Breasts come in all different shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, you can’t choose the shape and size of your natural breasts, and many women have breasts they don’t completely love.
If you want to enhance the size or improve the shape of your breasts, breast implants might be right for you. The private practice of Karol Gutowski, MD, wants to help you achieve the bustline you are most comfortable with.
But before you decide whether breast implants are right for you, it’s important to know the different types of breast implants, their benefits, and who is a good candidate for breast surgery.
There are two main types of breast implants: silicone and saline. Implants are further categorized by size, profile, and shape.
Silicone implants are constructed from a soft silicone shell that supports a silicone gel solution inside. They are a popular choice because the soft yet dense silicone gel is said to closely mimic natural breast tissue.
These implants come in many different shapes and sizes, but they always come prefilled. As a result, silicone implants are usually placed using an inframammary incision.
Like silicone implants, saline implants have a soft outer shell made of silicone. However, they are filled with a sterile saline solution instead of silicone.
Saline implants are usually placed in the body empty; then, saline is added to bring the implant to the appropriate size. This gives us a very high degree of precision when it comes to achieving your desired size and shape.
Although saline implants may be a bit firmer to the touch than silicone, they can often be placed using a smaller incision. These implants have the added benefit of being safely reabsorbed by your body in the rare event of a rupture.
When placing breast implants, we must first make a pocket for the implant to sit in. We make this pocket in one of two areas.
With submuscular placement, we make room for the implant behind your chest muscles. In contrast, subglandular implants are placed on top of the chest muscle.
We prefer submuscular placement for most implants. This placement provides better support for the implant and a more natural appearance and feel. When implants are placed on top of the muscle, there is a higher chance of visible rippling, and more strain is put on your skin.
However, everyone is unique. Subglandular placement is a better option for certain frames.
Every breast augmentation procedure requires one of the following types of incisions:
An inframammary incision is made directly under the breast in the natural crease that forms there. This crease is known as the inframammary fold. Inframammary incisions give us direct access to the breast tissue and allow us to make the appropriate submuscular pocket.
Axillary incisions are small incisions made in the armpit. This type of incision also gives us adequate access to the breast tissue and muscle. Axillary incisions are best for placing saline implants, but some small silicone implants can also be placed with this method.
Periareolar incisions are made along the border of the lower half of your areola. Typically, we only use periareolar incisions for subglandular saline implants. This is because the incision is too small to insert prefilled silicone implants and does not give us enough access to easily make a submuscular pocket for the implant.
Breast surgery comes with several benefits that make it an attractive option for women who are not satisfied with the size or appearance of their breasts.
No matter what kind of implants you hope to get, we always provide personalized treatment to ensure the implants look natural and appropriate for your unique frame.
When you come in for a consultation, we will review the different types of implants and the various sizes, shapes, and profiles to help you design your new bustline.
Breast asymmetry is a common concern among women. But it’s nothing we can’t correct with strategically sized and placed implants.
First, we will determine the size difference between your breasts with advanced technology. Then, considering the precise difference in size, we use one slightly larger implant to restore symmetry to your breasts.
Many things can cause your breasts to undergo unwanted changes, including the natural aging process, childbirth, and weight fluctuations. All of these can leave you with less volume and more drooping. Your breasts may even feel empty or deflated after nursing.
Breast implants can correct these changes to give you perkier and fuller natural-looking breasts.
Regardless of what type of incision we use for your breast surgery, the incisions are easily concealed. Axillary incisions are tucked away in the natural creases of your armpit, while periareolar incisions should blend in with the natural color and texture of your areolas.
Inframammary incisions are slightly more likely to be visible, but they are still easily concealed in everyday life with bras and bikinis.
We have helped so many women achieve a fuller, natural-looking bustline, and we are ready to do the same for you.
If you are interested in breast implants, we can help you get started at Karol Gutowski, MD, in Chicago, IL. Call us today to schedule your breast implant consultation and find out whether breast surgery is right for you.
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