How to select the most appropriate type and size of breast implant
Sizing and Placement of Breast Implants
Choosing the Right Implant Size
The implant size should be proportionate to the patient’s chest wall dimensions. Our goal is to augment your breasts to a size that complements your physique and maintains a natural look. Several factors influence the sizing decision, including your original cup size, expected cup size, and overall physique, including chest muscle structure.
Factors Influencing Implant Size
- Original Cup Size: Your current breast size provides a baseline for determining the appropriate implant size.
- Expected Cup Size: The desired outcome you envision will guide the selection of implant size.
- Physique: Your overall body structure, including chest width and muscle mass, affects the sizing decision.
Specific Considerations
If you have a broad chest with nipples positioned far apart, larger implants with a low to moderate profile (wide base dimension) may be chosen to achieve a closer, aesthetically pleasing cleavage. For those with some degree of breast sagging, larger implants with a moderate to high profile can provide upper breast fullness and improve nipple position.
However, excessively large implants may cause abnormal thinness of the skin (translucency) or visible and/or palpable wrinkling (rippling).
Placement of Breast Implants
There are two surgical techniques for placing implants, which should be thoroughly discussed between the patient and the surgeon.
Subglandular Placement
In this technique, the implant is placed under the breast tissue and over the chest muscle. This method may be suitable for certain patients based on their anatomy and desired outcomes.
Submuscular (Subpectoral) Placement
In this technique, the implant is placed under the chest muscle and breast tissue. Dr. Chettawut usually prefers submuscular placement as it helps reduce the risk of capsular contracture and minimizes visible or palpable wrinkles in the implant, which are related to the thinness of the overlying tissue cover (skin and breast tissue).