Author: Dr. Sam Sukkar MD

Breasts are one of the most prominent features on a woman’s body. Every woman wishes for that pair of full, round, and perky breasts. Unfortunately, breasts are the first structures to undergo changes when the body is put through hormonal changes.

Breasts tend to droop and sag during pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, sudden weight gain, and weight loss. Sagging breasts can affect a woman’s confidence.

This is why a number of women opt for breast augmentation.

Breast augmentation is performed by making an incision on the breast and then inserting a suitable implant.

Which type of incision is used for different types of implants?

The primary aim of the incision is to allow the surgeon a greater vision of the field and also to aid in the placement of the implant.

Saline implant

A saline implant is rolled into a very small structure and then inserted through the incision into the breast. It is attached to a detachable tube which inflates the implant after it has been inserted into the breast. Once the implant is fully inflated, the tube is disconnected, and the incision is sutured.

Essentially, saline implants do not require a very large incision. Surgeons can insert the implant through an incision made under the breast. Usually, the length of the incision is just about 4 cm. This length is moderate, allows clear vision, reduces the risk of infection, and speeds up recovery.

Silicone implants

Silicone implants come pre-filled, meaning that unlike saline implants, they cannot be inflated after placement. This means that the incision required for silicone implants is quite large. The size of the incision is up to the surgeon. In most cases, the incision length measures upwards of 5 cm in length.

Incisions either along the breast fold or in the armpit are best for the placement of silicone implants.

Incisions in the armpit can leave behind a scar, but it has many benefits including there will not be much loss of nipple sensation as is likely in the other cases. However, when opting for this kind of incision, it is best to seek the help of someone who is highly experienced in this field of surgery in order to avoid any complications.

Gummy bear breast implants

Gummy bear implants are similar to silicone implants with the advantage that gummy bear implants feel more natural.

These implants require longer incisions for proper placement, and incisions along the breast fold are best for such implants. It allows for easy insertion and offers a better field of vision for the surgeon.

Round breast implants

Round implants are one of the most popular choices in breast implants since it gives a full and rounded appearance to the breasts.

The preferred type of incision for a round breast implant is either in the armpit or along the breast fold. Incisions around the areola are not preferred for such implants as it complicates the process.

Smooth breast implants

Smooth breast implants are inexpensive and long-lasting implants. These are already pre-filled, which means, the implantation requires large incisions. The incision is made along the breast fold which facilitates faster healing and minimal scars.

Breast Augmentation In Houston

Dr. Sukkar is a leading plastic surgeon in the Houston area, specializing in breast augmentation and other body procedures. If you have considered getting breast enhancement surgery then you should make an appointment to see Dr. Sukkar today.

A woman’s breasts play a big role in not just her appearance, but her identity as well. Lots of women around the world are unhappy with the size and shape of their breasts. A shapely chest greatly impacts your silhouette, giving you the hourglass figure that all women desire. If you think your breasts are too small or not proportionate to your figure, then you should consider undergoing breast augmentation.

Contents

• 1 What is breast augmentation?
• 2 Why should you consider breast augmentation?
• 3 What does the procedure involve?
• 4 What can you expect from breast augmentation?

What is breast augmentation?

Also known as a “boob job,” breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that focuses on improving the size and shape of your breasts. The desired result is achieved either through fat transfer or breast implants. This procedure is ideal for women looking to increase their breast size, restore lost volume due to pregnancy or weight loss, or give their breasts a more natural symmetry.

Why should you consider breast augmentation?

A woman is very proud of her body and appearance. But if you feel there are some areas that could do with some improvements, you should go ahead and make sure you look your most fabulous.

If you believe your breasts are not in proportion to the rest of your body, if they are smaller than you would like, or if you simply want a more pleasing figure, then the breast augmentation is for you. After this procedure, you can kiss your insecurities goodbye. You will no longer have to battle low self-esteem or confidence. You can wear your favorite tops, blouses, and swimsuits without feeling conscious. Breast augmentation will ensure that you live your life to the fullest.

What does the procedure involve?

Before undergoing the procedure, your doctor will determine the best technique to achieve your desired results. This includes determining the right type of incision and implants as well. During the procedure, the patient is given anesthesia and an incision is made either under or around their breasts. A saline or silicone implant is placed underneath the breast tissue. Excess skin is removed to give the breasts better shape and structure. Nipples can also be repositioned, if necessary. The incisions are closed with sutures which are removed later.

Another technique used to increase breast size is autologous fat transfer. This involves harvesting fatty tissue from fat-rich areas of the patient’s body such as thighs, buttocks, or abdomen. This tissue is then treated and re-injected into the patient’s breasts. Once the fat settles in, the patient’s breasts will appear larger and fuller. This technique is ideal for women who are not keen on an invasive procedure or implants.

What can you expect from breast augmentation?

With either implants or fat transfer, you will be able to notice a significant difference immediately after the procedure. Breast augmentation will give you long-lasting results that will remain with you for the rest of your life. With this procedure, you are giving yourself large, fuller breasts that greatly improve your entire figure.

Women who have undergone breast augmentation say that they look and feel younger and more attractive than before. Look no further than Dr. Sukkar’s Houston Plastic Surgery Center for the best breast augmentation specialists in Houston.

After achieving the goal of substantial weight loss, many women are faced with a new problem: sagging skin and pendulous breasts that are uncomfortable and not in proportion with their current body size. Diet and exercise alone are not capable of restoring firm and uplifted breasts but there is a procedure that is tailor made for this problem.

Breast reduction surgery, called reduction mammoplasty, removes excess skin and any pockets of fat that remain, creating an attractive breast profile that compliments the weight loss efforts of months or even years.

Additionally, a breast reduction will also reposition the nipple to a higher position, will reduce the size of the areola if needed, and will tighten and lift the underlying muscles. Many women find that breast reduction surgery has multiple benefits ranging from relieving back pain and skin chaffing to making shopping for clothes a pleasure. The boost in self confidence for many women is the biggest benefit of all.

Candidates

Breast reduction surgery after substantial weight loss should only be considered after weight has been stable for six months to a year. This will allow the skin to shrink as much as possible and will ensure that large swings in weight are not going to sabotage results in the future.

Good candidates have achieved their desired weight yet have sagging skin that makes it difficult to fit into clothing of their choice and causes irritation particularly in hot and humid weather.

Candidates for breast reduction surgery should be in good health with no uncontrolled medical conditions. Since breast reduction surgery will create some visible scars, candidates should feel that the improvement in breast profile is worth dealing with some scarring which will not be visible when wearing clothing.

Body contouring

Following substantial weight loss many patients find that they have sagging skin in other areas such as the upper arms, thighs and abdomen. In these cases body contouring can be performed, usually over several sessions, to restore a more natural contour to these areas. Breast reduction may be done in conjunction with other procedures in some cases if Dr. Sukkar feels the patient would benefit from combining procedures.

Obesity and Breast Reduction Surgery

Obese patients who wish to have breast reduction surgery may need to wait until they have lost some weight before having reduction mammoplasty. A recent study reported in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons official journal found that obese patients have a 35% higher risk of complications following surgery.

The study followed almost 48,000 adult patients who had received common cosmetic procedures including breast reduction. Of the 4% of these patients who were determined to be obese by their body mass index (BMI) it was found that they had a 35% higher risk of postoperative complications.

Risks vs. Rewards

Assessing the risk is one of the components of planning any surgery. Houston plastic surgeon, Dr. Sukkar has thousands of procedures to his credit and his job is to weigh the risks and benefits of procedures that can increase the quality of life for his patients. If you are suffering from back pain and irritation and want to find out if this procedure is safe at your weight, book an appointment with Dr. Sukkar. As a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, he has helped countless women achieve the comfort and improved appearance that breast reduction surgery was developed to provide.

The surgical techniques used in breast augmentation have been refined over the years to provide patients with beautiful cosmetic results that look and feel natural. With the range of breast implants available today, getting a natural look is a matter of choosing the right size and type of implant that best suits the patient’s overall body type. Nipple and skin sensation is a different story.

Most women do experience a change in sensation in one or both of the nipples and in the skin just under the breast. This begins with hypersensitivity or numbness in the nipples and numbness in the skin. Most patients find that sensation returns to normal within 2 to 4 months, depending on where the implant was inserted.

IMPLANT PLACEMENT IS KEY

There are four areas that can be used as insertion points; the inframammary fold just under the breast, the armpit, the belly button and the nipple area. These choices are generally made based on masking the resulting scar. There are also choices on where the implant will be placed, either under the muscle or closer to the surface, just under the mammary gland structure.

Preserving sensation in the nipple complex is very important and to ensure the complete success in breast augmentation. There have been many opinions offered on why some women experience permanent loss of sensation in the nipple. Very large implants that stretch the nipple and skin are thought to be a factor as the nerves also need to stretch while adjusting.

RESULTS OF A 6 YEAR CLINICAL STUDY ON NIPPLE SENSATION AND PAIN

A study on the subject of nipple sensation and pain following primary breast augmentation was conducted over a 6 year period in Rome and the UK with over 1200 cases. The findings were released in 2011 reporting that implant size and implant placement – either above or below the muscle – had no bearing on nipple sensation and pain. The main factor that caused problems with nipple sensitivity or numbness was placing the implant through an incision at the edge the areola. This ‘periareolar’ incision was found to increase changes in nipple sensation and pain by a factor of three when patients were assessed six months after surgery.

(Source:https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2011/10000/Sensitivity_of_the_Nipple_Areola_Complex_and.34.aspx)

The reason for diminished sensation is thought to be caused by cutting the nerves that support the nipple-areola complex. Scar tissue may also block regeneration of nerve channels following periareolar incision.

CHANGES IN NIPPLE SENSATION

In up to 6% of patients, there will be some change in nipple sensation following breast augmentation. The degree of change will vary from patient to patient with most patients finding that nipple sensitivity returns to normal range once all healing has occurred.

Discussion of this potential change should be part of every woman’s relationship with her plastic surgeon. Avoiding sensitivity problems can be done by choosing an implant that is not overly large and using the fold under the breast called the inframammary fold, as an insertion point.

While all women experience some degree of sensitivity or numbness following breast augmentation surgery, the vast majority of patients find that after a few months their sensitivity problems are resolved leaving them free to fully enjoy their enhanced feminine appearance.

As we age it is natural for the breasts to begin to sag. The biggest force contributing to sagging breasts is gravity, particularly in women with large breasts.

There is a protein called elastin that is present in all skin tissue. Elastin keeps the skin elastic as the name suggests and anything that decreases elastin will result in breast sagging as well as sagging in other parts of the body.

One of the biggest culprits contributing to sagging skin is cigarette smoking. Smoking compromises elastin which in turn reduces the skin’s ability to hold its shape and bounce back when stretched. Weight gain is another common contributor to sagging breasts. Women who gain and lose significant amounts of weight over time will hasten the effects of gravity on their breasts as elastin breaks down.

The increase in breast size during pregnancy adds weight which puts extra strain on muscles and ligaments. This can lead to sagging breasts particularly after multiple pregnancies. However, contrary to popular belief, breastfeeding alone is not a cause of saggy breasts. It is the added breast size experienced during pregnancy that causes the sagging so getting back to your pre-pregnancy weight will reduce the strain on the ligaments.

PREVENTING SAGGY BREASTS

Slowing the progress of sagging breasts is possible. Since the problem lies in stretched ligaments that loose elasticity, wearing a good supportive bra, particularly while exercising, will reduce the stress that would naturally be placed on the supportive muscles.

Maintaining a healthy weight by avoiding dramatic swings in weight will also help your ligaments and muscles support the breasts. Giving up smoking will go a long way to preventing the breakdown of elastin not only in the breasts but in the face and other areas.

SURGICAL OPTIONS FOR SAGGY BREASTS

If your sagging breasts are causing you to seriously dislike your appearance, a surgical breast lift can be done to tighten the slack muscles and ligaments and reposition the areola and nipple structure to a more youthful position on the chest. In some women, a breast lift with augmentation is beneficial and will restore both position and fullness lost through the aging process.

SAGGING BREASTS CAN CAUSE HEALTH ISSUES

Women who have large breasts can experience significant health improvements through a breast reduction with lift. The improvement in back health, reduction of painful bra strap grooves in the shoulders and reduction of skin rashes is a bigger benefit than the cosmetic improvement according to our patients.

CONTACT US FOR AN EVALUATION

If you would like a confidential consultation with Houston Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Sukkar to discuss your breast sagging issues, contact our office for an appointment. He has helped countless women regain a youthful silhouette as well as improvement in health issues related to sagging breasts.

Whether you need a simple breast lift, a lift with augmentation or a breast reduction with a lift, you can be confident in trusting your procedure to a plastic surgeon with decades of experience in breast procedures.

Are you in a debate with yourself on whether to have silicone or saline breast implants? If so you are not alone. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of implant but ultimately it comes down to three things:

• LOOK
• FEEL
• SCAR VISIBILITY

Well placed breast implants of either type look and feel natural while complimenting the woman’s overall proportions. Some women prefer one type over another for reasons other than their appearance but for the most part about 80% of women choose silicone filled implants.

MOST WOMEN CHOOSE SILICONE

Women tend to choose silicone over saline for several reasons. This implant material feels and moves more like the natural breast. There are many more choices in shape, size and projection giving patients a more custom fit. Patients can also choose whether to have implants that are filled with a more fluid gel or a form stable gel. Implants using cohesive gel silicone have been nicknamed ‘gummy bear’ implants. Cohesive gel implants, or gummy bear implants, are available in multiple round and teardrop (‘anatomical’) shapes.

The advantage with round implants is that should they rotate within the breast pocket, they will still look natural. In contrast, should the form stable teardrop shaped implants rotate they will look unusual.

SAFETY CONCERNS

Silicone breast implants were removed from the market for several years while studies were done to determine if they were safe. This followed reports of implants leaking and there was legitimate concern that this could be a health risk. In 2006 silicone was again cleared for use in breast implants and this new generation of implants has enjoyed a stellar safety record.

ADVANTAGES OF SALINE IMPLANTS

Saline implants have the advantage of using sterile salt water as the filler. In the case of a puncture, the fluid leaks into the surrounding breast tissue where it is naturally eliminated by the body. Some women feel more comfortable knowing this and for them this type of implant will be just as effective in restoring fullness to the breasts but without any anxiety attached.

Saline implants are round and for women who are thin, this might provide a more natural look. Another advantage of saline implants is that the incision for placing them can be much smaller as the implant is inserted empty and filled once it is in place. This also gives Dr. Sukkar the ability to check the size and adjust accordingly before he closes the incision.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Silicone or saline, large or small; these are things that must be decided upon, but there is much more to a beautiful breast implant result than that. Each type of implant has different aspects in shape, feel and movement which must be considered in relation to the body type of each patient.

Achieving fuller breasts that look and feel natural is the goal no matter which type of implant you choose. Dr. Sukkar can help you make the right choice based on his considerable experience in breast implant surgery and a full understanding of your image goals.