For some women increasing the size of their breasts is something they have thought about for a long time, perhaps having smaller breasts and desiring a ‘curvier’ appearance. For other women, having children might have contributed to a loss of volume in their breasts.
Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, involves increasing the size of the breasts by inserting implants behind the breasts.
The implant type and size depends on factors such as how much bigger you want your breasts to be, your aesthetic goals, your breast anatomy, skin thickness and elasticity, and body type.
Breast Implant Shapes
There are two main shapes of implants – round or tear drop, the latter also known as anatomical, or contoured.
Round implants are the original implant design and they can create a soft rounded silhouette. Typically, there is minimal variation in fullness between the top and the bottom of the implant. Therefore, round implants can create a fullness or cleavage in the upper portion of the breast. Round breast implants can be filled with saline or silicone. The outer shell of the implant comes in either a smooth or textured surface. Compared to a tear drop implant, round implants are symmetrical in their width and height and therefore if these implants rotate there should be no change in breast shape. Round implants are suited to people who have minimal breast sagging (ptosis), a central nipple placement, and breasts that do not sit too far apart on the chest. Round implants may also be preferable when a surgical lift is combined with breast augmentation with implants.
Tear drop implants are considered to more closely resemble the natural breast shape, and are more commonly used with people who have very little breast tissue. They are thinner at the top than the bottom, with greater fullness in the lower half of the breast, an attempt to mimic the more ‘natural’ breast shape. The implant is filled with silicone only, i.e., there is not a saline option. Additionally, the silicone in tear drop implants is thicker than the silicone in traditional round implants so they better hold their tear drop shape and are still soft to touch, although slightly firmer than round implants. The outer shell is also typically textured to help prevent the implant from rotating or shifting position within the chest. Tear drop implants are a good choice for people who want to correct mild sagging (ptosis), have lower placed nipples, wide set breasts, minimal body fat or thin breast tissue, and those people with tuberous breasts.
Choosing the right breast implant shape for you is best done in consultation with your surgeon. Sometimes bringing in photos to your consultation of the outcome you would like to achieve can assist with discussion about what shape implant is most likely to achieve your desired outcome.
Types of Breast Implants
The implants themselves are either filled with a silicone gel or a saline solution. The texture and feel of silicone implants closely resembles that of a natural breast. Saline implants have the same salt concentration of the body and therefore pose fewer health risks, although people often say they do not feel as natural as silicone implants. Both types of implant filling are covered by a silicon outer shell that is either smooth or textured in appearance. Smooth implants feel more like a natural breast but there is a risk they will not attach to the surrounding breast tissue and move around the breast pocket. Smooth round implants are generally placed in a larger pocket, the surgical space created for the implant, and they can therefore move around. Textured implants have a thicker slightly bumpy surface, which allows them to better attach to the breast tissue and reduce the risk of rotation and movement.
Dr Avery uses high quality implants from one of the world’s leading suppliers, Mentor. For more information visit the Mentor website.
Breast Implant Size
Both round and tear drop implants come in a variety of sizes. You might have an idea of what size you would like your breasts to be after your breast implant surgery. However, a common misconception is that bra size corresponds to implant size, which it does not. Your surgeon will talk with you about the options and your expectations to achieve your desired outcome. Both round and tear drop implants also come in various profiles. Profile refers to how far the breast projects forward from the chest wall. A high-profile breast implant has the smallest base width and produces the most pronounced silhouette. At the opposite end of the spectrum, a moderate-profile implant features a wider base width and a potentially more natural-looking forward projection from the chest.
How to Choose the Right Implant Size for my Body
Your surgeon will talk with you extensively about what the right implant is for you.
Factors for consideration include:
- Mild or significant sagging (ptosis)
- Nipple placement
- Wide or close-set breasts
- Body fat percentage
- Amount of breast tissue
- Natural breast shape
- Aesthetic outcome you are hoping for
- Types of Breast Augmentation Procedures
During your consultation Dr Avery will talk with you about what the best implant placement technique is for you. Not all breast augmentation procedures are the same. What technique is used in surgery will depend on:
- The amount and shape of existing breast tissue
- The size and type of implant
- The incision area
- Where the breast implant is being placed
There are three techniques for breast implant placement:
1. Subglandular Placement (Overs)
The implant is placed directly behind the glandular tissue but in front of the muscle.
2. Partial Submuscular Placement (Partial Unders)
The implant is placed partially behind the pectoralis muscle, with the lower part of the implant not covered by the muscle. Partial submuscular placement is performed using a ‘dual-plane’ technique to optimise the interaction between the breast tissue, chest muscle, and implant. This technique aims to provide the benefits of being both under the chest muscle but also being in contact with the breast tissue to best influence its shape.
3. Complete Submuscular Placement (Full Unders)
The implant is placed completely behind the pectoralis muscle and connective tissue. Complete submuscular coverage is generally used in reconstructive cases only.
All of our breast augmentation procedures take place in an accredited hospital, with appropriately trained staff including the support staff and Anaesthetist. A breast augmentation surgery generally takes between 1-2 hours, with a further 1-2 hours for recovery before you can go home. If you have undergone another procedure a longer stay in hospital might be necessary for your recovery. The full recovery period for a breast augmentation is usually around six weeks, with a gradual resumption of pre-operative activities.
Scar shape and size will depend on the size and type of the breast implant, although they generally fade to become minimally visible in a matter of months. Dr Avery will generally place the scar in the lower breast fold.
Breast Lift with Breast Augmentation
A breast lift with implants (or augmentation mastopexy) can be performed when the position of one or both breasts on the chest needs to be altered and an increase in breast volume is required. Combining a breast lift with a breast augmentation restores a fuller, contoured shape to the breast by removing excess skin, repositioning the areola and increasing breast volume using breast implants.
The procedure followed in each breast lift and augmentation surgery depends on several variables including:
- The amount and shape of existing breast tissue
- The size and type of implant
- The incision area
- Where the breast implant is being placed
Taking all variables into account, Dr Avery will help you determine the best implant placement technique for you during your consultation. There are three techniques for breast implant placement during the procedure, as discussed in the breast augmentation section: subglandular placement (overs), partial submuscular placement (partial unders), complete submuscular placement (full unders).
All of our breast lift with implants procedures take place in an accredited hospital, with appropriately trained staff including the support staff and Anaesthetist. Generally, a breast lift with implants procedure can take anywhere between 1-3 hours, with another 1-2 hours in recovery before going home the same day. If you have undergone another procedure in addition to the breast lift with implants, such as liposuction or a tummy tuck, one or two nights in hospital may be required post-surgery to aid with recovery. You will be given a special compression garment to wear while you recover, which will assist with pain and swelling. The graded return to normal activities mirrors that of breast augmentation, with a full return to normal activities at around six weeks.
Recovery from my Breast Augmentation
A breast augmentation surgery generally takes between 1-2 hours (1-3 if combined with a breast lift), with a further 1-2 hours for recovery before you can go home. If you have undergone another procedure a longer stay in hospital might be necessary for your recovery. The full recovery period for a breast augmentation is usually around six weeks, with a gradual resumption of pre-operative activities.
It is important that you take your time with your recovery. Let friends and loved ones look after you, and follow your post-operative instructions. Don’t overdo it, and wait for clearance from Dr Avery before undertaking strenuous exercise and work. Get enough sleep and follow the individualised pain management plan customised for you by Dr Avery. The Avery team is available for you throughout your surgical journey. We will do our best to find times for your consultation and surgery that also fits in with your busy life, and the support you will need during your recovery. If you have any questions or concerns about your cosmetic mummy makeover or recovery, we are all here to support you.
What does a Breast Augmentation Cost?
Dr Avery will design a customised surgical plan for your breast augmentation, in consultation with you. Your customised quote will be available after your consultation. Breast augmentation surgery starts from approximately $9500.
How do I Book a Consultation?
You can book a consultation with Dr Avery by telephoning our administration staff or by clicking on the ‘book a consultation‘ button below. We look forward to hearing from you. A consultation with Dr Avery costs $250, with a $100 deposit taken at the time of booking, which confirms your appointment and blocks out that time for you in Dr Avery’s calendar.