The abundance of information about breast enhancement surgery found on the internet, in magazines and websites can be overwhelming. Should an implant be placed above or below the chest wall muscle? Where should the incision be made? Can a breast lift be performed at the same time implants are placed? Is a breast lift even necessary? When do implants need to be replaced? Saline or silicone?

Confused? Let’s slow down for a moment and first consider that a few basic criteria should be met before one even considers breast enhancement surgery:

1. Do you have good generall overall health?

2. Do you have realistic expectations of the procedure and the results?

3. Are your breast fully matured?

If the basic criteria are met, then a breast enhancement procedure can be very effective in restoring fullness and form to breast which has been lost due to pregnancy, weight loss, or the natural aging process. Breast implants can also provide volume if your breast are naturally small or can be used to improve symmetry.

The options for the size and shape of breast implants have increased significantly in the United States over the past two years. Previously, only round shaped implant were available for breast enhancement. Now, implants are available which are shaped anatomically to address the area which most often concerns women, their upper chest.  Although the filling material of round shaped breast implant remains either silicone or saline (salt water), the silicone within the anatomically shaped implant is now more firm, allowing the enhanced breast to feel natural yet retain its form and stability.

The development of a cohesive gel implant was in response to women’s concerns who have silicone breast implants filled with a thinner material.

Although they may have initially liked the natural look of their breast, in time, their look became too natural.  Many felt that their breast appeared larger, but droopy, loosing upper chest fullness. The increased stability and firmness of a cohesive gel anatomically shaped implant can help to maintain a more youthful, fuller appearance of her breast.

The implant selected for you is determined by considering a number of factors including; how you wish your breast to appear, the current size and shape of your breast, the quality of your skin and breast tissue, and the thickness of the soft tissue overlying your upper chest.  I will consider each of these when developing my recommendations for you.

Implants alone are not the answer for ptotic breast. (The origin of the word ptosis is Greek and means falling or sagging of a body part; therefore, a ptotic breast has fallen or sagged.) Placing an implant behind breast tissue which has lost its natural supportive structures and enveloped by skin that is of poor quality will result in accelerated ptosis of the breast and a poor result.  In such instances, a mastopexy, or breast lift, will be necessary to create a breast form of ideal proportions and shape.  An implant may then be used to provide additional fullness if this is your goal.