Facts About Breast Augmentation

Breast is what we call the tissue protecting our pectoral muscles, also known as the chest. However, for women, these structures are quite more sophisticated than in men, and they are also usually larger. Women’s breasts are made of a very specialized type of skin that produces milk during pregnancy for the future baby. This milk-producing part is divided into 15 to 20 lobes that lead to ducts. Then, the resulting liquid exits through the nipples.

No pair of breasts can look exactly the same. Actually, they can be of all shapes, sizes, and colors. There are many factors that can lead to changes in the shape of the breasts, including breastfeeding, pregnancy, genetics, age, weight, and exercise. Regardless of these variables, breasts can also have one defined shape throughout somebody’s life. These shapes can broadly be listed as:

• Archetypal: the one used as a model for most bra manufacturers. It is round and full, slightly pointed in the nipple.
• Asymmetrical: when the two breasts are a different shape or dimension. This is actually very common, and the variation can be of more than a cup size.
• Athletic: Wider, more presence of muscle and less of breast tissue.
• Close-set: Located right in the center of your chest, with little to no separation between them.
• Side-set: Opposite to the previous ones. These have larger spaces between them.
• Conical: more typical of smaller than larger breasts. They are closer to look like a cone than to look round.
• Slender: narrow, long and with loose breast tissue.

Surgery can not only reshape the breasts, but it can also make them larger, make them fuller, lift them and put them back to their original position in the body if they have been through some other types of procedures. Many people want their breasts to be more in balance with the rest of their body, so they make the decision to have surgery to increase their breast size. This is known as breast augmentation surgery, and as cosmetic surgery, it has been on the rise for many years.

What are the main types of breast implants?

The breast implant is a medical prosthesis placed inside the body to modify, augment and reshape the existing breast. There are three main types: saline, silicone gel-filled and alternative composite implants. The first two types have the same amount of safety, and the latter can be filled with soy oil or polypropylene strings. People who choose silicone implants often have to carry out more check-ups, MRI and ultrasound scans than other types of implants.

Can everybody undergo breast augmentation surgery?

Broadly speaking, yes. However, experts and physicians have their own ideal patient parameters for this type of surgery:

• To be 18 years old for saline implants, or 22 years old for silicone implants.
• To be in good physical condition.
• To avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
• To have realistic expectations regarding the final result.
• To be in a healthy state of mind.

How big can the implants be?

The size of the implants depends on many different factors, but it narrows down to the elasticity and thickness of your skin, as well as the size of your ribcage. If you have a skin that is elastic and strong, it will be easier for the surgeon to accommodate larger implants. The downside is that bigger implants require more check-ups and doctor revisions.

Will any type of implant leave a scar?

Yes, however, the size of the scar depends on the type of implant you choose. Saline implants are inserted and then inflated to the size you decide. Silicone implants leave a scar depending on how big the implants are. But regardless of the type, a scar will always be visible on the tissue.