Having to choose an implant is no easy task. It’s comforting to know that there are so many options for you to perfectly customize your breast augmentation, but we understand that it can be quite overwhelming. We want our patients to educate themselves and to be aware of their different options. More than anything, we want to help our patients fulfill every single one of their aesthetic goals and dreams. First, let’s learn a little bit about what makes each breast implant procedure unique.
Filling You in on Fillings
Even if you’ve never seen them physically before, you probably know what implants look like. These clear, flexible, balloon-like sacks are what give your breasts volume and firmness, and the different fillings inside each sack are what impart different properties to the implants.
Saline: Saline is a saltwater solution that’s easily absorbed in the body.
Women like them because: saline implants are filled once they’re inserted into the body, so your surgeon can customize the volume and feel of your implant.
Silicone: Silicone implants are filled with a cohesive gel. Gummy bear implants are a special type of silicone implants with a highly cohesive gel filling.
Women like them because: they have a natural feel and movement and they can come in different shapes so that they can fill out the breasts in a specific way.
The Three Dimensions of Breast Implants: Diameter, Volume, and Profile
Your implants can be sized using three different dimensions: the diameter, the volume, and the profile.
Diameter: This is the width of the base of your implants.
Profile: An implant’s profile is basically how far they stick out from the chest wall. The higher the profile, the higher your implants projects from your chest.
Volume: An implant’s volume is the amount of fillers in each implant in cc’s (cubic centimeters.)
These three dimensions all affect each other. Basically, with a given volume, the bigger the diameter, the lower the profile. It’s important to find the right balance because your implants need to fit perfectly with your frame, body type, and existing breast tissue.
Case Study: I’m a Smaller Woman Who Wants Large Breast Implants
Profile: You should get a high-profile implant. If you have a small frame but want dramatic effects, then you want something with a relatively larger volume without crowding your chest. It rhymes, but it’s also true: a small diameter is best for a narrow chest. Having implants with diameters too wide for your chest could lead to your breasts pushing together or falling off the sides.
Case Study: I Have a Wider Chest
Profile: You should get a low-profile implant. Because of its larger diameter, a low-profile implant will be much better proportioned. Generally, women with larger frames should also get a higher volume than average.
Now that you’ve learned the basics of implants, it’s time to take the next step: consulting with some highly trained plastic surgeons. Contact Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville now, for a consultation.