Breast augmentation is an excellent option for women hoping to feel more confident and gain a curvier appearance. When it comes to trim women and athletes, however, many of our patients worry about how to choose the right implants for their body type.
Whether you are looking for a significant volume increase or just a subtle boost—Dr. Parkins can help.
Working with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon is critical. Dr. Parkins will ensure you get the best recommendations for ideal outcomes and ensure the safety and efficacy of your procedure. From implant type to size to placement—there is a wide variety of customization available to best fit you.
What to Consider Before Your Augmentation
One thing we remind our slimmer patients is that augmentation results are much more about the desired look and proportion rather than size alone.
Dr. Parkins recommends doing some internet research and saving images of busts you “like” and “dislike” to share with us during your consultation. Ideally, look for images of women with frames similar to you. These help you get a better idea of what you want and will allow Dr. Parkins to build a personalized treatment plan.
During your consultation, we will discuss any possible cons to the desired size increase, such as possible back or shoulder pain, depending on your body type. Especially if you’re an athlete, it’s important to find implants that will work well within your lifestyle.
Siliconee vs. Saline
Dr. Parkins will also help you decide whether silicone or saline implants are better for your desires.
Siliconee implants are gel-filled and offer textural similarity to your body’s fatty breast tissue—providing a natural look and feel. However, they require a slightly larger implant than their saline counterparts.
Saline implants have an outer silicone shell but are filled with a saline solution once inserted into the body. Dr. Parkins can utilize a much smaller incision with these implants. Some patients choose these for the assurance that in the slight chance of a rupture, the saline solution will naturally absorb into the body.
Submuscular Placement Benefits for Trim Women
For trim women, submuscular placement of the implants can also offer a range of benefits. Dr. Parkins can lift the pectoralis major muscle edge and slip the breast implant under the muscle. With this placement, the top part of your implant is covered by both muscle and breast tissue.
Submuscular placement offers patients added padding over the upper edge of the implant, providing greater comfort and aesthetically pleasing results for trim women. However, the recovery time for submuscular placement can take a bit longer than implants that are placed on top of the muscle. Athletes also consider whether their weightlifting or other training activities might be impacted by submuscular placement; Dr. Parkins will guide you through these considerations during your consultation.
The Breast Tissue Issue
Another factor in determining results is the amount of natural breast tissue volume you already have before receiving implants.
If you’re on the thinner side, you’re more likely to have relatively small breasts. Thus, smaller implants will look the most natural. The less breast tissue you have, the more Dr. Parkins will recommend silicone implants rather than saline. However, if you would prefer the look and feel of saline implants, Dr. Parkins can utilize submuscular placement.
If you want greater enhancement, there are a few options to increase your breast tissue volume.
Tissue Expanders
Commonly used for breast reconstruction, a temporary tissue expander can help your body accustom and build up tissue for a larger implant down the line.
In a few months at your follow-up, after your tissue and skin have stretched, your body will be ready for a more significant enhancement. The expander is removed, and you can receive a permanent implant.
Fat Transfer
Fat transfer or grafting is another option (if you have enough fat in other areas to be removed via liposuction) to add volume to the bust. Fat transfer can create stunning, natural-looking results and help to accommodate an implant that would be otherwise obvious in thinner patients.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Parkins is a board-certified plastic surgeon with particular expertise in breast augmentation. She is here to help you achieve the results of your dreams.
We firmly believe that no matter your body type, you deserve to love your breasts. At your consultation, we will help you work through the pros and cons of implant type, size, and placement. If you have any further questions or want to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call our Milwaukee, WI, office at (262) 269-1050.
