Some women worry that breast augmentation results will look unnatural or give them a “fake” appearance. Many of these fears are based on past trends that favored dramatic, noticeable cleavage achieved with larger, round breast implants. My breast augmentation patients in Austin have numerous options for achieving a subtle look sometimes referred to as “lightly Photoshopped.” By adjusting a few details and communicating with your plastic surgeon, you can achieve the natural-looking results you want from breast augmentation.
What Happens During Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure that adds volume and shape to the breasts. Some patients want to restore fullness after pregnancy, while others want to feel more feminine in fitted clothing. The procedure is highly customizable and can provide many different kinds of improvements. Benefits include:
- Filling out naturally small breasts
- Restoring “deflated” breasts after breastfeeding or weight loss
- Balancing asymmetrical breasts
- Improving overall breast shape and cleavage
During surgery, the patient is placed under a general anesthetic. The surgeon makes incisions and creates a “pocket” for the breast implant. Once the implant is inserted, we can adjust the implant and pocket as necessary to achieve the desired size, shape, and position. When the procedure is over, the surgeon closes the incisions and covers them with surgical tape.
A Subtle Approach to Surgery
Contrary to popular belief, plastic surgery doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Every procedure is highly unique and can be adapted to each patient’s needs. In the case of breast augmentation, there are many things we surgeons can do to create more subtle, modest results. Many women today want only a small size increase—like to a B or a C cup—as a way to complement their natural body shape.
The aim of the subtle breast augmentation is to create an enhanced or “filtered” version of yourself. Going this route during breast augmentation can help boost your confidence without dramatically changing your look.
Which Implants Should I Choose for a Smaller Breast Augmentation?
One of the best ways to create beautiful, flattering results is to choose the right breast implants. During your first consultation, we will discuss your options and help you find the best implant for your body type and goals.
Breast augmentation involves a variety of decisions that can be used to personalize the procedure. Here are a few important details to consider before treatment.
Size
Size is one of the most exciting parts of choosing breast implants. However, it’s important to remember that implants don’t strictly follow specific cup sizes. Implants are measured in “cc” (cubic centimeters), which is based on fill volume. If you want natural-looking results, choose an implant volume that matches your body shape, rather than trying to achieve a certain cup size.
Material
Breast implants come in saline or silicone varieties. Saline implants are filled with purified saltwater, while silicone implants are constructed out of a firmer gel. Cohesive silicone implants are the best option for women who want a more natural look. The “give” of the material closely mimics the feel of a real breast.
Shape
Implants come in round or shaped (also called teardrop or anatomical) forms. Round implants add more volume to the upper half of the breast, but teardrop-shaped implants more closely resemble the natural fall and curve of a breast.
Profile
An implant’s “profile” describes how far the implant projects from the chest. Most implants come in 3 profiles: low, moderate, or high. Low-profile implants offer the least projection, but look very natural on women with wide frames. Moderate-profile implants add more volume while looking proportional on women with both narrow and wide frames.
Placement
Breast implants can be placed either atop the chest muscle (subglandular) or beneath it (submuscular). Submuscular placements are more fully covered by the muscle layer, making it easier to hide the outer edges of the implant and seamlessly blend in with the body.
The Fat Transfer Option
Implants aren’t the only way to add volume to the breasts. “Natural breast augmentation” is a technique that uses fat transfer as a breast implant alternative. During the procedure, fat is removed from one area of the body (such as your thighs or abdomen) with liposuction, then purified and injected into the breasts.
We typically offer fat transfer as an option for those who want only a modest increase in breast size. However, we also offer the option of combining breast implants with fat transfer. This can be a great way to camouflage implants and create more natural-looking results. You can read about this combination in a previous blog post.
Having options during breast augmentation gives our Austin patients the freedom to create a look that matches their bodies. Women of every size and shape now have the tools to achieve the results they’ve always wanted.
If you would like to learn more about breast enhancement procedures, please request a consultation online. You can also contact our office staff at (512) 337-6097 (Austin) or (512) 416-9517 (Round Rock).
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