Breast size can also decrease following significant weight loss, and breast augmentation allows women to restore their original breast size.
Numerous Procedure Options
There are many breast augmentation options available for women seeking to enhance the size of their breasts. Women preferring a more natural look may use fat transfer for their surgery, while those seeking more dramatic results may consider implants.
Implants come in all different sizes; it’s possible to increase the shape of your breasts subtly or choose a larger size for more striking results.
Balanced Figure
Breasts typically begin to sag during the natural aging process. You may notice lost volume or droopier breasts as you enter your late 30s and 40s. Breast augmentation can restore lost volume and help rebalance your figure.
Restored Breast Shape After Pregnancy
Women who breastfeed or gain significant weight during pregnancy often notice substantial changes to the size and shape of their breasts in the months after giving birth.
Breast surgery can restore the natural shape of the chest after pregnancy and breastfeeding. While exercise can help build the chest muscles and enhance the volume of the breasts, surgery is the only way to replace lost mass.
Types of Breast Implants
The two types of breast implants are silicone and saline.
Silicone breast implants contain a thick silicone gel filling. When touched, the silicone gel feels similar to human fat. These implants are available in many sizes and can increase the size of the breasts minimally or by several cup sizes. Silicone implants appear very natural.
Some people prefer saline implants. Saline implants have an outer shell composed of silicone, but the inside contains saline. We insert the empty shell into the chest during breast augmentation surgery and fill it with saline once we have the proper placement.
Usually, saline implants require smaller incisions than silicone implants. However, in some cases, saline implants are more visible since they may ripple. Patients may also hear the water inside the implants.
How Long Do Breast Implants Last?
Breast implants won’t last your entire life. In most cases, they last 10 to 20 years before replacement is necessary. If a breast implant ruptures, the patient may need to have surgery to remove and replace the implant.
Patients who undergo breast augmentation should look out for signs of rupture.
In a saline implant, a break will cause the saline water to leak from the breast implant and absorb throughout the body. One breast will appear to be a different size than the other. We will need to remove and replace the implant with a fresh one to repair it.
Silicone implants can also rupture but are less noticeable. Since the silicone gel is much thicker, a leak won’t be as apparent to the human eye and may not spill out of the implant. We recommend that you undergo regular exams to ensure your implants remain secure.
Which Type of Breast Implant Is Right for Me?
If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery, you’ll meet with us to discuss your treatment goals. We’ll assess your medical history to determine whether breast augmentation is appropriate for you and provide an overview of your implant options.
Choosing breast implants is a matter of personal preference. Some patients prefer saline implants because they are less expensive and don’t require large incisions. Others believe silicone implants have a more natural feel to them. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each option and guide you to the appropriate implants.
Breast Augmentation Delivers Results
If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery, Rios Center for Plastic Surgery in Edinburg, TX, can deliver your desired results. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
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