FIVE STEPS TO CHOOSING YOUR BREAST IMPLANTS

By using the latest and most advanced saline and silicone-gel breast implants on the market, Dr. Lao is able to enhance your breasts’ appearance significantly. When deciding on the look of your new breasts, you will want to consider a few things, such as your age, lifestyle, career, natural physique, and body proportions. When keeping these factors in mind, these realistic expectations help deliver the best-looking results.

Your breast augmentation surgery goals should include a few things, such as your breast size proportioned to your cleavage volume, which creates a natural appearance and hopefully improve your self-confidence and body image. Dr. Lao’s training and experience have given him the skills and knowledge to provide you with incredible breast augmentation results.

Below, we’ve listed the 5 basic steps to help you decide which breast implant is best for you!

STEP 1 – SALINE OR SILICONE IMPLANTS

Dr. Lao offers his New York City breast augmentation patients two options when it comes to breast implants:

Saline and cohesive Silicone gel. So what are the differences?

• Saline implants: An empty silicone outer shell is inserted into your breast pocket through a tiny incision and filled with a sterile saline liquid. These implants are often less expensive and typically have a less organic feel when compared to silicone-gel implants. This type of implant is not usually recommended for thinner patients since there is greater potential for a noticeable rippling effect through the skin.
• Silicone implants: Although they come at a higher price point and do require a larger incision, these implants are pre-filled with a silicone gel that provides a more natural look and feel. The gel inside creates a more natural movement and has a lesser chance of producing a rippling effect.

While some of our patients like the appeal of saline implants, there is still a broader demand for silicone breast implants. Of course, the final choice is yours at the end of the day, but if you are on the fence about which implant is best for you, Dr. Lao will be able to give you his expert opinion during your consultation.

STEP 2 – BREAST IMPLANT SIZES

Now we’re at the part that many of our patients find to be the most fun when discussing surgical goals. Once the type of implant being used is decided upon, you will be able to choose the size of your implants. Dr. Lao will offer you his recommendation based on your body type, but will certainly regard your personal preference. It is very important to remember that not all breast implant sizes and bra cup sizes are the same.

STEP 3 – BREAST IMPLANT SHAPE

Every patient will have different reasons as to why they are looking for breast implants, but every reason is a valid one. Some women are looking for better body proportions, others are looking to add fullness to their busts, while some women just desire larger breasts. Currently almost all implants used are round smooth implants because shaped (tear dropped) implants are all textured and texturing is associated with breast ALCL (anaplastic large cell lymphoma) and are not recommended currently.

STEP 4 – IMPLANT PLACEMENT

During this step, you and Dr. Lao will decide if the implants are going to go on top or beneath the muscle, but this is determined by the amount of breast tissue. For our patients who do not possess enough tissue, the implants should be placed below the muscle, however, this provides a more natural look. When there is a sufficient amount of tissue, putting the implants on top of the muscle can enhance your cleavage. Again, Dr. Lao will offer his expertise when choosing the best placement option for you.

STEP 5 – INCISION PLACEMENT

Finally, the two of you will determine the best placement for the incision. Dr. Lao will already have a good idea of where he believes the incisions should be based on his experience and your implant choices. The most common placement options are inframammary and periareolar. Inframammary placement is just below the crease of your breast, while Periareolar will go around the nipple. There are two additional, less common options, Transaxillary (through the armpit) and Umbilical (through the belly button). While transaxillary is less common for most surgeons, it leaves no visible scars, and if performed by a surgeon of Dr. Lao’s caliber, this can be the most optimal approach.

Please bear in mind that there will be scarring regardless of where the incision is placed, but because of Dr. Lao’s attention to detail and skill, they should be barely noticeable, if at all. Scarring will fade over time, but may still be slightly visible even after healing properly.