Breast Implants Surgery with Sydney Plastic Surgeon Dr Ellis Choy
Whether you’re looking to enhance your breast volume or make them appear more contoured, breast implants may be the solution. Breast augmentation is a personal decision that involves many choices during the preoperative process. An overview of these options is discussed below. For a personal evaluation and recommendations, please request a consultation with Dr Choy.
The Types of Breast Implants You Can Have
Saline Breast Implants
Saline breast implants derive their volume from a sterile saline solution which your surgeon will inject into the empty implant shell after it is introduced into the breast pocket. The size of the implant you wish to have will determine the amount of saline solution that will be injected into the shell. While no longer the primary choice of most patients, saline implants do have some advantages.
- Saline implants can be precisely sized after placement
- Saline implants can help balance dramatically uneven breasts
- Saline implants require a smaller incision since they are inserted empty
With the exception of the smaller incision, however, the benefits of saline implants can also be achieved with silicone implants.
Silicone Breast Implants
In contrast to saline breast implants, silicone gel implants come pre-filled with silicone gel by the manufacturer. The gel is a sticky, viscous material that closely resembles the feel of natural body fat to the touch. Because of their soft, spongy consistency and resilience, they are often compared to “gummy bear” candies from which they derive their nickname, “gummy bear implants.” Silicone gel breast implants are popular among women for their natural feel, and the implants come in a variety of sizes that give women flexibility and control over their final breast appearance. The advantages of silicone gel implants include:
- A natural look and feel
- Less incidence of rippling in comparison to saline implants
- Available to women with any amount of natural breast tissue
- Less incidence of downward displacement because of their light weight
Tear Drop Implants
When selecting silicone gel implants, women also can choose the shape of their implant to customise their final look more fully. Silicone implants come in round or “teardrop” shapes, each of which will give women a slightly different breast presentation after insertion into the breast pocket. There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to implant shape, and there are few limits in terms of their selection; women should choose whichever shape they prefer.
However, each implant shape has distinct advantages and disadvantages which can influence a woman’s final choice. For example, round breast implants provide more fullness and are therefore more frequently used in breast augmentation, while teardrop (or anatomical) implants, which slope downward to a fuller lower portion, can help restore a natural look for women who have very little breast tissue.
Implant Texture
Women can also select the texture of their implant shell. Implant shells come in either smooth or textured form. Smooth implants will be able to rotate and move freely in the breast pocket while textured implants will move less since the texture of their outer shell will create some resistance. Texture is necessary for teardrop implants since it helps maintain the orientation of the implant in the breast pocket. Smooth implants often have thinner shells which can help them feel more natural.
Implant Placement
Women can also choose the placement of their implants to customise their look further. Dr Choy can place your implants either above or beneath the pectoral muscle.
- In subglandular/submammary placement, Dr Choy will place the implant above the pectoral muscle and behind the natural breast tissue
- In submuscular placement, Dr Choy will place the implant behind the pectoral muscle
A woman’s desired breast appearance will influence the choice of breast implant placement. For example, women with very little natural breast tissue may benefit from submuscular placement because it increases the amount of tissue covering the implant, offering a more natural feel. Women with ample breast tissue, on the other hand, can opt for subglandular placement and have a natural feel since their own breast tissue will cover the implant.
Selecting a Surgeon for Breast Implant Surgery
The surgeon you choose should have top credentials, demonstrated surgical skills, a high taste level and a passion for serving their patients.
Dr Choy uses all of these characteristics to benefit the unique needs of each of his Sydney clients. His genuine concern for his patients, attention to their needs and wishes, and personal rapport create a caring and attentive environment. Dr Choy’s areas of practice include general surgery, breast reshaping and revision surgeries, reconstructive surgery of the face, breast and body, and skin oncology.
If you’re in the Sydney area, schedule your in-person consultation with Dr Choy today!
To discover whether a breast implant surgery is right for you, we invite you to schedule an in-person appointment with Dr Choy. You can schedule your date by calling on 02 8962 9388 or by clicking this link.
*The information about breast implants was reviewed by Dr. Ellis Choy. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.
Making an Informed Decision
Undergoing plastic surgery is a significant decision that should be made only after careful consideration of all aspects involved, including the potential risks and complications.
General Risks and Complications
There are general risks and complications that apply to most plastic surgery procedures. These are discussed in detail on our Risks and Complications page.
Specific Risks and Complications
In addition to those that apply generally to plastic surgery, each individual procedure comes with its own specific risks and complications. For operations involving breast implants, these include:
- Capsular contracture
- Implant rupture or leak
- Implant rippling or wrinkling
- Implant displacement
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Chronic breast pain
- Breastfeeding challenges
- Interference with mammography
- Breast implant illness (BII)
- Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
Next Steps
Request a consultation with Dr Choy for a detailed discussion of these considerations. Dr Choy will conduct a thorough risk assessment based on your individual factors and outline the measures that can be taken to minimise these risks. He and his team are here to support your decision-making process, providing all the information you need to make well-informed choices about your care.