If you are considering breast augmentation surgery, one of your primary goals may be maintaining breasts that look and feel as natural as possible. At Edina Plastic Surgery, we share this goal and believe that your active participation in the decision-making process is crucial. While the skill and expertise of your surgeon are vital, your understanding and discussion of the key factors influencing the natural appearance of your implants will help you make informed decisions when customizing your breast enhancement journey.
“Breast augmentation surgery is definitely not a cookie-cutter procedure or one-size-fits-all,” stresses Dr. Brian Kobienia, a partner and board-certified plastic surgeon with Edina Plastic Surgery. “In fact, there are far more variables than patients often realize that must be considered before surgery to ensure the most natural outcomes. These go far beyond just selecting the right implant size. Breast augmentation surgery is highly tailored to each patient’s unique body proportions, aesthetic preferences, and lifestyle. To me, it’s the versatility of breast augmentation that makes it such a beautiful surgery that can have incredibly natural looking and feeling results!”
5 Factors That May Influence How Natural Your Implants Look and Feel After Surgery
#1 – The natural condition of your breast tissue before surgery
“The first step to achieving very natural looking and feeling outcomes with breast augmentation is to evaluate the condition of the breast tissue before surgery,” explains Dr. Kobienia. “If a woman is very thin and has minimal breast tissue to work with, she may be better served by a smaller-sized silicone implant. This is because the seams of a saline implant may show a rippling effect at the surface of her skin after surgery. On the other hand, a woman with more native breast tissue and subcutaneous fat has more freedom in the implant type she chooses because the thickness of her breast tissue will conceal any rippling and feel more natural.”
#2 – The type of implant you select (saline vs. silicone)
Deciding whether to have silicone or saline breast implants is one of the most important choices a breast augmentation patient will make. There are pros and cons to each type. Your Edina Plastic Surgery surgeon will help you make the best decision for you!
Saline Implants – The primary advantages of saline implants are that they are less expensive than their silicone counterparts and do not require imaging to detect when leakage occurs. The filling of a saline implant is a sterile saltwater solution, so in the case of an implant rupture, it is often pronounced, as the body just reabsorbs this fluid and the implant flattens. If the implant rupture is noted soon after rupture, the implant can usually be exchanged under local anesthesia. The downside, however, is that these implants are more prone to rippling and feel less natural.
Silicone Implants – Silicone implants are filled with thick, medical-grade silicone. The silicone in fifth-generation silicone implants acts more like a solid than a liquid and are termed “form stable” implants. Form stable means that the implant is less prone to rippling, which is vital for women who are thin or who have small breasts to achieve a natural result. Fifth-generation silicone implants are also what people refer to as “gummy bear” implants. Though they generally come at a higher price, they are frequently preferred for their natural look and feel that saline implants cannot match. The downside to silicone implants is the need for monitoring for what is called “silent rupture.” When silicone implants rupture, this is not easily detected on physical exam, even by a plastic surgeon. If silicone implants rupture and the rupture remains undetected for an extended period, capsular contracture can result.
#3 – The placement of your breast implants
“In general, breast implants look and feel more natural when covered by a greater volume of natural breast tissue,” says Dr. Kobienia. “For this reason, implants are usually placed under the muscle, especially for women who are very thin with minimal breast tissue. This is called submuscular placement. Although it will give your final outcome a more natural look and feel, there are some things patients should understand.”
“First, flexing your pectoral muscle may temporarily shift or change the shape of the implant,” explains Dr. Kobienia. “Your implants may also sit a little higher initially before they settle into better positioning over the next six months. With submuscular placement, your recovery may be slightly longer because some movements will be temporarily restricted.”
#4 – The size of your breast implants
If your goal is to have the most natural looking and feeling results from breast augmentation surgery, the size of your implants will play a leading role. Selecting a size that is proportionate to your body’s frame is crucial. An implant that is too large can make the body appear top-heavy and unbalanced. On the other hand, selecting a size that is ideal for your frame can bring a woman’s overall body into better balance.
“As a rule, the larger the implant, the longer it will take to settle and look and feel as natural as possible,” advises Dr. Kobienia. “Implants that are too large in comparison to the body may never look natural due to simple math. Once the ratio between natural breast tissue versus implant becomes overly skewed, you won’t get a natural feel to the breast either. Responsible surgeons strive to steer patients towards a more natural aesthetic that compliments and balances their entire body, not just their chest area.”
#5 – The skill, experience, and artistry of your plastic surgeon
While taking the time to consider all of the key factors mentioned above will go far in helping you achieve natural-looking and feeling results with breast augmentation surgery, nothing is as crucial as selecting the right plastic surgeon. Your research should extend beyond just making sure your plastic surgeon is board-certified. Question how many procedures they have performed. Look at before and after images in their patient gallery to confirm their aesthetic aligns with your goals. Be open and honest in your consultation to ensure you have good communication and synergy with your surgeon. Plastic surgery is a true partnership; selecting the right surgeon for you will significantly impact your final outcome and your satisfaction with your results!
“Having someone entrust you to perform surgery to help them feel more confident about their appearance is such an honor,” says Dr. Kobienia. “Women choose to have breast augmentations for so many different reasons, and I respect every single one of them. I aim to help each patient achieve her desired look while maintaining the most natural appearance and feel to her breasts. And to make sure she is thrilled with her results!”
Have you been considering breast augmentation surgery and have questions you would like answered? Schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Brian Kobienia or another board-certified plastic surgeon at Edina Plastic Surgery to discuss your goals by calling (952) 592-6084, texting (952) 925-1765, or CLICKING HERE!
