Patients interested in getting bigger breasts have two effective and safe options available nowadays. The procedures are breast implant surgery and fat transfer to the breasts. Both procedures can deliver impressive results, and they are recommended depending on the initial condition of the breast tissue, overall anatomy, and aesthetic expectations.
While fat transfer to the breasts can provide natural results, the augmentation achieved is not as impressive as when using implants. Generally speaking, fat transfer is recommended for patients who want a moderate increase in the size of the breasts, usually no more than one cup size. The shape of the breasts can also be improved when getting fat transferred to the breasts, and a common result is fuller breasts. However, when the patient wants a more considerable and dramatic change in the shape or size of the breasts, the optimal procedure to be used is implants.
Breast implant surgery makes use of implants that are inserted into the breasts through incisions. The implants are positioned in pockets created either behind or in front of the pectoral muscle or in a position called the dual plane. The type of implants to be used, as well as the placement of the implant (submuscular, subglandular, dual plane) is decided together with the plastic surgeon during the pre-operative consultation. Moreover, the placement of the incisions is another important aspect of the surgery that needs to be discussed in detail during the initial meeting with the surgeon.
As is the case with any other type of surgery, breast augmentation will leave behind scars. Fat transfer is associated with less scarring as the grafting of the fat cells is done using incisions no longer than 3-4 mm. However, breast implant surgery requires more significant incisions. The length and placement of the incisions are dependent on the anatomy of the patient and the type of implants to be used.
Generally speaking, we have three types of incisions that can be performed during a breast augmentation with implants. When the implants are inserted through a periareolar incision, the plastic surgeon will make an incision around the areola’s edge. When an inframammary incision is used, it means the surgeon will make incisions in the fold under the breasts. The transaxillary incision is also an option, but not so popular as the other two as it is known as the “blind method” and allows for little visibility when the implants are inserted.
As a result, the location of the scars can be either around the areola, in the fold under the breasts, or in the axilla. Bigger silicone implants will need an inframammary fold incision, and it is important to know this when choosing the volume of the implants.