Posted on June 13, 2022 in Breast Enhancement

When it comes to plastic surgery, there are as many procedure steps as there are people who want to enhance or contour their bodies. Breast augmentation is no exception. Knowing the steps and types of breast implants available for you can help you be an informed patient and allow you to choose the right procedure for your body type and preferences.
Types of Breast Implants
Breast implants, like people, come in all shapes and sizes. The right one for your anatomy and goals will depend on several factors. First, the natural amount of breast tissue you have. Second, the goal breast size you have in mind. Finally, the specific shape or contour you desire from an implant. Each of the following can be good methods for obtaining your ideal result.
Breast Implant Type
These days, the most common material used to fill breast implants is a sterile silicone gel or form-stable silicone known as a “gummy bear” implant. These implants typically give patients with a decent amount of natural breast tissue the most natural look and feel upon recovery, although they’re not recommended in every case.
In some patients, often those with little breast tissue or after mastectomy, a saline-filled implant is used to fill the breast naturally with as little scarring as possible. With a saline implant, many times it can be filled after insertion, requiring a smaller incision than pre-filled silicone implants. This also allows for a more natural result in some cases, as the amount of saline can be adjusted before closing the sutures and finalizing the procedure.
Regardless of what type of implant is recommended for you, Dr. Ellen will keep your anatomy and desired goals in mind when choosing the type of breast implant that us right for you.
Breast Implant Shape
Some breast implants are contoured to help certain people achieve the natural-looking enhanced result they’re looking for. So-called anatomical or teardrop implants are more full at the bottom, helping to prop up the nipples and add fullness proportionally to the bottom of the breast as opposed to throughout the entire region.
However, teardrop implants are not for everyone, especially those with enough tissue to support normal, circular implants. In some cases, anatomical implants are really helpful for creating more curvature and fullness to the breasts, but they are not always the best procedure for any one person seeking breast enhancement.
Techniques For Breast Augmentation
As much as the implants matter to creating your ideal bust shape and size, the technique used to insert your chosen breast implant matters too. There are several incisions and placement techniques that Dr. Ellen may decide to use in your surgical plan depending on your desired outcome.
Incision Types
As one of the most common plastic surgeries performed nationwide every year, people who are interested in breast augmentation know that one of the key goals from surgery is to minimize scarring wherever it occurs. These are the types of breast enhancement incisions Dr. Ellen uses when performing breast augmentation.
- Inframammary – This incision is the most common. It involves a horizontal incision in the fold of the breast tissue, giving the surgeon the most direct view of the breast pocket in which the implant will be inserted.
- Periareolar – Smaller implants may be able to be inserted through a smaller incision hidden in the pigment transition between the areola and breast tissue. This is usually only possible with saline implants.
- Transaxillary – For some patients who want to avoid any visible scarring on the breasts, Dr. Ellen may be able to insert unfilled saline implants through the under-arm.
Placement Depths
Breast implants are commonly placed directly under the natural breast tissue present in many patients, however, there are many surgical techniques that can enhance your final results depending on the specifics of your surgical plan.
Subglandular Placement
Many breast implants, especially small-sized ones are placed directly underneath your natural breast tissue. The pocket created during surgery is easy to access and results in very few abnormal side effects.
Submuscular Placement
In patients with little natural breast tissue, submuscular placement of a modest implant can help make the breast look and feel more natural than if placed directly beneath glandular tissue. Unfortunately this is often associated with longer recoveries but does result in highly satisfying and long-lasting results.
Dual Plane Placement
One of the more advanced techniques, dual plane breast augmentation allows Dr. Ellen to enhance the volume of the lower part of the breast while maintaining the natural upper pole. A dual-plane placement can be a great way for a saline breast implant to look and feel more like a silicone gel implant in well-qualified candidates.
Breast Augmentation in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Are you curious about how breast augmentation may be able to make you more confident with your body contour? Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ellen Janetzke can help you understand this decision and your expected results during a personal consultation in her office outside Detroit. Call or contact our team online to schedule your appointment today.
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