Breast Enlargement

Breast implants are filled with either a saline solution or silicone gel. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed that patients must be at least 18 years old to receive saline implants, and at least 22 for silicone implants. Because they are filled with sterile saltwater, saline implants are safer than silicone implants in the event of a leak. Also, a leak is more easily detected, since the implant would collapse noticeably. Silicone implants generally require an ultrasound or MRI screening to detect a leak, since they will not collapse. However, many patients believe silicone implants feel more natural to the touch. Implants are also categorized by shape, texture, and size, so your choices will include:

Round implants are uniformly shaped, while teardrop-shaped implants have more projection at the bottom and are tapered on top. Gummy bear implants are a third type of shaped silicone implant. Because they are made with cohesive silicone gel, this type of implant will not leak if ruptured. However, they have a firmer feel and breasts can appear unusually shaped if they shift out of position. Round implants pose no such concern.

Breast implants are measured in volume of cubic centimeters (CCs). Since size is the most important aspect of your augmentation, the surgeon will work carefully to help you choose the size that will suit you best. You must also have enough breast tissue to accommodate the breast implant size you desire. Since CC’s are a different kind of measurement than cup size, you can try on sizers to get an idea of what will look best for you. Another way that breast implant sizes are measured refers to their profile. A higher implant profile means that the implant projects higher off the chest. This is determined by the width of the base. Higher profile implants have a smaller base than moderate profiles, which creates a more prominent silhouette.

Dr. Malek will choose whether general anesthesia or local anesthesia is best patient to patient. Breast implants have a few different methods when it comes to incision location and implant placement.

Patients can generally return to a desk job after about a week of proper recovery. Lifting and strenuous arm activity should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks. Discomfort may be experienced and will subside in about a week. However, the total amount of time needed for recovery depends greatly upon the method of implant placement used. Subglandular breast implant placement (the placement of implants above the pectoral muscle) involves a shorter recovery time than patients who undergo submuscular breast implant placement (the placement of implants underneath the pectoral muscle).