Society places a tremendous emphasis on physical appearance, especially for women. Excessively small or asymmetrical breasts may cause women to struggle with their self-esteem and body image. If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you’re far from being alone – in fact, did you know breast surgery is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States? According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, doctors performed more than 300,000 breast augmentation procedures in 2017 alone.
Whether your breasts have started to sag or have a flattened-out appearance, or if they are naturally small and positioned lower on your chest than you would like them to, the combination of a breast augmentation and a breast lift can help you get the fuller, sexier breast shape you’ve always wanted.
Getting a Breast Augmentation
A breast augmentation is a surgical breast enhancement procedure in which an experienced, board-certified cosmetic surgeon such as Dr. Fadi Constantine places an implant either under your chest muscle or under your breast tissue.
The purpose of a breast augmentation is to increase the fullness and projection of your breasts, while boosting your self-confidence and helping you feel sexier and more feminine. For these reasons, the satisfaction rate of breast augmentation patients remains consistently high – according to a survey published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 98 percent of women who chose to have this surgery said the results exceeded their expectations.
What Type of Breast Implants Is Right for You?
When getting breast implants, you have a choice between two materials: silicone and saline. Of the two, silicone implants are more popular because they have a softer and more natural look and feel, whereas saline implants are firmer and can ripple more than silicone. Though rupture of either type of implant is rare, it is easier to detect a leak in a saline implant than in a silicone implant.
There are also several other factors to consider when it comes to choosing your breast implant type, including shape, size and texture. For these reasons, there is no such thing as a “cookie-cutter” approach to breast enhancement surgery. Because it is such a personalized procedure, you will need to rely on Dr. Constantine’s expertise to help you determine the best options for your body type, skin quality and the way you carry yourself. You and Dr. Constantine will also need to carefully select where to place your incisions and your implants, as well as the best implant size to achieve your goals.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
The size of the implants is the most important consideration in breast enhancement surgery. Most women tend to think of their breast size terms of bra cups. However, cosmetic surgeons measure breast implant sizes in cubic centimeters. One cubic centimeter equals one milliliter, which is approximately 0.3 ounces. The most common breast implant sizes range between 300 and 400 cubic centimeters.
The goal of breast augmentation surgery is to create the most natural-looking results that leave women satisfied by fulfilling their desire for larger breasts. The types and sizes of breast implants currently available give women plenty of choices; however, you should go into the surgery with realistic goals and expectations.
For example, factors that could affect your results include your height, weight and frame, what your breasts currently look like and how the size and weight of the implants will affect your body. It will take time for your skin to accommodate the new implants, so don’t expect to jump from an A cup to a DD cup in one surgery. If your goal is a sizeable increase, a better approach is to gradually increase the implants over the course of a few years.
Breast implants can be either round or teardrop-shaped, and vary in circumference as well. With so many breast implant options, finding the one that provides you with the most natural look can seem challenging, which is another reason to choose Dr. Constantine as your cosmetic surgeon. With his extensive experience in performing breast enhancement surgery, he can recommend options that give you the best results for your unique body type, preferences and lifestyle.
Why Add a Breast Lift to Your Augmentation?
A breast lift is a cosmetic procedure that moves the nipple and areola, repositions the breast to be higher on the chest and eliminates excess skin. The result is a perkier look that provides the best results for women whose breasts have begun to sag due to childbirth, breastfeeding, age, gravity or genetic factors.
One way to determine if a breast lift would benefit you is called the “pencil test.” If you can place a pen or pencil in the crease of your breast and it stays put, rather than rolling away, you are a good candidate for a breast lift. Another way to tell if you need a breast lift is if your nipples have begun to point downward, rather than straight ahead.
Combining a breast lift with implants can help maximize the results of your surgery. While your implants will give you increased volume and size, a breast lift will shift your breasts to a more youthful position, while simultaneously enhancing their shape. Remember, your larger breasts will also be heavier, so combining a breast lift with an augmentation will also help reduce the chances that your breasts will begin to sag after you get your breast enlargement surgery.
Rather than just giving you fuller breasts, getting a breast lift in conjunction with your augmentation surgery will also result in your breasts looking more elevated, which will create a better silhouette than if you had just gotten implants alone.
Recovering From Your Breast Surgery
Breast surgery is an outpatient procedure that generally requires at least a week of rest afterward. Prepare to take at least seven days off work after your surgery, during which you will need to avoid lifting things or reaching above your head. While you won’t be completely recovered yet, you should be able to return to work after one full week, if your job doesn’t require heavy lifting or strenuous labor.
You should be able to resume your exercise routine after about three weeks, but make sure Dr. Constantine has approved you to do so. Until you are fully healed, avoid any high-impact cardio, such as running or plyometrics, that can cause your breasts to jiggle – you don’t want to shift your implants or cause your incisions to come open.
Outstanding Breast Surgery Results in Dallas
With so many options for improving the size and shape of their breasts, more and more women are beginning to realize they don’t have to live with breasts that make them feel self-conscious about their appearance. Whether your breasts are sagging, asymmetrical or just not as large and firm as you’d like them to be, combining a breast lift with a breast augmentation can give you the look and feel you’ve always wanted.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Fadi Constantine is a leading breast surgeon in Dallas. If you’re ready to change your life by improving the way your breasts look, contact our office at 214-739-5760 to schedule a consultation to discuss your options with Dr. Constantine.
