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Breast augmentation is one of one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries I perform on female patients. Here, I have addressed some of the most common questions about the procedure, from implants themselves to what’s involved in the surgery.
Implants are made of an outer layer or shell of silicone - smooth or textured - and they can be filled with saline (salt water), silicone gel or a mixture of both.
There have been extensive studies on breast implants and in my practice we only use highly tested, FDA-approved Allergan implants from the Natrelle collection. However as with any sort of surgery there can be an element of risk involved but your surgeon should clearly explain this to you in your initial consultation.
Perhaps contrary to what you might think, the incision for the insertion of an implant is quite small. It is made in one of several areas; usually the crease under the breast (inframammary), around the nipple (periareolar) or under the arm (transaxillary).
Implants are available in a number of sizes and also a choice of shapes, so a variety of results are possible. Patients can choose from a round implant and the more anatomically-correct looking teardrop shape. In general, the round implant tends to be most popular with my patients.
It may seem like it is just a matter of requesting an A, B, C etc cup but for the best results there are other factors to consider beyond just the size of the implant. The breast is a three- dimensional structure so the dimensions of the implant (its base width, height and projection) must be taken into account. A good surgeon will also work with a patient’s physique, making the sure the results fit in well with the patient’s aesthetic.
You might think that everyone has the same view of what a particular cup size is but this is not always the case. This can be problematic for both the patient and surgeon as they may not be on the same page, as it were. One person’s idea of a C cup may be different to another’s and the implant may look quite different once it is in place. New technologies are really helping to bridge this gap and help both surgeon and patient know what results will look like. For example in my practice we use Crisalix 3D imaging technology, which lets a patient ‘see’ what their breasts will look like and how they fit with the rest of the body shape after surgery, from all angles.
Beauty comes in a spectrum, so I make sure that the size of implant a patient wants falls into the range of my definition of beauty. If it does, and suits and enhances the overall body shape, I am happy to continue with the procedure. However, if the patient wants a major augmentation or a huge increase in breast size and I feel it doesn’t go well or fit in harmony with their body shape, I won’t perform the procedure.
The surgery is usually performed under general anesthetic and the procedure takes about an hour and a half or more, depending on the complexity of the case. The implant can be placed either on top of the pectoralis muscle and under the breast tissue or partially under the pectoralis muscle. The most advanced method is the dual plane implant, where the top half of the implant goes under the muscle while the bottom half sits under breast tissue. Patients can usually go home the day of surgery with some guidelines for aftercare, and a follow up appointment will be needed.
Usually the patient can resume their normal activities after a fortnight but should wait another week or two before getting back to more vigorous or sporting activities.
In general, you can expect implants to last for 10 to 15 years.
If you are considering breast augmentation or any other cosmetic surgery procedure, we can advise on the best options for you. Contact us to arrange a consultation.
Find out all you need to know about cosmetic procedures and the factors you need to consider in our free guide, Considerations Before Deciding on Cosmetic Surgery and Post-Treatment Care:
Download Mr. Chan's Guide to Cosmetic Surgery Considerations
Breast augmentation is one of one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries I perform on female patients. Here, I have addressed some of the most common questions about the procedure, from implants themselves to what’s involved in the surgery.
Implants are made of an outer layer or shell of silicone - smooth or textured - and they can be filled with saline (salt water), silicone gel or a mixture of both.
There have been extensive studies on breast implants and in my practice we only use highly tested, FDA-approved Allergan implants from the Natrelle collection. However as with any sort of surgery there can be an element of risk involved but your surgeon should clearly explain this to you in your initial consultation.
Perhaps contrary to what you might think, the incision for the insertion of an implant is quite small. It is made in one of several areas; usually the crease under the breast (inframammary), around the nipple (periareolar) or under the arm (transaxillary).
Implants are available in a number of sizes and also a choice of shapes, so a variety of results are possible. Patients can choose from a round implant and the more anatomically-correct looking teardrop shape. In general, the round implant tends to be most popular with my patients.
It may seem like it is just a matter of requesting an A, B, C etc cup but for the best results there are other factors to consider beyond just the size of the implant. The breast is a three- dimensional structure so the dimensions of the implant (its base width, height and projection) must be taken into account. A good surgeon will also work with a patient’s physique, making the sure the results fit in well with the patient’s aesthetic.
You might think that everyone has the same view of what a particular cup size is but this is not always the case. This can be problematic for both the patient and surgeon as they may not be on the same page, as it were. One person’s idea of a C cup may be different to another’s and the implant may look quite different once it is in place. New technologies are really helping to bridge this gap and help both surgeon and patient know what results will look like. For example in my practice we use Crisalix 3D imaging technology, which lets a patient ‘see’ what their breasts will look like and how they fit with the rest of the body shape after surgery, from all angles.
Beauty comes in a spectrum, so I make sure that the size of implant a patient wants falls into the range of my definition of beauty. If it does, and suits and enhances the overall body shape, I am happy to continue with the procedure. However, if the patient wants a major augmentation or a huge increase in breast size and I feel it doesn’t go well or fit in harmony with their body shape, I won’t perform the procedure.
The surgery is usually performed under general anesthetic and the procedure takes about an hour and a half or more, depending on the complexity of the case. The implant can be placed either on top of the pectoralis muscle and under the breast tissue or partially under the pectoralis muscle. The most advanced method is the dual plane implant, where the top half of the implant goes under the muscle while the bottom half sits under breast tissue. Patients can usually go home the day of surgery with some guidelines for aftercare, and a follow up appointment will be needed.
Usually the patient can resume their normal activities after a fortnight but should wait another week or two before getting back to more vigorous or sporting activities.
In general, you can expect implants to last for 10 to 15 years.
If you are considering breast augmentation or any other cosmetic surgery procedure, we can advise on the best options for you. Contact us to arrange a consultation.
Find out all you need to know about cosmetic procedures and the factors you need to consider in our free guide, Considerations Before Deciding on Cosmetic Surgery and Post-Treatment Care:
Download Mr. Chan's Guide to Cosmetic Surgery Considerations
