Many modern women have a cherished dream: to have lush and toned breasts. Indeed, breasts of any size seem more attractive when they are firm. But the debate about the ideal breast size remains open. There is no consensus on this matter - society does not accept either a small or too large bust. Only the “golden mean” attracts attention and arouses admiration - the breasts, which not only have a certain size, but also harmoniously combine with height, weight and other parameters of the figure.
A woman’s desire to become the owner of beautiful breasts results in the decision to perform mammoplasty. Many are tormented by doubts, but the expected positive effect attracts more. Let's consider the main indications for plastic surgery on the mammary gland, their pros and cons.
What characteristics determine the size of the implant?
An incorrectly chosen endoprosthesis will not only look unnatural, but further health problems are possible.
Over time, the following may appear: back pain, rapid fatigue, and numbness areas will appear in certain areas of the skin of the chest and around it. What to do, how to choose the right implant? Trust your plastic surgeon. The doctor takes into account both the patient’s wishes regarding breast shape and the expected result. It is important to come to an understanding here before the operation begins.
Many patients believe that breast size is affected by the volume of implants. However, this is not quite true. Three parameters of the implant are responsible for the size:
- projection - height from the base;
- base width;
- volume.
With projection everything is usually clear, but other parameters are less clear. The ratio of projection to base width gives a profile that is classified into four categories:
- low (mini) - this profile is installed extremely rarely for women, sometimes for minor breast correction with ptosis. More often, such an endoprosthesis is chosen by men of asthenic physique to make their chest look athletic;
- medium (demi) - often chosen for breast correction so that after surgery the result looks natural, sometimes this size is chosen as a transitional size in order to later move to a higher profile;
- high (full) - a popular option, suitable for women who dream of natural and high breasts; this profile is suitable for patients with a narrow chest with ptosis of the glands;
- extra-high (corse) - very large breasts, attracting attention with their unnatural size; This profile is usually chosen by artists.
The greater the height and narrower the base, the higher the profile of the breast implant; this must be taken into account when choosing an endoprosthesis. The profile determines how far the breast will visually protrude forward after mammoplasty. Small-sized implants with a high profile are placed in patients with a narrow chest. Sometimes such endoprostheses are indicated for severe ptosis, or breast ptosis, which often occurs after breastfeeding a child.
Surgeon's work
The cost of a surgeon's work varies so greatly that it is almost impossible to figure out whether you should save money on this or turn to a professional with high experience, who, naturally, charges much more for his services.
The price of surgical intervention is influenced by the doctor’s experience, the technique of performing the operation, the general pricing policy of a particular clinic, or the average cost of the same manipulation among other doctors.
The price ranges from 120-350 thousand rubles.
Implant shape
The shape of the implant does not affect the size, but it determines how natural the breast will look after mammoplasty. There are two types.
Round (hemispherical) implants
The peculiarity of such an implant is that the highest point is located in the center of the endoprosthesis. After the operation, the volume of the upper pole of the gland becomes filled, a push-up effect occurs - raised breasts in the décolleté area.
Piezo devices are distinguished by their compact size and adjustable power. Such implants look natural when correcting ptosis, and if a woman has a layer of subcutaneous fat in the décolleté area. Even if immediately after surgery the breast does not look as natural as possible, over time, under the influence of gravity, the silicone implant lowers slightly, creating a harmonious shape. The second point in choosing such an endoprosthesis is the correct selection of access.
Anatomical implants
They have a teardrop shape, repeating the natural shape of the mammary glands. The anatomical endoprosthesis immediately imitates the effect of gravity, maintains proportions in which the upper pole of the chest is less filled in comparison with the lower pole. This shape is maintained in the supine position. Such implants have only one drawback: compared to the hemispherical shape, they have a higher probability of displacement in the capsule.
It is impossible to say unequivocally which form is better - it all depends on the anatomical features of the patient’s mammary glands.
Rehabilitation
The recovery period after using any type of endoprosthesis is the same. The patient should adhere to recommendations for wearing a chest bandage and restrictions on physical activity. The final formation of the bust shape occurs 8-12 months after surgery. Over time, the difference between implants becomes more noticeable from an aesthetic point of view. In patients over 40-45 years old, after endoprosthetics with round implants, the breasts retain a perfectly rounded and raised shape, which often indicates the presence of surgery in the past.
Today, mammoplasty with the use of implants is a routine operation, all techniques of which have been developed for decades. Every year new techniques appear to achieve better results. Risks and complications after surgery in this case are minimal. An important role is played not only by the operation itself, but also by the preparatory stage: the patient’s thoughtful approach, the choice of a specialist, and a detailed consultation.
Factors influencing the choice of implant size
Only a plastic surgeon can objectively evaluate what shape and size is suitable for a woman. It takes into account many factors.
The structure of the body, including the chest, is an important factor that must be taken into account during mammoplasty in order to obtain an aesthetic result and minimize possible risks.
The volume of muscle tissue, subcutaneous fat, sagging (ptosis) of the mammary gland, height, and width of the chest are taken into account.
Width and curvature of the chest
Many women have a curvature of the chest. Often neither those around nor even its owner are aware of this. It is only noticeable on the sides. But the plastic surgeon takes such curvature into account.
If the chest has a round or barrel-shaped structure, the endoprostheses will “look” slightly to the sides. Because of this, the neckline will look less impressive than in patients with a flat chest. Usually all these points are discussed before the operation begins, so that there are no disappointments and unjustified expectations.
The choice of implant shape usually does not affect the outcome with such a structure, but the profile already matters. A high profile gives a more visible result. With the same input data, a medium profile is suitable for petite women.
With a narrow chest, regardless of shape, implants with a high profile will look better. It is this type of endoprosthesis that will deprive the breasts of the “washboard” effect after mammoplasty.
For patients with wide breasts, plastic surgeons offer low or medium profile implants with a wide base. In this case, unnatural sharpening can be avoided.
Natural breast size and height
The endoprosthesis complements your own mammary gland, and does not replace it. The same implant size will give different results in patients with initially different bust sizes.
Large breasts on a tall woman will look more harmonious than on a petite woman.
Breast shape
In mammoplasty, there are four breast shapes:
- disc - a small gland with a wide base and small height;
- conical - high chest with a small base and large height;
- hemispherical - the width and height are approximately equal;
- mastoid - the size of the gland is closer to conical, but slightly lowered and the nipple looks down.
For the same height and bra cup size, different endoprostheses are selected. It may be necessary to choose implants of different sizes if the bust of one remains firm, while the second has severe ptosis (sagging).
Sometimes a tubular form of the gland occurs. It refers to a congenital anomaly in which the lower pole and volume are practically absent, and the shape resembles a cylinder. The nipples with such breasts are flat, with wide areolas. The mammary gland is not evenly distributed throughout the entire volume, but is collected in a dense lump. Glandular tissue is located in the upper pole, sometimes in the area of the nipple-areolar zone.
This form does not pose a threat to the woman’s health and does not affect the quality of feeding the child, but it often becomes the cause of complexes and various psychological problems associated with intimate life. In this case, an anatomical implant of medium profile or higher is installed.
Skin elasticity and soft tissue volume
This indicator affects the size of the implant. Insufficient stretching prevents the installation of an endoprosthesis of the desired size.
Large implants will not be installed if the patient has aplasia of glandular tissue, a small volume of pectoral muscles and elastic skin. With such introductory procedures, the lower edge of the implant will be palpated, and the dermis will not stretch to the desired volume.
The amount of soft tissue in the breast area significantly influences the choice of endoprosthesis. For example, if you install a large implant under your own gland, it will be supported only by the skin, which will sag over time under the weight. Even a thin layer of pectoral muscle will not hold such an implant if an endoprosthesis is installed under it.
Positive sides
The main advantage of breast augmentation is increased self-esteem and getting rid of complexes. A woman who is thinking about plastic surgery usually has certain complexes and considers her body unattractive. Social standards of beauty also aggravate the situation. The discrepancy between the existing and desired figure leads to constant worries, isolation, and decreased self-esteem and mood. This, in turn, affects not only personal life, but also all areas of activity.
A small bust is not a pathology from a medical point of view, and augmentation mammoplasty is a way to solve an aesthetic and social problem, so there are no medical indications for its implementation; it is performed at the woman’s request.
Selection of implant sizes
Bust measurements
To measure breasts, surgeons use different techniques and fairly simple instruments: surgical calipers and a plumb line.
One end of the plumb line is installed in the area of the jugular notch so that the free end passes in the middle of the navel. The first line (A) is drawn with a dotted line.
The second line is drawn parallel to the first, along the edge of the mammary gland (B). Line B runs perpendicular to line B along the upper edge of the breast. It usually corresponds to the third rib and can be felt. Auxiliary line D is perpendicular to B and runs along the outer edge of the gland, corresponding to the anterior anatomical axillary line. Line G runs along the fold of skin under the breast.
After this, the length of perpendicular segments passing through the nipple from line B to line D and from line B to line D is measured with a caliper.
3-D modeling of the mammary glands
3-D modeling will help you imagine what your breasts will look like with a particular breast implant.
To do this, a 3D simulator films the body in different projections, creating a three-dimensional image of your body. Then the size and shape of the breast with the implant is modeled, taking into account the volume of soft tissue (see photo). You can create several images with different types of implants, and then view them from all sides on a 3D model. After this, the final choice is made.
Comfort check
However, 3-D modeling does not answer the question of how comfortable you will be with breasts of the selected size. For this purpose, manufacturers have developed sizers - implant simulators. They are worn before surgery to select the appropriate model in terms of shape, profile and volume. It is recommended to wear under a tight sports bra that tightens the breasts well. Sizers cover the breasts, but are not underneath the breasts or the muscle and do not give a full view without a tightening.
Experienced surgeons recommend a simple way to check: buy a bra of the desired size, pour rice into a nylon stocking (300 ml for each “extra” size) and distribute the cereal evenly in the bra cup. You can walk around with such a bust for several days, play sports, do household chores, in general, do everything that you are used to in everyday life. This method will tell you how comfortable you will be with the new breast.
Why breast augmentation surgery should be done in our clinic
Plastic surgeons of the clinic named after. N.I. Pirogov has been successfully performing all types of operations on the mammary gland since 1999: endoprosthetics, lifting (mastopexy), reduction mammoplasty, etc. According to the rating of independent experts and industry leaders, our plastic surgery department is recognized as the leading one in St. Petersburg. We are proud of our doctors and provide patients with:
- special offers (all inclusive) at affordable prices;
- implants from proven and reliable manufacturers: Allergan, Motiva, Mentor, Polytech;
- the opportunity to consult with plastic surgeons remotely using the Online Clinic service, which is especially important for female patients and patients from other cities;
- stay in high-comfort hospital rooms with meals, nursing care and round-the-clock supervision by a doctor on duty;
- medical offices equipped with new generation European equipment;
- own laboratory, which allows you to quickly obtain accurate diagnostic results, and intensive care;
- organizational assistance from a supervisor for patients from other cities.
Do silicone breasts freeze in the cold?
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They say that in winter silicone breasts can freeze from extreme cold, but this is also not entirely true. Theoretically, a breast implant could freeze in the cold, but for this to happen, you would also have to freeze to death. The freezing point for saline implants is -2 ºC, for silicone implants it is approximately -112ºC. At the same time, the minimum body temperature at which a person has ever survived is 13 ºC. In both cases, you will die from hypothermia long before the substance inside the implant begins to freeze.
The breasts are located far apart.
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The average lifespan of breasts is 10-12 years. This is the guarantee period that the implant will not rupture, but no one guarantees that you will not have to undergo a second operation, for example, removing implants or correcting the shape of the breast, much earlier. It depends on the size: the larger the implant, the more likely it is that the breasts will begin to sag not after 10 years, but after three years. Age, lifestyle and individual characteristics of the body play an important role.
Is it true that you can't fly on a plane with silicone breasts?
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They say that implants can burst due to pressure changes, for example, when flying on airplanes or diving. Implants do sometimes get damaged, but neither planes nor diving have anything to do with it. The pressure required to damage the implant is so high (or low) that it is 100% likely to kill the person first. Moreover, the chance that you will find yourself in such extreme conditions is very small. After all, you are unlikely to dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench without a spacesuit or go into outer space naked. Implants are damaged by mechanical stress, such as impacts or falls. In such cases, the sac may rupture, and if you have a saline implant, the saline solution will begin to leak out. It’s not pleasant, but it’s not fatal, since the saline solution is safe for the body. One way or another, the implant will need to be replaced, otherwise the breast will begin to “deflate” before your eyes. Implants with silicone fillers are much less susceptible to damage, and even if the bag ruptures, the gel will not leak out (but the implant will also have to be replaced). According to statistics, about 3% of patients experience such problems.
