What is the Best Method for Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is undoubtedly one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States today. A simple and effective way to boost your breast size, breast augmentation surgery does not only transform your physical shape, but it also gives women the freedom to be able to wear the clothes that they want to and feel confident in the way that they look.

Best method for breast augmentation

Breast augmentation can be performed in two ways – either through the use of implants, or a few surgeons are now using a newer technique known as fat grafting or fat transfer.

Breast augmentation using implants

Augmentation surgery using implants has been around for a number of decades. Nevertheless, the tools and techniques used have evolved and the process is now safer and more successful than ever before.

There are two types of implant which can be used. The first are silicone implants. These are pre-filled and available in a range of different sizes. Alternatively, you may like to consider saline implants. These are inserted into the chest empty and then filled to the necessary level to create the size chest that you desire. One of the key advantages of saline implants is that they can be used to balance out breasts where one is noticeably bigger than the other.

Breast augmentation using fat transfer

This procedure involves taking fat from another part of your body, typically the thighs or hips, purifying it and transferring it into your breasts so that they become larger. While this technique can be successful, there are certain things that you need to take into consideration when choosing a fat transfer procedure.

- There must be enough available fat in other areas of the patient’s body for fat transfer to be possible

- Most fat grafting procedures require multiple treatment sessions

- Only a limited degree of size increase can be achieved

- Additional time may need to be allowed for skin expansion

Which method is better, implants or fat transfer?

While there has been some controversy about implants in the past, most cosmetic surgeons remain committed to performing breast augmentation surgery with either silicone or saline implants. This is partly because the fat transfer technique has not yet been applied widely for breast augmentation, and so the true success and viability of the procedure is still something of an unknown quantity when compared to decades of data from implant-based enlargements.

Breast implants are now extremely safe and if you choose a great surgeon, the results can be simply outstanding.

Incision choices for breast augmentation

It may surprise you to learn that you do have a couple of choices with regards to how your breast implants are placed.

Inframammary incision. Most surgeons will recommend an inframammary incision technique. This means that a short incision, approximately 1-2 inches long, will be made in the crease underneath the breast. This ensures that the scar is well disguised in the fold and only really noticeable if the breast is lifted.

Peri-areolar incision. This incision is made around the outer edge of the areola of the nipple, meaning that the scar blends well with the change in pigmentation on this part of the body. This type of incision is usually recommended by surgeons who are performing a breast lift at the same time as the augmentation.

There are two other significantly less common incision techniques that can be used in breast augmentation surgery. These are:

- Trans-axillary incision, which is made within the armpit.

- Transumbilical, which is made just above the belly button.

In both of these techniques, the implant must be manipulated through your body to the proper position.

Which incision type is right for you will be decided by our cosmetic surgeon, who will use your personal information and your hopes and expectations for the procedure to make a recommendation.

For further information on the best methods and techniques for breast augmentation surgery, or to schedule your confidential consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, please do not hesitate to telephone our offices and speak to our knowledgeable and discreet team.