Planning Breast Enhancement in Atlanta
Many women who wish to enlarge their breasts struggle to know where to start in the decision-making process because there are just so many things to consider. Knowing how to choose the right surgeon, type of breast implant, and implant size among other options can be confusing. The highly skilled surgeons of Atlanta Plastic Surgery strive to educate patients to help them make the best decisions regarding plastic surgery.
Although breast enhancement is usually associated with the goal of increasing breast size, women choose to have breast augmentation surgery for a variety of reasons. Some are concerned mainly with size while others wish to enhance their breasts’ shape or correct breast asymmetry. During a pre-surgery consultation, our plastic surgeons listen to each patient’s reasons for pursuing surgery as well as their surgical goals. When it comes time for decision making, our surgeons are sure to explain details of the available options with the understanding that the ultimate choice is up to the patient. Patients can choose their breast implants’ size, consistency (silicone or saline), shape (teardrop or round), texture (rough or smooth), placement (above or below the muscle), and area of incision.
When choosing a breast implant size, it is important to consider the patient’s body frame, original breast size, shoulder width, as well as their height and weight. Without taking these considerations, patients may experience complications or unnatural looking results. Complications like capsular contracture and bottoming out are more common in patients who do not have enough tissue to support the breast implant. Breast augmentation complications are rare and often avoidable with the help of an experienced plastic surgeon and by following the prescribed aftercare instructions.
Deciding between saline and silicone breast implants is usually a matter of personal preference, but other breast enhancement decisions like shape and texture depend on the implant’s contents. Although textured and smooth breast implants are available in both silicone and saline, silicone breast implants are only available in a round shape while saline breast implants are available in both teardrop and round. There are new FDA approved, high strength cohesive silicone gel breast implants that are available in various shapes, but they are different from traditional silicone breast implants. Teardrop implants must be textured to avoid turning within the chest cavity yielding an unnatural appearance.
Placement and area of incision are also up to the patient, but will depend on various factors including the type of implant that is used. Plastic surgeons are often able to make a smaller incision for saline breast implants than silicone breast implants because silicone breast implants are pre-filled. Saline breast implants can be inserted deflated and filled with a sterile saline solution during surgery. Depending on a patient’s original breast size or desired breast shape, she may choose to have her implants placed either above or below the pectoral muscles though placement beneath the muscle is more common.
If you’re interested in Atlanta breast enhancement, or to learn more about other procedures our surgeons perform, visit our website. We offer multiple locations for our patients’ convenience with offices in Newnan, Northside/Sandy Springs, two Alpharetta locations, and our newest location in Northside Forsyth (Cumming). To learn more about a particular procedure, contact us today. Be sure to stay up to date with the latest Atlanta Plastic Surgery news by continuing to read our blog.
