Breasts shape and size can be a sensitive topic among many women and are among one of the most common parts of the body that women seek out cosmetic procedures to change their appearance.
Breast Augmentation is among the top five plastic surgeries women undergo every year to change their breasts’ shape, size, and symmetry. Almost 200,000 women underwent the procedure in 2020 alone.
If you’re looking to enhance your breasts with a breast augmentation, there is some helpful information to know ahead of time. Here is an introduction to breast augmentation.
Types of Breast Implants
Breast implants are the most common type of breast augmentation, where a foreign implant is placed within the breast to increase the size, shape and symmetry of the chest. A person can choose from two main types of breast implants, each available in many shapes and sizes.
Saline Breast Implants
Saline implants, the most traditional form of implant, have been the industry standard for many decades. Saline implants are inserted into the breast empty and then filled with a sterile saltwater solution. Being inserted empty, the incisions made to place the implant are usually minimal.
A pro to these types of implants is that if the implant happens to break or rupture, the solution within can safely be absorbed by the body until the point the implant can be removed and replaced.
These implants are slightly more fragile than their silicone counterparts and are more noticeable when they move around, often causing rippling in the skin.
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone breast implants are a more modern type of implant that is gaining popularity and replacing many saline implants. Silicone implants are more durable, more realistic, and do not ripple on the skin when moving.
While less likely to rupture than a saline implant, a con of this implant is that a rupture does require surgical removal, as silicone cannot be absorbed by the body.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
While medical and technological advances have made breast augmentation safer than ever, there are many of those who still have hesitancy towards having implants. Additionally, those with pre-existing implants may wish to have them removed and swapped out for a more natural method.
This is where fat transfer breast augmentations come into play.
A fat transfer is a procedure that takes excess fat from a donor area on the body, usually a place like the thighs, abdomen, or hips, and then is redistributed into the breasts to help create increased volume and shape using your body’s own natural material. This procedure can be performed alone or in tandem with implants for even more volume and natural feel.
Can Implants Be Removed?
While many people are content with the results of their breast augmentations, implants can be removed once fully healed at any point. Some may choose to swap them out with alternate sizes, shapes, or materials, such as going from saline to silicone, removing both and going to breast augmentations or removing all augmentation altogether.