Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss or aging can change the size, shape, volume or firmness of a woman’s breasts. Noticeable breasts asymmetry may also result. This could leave her feeling less attractive, embarrassed or self-conscious. After all, a woman’s beauty and physical attractiveness are rated on the appearance of her face, breasts, butt, and figure.
Whether you’re looking for a mommy makeover after giving birth or just want to enhance your attractiveness with bigger, fuller breasts, a “boob job” may be ideal for you. If only you could figure out how your breasts will feel after surgery.
Like you, other women who are thinking of getting breast augmentation want to ensure their breast will maintain their natural look and “feel”. Breast augmentation can help restore your breasts to their days of glory leaving you feeling happy, attractive, and confident. And they will feel just as natural too.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, or a “boob job”, is a safe breast surgery. It is performed primarily to increase breast size in women who desire larger boobs or where there is a significant loss of breast volume. The success of this procedure makes it one of the most popular cosmetic surgery.
An increase in breast size is achieved using breast implants. These are FDA-approved medical devices made from silicone. They are either saline-filled or gel-filled and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures.
Surgical results vary from person to person, and final results may depend on which type of implant and surgical technique was used. However, both types of implants are known to produce natural-looking breasts that feel like breast tissue.
Saline-Filled Silicone Implants
Saline-filled breast implants have a silicone outer shell and are filled with saline solution (sterile saltwater). They can be pre-filled or filled to a desired-volume during the implant surgery. Many women opt to have them inserted empty then filled during surgery because it allows the surgeon to tailor the breasts to an ideal size and projection.
Saline implants can be adjusted after surgery before finalizing the treatment. Their shells are either smooth or textured and come with various size options. The FDA approves of augmentation and augmentation revision using saline-filled implants for women age 18 or older.
Gel-Filled Silicone Implants
Gel-filled silicone implants are made of cohesive silicone gel that looks like gummy bear candy. The implants come in various textures that mimic the feel of natural breast tissue. Their thickness and viscosity allow them to flow within the shell giving the breasts a natural look and feel. Gel-filled implants that are smooth tend to move around in their breast pockets the way natural breasts do.
Textured implants are a bit more stiff but stay in place. The textured surface helps decrease implant movement by encouraging soft tissue scars to form around the silicone shell. You must be 22 years or older to receive breast augmentation with gel-filled implants.
Regardless of the type of breast implants used, they usually leave the breasts feeling soft and natural to the touch.
Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation involves placing the implant behind the breast, also known as “subglandular” placement. With “submuscular” or “subpectoral” placement, the implant is situated behind the chest muscle. Both types of placement techniques are safe and FDA-approved.
Various types of incisions are also used to make way for the implants to be inserted. Incisions can be made around the areola (periareolar incision). Or they can be made within the inframammary fold or the crease where the breast meets the chest.
An armpit incision, or a transaxillary incision, is another option used to insert an implant. An endoscope is usually required to guide the surgeon. Then there is the transumbilical incision, or TUBA. A surgical cut is made at the navel or belly button through which the implants are inserted into the breast pocket.
The shape of the breast, other breast characteristics unique to the patient, and the type of implant selected are factors that help determine the incision placement. Incision type may also be influenced by the techniques preferred by a particular plastic surgeon. The choice of technique usually takes into consideration the risk of scarring.
Placing Implants Behind the Breast
The technique of placing the implants behind or under the breast tissue is called subglandular placement. This type of position can be aesthetically pleasing as the implants do not flatten or move around when the chest muscle is flexed. It also helps minimize sagging, often eliminating the need for a breast lift.
As you age, and the breasts descend, the implants will also naturally move downwards as if they were your natural breast tissue. Healing time is typically faster with the subglandular technique.
Placing Implants Behind the Chest
Submuscular placement, or placing of the implants behind the chest muscle, is a technique that is considered less invasive than subglandular placement.
Implants positioned behind the chest muscle tend to feel softer, more natural, and produce greater cleavage. This technique is more suitable for women with thicker chest skin or enough breast tissue. The thickness of the tissue reduces the chance of the rippling effect or what is called “visible implant.”
Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Your plastic surgeon is the best person to determine whether you are a good candidate for breast augmentation. However, if your breasts are too small or have lost significant volume due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, loss of weight or aging, you may qualify for this surgery.
In addition, if the appearance of your breasts makes you feel unattractive, embarrassed, or self-conscious breast augmentation may be ideal for you. You must also be of good health and have realistic expectations about receiving implants.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon
Ensuring your breasts look and feel as natural as possible depends heavily on your choice of plastic surgeon. Breast surgery is a conservative surgery and even slight errors in surgical techniques can botch the desired results. Therefore, you should choose a surgeon who is not only academically qualified and board certified, but who has the requisite skills and experience in performing breast augmentation.
Dr. Douglas A. Steinbrech is a well-qualified plastic surgeon who performs Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is highly skilled in performing various types of breast surgeries, including breast augmentation.
Dr. Steinbrech has helped many women get back their attractiveness and confidence with either saline-filled silicone or gel-filled silicone implants. His knowledge and expertise help him formulate the ideal treatment plan for each patient, based on their anatomy and aesthetic needs. Dr. Steinbrech is professional and passionate about helping women look and feel their best with breast augmentation. No matter which type of breast implants were used, his Beverly Hills and New York City clients are always elated to find out that their breasts feel just as natural after augmentation.
Now that your fears have been relieved, it’s time to call Dr. Steinbrech at 347-983-9560 to make a consultation.
