How to Choose the Best Breast Implant for You

Doctor showing breast implants to patient

Choosing breast implants is one of the exciting—and nerve-wracking—parts of breast augmentation. On Long Island and in Westchester and NYC, our breast augmentation patients rely on Dr. Newman’s expertise for recommendations about the size and profile of breast implants that will create the final results they want.

Which Size Is Right for Me?

There are many factors to consider when trying to decide which breast implants are right for you.

Determining the most natural looking breast implant size for you involves careful consideration of your body type, current breast tissue, the quality and elasticity of your breast skin and breast width. Analysis of these physical characteristics, along with a clear understanding of the look you desire, allows Dr. Newman to recommend which size of breast implant would be best for you.

Dr. Newman uses the VECTRA 3D Imaging System to give you a three-dimensional look at the potential results by visualizing what your body will look like with different implant sizes. With the VECTRA 3D Imaging System, which takes precise measurements of your body, you can see allowing you from various angles how different sizes of implants will look on your body. The ability to visualize different breast sizes before surgery helps to ensure that your desired breast augmentation goals are being achieved.

Silicone Gel vs. Saline Breast Implants

Dr. Newman uses 2 types of breast implants: saline and cohesive silicone gel. Both implants have a silicone elastomer outer shell that is a subtle, flexible, rubber-like material. What differentiates the two implants is the material inside the outer shell.

Saline breast implants arrive empty and are filled with a sterile saltwater solution by the surgeon after they are placed inside the breast pocket. Doctors and patients may choose saline breast implants because they:

  • Can be precisely adjusted after placement
  • Are particularly helpful in equalizing breasts that are dramatically different in size
  • Require a slightly smaller incision
  • Are considered safe and natural

Silicone gel breast implants are pre-filled by the manufacturer. They contain a silicone gel that is sticky and mimics the look and feel of human fat. Silicone gel breast implants are the most popular choice among doctors and patients because they:

  • Look and feel like real breast tissue
  • Have less chance of rippling
  • Can be used in most women regardless of the amount of natural breast tissue present
  • Have a lower risk of downward displacement because of the lightweight nature of the implant

Round or Teardrop Shaped Implants?

Breast implants come in round or teardrop shapes. Determining which shape is best for you depends on the reason for your augmentation (enhancement versus reconstruction), your current breast tissue and your desired aesthetic.

Round breast implants are more frequently used in breast augmentation when the goal is enhancement because they give the breast a fuller appearance. Round breast implants are symmetrical and circular, so they can turn in the breast pocket and maintain their shape and appearance. Round breast implants work alongside a patient’s natural breast tissue to create full, natural looking breasts.

Teardrop-shaped, or anatomical, breast implants are thin at the top and gently slope down to a full bottom, similar to the shape of natural breasts. Teardrop implants are used most often in patients who are having reconstructive breast augmentation or who have very little natural breast tissue. The teardrop implant fills the void where natural breast tissue is no longer present, giving the breast a natural, anatomically appropriate shape.

Textured or Smooth Breast Implants?

The outer shell of breast implants can be textured or smooth. Textured breast implants have a rough outer shell. The hope is that the surrounding breast tissue will stick to the textured surface and hold the breast implant in place. Textured breast implants are most often used in conjunction with a teardrop shaped implant.

Smooth breast implants are the more popular choice among surgeons. A smooth breast implant can turn freely in the breast pocket. Also, smooth implants tend to have a thinner outer shell, making them feel softer and more natural.

Over vs. Under the Muscle

Placement of the breast implant within the breast pocket can impact the appearance of your breasts. There are two placement locations:

  • Subglandular/submammary: The breast implant sits on top of the pectoral muscle but behind the natural breast tissue
  • Submuscular: The breast implant is placed behind the pectoral muscle

Breast implant placement is often determined by the amount of natural breast tissue a patient has. Subglandular breast implant placement is most frequently used in patients with adequate natural breast tissue. Inserting the implant on top of the muscle but behind existing breast tissue gives a more natural appearance and feel. If there is minimal breast tissue present, often submuscular placement will be utilized so that there is as much natural tissue as possible over the implant to provide the most natural appearance.

The type of breast implant can also impact placement. Silicone gel breast implants are usually placed on top of the pectoral muscle, but behind natural breast tissue to create a full, natural-looking breast enhancement. Saline breast implants are often placed behind the pectoral muscle. These implants tend to be more firm and rigid, thus putting the implant behind the pectoral muscle gently squeezes the implant upward, giving the breast a more natural slope and shape.

This Instagram post featuring one of our patients shows the natural-looking results created with silicone gel implants placed under the muscle:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5_Ud0enbG8/

Choosing the Right Surgeon

At Newman Plastic Surgery and Laser Center, led by expert surgeon Dr. Scott Newman, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you weigh your options and select the best implant for you, your desired look, your body and your lifestyle.

Selecting an experienced plastic surgeon is the single best decision you can make. Thankfully, your search has brought you here. Dr. Newman is a board-certified plastic surgeon and expert in breast augmentation, breast lifts and breast reconstruction. Dr. Newman has performed over 4,000 breast augmentations and has been voted “Top NYC Plastic Surgeon” for 17 straight years. He has the experience and expertise you want to give you the look you desire. Call Newman Plastic Surgery and Laser Center today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Newman.

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