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Breast Augmentation & Breast ImplantsConveniently located to serve Fairhope and Mobile, Alabama

Silicone versus saline breast augmentation

A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with sterile saline (salt water) or silicone gel. The silicone gel filled implants have been again used for cosmetic use after FDA clearance in 2006 after the highly publicized controversy regarding the long term health consequences of silicone gel implants. The findings of all research studies have not demonstrated any consistent relationship between silicone breast implants and systemic illness.

The new generation of silicone breast implants is less prone to the slow silicone leak (bleed) that was felt to be responsible for most of the local problems with silicone implants. Gel implants are more soft and natural, especially when there is less overlying breast tissue. However, silicone implants require larger incisions than saline breast implants since they are prefilled.

Breast implant surface and shape types

Implant surface options are a smooth or textured silicone wall. Textured implants demonstrated less hardening (capsular contracture) around the implants, but smooth implants are less prone to rippling. Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe prefer to reserve textured implants for cases where capsules have been a significant problem or implant position is expected to be hard to control.

A variety of implant shapes are available, but in most scenarios Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe prefer round implants, which become thicker at the base when standing due to gravity. Anatomic implants attempt to replicate the breast shape with a tear drop pattern, larger at the bottom than at the top of the implant. A possible disadvantage of tear drop implants is the deformity that occurs if the implant turns.

Breast implant shape can also be customized in terms of projection. Low, medium, and high profile implants have increasingly narrow bases and greater projections, which are useful in patients with thin, narrow chests desiring larger implants.

Different incisions for breast augmentation

The implant may be inserted by four alternate approaches. An inframammary incision is just above the breast fold in the central breast and provides the best exposure to place the implant and modify breast shape or position. This location is usually well hidden by bras and bikinis and can be difficult to see if it heals well or lies in the new inframammary fold. It is the most common incision in the US and in the world.

The peri-areolar incision is placed around the areola, the dark area surrounding the nipple. A higher risk of altered nipple sensation and impaired breast feeding would be expected with this technique, but most studies have failed to show a significant difference. This technique can provide adequate exposure with a nearly imperceptible scar if the areola is large enough and less breast modification is necessary. By removing an outer rim of areola and tightening with suture, the areola can be reduced in size or lifted (mastopexy).

In transaxillary breast augmentation, an incision is made in the armpit, keeping scars off the breasts, using a camera to expose and modify the breast. The technique cannot be used with large silicone implants or breasts needing significant changes in shape, but can be used for most saline implants.

Using a remote incision in the belly button, a TUBA, Trans Umbilical Breast Augmentation, can be performed without visible scar but voids the warranty of the implant because of the trauma that can occur to the implant during placement from a distance. It is very difficult to control changes to the breast, and asymmetry frequently results

Breast augmentation implant location

The implants may be placed either beneath the breast tissue (submammary or subglandular breast augmentation), below the pectoralis major muscle (subpectoral breast augmentation), or under the pectoralis major fascia (subfascial breast augmentation). With saline implants, thin patients with minimal breast tissue and patients with a history of problems with previous implants, deeper placement is recommended. Subpectoral placement is the the most common.

Subpectoral and subfascial implants are less likely to develop capsular contracture, due to the constant “massage” that occurs with muscle motion. Submammary placement, especially with silicone implants, can have excellent cosmetic results in the right patients.

Breast implant size

Prior to consultation, a general idea of the desired breast size should be known. A simple and inexact trick that can be used at home is filling a sealable bag with different amounts of water or rice on top of the breast in a bra of the desired cup size and evaluating the result. Photographs from magazines can be a helpful guide for those patients unable to verbalize a desired size.

Together with Dr. Park, a more exact plan will be made using implant samples and measured breast dimensions to determine a safe and effective size and the need for any supplemental surgery such as a breast lift (mastopexy) or change of the vertical or transverse position. Computer generated imaging can be helpful but is very inexact.

Breast Implant Brands

One reason why breast augmentation patients consistently love their results is that breast implants are highly customizable. Thanks to innovative breast implant designers, implants come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and profiles. You can be very particular about the look you want to achieve, how you want your new breasts to feel, and how you want them to move with your body. You also have options when it comes to how firm or soft you want your breasts to be.

Because they understand that every patient has unique goals for breast augmentation, Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe are diligent about staying up to date with the available implant options, as well as the benefits and limitations of each type of breast implant they offer.

Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe only recommend products from breast implant brands that meet high standards for safety and patient satisfaction. They’re proud to offer Allergan, Mentor, Ideal, and Sientra breast implants.

The best implant brand for you will depend on your body, desired results, and personal preferences. Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe will make it easy to find the perfect breast implants for you with their knowledge of available options from:

• Allergan – Allergan’s Natrelle breast implants are available in many sizes. Natrelle implants are made in three different variations of “gummy gel,” each with a unique feel.
• Mentor – Mentor offers many breast implant sizes and shapes in their MemoryShape, MemoryGel, and Saline lines. Whether you want firm, perky breasts with great cleavage or a more understated look that mimics a naturally sloping breast, Mentor likely has an option for you.
• Ideal – Ideal offers saline breast implants with an innovative twist. Designers of Ideal’s Structured Breast Implants wanted to create a saline implant that achieved the natural look and feel that patients love about silicone implants, while capitalizing on the advantages of saline as a body-safe substance.
• Sientra – This highly rated safety-focused breast implant brand offers cohesive-gel-based implants in round and teardrop shapes, allowing patients to choose from a broad range of profiles.

After the Procedure

Personalized aftercare instructions will be provided to guide you through your breast augmentation recovery. It is important to follow all instructions carefully to support optimal healing.

After your surgery, a postoperative garment or tube top will be placed and should be worn for the first few weeks. Pain medication is usually necessary for 1 – 2 days. Activities, including driving and lifting, should be limited for 4 to 5 days.

Scars will begin to fade and soften at 3 months. Revisional surgery may be necessary for size change, implant type change, capsular contracture, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, rippling, leak, or rupture. If rupture does occur, saline is absorbed by the body whereas silicone is permanent unless removed surgically.

A breast implant does obscure some of the breast, reducing mammogram sensitivity, but less so with submuscular or subfascial augmentation. Special views have been designed to minimize this concern.

Cost of Breast Augmentation in Mobile

Since every patient is different, the price of everybody’s breast augmentation is different. Your breast augmentation will depend on the type of implant you choose, the surgical techniques required, and the length of surgery. Combining breast augmentation with a breast lift or another surgery will affect pricing as well. You’ll be told about all of the costs before you schedule your surgery. Financing for breast augmentation is also available through CareCredit.

 

Schedule a Consultation for Breast Augmentation in Mobile

If you desire fuller, larger breasts and would like to learn more about your options with breast augmentation in Mobile, contact us to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you enhance your look!

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