Choosing the Right Breast Implants—It’s About More Than Size

*September 20, 2023, This post has been updated to reflect the most accurate information

After hours of browsing before-and-after photos and celebrity bikini pictures, you have a good idea about the desired outcome of your breast augmentation surgery. Despite this meticulous research, picking the right size and type of breast implant can still feel overwhelming for women from Manhattan Beach to Newport Beach who come to South Bay Plastic Surgeons.

Fortunately, we’re here to guide you. Keep reading to learn why size isn’t the only consideration for choosing the right breast implants that complement your frame.

Making the Most of Your Consultation

We encourage you to view your consultation as a collaborative meeting with your surgeon. You are invited to share your needs and goals freely, and our surgeons listen and make recommendations to help you safely achieve your desired vision.

During your breast augmentation consultation, breast implant sizes are only one factor that we consider. We also explore these considerations with you:

• Which breast implant material is right for you?
• Which breast implant shape best suits your needs and vision?
• Will the breast implant you choose complement your body frame?
• How will the breast implants you select impact your lifestyle?
• Will your breast implants reflect your aesthetic goals in 10 to 15 years?

Types of Breast Implants

At our practice, we offer saline and form-stable silicone, also referred to as “gummy bear,” implant options. We also offer fat transfer breast augmentation for women who want a more subtle and natural alternative to breast augmentation with implants.  

Our surgeons will help you make an informed choice about which breast implant is right for you. We also encourage patients to utilize our VECTRA® 3D imaging system to help visualize their potential results with different implant sizes and shapes.

Here are some factors to help you distinguish between breast implant types:

Saline Breast Implants

We use smaller incisions for saline breast implants because they are filled after being inserted. In addition, the body naturally absorbs saline in the rare event of a rupture. Saline implants are typically placed below the muscle and have a firmer, less natural feel. These implants are less expensive than silicone implants.

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Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants are prefilled and require slightly longer incisions. These more cohesive, form-stable implants are also designed to prevent leaks on the slim chance that a rupture occurs. Silicone implants are typically placed above the muscle and have a more natural look and feel than saline implants.

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Your Body’s Frame

Surgeons take several measurements, conduct a physical examination, and offer 3D imaging to help you narrow down the size and profile of the implant that meets your goals. A patient may say she wants her results to resemble her friend’s who got 400 cc implants, but that same size may not produce the same results if her body frame is different.

That’s why it’s usually best to come to your consultation without having a specific breast implant size in mind. The process is more organic, and the choice becomes clearer after talking with your surgeon.

Your Lifestyle

Athletes, bodybuilders, and women who lead active lifestyles who are considering getting breast implants may need to consider their lifestyle when choosing their implants. For example, larger implants can become a nuisance when running or participating in more physically strenuous activities.

Today, the trend in breast augmentation is toward more natural-looking enhancement. But, if a patient brings in “wish pictures” that show less conservative results, a conversation can help focus the decision-making process. This discussion may include how the various types of breast implants can look in different types of clothing, such as bikinis, sweaters, and blouses.

Think Long-Term

What someone considers attractive and desirable in their early 20s can change by the time they’re in their 30s. Breast implants aren’t designed to last for the rest of your life but generally last 10 to 15 years or even longer. That’s something else to consider when choosing implants: you may need to undergo revision surgery to exchange or remove your implants if your aesthetic preferences change.

See the thrilling transformations for yourself by visiting our photo gallery of before-and-after pictures. If you want to learn more about the procedure and discuss breast implant sizes and materials with one of our surgeons, please request a consultation using the online form or call our office at (310) 784-0644  to schedule an appointment.