Many women think their breasts are too small and would like them enhanced; if you’re considering breast augmentation, you have plenty of company. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), Americans spent more than $1 billion on breast augmentation last year. Not only are breast implants extremely popular, we now have a much larger number of options in terms of shape, size and fill of implants. This offers women a broad range of choices, so they can obtain the precise look they wish to achieve. Breast augmentation is not as simple or straightforward an operation as it might seem. If you’re considering saline or silicone breast implants, here are some pearls of wisdom, as recently discussed by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS):
- Be careful if you’re considering very large breast implants, especially if they’re high projection (fuller profile). If your implants are too big for you and put pressure on surrounding tissues, there may be long term effects on your breast tissue and stretching of the skin.
- Do not expect your augmented breasts to look exactly like someone else’s. Your ideal breast size will be determined by your personal physical characteristics and measurements, including chest size, breast width, and many other factors your plastic surgeon will discuss with you.
- There are different surgical approaches to breast augmentation and each has associated risks. Breast implants placed with an incision near the nipple may have a higher risk of infection and decreased nipple sensitivity. Other approaches include placing the incision in the fold under the breast or concealing it in the underarm. Discuss all your options with your plastic surgeon and find out what will best work for you!
- Your implants will not significantly lift your breasts. Only a breast lift will reposition your nipples upwards, tighten the skin and lift your breasts.
Here are a few pointers everyone can abide by to maintain breast beauty before or after augmentation:
- Keep your breasts out of the sun. Sun exposure may cause breasts to droop by breaking down collagen and elastin fibers in the skin.
- Moisturize your breasts daily to slow down the aging process.
- If sun exposure and gravity have created wrinkles and dark spots around your breasts, nonsurgical treatments like chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing and skin tightening can help.
- Perform a monthly breast exam to make sure your breasts are healthy.
- Breastfeeding contributes to preventing breast aging by improving skin quality.
- Smoking, drinking, and obesity all have a negative impact on breast appearance and increase breast aging.
Remember that breast augmentation requires balancing your breasts with the implants you choose, and taking good care of your breasts will create a better environment for your implants. Follow your plastic surgeon’s recommendations before and after your surgery for best results.
Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is a female board certified plastic surgeon whose practice focuses on aesthetic plastic surgery of the face, breast and body. Her NYC office is equipped with a fully certified AAAASF Operating Room for the safety, privacy and convenience of her patients. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Hutchinson, please contact us or call us at (212) 452-1400.
