The size, shape & look - you decide
Many patients who come to me for breast enhancement surgery are surprised
that they can actually take an active role in deciding not only the
size they want their breasts to be, but also the shape of the breasts
and how much cleavage they want to have. The patient can also have
input into how their breasts might feel and move through choosing the
type of implants with their surgeon. In fact, patient input on nipple
position can even be very important.
No two women are alike and so there is no one implant or operation
that will suit all women.
Implant types
Implants come in not only many sizes but also many shapes, from round
to tear drop, to asymmetrical and anatomic. The shape a woman wishes
to achieve is measured against her existing breasts and her chest wall
to determine the appropriate shape and size of the implant.
Both the surgeon's knowledge and his/her ability to communicate clearly
with the patient is critical in these processes. The surgeon must
have adequate experience to be able to understand the patient's
desires and physical realities: current shape and size of breast, elasticity
of the skin of the breast, position
of the nipple and shape and bony contour of the patient's chest wall.
Implants are commonly filled with saline or silicone. Both implant
types have advantages and disadvantages. It is my experience that
most women who can will choose the saline implant. The saline implant
has
a natural feel and moves more naturally than silicone. The saline
implant can also be inserted through a smaller incision that its
silicone counterpart.
Silicone implants are appropriate in cases where the woman has
a bony chest well or very thin skin. Silicone may also be called for
in women having implant replacement or reconstruction
after
mastectomy.
continued next column >> |
(continued from previous column)
Most importantly, however, is that the patient needs to have the advantages
and disadvantages of both silicone and saline implants discussed with
them.
Incisions
Breast implants can be inserted through many different incisions,
including endoscopically through the belly button (saline implants
only). The most common incision sites are under the breast, in the
armpit or around the nipple. The type of implant can dictate the length
and location of the incision. This, too, needs to be discussed with
the patient so they understand the alternatives available.
 
Before/after breast augmentation by
Dr Hodgkinson
 
Before/after breast augmentation by
Dr Hodgkinson
|
