Considering breast augmentation is a deeply personal journey – and one you do not need to navigate alone. The first step is to find a General Medical Council (GMC)-accredited surgeon, who will talk you through the procedure and the various implants available, taking into consideration your lifestyle and your body’s natural characteristics so together you can make the right choice for achieving your desired outcome.
There are four main factors to consider when choosing the right implant for you:
- Shape
There are two shapes that you can choose from. One is a round shape and the other is anatomical or more commonly known as a teardrop shape. I usually recommend the round shape as they feel softer and are less likely to rotate. However, if the patient is tall and thin, I may recommend anatomical implants to better suit their body shape.
- Material
A patient can choose from silicone or saline-filled implants. Saline-filled implants can be useful as you can fill them up to the desired size after you have put them in whereas silicone-filled implants are not as flexible. However, I generally use silicone-filled implants as they feel more similar to natural breast tissue, have a lower risk of complications, and have a very high patient satisfaction rate.
Patients can also opt to do a fat transfer to the breast, also known as lipomodelling, lipofilling, natural breast enhancement or fat grafting breast enlargement. During this procedure, fat is extracted from the thighs or abdomen using liposuction. The fat is then purified before inserting into the breasts. This can be a useful option for those wanting a moderate increase in size, typically around one cup size and who are looking for a more natural look.
- Smooth vs textured
Textured implants are less likely to move out of place but have been associated with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BI- ALCL). The risk is very low and it is still unclear as to what the cause is. Smooth implants on the other hand have a greater risk of capsular contracture and risk of displacement. I will discuss this with you at your initial consultation so that you can have all the information you may need to make an informed decision.
- Size
At your initial consultation, you will discuss your desired outcomes. From here, you can choose which volume of implant you would like. The largest volume available is 800cc and generally women need an implant volume of 200cc to 500 cc. Your individual anatomy in conjunction with the implant will affect the overall size of the breast.
During your preoperative consultation, I will review your medical history and discuss what your desired outcome is and how this might look based on your height, frame and skin. From here, I will recommend the appropriate implant type, size, position and texture. I will allow you time to explore all the different implant options and together we can reach a decision that is best for you. Our team is also on call to support you 24/7 and provide you with the care and advice you need, both before and after your surgery. If you would like to set up a consultation and find out more, please contact us.