How Can I Tell Which Breast Implant Size Is Right For Me?

There is no question that making the decision to undergo breast augmentation takes a great deal of thought, research, and contemplation. Patients must consider the various investments that are associated with having breast augmentation, including financial and physical obligations, as well as the impact the surgery could make on their lifestyle, relationships, and career. It may take a while, but once you decide to move forward with the procedure, the real excitement begins! This is the time when you are able to start imagining your new figure, picturing the different styles of clothing you’ll be able to wear, and more.

In the midst of all this excitement, though, there are still more decisions that need to be made. During your initial consultation and preoperative appointments, you and your surgeon will work together to select a surgical method, implant type, size, profile, and other elements that will help you best achieve your goals and result in the most stunning outcome possible. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Kelishadi, President of SSK Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA, is dedicated to providing an unmatched level of patient service and care, ensuring that his patients feel comfortable and confident during each and every step of the breast augmentation process.

What type of breast implant is best?

One of the first choices you’ll need to make after deciding to have breast augmentation is what kind of implant you want. Saline and silicone gel implants are two major classes of breast implants, and each comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, diameters, and profiles. While both saline and silicone breast implants are FDA approved as safe and effective devices for increasing the volume of a woman’s breasts, each type of implant has its own unique set of characteristics. As such, some patients may be better-suited to getting saline implants, while silicone gel implants may be more appropriate for others. Read on for a brief summary of each type of implant.

• Saline breast implants: Saline implants have been used in breast augmentation surgery for many years and are still preferred by a number of patients and surgeons. Saline breast implants are filled with a fluid saline solution which can be safely absorbed by the body in the event of implant rupture. However, should rupture occur, the implant will almost immediately deflate, leaving the women with an asymmetric, lopsided figure until implant replacement surgery can be performed. One important note about saline implants is that they are the only FDA-approved breast implant option for women under the age of 22, making them more popular for younger patients.

• Silicone gel breast implants: Silicone breast implants are newer than saline implants, but they have quickly gained popularity and have been used in millions of breast augmentations across the country. Silicone implants are filled with a gel-like substance that is not liquid and will not leak out or be absorbed by the body if the implant ruptures. In fact, it can be difficult – and sometimes impossible – to detect the rupture of a silicone gel implant without the use of MRI. While this is harmless and the implant will not deflate, the implant will still need to be replaced eventually. One of the most attractive aspects of silicone implants is that they are often considered to look and feel more like a natural breast than saline implants. In addition, silicone implants are less prone to rippling, making them extremely beneficial for thinner women or those with less natural breast tissue and fat.

For women who may be interested in an alternative to synthetic implants, fat transfer to the breast is a third option for breast augmentation. This innovative procedure uses a patient’s own fat from another area of the body to increase the breast volume. If you would like to learn more about fat transfer for breast augmentation, call SSK Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA to schedule a consultation today.

What size breast implant should I get?

Once you have settled on either saline or silicone gel implants, it will be time to decide on the size of the implant. Oftentimes, this is the most difficult part of the process for patients, but the knowledgeable and caring team at SSK Plastic Surgery will take all of the time needed to make sure you are comfortable and confident in your decision. To prepare for your appointment, it is beneficial to browse your surgeon’s before-and-after photo galleries, focusing particularly on women who are a similar height and weight as you.

During your preoperative appointments, Dr. Kelishadi will discuss your concerns and goals with you at length, review your inspiration photos, and provide sizers, and other tools that can help you visualize how you will look with various sizes of implants. Dr. Kelishadi will also explain your size, shape, and profile options in detail to help you better understand which implant may be best for you. While many surgeons may ask what your ideal cup size or cc amount is, it is important to remember that the same size of implant can look dramatically different from one patient to the next. For example, a petite woman who selects a 450cc implant will likely have a much more voluminous final look than a 6’ tall woman who also receives a 450cc implant. For this reason, it is essential that patients select a surgeon who is highly familiar with the complexities and nuances involved in matching a woman’s body type, frame, and goals with a particular implant size.

Ultimately, the best way to determine which size of breast implant will look and feel best for you is to be evaluated by a qualified, experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Call SSK Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA today to schedule your one-on-one consultation with SSK President and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Kelishadi, and learn more about how breast augmentation can restore the look you once had or give you the body you’ve always dreamed of!