proper selection of breast implant
After finding a qualified breast augmentation surgeon, carefully going over breast lift before and after pictures with your plastic surgeon to find the proper breast implant size is extremely important for minimizing complications and optimizing patient satisfaction. Breast augmentation specialists consider the base diameter of the chest, along with tissue laxity and the amount of breast tissue a patient is starting with, as the most important factors in choosing implant size. Implants come in three types of profiles: moderate, moderate plus or midrange depending upon the implant manufacturer, or high profile. Depending on the given width or base diameter of small, medium, or large breast implants, the implant may project lower or higher on the chest. Implants that are too big for a woman’s individual chest dimensions lead to a higher likelihood of irreparable tissue stretch, bottoming out, and complications that may lead to reoperation. Decreasing reoperation rates with breast augmentation is of national interest for many plastic surgeons.What’s New. In Los Angeles tummy tucks and breast augmentation remain as top procedures sought out by patients. Evaluation of the highly-cohesive, form-stable fourth generation implants is well underway by the FDA in the United States, but these implants have been widely used since the mid-1990s in many other countries and are very popular in Europe. These teardrop-shaped (often called anatomic or “gummy bear”) implants are textured and contain a highly cross-linked form of silicone gel to minimize the possibility of silicone migration, as well as upper pole collapse and folds in the implant shell. Studies of these devices have shown significant promise in clinical trials with low rates of capsular contracture and rupture, and high rates of patient satisfaction. There are a matrix of different implants to chose from in these lines, with varying width, height, and projection for different body and breast types.
Though shaped cohesive gel implant represents a new option in the United States for women considering breast surgery for reconstruction and augmentation, the potential drawbacks are that they do feel a little firmer than the smooth round responsive gels, and the possibility exists that they could shift or turn in the pocket and not look or feel right if that were to happen (called malrotation). For this reason, very precise breast pocket dissection is needed for this type of implant. These implants do cost significantly more than saline, and likely will cost several hundred dollars more per pair than responsive silicone gel implants if and when they are approved by the FDA. For more information regarding breast implants and body contouring such liposuction and tummy tuck Los Angeles patients are encouraged to contact their local professional plastic surgeons to learn more.
