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 type of implant is best for you.

Why Do You Want Breast Enhancement?

If you want breast implants, you have to be sure that you are getting them for you, and 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 and feel comfortable when you look in the mirror each day. Even if your results turn out great, taking such drastic measures to please someone else could lead to resentment and dissatisfaction. On the flipside, if you pursue plastic surgery to fulfill your own goals rather than someone else’s, it can lead you to feel empowered and confident.  

In addition to assessing your motivation for having plastic surgery, you need to make sure you have realistic expectations for the outcome of your breast augmentation in Lubbock. Hoping that it will make people like you better, or that it can make you look just like your favorite celebrity can lead to disappointment in the end. Remember that plastic surgery cannot fix your personal problems and it won’t change who you are at the core. It can help boost your confidence and put some pep in your step, but the rest is up to you. 

If you want to increase the volume of your breasts because their size is something that has always bothered you, to fix asymmetry, or simply to look better in a bikini, you may be a good candidate for breast augmentation. Your doctor can help you decide if you have the right motivations for having plastic surgery.  

Is There a “Right” Size for Breast Augmentation?

The decision on breast implant size is a very personal one that is tied closely to your reasons for wanting the surgery in the first place. Some women have a naturally small bust line and may wish for a curvier or more traditionally feminine figure. Other women may have an asymmetry that’s always bothered them and that they wish to correct. Some women may have lost breast tissue from breastfeeding, or may wish to counteract the effects of aging and gravity. But, no matter what your reason is for wanting the procedure, the size you choose will impact how dramatic of a change you achieve.

There is no right or wrong answer to the size question, but choosing a breast implant size that doesn’t feel perfect can lead to more surgery down the line. Many breast augmentation revision surgeries are performed because the patient desires a change in implant size. In a 2019 study, 41 percent of women who had breast enlargement revision surgery did so because they wanted to change the size of their implants. 38 percent of the study participants chose larger breast implants for their revision surgery. Modern trends have many patients opting for smaller, more natural looking breast enhancement results. However, if that’s not the look you want, do not shy away from saying so. Whether they are large or small, breast implants can enhance your feminine beauty and increase your confidence.

It can be hard to visualize how your breasts will look and feel after breast augmentation in Lubbock. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could try on different sizes, just like when you are shopping for clothes? With a little rice and some imagination, you can do the next best thing. Making your own rice breast implant sizers is easy – and it’s a helpful way to get a good idea of how your new implants will feel. To make them, just cut the feet out of some nylon pantyhose, fill them with rice, and tie them off at the top. Here’s how much rice to use:

• ¼ cup rice for 75 cc
• ½ cup rice for 125 cc
• 1 cup rice for 250 cc

The rice will form to the shape of your breasts as you situate the sizers inside your bra. Wear them around the house for a bit to see how the extra weight feels and to get some insight into what life would be like with larger breasts. You may discover that you would prefer to choose a size smaller or larger than you originally thought! Keep in mind that the rice method is not an exact science, and it is important to discuss your questions and concerns about breast augmentation in Lubbock with a qualified plastic surgeon. 

Understanding the Differences Between Implant Types

The type of breast implant you select will have a significant impact on the outcome of your procedure. The decision should be made only after thorough research on your own and a candid discussion with your plastic surgeon. Presently, there are three types of breast implants. Each kind has its unique advantages, and depending on your priorities and preferences, one may be more suited to you than another. All breast implants have an outer shell made of silicone; however, their names refer to what’s inside the silicone shell.

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 simple observation of the breast. That’s why women feel comfortable choosing saline implants for breast augmentation in Lubbock – they do not have to worry about silent rupture. The downside is that saline breast implants often move and feel much like water balloons. While you have the peace of mind of having a natural substance inside, the saline generally doesn’t move or feel like natural breast tissue. The implant can fold, causing an unappealing rippling or wrinkling effect.
2. Silicone gel. Silicone gel implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue. They come prefilled, so they require a larger incision. However, there are things about silicone gel ruptures that make many women uncomfortable with these implant types. 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, this scenario is known as a “silent rupture,” meaning it requires an MRI (which is 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. This is something that many women are not aware of.
3. IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants. The IDEAL IMPLANT combines the safety of saline 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 about silent rupture. Now, breast augmentation with IDEAL IMPLANT can give you the benefits of saline and silicone gel without the drawbacks of either. The IDEAL IMPLANT is saline-filled, however, the saline is contained within nested shells and separate chambers. This unique design controls the movement of the saline, giving it an appearance and softness 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. As an IDEAL IMPLANT premier surgeon, she is one of the most experienced plastic surgeons in the nation to use this new technology. Learn more about the advantages of the IDEAL IMPLANT over other implant types in this video:

Beyond the inner 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 describes 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 Placed?

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 appointments prior to your breast augmentation in Lubbock. The methods of inserting the implant include 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 generally result in a less natural result. However, there are advantages to choosing subglandular placement for breast augmentation in Lubbock. A 2015 study found that placing breast implants directly under the skin results in less blood loss during surgery and a shorter, less painful recovery. Subglandular placement is now primarily used for women who are very physically active in sports that impact the pectoral muscle, such as body-building. 
• Submuscular (beneath the pectoral muscle): this is now the more common method of placement 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. Chest muscles can conceal the edges of your breast implants more effectively, giving your breasts a more natural slope. 

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 with 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. She can help you navigate all of your options for breast enhancement so you can get the pair that fits your body perfectly.  Call today to schedule your no-obligation consultation.