Breast Augmentation & You
Breast augmentation is popular among women desiring increased breast volume and fullness. Choosing a plastic surgeon and breast implant that is right for you can seem overwhelming. I recommend interviewing plastic surgeons to find one who listens to your desires and makes you feel comfortable. Selecting a surgeon who is equally concerned about appearance and function is important. A board-certified plastic surgeon has completed in-depth training that encompasses the entire body and face.
One of the first questions I discuss with patients is regarding desired implant size and profile. A good proportion is determined by the breast implant size, as well as the shape of the implant compared to the size and shape of your chest wall and torso. Profile is of equal importance. The profile is the distance the implant will project from your body. These decisions are individualized based on your anatomy and your surgeon can guide you through this decision making process.
Should you have silicone or saline implants?
Desired look, feel and cost guide this decision. Saline implants are shells inserted empty and filled with sterile saline after they’re placed into your chest. Silicone implants are inserted in full gel form. Both silicone and saline can give you a natural look, however, silicone implants have a reputation for providing a more natural feel while saline implants are desirable because of their lower cost – about $1,000 less than silicone.
A board-certified plastic surgeon will take the time to coach you on the benefit and risks of breast augmentation surgery. At your consultation, your surgeon should review the advantages of each implant type and help you make an informed decision that takes in to account your desired outcome and unique body structure.
Vanessa Voge, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and medical director of Plastic Surgical Specialists, a subdivision of Wichita Surgical Specialists, P.A. Dr. Voge provides personalized cosmetic plastic surgery on the breast, face, body and skin.
