What we do for you: At Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic, we do our research. Our preferred breast implants must meet our stringent criteria, and we’re constantly reviewing the market to make sure we use the very best. Dr Konrat believes that because every woman is different, it’s important for patients to have access to the widest possible range of breast implants. She has samples of all the available implants, all of which are officially approved by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Association of Australia).
Because individual requirements have such a strong impact on the choice of implant, Dr Konrat will conduct a thorough examination before recommending the best implant for your body shape, type and your desired result. This enables surgeon and patient together to choose the right implant for the best result.
Implant size
These range from 120 to 900 grams. That’s a very wide range, and it’s important that you have a clear understanding of the result you want with your breast enlargement. What size do you want to be? Also, unless you’re prepared to undergo revision surgery in the future, are you choosing a size you’ll be happy with 5, 10 or more years in the future?
At your consultation, you will have the opportunity to test various sizes and shapes in a ‘sizer’ bra. However, it is a good idea to consider this question very carefully prior to your consultation.
Remember that breast size looks most natural when it is in proportion with your overall body shape and size.
The final implant size will also be influenced by factors which Dr Konrat will explain to you:
- The size and fullness of your breasts before surgery;
- The length of your body from shoulder to waist;
- The width of your chest;
- The shape of your chest;
- Your height without shoes.
Apart from your choice of surgeon, the size of your breast implants is your most important personal decision, and you are welcome to visit our clinic for re-sizing as often as you need prior to your surgery. We believe it’s essential that you are comfortable with your choice. Remember that the most common reason women give for requesting implant replacement surgery is dissatisfaction with their size (either too small or too big). You can avoid this inconvenience and extra cost by choosing carefully and considering this from every possible angle.
Implant shape
Round implant: Round implants are the most common shape and make the breast appear spherical post-surgery.
Tear-drop implant: Tear drop shaped implants are fuller at the base than the top. This mimics the natural shape of a woman’s breast by providing more fullness in the bottom half of the breast whilst still ensuring that the whole breast has a full volume natural look.
Implant Surface
Smooth implants: Smooth implants move freely in the surgical pocket and their shells are thinner. They can be inserted through a smaller incision, but there can be a problem with rippling, especially if a woman has a very thin upper body.
Textured implants: Textured implants were originally designed to prevent Capsular Contracture (there is still some debate as to whether they achieve this). Overlying tissue grows towards the implant and ‘grabs’ the textured surface, to prevent the implant moving freely in the pocket.
Implant Profile/Projection
This describes how far the implant projects from the chest wall.
Low profile: is wider in its diameter and flatter in how far it projects from the chest.
Moderate profile: provides the most usual combination of width and height.
High and Ultra-high profiles: describe how far the implant makes your breasts ‘stick out’ in front.
The latest breast implants technology can be found in the Silk Surface Nano TechnologyTM MOTIVA IMPLANTS;
Motiva implants come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so we can ensure that you achieve the look you desire.
Motiva implants is uniquely biocompatible and has very low frictional properties. This means it’s unlikely to interact negatively with your body tissue to cause capsular contracture or other related problems.
Implant placement
There are three options for the placement of the implant:
- Under the muscle (Sub-muscular) – completely under the pectoralis muscle:
PROS:
- This may give less interference with mammography examination of the breasts;
- It can result in less obvious implants in women with very little breast tissue, or who are very thin; however, with the choice of the right implants, even very thin women can have their breast implants placed under the breast tissue (sub-glandular) with success;
CONS:
- Tensing the chest muscles can pull across the top of the implants causing a visible change in the shape of the breasts, particularly when exercising the upper body;
- Weight gain or loss, or breast changes associated with pregnancy or breast-feeding may lead to ‘sagging’ of the breast tissue over the implants, causing a ‘snoopy’ effect.
- To insert the implants below the muscle, the surgeon must cut a powerful muscle that’s needed every time you move your arms and parts of your body. When it’s cut, part of the muscle bleeds then dies. It contracts, forms scar tissue, and eventually can cause a range of complications:
- Muscular animation defects usually occur when implants are placed under the muscle. This happens because the muscle pushes against the implant, and the original breast tissue becomes visible. (Picture)
- High Riding Implants leave their position behind the muscle and breast tissue and migrate further up the chest towards the shoulder. (Picture)
- Over the muscle (sub-glandular) * This is Konrat’s preferred implant placement position
PROS:
- This provides the most distinct cleavage line, with the fall and drape of the breast likely to appear more natural in most women;
- Sub-glandular may make surgery and recovery times shorter; it is definitely much less painful, and it may be easier for access if re-operation is ever required.
- More importantly, the sub glandular approach eliminates the risk of “snoopy”, “waterfall effect”, animation defect, high-riding breast implants and muscle necrosis and scar formation.
- If you are more mature, have very little breast tissue, or are very lean, you might be told that under the breast implants will be too visible, and could cause rippling. However, using the latest technology in breast implants, these concerns are dramatically reduced.
- In some very thin women there may be a risk of ‘rippling’ with sub-glandular placement, but this can usually be avoided with the right choice of implants and the most recent advances with Autologous Fat harvesting and grafting (fat transfer breast augmentation) to the thinnest areas of the chest and breasts.
- Dual plane (Partially sub-muscular) – a combination of sub-muscular and sub-glandular for specific circumstances.
Implant incision choice
- Infra-mammary fold (crease under the breast): this is Dr Konrat’s preferred incision as it hides the scar well. It also provides the easiest and safest approach for the surgeon and is the one most commonly used.
- Peri-aerolar (around the pigmented or coloured area of the nipple): this leaves a very thin scar on the edge of the nipple, which is always visible. The biggest risk of this type of incision is loss of sensation in the nipple.
- Axillae (underarm): This is most often used when the implant is placed under the muscle, but it can be used for over the muscle implants as well. There is an increased risk of asymmetrical placement of the implants and riding or descending of the implants, as well as an obvious scar under the arm.
- Through the Navel: Due to the risks and complications involved and the need for the use of saline-filled implants, Dr Konrat does not use this approach.
