Choosing breast implants can be both exciting and a bit unsettling. One of the most important parts of your breast augmentation consultation is discussing the options you have for breast implants. My Toronto clinic offers a range of choices, and I can help you select the implants best-suited to achieve your goals.
Breast implants have evolved significantly during the past decade, especially those filled with cohesive silicone gel. Innovative advances led to the current generation of silicone gel implants, which feel more like natural breast tissue than ever before.
These innovations are among the reasons breast augmentation’s popularity continues to increase. It was the most popular plastic surgery performed in 2017, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. I’ve also seen more breast augmentation patients at my Toronto practice. With that in mind, I want to use this blog post to explain why the consultation is so important, discus the decisions patients make based on our consultation, and clarify what to expect during recovery.
The Consultation
It’s during this conversation that I learn about your short and long-term goals and why you want to enhance your breasts. Along with my knowledgeable team, I explain your surgical options and answer any questions you may have about the procedure and recovery. I recommend that my patients bring a non-padded sports bra that’s the size they want their breasts to be after getting implants. You can try out the different breast sizers we have in our office so you can get an idea of how you would look with different size implants.
The Decisions
Choosing breast implants is just 1 of the decisions a breast augmentation patient makes before the procedure. The choice of implants includes decisions about both the size you want and the type of filler material that is used (saline, cohesive silicone gel, or highly cohesive silicone gel). Another option is whether patients want round or anatomically shaped (“teardrop”) implants.
In addition to choosing implants, patients also have options for where I’ll make incisions. The 3 incision alternatives include periareolar (the lower edge of the areola), transaxillary (underarm area), and inframammary (at the base of the breast). Even though each has unique advantages, the inframammary incision is the most commonly used for various reasons. One of the reasons is a technique I use called “no-touch” breast augmentation, which means that not only do I not touch the implant, but it doesn’t touch the patient’s skin either. Instead, I use a device called the Keller Funnel™ to place the implant. The technique greatly reduces the risk of infection.
Where the implant is placed is another decision that patients make based on our discussions. I often recommend what I consider to be the best placement after performing a physical exam and listening to patients describe their cosmetic goals. There are 2 general placement locations: either subglandular (behind the existing breast tissue but in front of the chest muscle), or submuscular (behind the muscle). I also perform variations on those techniques, which I explain in detail during the consultation.
The Recovery
Patients’ recover at their own pace, and some people take longer to heal than others. But based on my experience, certain recovery timeframes provide a good idea of how long it takes to return to jobs that aren’t physically demanding. The placement of the implants influences the recovery timeline. Surgery that involves the chest muscle (submuscular placements) generally require slightly longer recoveries. Expect to be off work for 7 to 10 days. Patients with implants placed above the muscle can usually return to work within 5 to 7 days.
I also recommend that all breast augmentation patients avoid more strenuous exercises for 3 to 4 weeks after their procedures.
Comfortable sports bras that support your larger breasts with a zipper in the front can make the recovery easier. Prescription medications can help manage any discomfort you experience, and antibiotics will help prevent infections.
To get a good idea of the types of results you can expect, view before-and-after photos of my actual breast augmentation patients. You can contact us to request a consultation using the online form or call our Yorkville office at (416) 929-9800 to schedule an appointment.
