Breast Implants: How to Decide on the Right Size?
Getting the breasts you’ve always dreamed of is more than just showing up on the day of your breast augmentation surgery here in The Woodlands, Texas. There are a few preliminary choices you must make before coming in for your procedure. Of course, the biggest decision of all is deciding to get implants in the first place; choosing the right implant size is perhaps the second most important consideration.
There are three main factors to keep in mind when choosing your implant size:
Body Type
Women with a smaller frame, as you might expect, are better suited for smaller implants. Women who are taller or who weigh more can support larger implants. We strive for natural-looking results, and that’s often what patients are going for, too. If that’s you, it is important to choose implants that are proportionate to your body. This is something that you should discuss with your surgeon before choosing a size.
Implant Type
Patients can choose between saline and silicone implants. There are pros and cons to each type — it depends on your personal preference.
Saline implants are filled with a sterile saline solution. They are a bit firmer than silicone implants. If you are looking for a high, more rounded look, this may be the implant for you. Additionally, they can be filled after insertion, which means that Dr. Kim can use a slightly smaller incision to place the implants. Filling the implants post-insertion is also helpful for women with breast asymmetry.
Silicone implants, on the other hand, are filled with gel, so they feel more like natural breast tissue. They are a great option for women who are starting out with little natural breast tissue, because you can choose larger implants (versus saline) and still get a natural look and feel.
Your Surgeon’s Opinion
Finding a board-certified plastic surgeon you trust is essential to reaching your aesthetic goals. Your surgeon should be able to educate you about different implant shapes and sizes and give a proper recommendation based on his or her vast knowledge and experience performing breast augmentations. In the end, it is your body, and you have the final decision — but you should take your surgeon’s advice seriously. He or she should have your best interest in mind when giving the recommendation.
At SGK Plastic Surgery, Dr. Kim does everything in her power to assist you during this decision process. She recommends that you begin by bring in pictures of models with body profiles similar to you. This is a good starting point to give your surgeon a good idea of your desired outcome. Dr. Kim also encourages you to take a look at her patients’ before-and-after photos and corresponding implant types.
One final thought: Remember that it’s important to maintain realistic goals through this process — and that bigger isn’t always better. Finding the right implants for you is what is important.
If you are interested in undergoing breast surgery and want to discuss implant sizing, request a consultation online or give our office a call at (281) 363-4546.