Breast Implants – More Than Just a Matter of Size

Bra cup size not the only consideration for women who are thinking about breast augmentation

Achieving a beautiful result with Breast Augmentation involves more than just going from one bra cup size to another. Breast implant size, shape, profile and placement are all considerations for women who want to enhance their figure with aesthetically-pleasing breasts. Focusing on your unique anatomy and appearance goals, rather than cup size alone, is essential to the process of selecting the right breast implants for your body.

It’s important to remember that all bras do not fit the same. A bra of the same size may feel too tight in one brand and just right in another. Bra fit is affected by the many different styles, shapes and cuts that are available as well as the firmness of your breasts and the widths of your back and shoulders.

Bra cup size is a convenient way to begin the discussion about your target breast size, but not an absolute measurement that can be used alone to determine the breast implants that will accentuate your feminine curves with a balanced, natural look.

Selecting your breast implants

The plastic surgeons at Hedden & Gunn Plastic Surgery use their training, expertise and years of experience to help women find the Breast Implants that will best suit their personal goals, body type and level of physical activity. Please call 205-980-1744 to schedule your consultation at our Birmingham, AL cosmetic surgery center and let our breast enhancement experts help you make an informed decision about the implants used in your breast augmentation procedure.

Silicone Gel or Saline

Silicone breast implants are filled with a soft and pliable silicone gel. Saline breast implants are filled with saline solution. Though many women believe silicone implants feel more like natural breast tissue, both saline and silicone implants can be used to create outstanding breast augmentation results. Saline implants require a smaller incision because they are surgically inserted and then filled with saline.

Implant Size

The No. 1 reason women choose breast augmentation is for larger breasts. Patients must have enough breast tissue to accommodate the breast implants they select for the procedure. If your breasts are asymmetrical, a different size implant may be necessary for each side.

Implant Shape

Breast implants can be round or shaped like a teardrop. Teardrop-shaped implants are designed to resemble the natural slope of the breast and are made with a textured surface to keep them from rotating. Round implants are usually placed under the muscle and may be better for women who desire more fullness in the upper portion of the breasts.

Implant Profile

The breast implant profile is the amount of projection from the chest. Implants are available in moderate, moderate-plus, high and extra-high profiles. Women with slimmer or smaller body types are often good candidates for higher profile implants, which usually have a smaller base in relation to their amount of projection.

Implant Placement

During breast enhancement surgery, breast implants are placed either under the pectoralis muscle (submuscular placement) or over the muscle (subglandular placement). The under-the-muscle placement may provide a more natural look and more support, lessening the chance of future sagging. Implants placed over-the-muscle can produce more dramatic results with a more sharply defined cleavage.