Finding the Perfect Fit with Breast Augmentation in Lubbock

If you’re considering breast augmentation (also known as breast enhancement, breast enlargement, breast implants, or a “boob job”), you’re not alone. Breast augmentation has been the most popular plastic surgery in recent years, and continues to grow in popularity. But the decision to get breast augmentation in Lubbock, or anywhere, is not an easy one. First, you have to be sure that you really want it, and, second, you have to decide how you want to do it. Here are some things to think about as you consider whether to get a breast enhancement and which breast implants are best for you.

What is the Right Size? Its Whatever You Think is the Right Size for You.

First, if you want breast implants, you have to be sure that you are getting them for you, not for anyone else, not even your partner. It’s your body and you have to live (literally!) with the results. You must be sure that you will like what you see when you look in the mirror each day.

Second, the question of size is a very personal one that is tied closely to your reasons for wanting implants. Some women have a naturally small bust line and may wish for a curvier or more traditionally feminine figure. Some women may have an asymmetry that’s always bothered them and which they wish to correct. Some women may have lost breast tissue from breast feeding, or may wish to counteract the effects of aging and gravity. No matter what your reason, however, the size you choose will impact how dramatic of a change you achieve.

What is the Right Implant Type?

Presently, there are three implant types. All breast implants have a silicone shell, their names are describing what’s inside the silicone shell.

1. 1. Saline. Saline is sterilized salt water. These implants consist of a silicone shell filled with saline. Depending on which implant brand you choose, they may come either pre-filled (requiring a larger incision) or empty, in which case they can be folded and inserted through a smaller incision. If a saline implant leaks (called a “rupture”),  the saline is safely absorbed into your body, and the rupture is immediately apparent by just observing your breast. That’s the benefit of saline. The downside is that they often behave essentially as water balloons. While you have the peace of mind of a natural substance inside, the saline generally doesn’t move or feel like natural breast tissue, and the implant can fold, causing a rippling effect.
   2. Silicone gel. Silicone gel implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue. They come prefilled, so they required a larger incision. However, there are two things about silicone gel ruptures that make many women uncomfortable with these implant types. First, because of the thickness of silicone gel, when there is a rupture, the gel is a foreign substance that requires another surgery to remove, and is not safely absorbed by the body like saline. And because you cannot detect a rupture by looking at the breast, its known as a “silent rupture,” meaning it requires an MRI (typically not covered by insurance) to detect. In fact, the FDA recommends MRIs every 2-3 years for women with silicone gel implants to make sure the implant is intact, and many women don’t know this.
   3. IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants. The IDEAL IMPLANT combines the safety of silicone with the natural look and feel of silicone gel. It’s the only breast implant of its kind and was developed by a plastic surgeon in response to women’s concerns to have the benefits of saline and silicone gel without the drawbacks of either. Its saline-filled, however, the saline is contained within nested shells and separate chambers. This controls the movement of the saline, giving it a look and feel that is similar to a silicone gel implant. Also, because of these separate chambers, and because IDEAL IMPLANTS are never pre-filled, a surgeon can adjust the saline levels to achieve the optimal results. Plus, IDEAL IMPLANTS are only available to board-certified plastic surgeons, for greater peace of mind. For breast augmentation in Lubbock, Dr. Jane Rowley is one of the exclusive plastic surgeons offering the IDEAL IMPLANT and is one of the most experienced surgeons in the nation in the use of this implant.

Beyond the contents of a breast implant, they may also vary by shape (round or anatomical, also known as teardrop) and texture (smooth or textured). An article posted on the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons blog described these different qualities:

“Round implants give a full look to the upper pole of the breast and can potentially rotate in the envelope – though such a shift shouldn’t be visible. Anatomical implants (named because they resemble the natural teardrop-shaped slope of the breast) have a tapered top, so the fullness is more emphasized on the bottom pole of the breast. If these shift, however, the visible change can be more pronounced.

“The silicone shell itself may also be textured or smooth. A smooth implant is freer to subtly move in its pocket, which some women feel better mimics natural breast tissue. Textured implants more firmly anchor themselves once inserted, making it more difficult for them to rotate.”  However, as textured implants have recently been shown to have a correlation to a rare form of breast cancer, they are decreasing in use as a result.

How are Breast Implants Put In?

How the implant is inserted is largely dependent on what implant type and size you have selected, along with how much natural breast tissue you already have. These matters will be worked out during your pre-procedure consultations with your doctor. The methods of inserting the implant combine 1) where the incision is made and 2) where the implant is placed within the breast.

The most common incision locations are:

• Inframammary: at the base of the breast, just below the crease
• Periareolar: on the lower border of the areola (the dark area around your nipple)
• Transaxillary: through the armpit

As far as placement within the breast, there are also two general locations (with certain variations based on a woman’s body and consultation with her doctor).

• Subglandular or submammary (in front of the pectoral muscle, immediately behind the breast tissue): this used to be the standard placement of implants, however, it is less common because the implant is easier to feel, and it’s closer to the surface. It’s also not advisable for women with little or no natural breast tissue as it will general result in a less natural result. This is now primarily used for women who are very physically active in sports that impact the pectoral muscle, such as body builders.
• Submuscular (beneath the pectoral muscle): this is now the more common method and generally provides a more natural result. Despite its name, with this method, the upper part of the implant is generally placed under the muscle, while the lower part may be over the muscle.

Get the Results you Want with Your Breast Augmentation in Lubbock

Are you considering breast augmentation in Lubbock? If so, you’re lucky to have a nationally-recognized, world-class surgeon right here in West Texas.  Dr. Jane Rowley offers her patients an unmatched depth of experience and a woman’s perspective. With over two decades of practice, there is no plastic surgeon in Lubbock with more experience, training, and skill, than Dr. Rowley. Call today for your no-obligation consultation.