Deciding to get breast surgery is a decision that shouldn’t take lightly. Whether you would like larger breasts or smaller, make sure you know the facts about these cosmetic procedures. Here are a few questions to ask about breast augmentation and breast reduction that should get you on the right track.
Questions to Ask for a Breast Augmentation
If you desire larger breasts with a perky shape, a breast augmentation may be right for you.
Should I get silicone or saline breast implants?
Both silicone and saline breast implants come with their own set of pros and cons.
Saline implants have been around since the 1960s and contain saltwater. They often leave a smaller incision because the shell is put in place empty and then filled. Saline breast implants also tend to be the less expensive option. Downsides to using saline are that they look and feel less natural and are prone to rippling and wrinkling under the skin’s surface. Some people can feel the water sloshing inside the implant, which can be bothersome.
Silicone implants are a synthetic material that feels more natural. They are often referred to as “gummy bear” implants because they are soft and mimic the feeling of fat. These are pre-manufactured and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Silicone breast implants do not slosh or wrinkle, and you can pick how firm you would like them to feel. The downside to silicone is that they have higher health risks if they rupture. There has been some correlation between silicone implants and autoimmune diseases, and blood cancer. Some patients claim to experience breast plant illness that disappears upon removal.
What size breast is best for my body?
Finding the right breast implant size is a very personal choice. Depending on your existing breast tissue, the same implant on you could look very different on someone else. As a general rule of thumb, every 150 ccs increases your bra cup 1 to 1.5 sizes.
Factors that change implant sizing:
- Your height: A taller person could have a larger implant with it still looking more natural.
- Width of your natural breasts and the size of your chest wall: The desired breast fullness and shape partially determine the implant’s size.
- Your frame: Women with larger frames and stronger muscles can handle large breast implants. Large implants are heavy and may cause pain in a smaller person. A small-framed person may consider higher profile implants to achieve the look or larger breasts without so much mass.
- Lifestyle: For active people, large implants may not be a good idea. Large implants can be heavy and in the way. Also, think about the types of clothes you like to wear and if the breast size will negatively affect their fit.
Does the breast implant come with a warranty?
Some breast implants do come with a warranty. Each brand and product will have a different type of coverage. It is essential to review all specifications before deciding on a particular implant. Some warranty benefits include:
- Free lifetime product replacement
- Basic warranty that covers a set amount of years
- Money toward corrective surgery
- Replacements if capsular contracture occurs
- Coverage for out of pocket costs for revisions or capsular contracture
- Extended warranty options
Can I breastfeed after a breast augmentation?
Chances are that you will be able to breastfeed with a standard breast augmentation. This surgery usually doesn’t damage the milk ducts or glands when the incision is under the breast. If you plan on breastfeeding in the future, avoid having the implant placed through the nipple. Milk ducts connect at the nipple, so any damage to this area may result in the inability to breastfeed.
Questions to Ask for a Breast Reduction
If you have pain or wish you had smaller breasts, a reduction may be the better choice.
Will insurance pay for my breast reduction?
In the case of a breast reduction, your insurance company may foot the bill. If you are experiencing neck and back pain, rashes in skin folds, and inability to perform daily activities, insurance might cover this breast surgery procedure. While this sounds great, there can be a catch. To receive approval, some insurance companies will dictate exactly how much breast tissue the surgeon must remove. As breast reduction is also an aesthetic procedure, this could leave you with less breast tissue than desired and a look you don’t like.
Can I breastfeed after a breast reduction?
A breast reduction can decrease the ability to produce milk and breastfeed. The removal of breast tissue means that milk ducts and milk glands risk removal as well. Someone with a large number of milk ducts and glands may still have enough remaining after surgery to produce the required milk for their baby.
There are reduction techniques that try and leave the glands and ducts intact. By keeping the nipple attached, more milk ducts may remain functional after a breast reduction. Your surgeon can also try to preserve the glandular tissue that connects the nipple to the ducts along the chest wall. These results vary from person to person, so our best advice is to wait until after you have children.
What kind of scarring can I expect?
With any surgery come scars. The scars from a breast reduction can vary based on the type of technique used and how a patient’s body heals. The lollipop technique has a smaller incision and so a smaller scar. There are limitations to this technique, though. It is not as effective for those needing to remove a lot of tissue. For the lollipop to provide excellent results, there should be minimal sagging and the need to only go down about 1 cup size.
The anchor technique involves 3 incisions and a larger area of scarring. If you experience asymmetry, sagging, or the need to remove a large amount of breast tissue, this could be your best choice in breast surgery. A skilled surgeon will produce minimal scarring, and these incisions are on the bottom of the breast where they aren’t visible.
Do I need to lose weight before a breast reduction?
Those who are overweight should aim to reach an appropriate and healthy weight before undergoing surgery. Wounds heal easier when the body is healthy and not carrying extra weight, and there is less risk of infection. If you were planning on losing weight after surgery, doing it beforehand will help your surgeon aesthetically shape your breasts to the correct size.
To schedule a breast surgery consultation and meet the experienced and highly reviewed cosmetic surgeons at The Lett Center, give us a call at 615.443.0901. We have locations in Mt. Juliet and Lebanon, Tennessee, for convenience. Our surgeons can guide you in picking the best shape and size breast for your body.