If you wish you had larger, firmer breasts, you may be thinking about breast implant surgery. This is a procedure that can alter the way you look and improve your body confidence. Before you take this step, you’ll want to consider how it will impact you now and into the future.

Here are some tips on what to consider before breast surgery, compiled by experienced surgeon Dr. Leo Lapuerta and the Look Younger team.

1. Consider the Size of Your Breasts

One of the decisions you must make in getting breast implants is what size and shape you want for your outcome. Implants can be round or in the shape of a teardrop. Most doctors will recommend only going up one or two sizes for the most natural results, although many women get implants with a larger increase in size. Consider how the additional weight will feel on your shoulders and back — not just now, but in the future, as well.

2. Consider Your Age

Age plays a role in your decision for breast surgery for several reasons. First, you’ll want to think about how implants will impact your life long-term. For instance, women in their 20s and early 30s may want to consider how breast implants will affect their ability to breastfeed if they choose to have children. While most women can breastfeed after getting implants, you may want to discuss this situation with your doctor since it can change the shape and condition of your breasts, requiring a second surgery.

Realize that another breast surgery is likely in the future to replace the implants. It may be 10 years into the future, or longer, but recognize that this is a distinct probability before deciding to have the implant surgery. If you increase the size by more than a cup or two, you may have an increased risk for sagging as you get older.

For women who are in their 40s and older and considering breast implant surgery, their results may look quite different. Women this age often hope to regain the volume and firmness they had when they were younger. Even when you get what you were hoping for, expect an adjustment period as you get used to your new breasts.

3. Consider the Replacement Age of Breast Implants

Breast implants have come a long way in the past several years. Today’s implants last for many years before needing to be replaced, but they don’t come with a lifetime guarantee. Know before you decide to have the surgery that you will likely need to have the implants replaced at some point in the future if you choose to keep them. Modern implants often last ten years or longer before replacement is necessary.

You will need to have regular checkups to ensure the implants don’t need to be replaced. The FDA recommends that you get an MRI three years after the implant surgery if you have silicone implants. You should follow up every two years with another MRI to monitor the implants and see if implant removal is necessary.

4. Consider the Purpose of Breast Implants

Women get breast implants for various reasons. While many want to increase the size of their chest, others may simply want to improve the shape. Still others may need to reconstruct the breast due to a mastectomy or from an injury. Breast implants won’t fix sagging breasts, but many women want to increase the size of the breasts while also lifting them at the same time. A doctor may recommend breast augmentation and lift with the same surgery to achieve these results.

5. Determine the Type of Implant to Get

Several choices are available, depending on the goals of the breast surgery. Traditional implants come in two options: saline implants or silicone implants. Patients may also elect to have a fat transfer, which uses a patient’s own tissue to reconstruct or augment the breasts.

Compare Silicone vs. Saline Implants

Both silicone and saline breast implants increase the size and change the shape of your breasts, but they are quite different. Saline implants contain a saltwater solution that is injected into the implant after being placed during the surgery. This results in a smaller incision. If they rupture or leak, the saltwater is reabsorbed into the body and the implant deflates immediately.

Silicone implants are made of silicone gel, which has a more natural look and feel. They are ideal for women who have less of their own breast tissue because you can’t see or feel the edges of the implant. If they leak, the gel isn’t absorbed back into the body and the implant doesn’t deflate. Doctors recommend regular testing to monitor the condition of the implant and to have it removed if it leaks.

Understand How Fat Transfer Works in Breast Surgery

Fat transfer may be used instead of breast implants. The doctor will find a site or multiple sites to remove excess fat tissue, which can then be shaped and placed in the breast. Fat transfer is often used after a mastectomy to reconstruct the breast so that it naturally resembles its appearance prior to the breast removal surgery.

6. Find the Right Surgeon

The most important consideration when planning for breast implants is to find the right surgeon for the procedure. You want to work with someone who has extensive experience and can help you make the right decisions to get the results you want.

Dr. Lapuerta is a triple-board-certified surgeon who has performed hundreds of breast implant surgeries on patients. He will sit down with you and discuss your unique goals and needs and make recommendations to help you get the results you want. Reach out to Dr. Lapuerta to find out more about how breast surgery can benefit you and improve body confidence.

Contact us at 713-340-0990 or online to schedule a consultant with the Look younger team today.