Table of Contents:

Breast Implant Types: Key Considerations
What to Expect from a Breast Lift
What to Expect from a Breast Reduction
Kelamis Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics, the Breast Augmentation Experts of Northwest Arkansas

Breast augmentation generally refers to using synthetic implants or transferring fat from other parts of the body to increase breast size. It can also include procedures to restore lost volume, address shape, and improve symmetry, per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Although commonly thought of as breast enhancement, there are various breast augmentation types, such as breast implants, breast reduction, breast lift, and breast reconstruction, each coming with its own intended use and realistic outcome. 

The reasoning behind pursuing breast augmentation is as personal as the type of procedure chosen. Many choose to explore plastic surgery for aesthetic goals however, just as many patients consult a qualified plastic surgeon for medical or other anatomical considerations. 

When considering breast surgery, a tailored approach is crucial for both patients and surgeons alike. For patients, it ensures that their unique aesthetic goals and anatomical features are considered, leading to higher satisfaction and confidence. From a surgical perspective, individualized surgical plans enhance precision, safety, and the likelihood of achieving optimal, long-lasting results. 

Breast augmentation is a significant decision that can profoundly impact a person’s body image and self-esteem. Managing expectations and understanding the realities of outcomes are crucial for achieving satisfaction and avoiding disappointment. Read on to explore some of the more popular breast augmentation surgery in detail.

Breast Implant Types: Key Considerations

Breast implants are medical devices used to augment or reconstruct breast tissue. Before opting for breast implant surgery, it’s crucial to research extensively, understand the risks and benefits, and consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Silicone and Saline Breast Implants: A Popular Choice

A saline breast implant consists of a round silicone shell filled with sterile salt water during surgery; teardrop implants are not available in saline. One benefit of a saline implant is the ability to change the implant size during the procedure. Since the shell is filled post-placement, smaller incisions are required compared to silicone implants. Saline implants are ideal for those desiring round, voluptuous breasts. If a rupture occurs with this implant type, it is immediately noticeable as the breast size decreases, with the body safely absorbing the saline.

Silicone breast implants are pre-filled and ready for placement, but their size cannot be changed.  Therefore, your surgeon will bring multiple sizes of silicone breast implants to the operating room and utilize sizers, which can be thought of as temporary breast implants, to determine the ideal implant size for each breast. Silicone implants require a longer incision for placement but provide a more natural feel, making them a good choice for patients with thin breast tissue to avoid rippling. The cohesive gel in silicone implants mimics natural breast tissue well, and even if compromised, the gel typically remains within the implant shell, detectable only via MRI or ultrasound.

Exploring Implant Shapes: Round Implants vs. Teardrop

Round breast implants are available in both saline and silicone. The majority of cosmetic breast augmentations are performed with round implants, with round silicone implants easily being the most common.  Round implants conform to the shape of the tissue surrounding them. These implants are able to provide a very natural look and feel to the breast. 

However, the appearance of a round implant is influenced by whether it is placed above or partially underneath the pectoralis major muscle.  If placed solely above the muscle, in what is called a subglandular pocket, the implant may appear more round. Certain silicone gels are more cohesive, meaning they are thicker and do not conform as much as less cohesive gels. The more cohesive a silicone implant is, the more rounded the appearance may be when placed in a subglandular pocket.  One benefit of this rounded appearance is that it ensures a full volume along the upper breast. 

If the implant is placed partially underneath the pectoralis major muscle, the muscle covering the top portion of the implant will provide enough pressure for it to assume a much more natural shape, while still maintaining enhanced fullness to the top of the breast. The exact same results are easily achieved with saline implants.  A saline implant is frequently overfilled to varying amounts. As the overfilling of a saline implant increases, you will see greater fullness at the top of the breast.  

Teardrop breast implants come only in the form of silicone implants. The silicone used in teardrop implants is the highest cohesive silicone available in breast implants. While any round silicone or saline implant will conform to varying degrees, a teardrop implant does not conform. It maintains the exact same shape regardless of whether it is placed in a subglandular pocket or a partial submuscular pocket. Teardrop implants also have a much lower chance of rippling if placed in a subglandular pocket.  For this reason, teardrop implants were designed with the intention of being placed in a subglandular pocket. The ideal candidate for a teardrop implant is a slender patient who desires natural fullness along the upper breast.  

Gummy Bear Breast Implants Explained

Another name for a teardrop breast implant, gummy bear implants, which are form-stable breast implants in which the silicone gel contained within has a texture similar to a piece of gummy bear candy, hence its nickname. What makes form-stable teardrop-shaped gummy bear implants so unique is that if cut in half, the silicone gel inside remains intact, just like a gummy bear would. 

Clinically, gummy bear implants do not conform to surrounding tissues. These implants assume the exact same shape and do not change. The main indication today for using a gummy bear implant is if a patient wants a subglandular pocket, but wants to have natural, or less rounded, fullness in the top of the breast. You will not achieve as much fullness in the top of the breast with a gummy bear implant when compared to round implants. 

Textured and Smooth Implants: Understanding the Difference

Smooth breast implants feel softer than textured implants and can move within their pockets, helping the breasts appear more natural with the body’s movements.

 A textured shell keeps the implant from moving around, while another benefit of textured shells is that they reduce the likelihood of excess scar tissue developing (i.e., capsular contracture). However, although rare, one drawback is that some textured implants slightly increase the patient’s risk of developing certain types of cancer in the implant’s capsule.

What to Expect from a Breast Lift

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to lift and reshape sagging breasts. It involves removing excess skin, tightening surrounding tissue, and repositioning the nipple-areola complex to achieve a more youthful and perky breast appearance. 

Elevating Confidence with a Breast Lift Procedure

A breast lift can significantly elevate confidence by restoring a youthful, perky contour to sagging breasts, often resulting from aging, weight fluctuations, or pregnancy, which is why it is commonly included as part of a “mommy makeover” alongside other body contouring procedures. Many women opt for a breast lift to improve breast shape and position without altering the size, addressing issues such as drooping, asymmetry, and loss of firmness. By enhancing the breast’s appearance, a lift can rejuvenate one’s overall silhouette, leading to a renewed sense of self-assurance and body positivity.

Addressing Sagging Breasts: The Role of Mastopexy

Mastopexy, or a breast lift, plays a crucial role in addressing sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to elevate and reshape the breasts. This procedure rectifies drooping and sagging caused by aging, weight changes, or pregnancy, restoring a youthful and firm contour. By repositioning the nipple and areola to a more natural height and enhancing the overall breast shape, mastopexy effectively rejuvenates the breast’s appearance, providing a lifted and more aesthetically pleasing profile.

Enhancing Breast Shape and Firmness through a Lift Surgery

A breast lift can also enhance breast shape and firmness by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. This procedure elevates the breasts to a higher, more natural position while also reshaping them for improved symmetry and roundness. Patients can expect firmer, perkier breasts with nipples repositioned to a more youthful height, resulting in a revitalized silhouette that enhances overall body proportions and boosts confidence. Additionally, patients who undergo breast lift surgery may also experience improved posture and subsequent comfort after proper healing. 

Risks of a Breast Lift

It is essential to evaluate potential risks such as scarring, changes in nipple sensation, and complications from anesthesia when considering a breast lift procedure. The recovery process typically involves temporary swelling, bruising, and discomfort, with most patients resuming normal activities within a few weeks. Proper aftercare and following the surgeon’s guidelines are crucial for optimal healing and achieving the desired results.

What to Expect from a Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a procedure aimed at reducing the size and weight of large breasts. It involves removing excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to achieve a more proportionate and comfortable breast size. 

More than Just Cosmetic: Alleviating Discomfort with Reduction Mammaplasty

Breast reduction surgery extends beyond cosmetic improvements, offering substantial relief for medical conditions such as chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain caused by excessively large breasts. This procedure can alleviate skin irritation and rashes beneath the breasts, improve posture, and reduce the strain on the body, enhancing overall physical comfort and mobility. 

 Additionally, it can address issues like nerve pain and breathing difficulties, significantly improving the quality of life for those suffering from these symptoms. For many, breast reduction is not just a path to better aesthetics but a vital step toward improved health and well-being.

Improving Quality of Life Through Breast Size Reduction

As discussed above, reducing excess breast tissue and reshaping the breasts can help relieve chronic upper body pain and skin irritation caused by bra straps and breast folds. Beyond addressing physical discomfort, breast reduction surgery can also significantly enhance the overall quality of life by restoring confidence, enabling greater freedom of movement, and fostering a more positive body image and self-esteem.

Risks Associated with Breast Reduction

Like any surgical procedure, breast reduction carries potential complications such as bleeding, infection, changes in nipple sensation, and scarring, although these risks are generally low and manageable. The recovery period typically involves wearing a surgical bra for support, limiting physical activity for a few weeks, and following post-operative care instructions to ensure optimal healing and results.

Kelamis Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics, the Breast Augmentation Experts of Northwest Arkansas

Dr. J. Alex Kelamis is a highly skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon who knows the importance of tailoring surgical plans with his patients’ physical anatomy in mind. In addition, Dr. Kelamis is renowned for his caring demeanor and dedication to excellence. His artistic vision and technical skills make him one of the top plastic surgeons in the region.

At Kelamis Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, our commitment to personalized care ensures that each patient receives a breast augmentation plan that is as unique as them, resulting in natural, beautiful, and satisfying outcomes. To learn more about the breast augmentation procedures and other cosmetic surgery offered by Kelamis Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, schedule a consultation through our website.