Millions of women prepare for bikini time every year by joining the gym or an exercise boot camp, sticking to a strict diet plan, and shopping for the most flattering bathing suits.
However, for many women the joys of summer are ruined by a persistent concern that their breasts are too small.
If your chest size causes you to feel self-conscious and unattractive, perhaps you should consider breast augmentation.
If you decide to undergo this procedure, you will have many decisions to make, including the type, size and shape of implants and whether they should be placed completely under the chest muscles, partially under the chest muscles or between chest muscles and breast tissue.
In addition, you will have several options for where the plastic surgeon creates the incisions through which the prostheses will be placed.
Read on to learn more about this procedure, how it is performed, and what incision types are offered.
How Is It Performed? The procedure involves the surgical placement of silicone or saline devices in the chest mounds.
If you choose to receive saline prostheses, the incisions will be smaller.
This is because saline prostheses are inserted while folded.
Once in place, they are unfolded and filled with a saline solution to achieve the desired size.
If you choose silicone breast implants, the incisions will be somewhat larger.
This is because silicone prostheses cannot be folded and filled later.
Instead, the full-size prostheses are inserted.
As a result, larger implants require larger openings.
However, you should not worry about large, unsightly scars because the surgeon works through openings placed in inconspicuous locations.
Incision Types There are four main incision types: Under the Breast (Inframammary).
Placed in the inframammary fold, where the breast and chest meet, this method is often used for women who desire to go very large.
It is also often recommended for patients who receive silicone prostheses.
Around the Nipple (Periareolar).
Placed around the areola, this is a popular method used in patients who want a moderate enlargement.
It can be used for saline implants that are filled to their desired volume following insertion.
In the Armpit (Transaxillary).
The scars that result from this method are well-hidden because they are located in your underarms.
Surgeons usually recommend this technique for patients who receive saline implants.
In the Navel (Transumbilical, or TUBA).
Placed in the belly button, the scar from this incision type is also well-hidden.
However, this technique can be used only with saline devices that are filled after placement.
This is because the folded shell is inserted through the navel and then gently moved through a surgical canal to the chest mound.
Life After Surgery Most patients experience a significant increase in their self-confidence after chest enlargement surgery.
Many women feel inspired to explore new clothing styles, such as low-cut dresses and shirts, sexy bikinis and form-fitting sweaters.
Some women are also inspired to pursue additional procedures to further accentuate the beauty of the body, including tummy tuck or liposuction surgery.
These procedures are sometimes performed together as part of the comprehensive mommy makeover treatment.