Tips for Making the Best Decisions

For Your Breast Augmentation

• When trying to decide between silicone and saline, remember this: silicone implants look and feel more natural than saline. Saline will likely have a lower rate of capsular contracture, impose a shorter scar, cost less, and not involve routine MRI scans. Once you identify the issue that is most important to you, you can make your decision based on that. Unfortunately, you can’t have it all.

• When considering under versus over the muscle, remember that most long-term benefits are with under the muscle: lower rate of capsular contracture, nipple numbness, displacement, interference with mammography, wrinkling and rippling. Long-term aesthetics of the upper half of the breast are also more favorable for most women. The main disadvantages are distortion of the breasts when flexing pectoral muscles and increased discomfort and swelling.

• Round implants are appropriate for most women. Compared to teardrop implants, they provide an aesthetically similar result, do not restrict options regarding implant surface, obviate the potential problem of implant rotation, and cost less.

• Request overfilling(if you choose saline implants) to reduce the risk of deflation, rippling, and sloshing.

• Do not expect tight cleavage if your breasts are widely separated and you choose subpectoral augmentation. Implants do not change the position of your breasts—only the volume.

• Anticipate that small breasts with saline implants will look and feel somewhat stiff. If this is not acceptable, choose silicone implants.

• Women whose mother or sister had breast cancer should recognize that they are at increased risk for breast cancer and that implants do interfere with mammography. These women should have their implants placed below the pectoralis muscle, which poses least interference.

• Women unwilling to accept the potential loss of nipple or breast sensation should not have breast augmentation.

• Women unwilling to accept the potential need for further surgery should not have breast augmentation.

• For tips in selecting size, click here.

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Dr. Loftus is the nationally respected plastic surgeon who authored the highly acclaimed book, The Smart Woman's Guide to Plastic Surgery. She has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, THE TODAY SHOW, DATELINE NBC, and THE VIEW, discussing all facets of plastic surgery. People travel from all over the world to seek her care. Dr. Loftus' two offices are located in the Greater Cincinnati area, 45 minutes south of Dayton Ohio and 45 minutes north of Lexington Kentucky.

Loftus Plastic Surgery Center
Cincinnati office: 513-793-4000
Northern Kentucky office: 859-426-5000