The first thing that usually comes to mind when considering implants is what size to choose. At New Birkdale Clinic, we constantly have patients requesting a similar shape or size as their friends, and seeming a little confused as to why their suggested implant is not the same. In this post, we aim to explain why that is the case in the hope of answering that query.
How Does A Surgeon Help You Choose Implant Size?
Your surgeon will firstly take the following factors into consideration:
- Body Type.
- How Broad Your Chest Is.
- The Base Width Of Your Breasts.
- The Distance Between Your Breasts.
- How Much Breast Tissue Currently Exists To Cover The Implant.
- Implant Placement: Whether It Should Be ‘Above’ Or ‘Below’ The Muscle.
- Incision Location: This may be Inframammary, Periareolar Or Axillary.
After taking these measurements, he/she will discuss suitable implant shape, profile, shell surface and weight with you based on what you desire and what is realistic and feasible.
What Implant Shapes Are Available?
Implants come in two shapes: Round and Tear drop (‘anatomical’). Round implants are made of cohesive silicone gel and give the breasts fullness, a greater lift, creates a better cleavage and feels natural. Tear drop implants however are made of solid cohesive silicone gel and look more natural, giving a greater projection than round implants with the same weight or volume.
What Implant Profiles Are Available?
The profile of an implant relates to how far it projects outward from the chest wall. Implants of the same size (cubic centimetres (cc) volume) that have varied widths result in different levels of projection, and implants with a smaller base width give greater projection than those with a wider base width. This may begin to explain why you size differently to some of your friends. During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss available profiles and make a recommendation based on the above information.
The implant profiles available include:
Low: Good for women with wider chests, these implants will not project the breasts out too far.
Medium: Ideal for women with smaller chests, they provide greater projection and can improve their shape and size.
High: These are narrow at the base for maximum projection, providing the fullest and most rounded results, especially for women with narrower chests.
Medium high and Extra high profiles are also available.
What About Implant Volume?
Although implant sizes are measured in cubic centimetres (cc) on a scale from 120 cc’s to 850 cc’s, the cc’s actually refer to the weight of the implant, rather than their dimensions. Your dimensions are the measurements taken by your surgeon to determine appropriate size, profile and shape.
For example, if a woman chooses a 350 cc, a high profile implant will offer a lot of projection, but if she has a broad chest, the implant may not be wide enough.
Other decisions you need to make about your implants include shell surface (which may be smooth or textured) and gel type (which may be cohesive or responsive). Textured shells are thicker and feel firmer than smooth shells, which themselves have a lower rate of rippling, rupture and capsular contracture. Smooth shells are typically used with round implants, whereas textured shells tend to be used with tear drop implants.
With over 900 variations of implants, finding the right one for you involves a lot of consideration. We understand that you may want a similar size to your friends, but you will all have different body types, requirements and wants, and the surgeon is there to guide you. We hope this post has made things clearer, and do not hesitate to call us if you require further information.
