Breast Implant Choices

Since there is no "one size fits all" approach when it comes to breast augmentation, the selection of the implant is one of the most crucial pre-operative decisions you must make. Kennesaw surgeons Marcus H. Crawford and Steven Bailey will work with you to help you choose breast implants that complement both your body type and cosmetic goals. We will explain how your body frame and the amount of natural breast tissue that you have will affect the appearance of the various implant types. But just as patient anatomy must be considered when choosing an implant, the patient's personal preferences also play an important role in the process. We encourage you to discuss what you like and don't like about your breasts to guide us in developing your surgical plan.

We have detailed the benefits and drawbacks associated with each implant size, shape, surface, and filler type in the section below so you can be better informed of the products that are currently available to patients.

Implant Size

Choosing an implant size for your breast augmentation surgery is a very involved process. Many patients have a desired bra size they would like to have following their breast augmentation surgery. Unfortunately, bra sizes are not standardized between different manufactures and there is no way to guarantee a specific post-operative bra size following breast augmentation surgery. Although a discussion about bra size often occurs  during your breast augmentation consultation, the information is often used to help our surgeons understand the type of change you would like to see following surgery. The implant size chosen for surgery is based on dimensions of your chest wall, the amount of natural breast tissue you possess, the characteristics of your breast skin, and your current nipple position. These factors are considered along with many other elements during the process of choosing the correct breast implant for you. Placing an implant that is too large for your body type can increase your risks of complications or result in revision surgery to correct an undesired outcome. Choosing the correct implant for your desired post-operative appearance following breast augmentation surgery is critical and our surgeons spend ample time and multiple office visits with prospective patients to determine the correct breast implant choice.

Implant Filler

Breast implant are either filled with saline or silicone gel. There are several differences between the devices that will be discussed in detail during your breast augmentation consultation. Each device has certain advantages and disadvantages that are considered when choosing a specific breast implant. First and foremost, the safety of the two devices are equal and clinical trials have demonstrated that neither device poses a significant risk to your body regardless of the filler material. The silicone-filled breast implants are often described as having a more “natural” feel to them, while saline-filled breast implants can often provide more projection than gel-filled implants. For women who have a moderate amount of natural breast tissue, the “feel” of the implants can be similar and either breast implant can be a good option. However, women who are very thin and are concerned about visible breast implant rippling, a silicone gel-filled implant might be a better option. Other differences exist with respect to incision size, price, and even device warranty. All of these factors will be discussed during your consultation to determine which breast implant is appropriate for your individual case.

Breast Implants Consultations

Contact our practice to learn more about the breast implants that are available for our patients. Our surgeons can explain the various options in more detail so you can make an informed decision when choosing the implant that is right for you.