By Ideally, everyone should love their body, whether you have big or small or uneven or sagging breasts. But really, everyone loves big and firm breasts. And no, we are not talking about F-cups on a slim body, but rather, breasts that are proportionately big for your body size.
Highest satisfaction rate among all plastic surgery procedures.
Why so? For one, they enhance your body shape and completes your overall body proportions and shape. This encourages positive self-image perception which in turn, gives you confidence.
Breast augmentation might solely be for aesthetic purposes but there is no doubt that it boosts your inner confidence, sexuality and femininity as well.
Because breasts are what makes a woman a woman. With breasts that are proportionately big and an alluring body line, you will feel more womanly and sexy. Don’t you agree? Yes, you do. So let’s find out more about your optimal breast sizes and how you can achieve it.
What is the golden ratio for breasts?
First things first, you have to understand that big yet natural looking and beautiful breasts can only be made by considering the golden ratio for each individual. Because not everyone looks good with D-cup or E-cup breasts!
Optimal ratio for breasts:
- The distance from the middle of your collarbone to your teat is approximately 18cm.
- Diameter of areola is approximately 3.4~3.5cm.
- Distance between teats should be approximately 19~20cm.
- Distance from your nipple to the bottom of your breasts is approximately 5~6cm.
- The line that connects the middle of your collarbone and nipples should be an equilateral triangle.
But of course, those are not exact measurements that you should have because your breast size should also be balanced with your body size.
What is breast augmentation?
Some are born flat-chested while some experience breast deformities. Some could have lost fullness in their breasts after dieting or pregnancy, or perhaps even lost their breasts to breast cancer.
But for whatever reasons, breast enhancement should not be frown upon. In fact, breast augmentation actually has one of the highest satisfaction rate as compared to all other cosmetic procedures.
Simply put, breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery procedure done to increase the size and enhance the shape of your breasts. Here’s how you can benefit from breast augmentation:
- Increase the cup size of your breast
- Enhance your breast shape
- Restore volume and fullness to your breast
- Correct uneven breasts
- Fix saggy breasts
- Achieve a sexier and curvier body line
And fear not, breast augmentation does not affect breast feeding nor increase the risks of developing breast cancer. So, what’s stopping you?
Types of breast augmentation surgery
Typically, you can increase your breast cup size by 2 main types of breast augmentation surgery:
- Fat grafting
- Breast implants
Firstly, there is fat grafting, where you transfer your fats from other parts of your body to your breasts. And then there is the more popular option – breast implants. Breast implants are usually preferred as they give your breasts a more definite shape and way more voom in increasing cup size. And they give much longer lasting results than fat grafting too.
Types of breast implants for breast augmentation
Typically, breast implants are filled with either saline or silicone gel. Due to its natural look and feel, and its ability to hold its shape even if the implant ruptures, silicone gel-filled implants are more commonly used these days. In fact, plastic surgery clinics in Korea only use silicone implants.
1. Smooth round type breast implant
The texture of smooth round type is extremely soft, thus portraying a natural movement. Good for those who do not have a full upper cup.
Pros
- Extremely soft to touch
- Creates overall breast volume
Cons:
- High risk of capsular contracture
- Might look unnatural and fake
- Post-op breast massages (pain and uncomfortable) are necessary every day for a few months
2. Textured round type breast implant
Textured round type breast implant is good for those who lack overall volume in their breast. The implant also becomes softer as time passes. Good for those who do not have a full upper cup.
Pros
- Elastic to touch
- Creates overall breast volume
- Lesser risk of capsular contracture
- Post-op breast massages are not necessary after surgery
Cons:
- Might look unnatural and fake
3. Textured teardrop type breast implant
Teardrop breast implants has a sloped contour and is fuller on the bottom than the top, mimicking the shape of natural breasts. Also known as gummy bear implants due to their elasticity. Might not be good for those who lack upper breast volume.
Pros
- Natural looking breasts due to the shape of implant
- Lesser risk of capsular contracture (because of rough texture)
- High stability
- No leakage complications
- Post-op breast massages are not necessary after surgery
Cons:
- Teardrop shape stays even when lying down
- Feels slightly harder than round type breast implant
4. Micro-textured anatomical type breast implant
Micro texture anatomical type breast implants combines the advantages of round shape and smooth textures of breast implants. This type of breast implant takes after the shape of a teardrop when upright, yet changes to a round shape when lying down. It is the most advanced and most natural looking type of breast implant.
Pros
- Natural looking breasts, even when lying down
- Full and natural looking breasts, when standing upright
- Very little risk of capsular contracture (because of its detailed and micro texture)
- High stability
- No leakage complications
- Post-op breast massages are not necessary after surgery
Cons:
- Most expensive
About capsular contracture:
Depending on the different texture of breast implants used and your body’s reaction to foreign objects, the risk and severity of capsular contracture differs. Capsular contracture is the formation of scar tissues around your breast implants.
Actually, this is part of a normal healing process but sometimes, in some patients, the scar tissues becomes unusually hard and starts to contract around the implants.
In exceptional cases, capsular contracture can make your breasts become harder and misshapen, altering the shape and appearance of your breasts. Hence, it is very important to choose the right type of breast implants to use.
Type of breast augmentation incision methods
There are three types of incision methods for breast augmentation – armpit incision, areola incision and under breast incision. In general, the incision scars for breast enhancement are not obvious actually, so you don’t have to worry!
1. Armpit fold incision
A small incision (3~4cm) is made at the armpit to insert the breast implant.
Pros
- Scar lines follows the armpit wrinkles so scar is hardly visible.
- Does not influence breast sensitivity as breast tissues are not touched.
Cons:
- Arm movements might be restricted for the first few months after your surgery. You will feel aches and sores when you try to lift your arms.
- Higher chance of malpositioning (implant might shift out of place if surgeon is not precise enough).
2. Areola incision
A small (1~2cm) incision is made around the areola to insert the breast implant.
Pros
- Scar lines follows the shape of areola so scar is hardly visible.
- More accurate placement of breast implant hence low chance of malpositioning.
Cons:
- Nipple sensitivity or breast sensation could be affected if mammary gland is affected.
- Could also damage breast tissues if not done properly.
3. Under breast incision
A small incision (3~4cm) is made under your breast at the breast line to insert the breast implant.
Pros
- Scar lines follows the folds under your breast so scar is hardly visible.
- More accurate and precise placement of breast implant.
- Less painful among all methods.
- Produces the best results.
Cons:
- Scar line could be easy to notice when lying down (but scars fade over time)
Placement of breast implants
How your breast implants are placed can affect the look and feel of your breast implants. A good breast surgeon will be able to analyze and determine which type of placement would be best for you to be able to achieve an overall natural look and feel for your breasts.
1. Dual plane placement
- Most popular choice
- Breast implant is placed between muscles and breast tissues
- Retains existing breast structure
- Looks more natural
- Feels more natural to touch
- Reduces risk of capsular contracture
- Reduces risk of implant migration
2. Subglandular placement
- Breast implant is placed above muscles
- Effective for correcting sagging breasts
- Not recommended for thin body types
How long does breast augmentation surgery take?
Breast augmentation surgery in Korea usually lasts 2~3 hours and is performed under local anesthesia so you will not feel any pain.
When can I see results from breast augmentation surgery?
Instantaneous results, though major bruising and swelling might last up to 1 week. However, you should wear a special breast garment or surgical bra for at least 3 months so as to help reduce swelling and bruising, and maintain the shape of your new breasts and position of your implants as well.
Actual recovery time vary among individuals, and is subjected to one’s health condition & healing response.
How long should I stay in Korea?
Hospitalization is not required for breast enlargement surgery. But there is minimal stitching at the incision areas. So, do stay until your stitches are removed. Maybe go shopping in the meantime!
Stitch removal
Stitches are usually removed 10~14 days after surgery.
Cautions on stitch removal
If you remove the stitches earlier then advised, your wound might reopen, causing an infection. And if you remove it too late, you risk further scarring and pigmentation.
Don’t rush the recovery procedure for best results!
Sometimes due to time constraints, you might consider having your stitches removed at the local hospitals in your home country. Although that is possible (but not recommended), it depends on how well you have been healing and is also subjected to doctor’s approval.
Breast augmentation aftercare & post-op instructions
Do take note that the success of your breast augmentation surgery not only lies in the hands of your surgeon but also how you well you recover after surgery. Learn how to properly care for your breast during the recovery period by reading our article on breast augmentation aftercare and post-op instructions.
Before & after pictures of breast augmentation
See before and after pictures of breast augmentation work done by our certified and skillful plastic surgeons.
What other surgery complements breast augmentation?
1. Nipple reduction surgery
If your nipples are disproportionately large or over-protruding for your breast size, why not get nipple reduction surgery at the same time?
2. Areola reduction surgery
Having a large areola ain’t as sexy as you think it is. Size it down with areola reduction surgery if its too large for your breast size.
3. Inverted nipple correction surgery
Having inverted nipples not only makes your breasts look less attractive, but can also cause functionality and hygiene problems. If you are suffering from inverted nipples, fix it with inverted nipple correction surgery.
4. Armpit liposuction
For those who have excess fats at your armpits, you can consider getting armpit liposuction at the same time to get rid of the accessory breast!
Conclusion
There is no doubt that having bigger breasts can boost our inner self-confidence, enhance our sexuality, and help us dress better. So if you are not born well-endowed, it’s no wonder you would consider breast enhancement surgery.
And for those who might be worried, you will be happy to know that breast implants does not affect breastfeeding nor increase the risks of developing breast cancer.
As the case may be, you are born flat-chested, or maybe you have lost your breast volume due to pregnancy, or perhaps, even lost your breasts to breast cancer. But there shouldn’t be any reason stopping you for restoring your breasts and your femininity.
That said, you should always go for a breast size which is suitable for your body shape. Because having the spot-on breast size can complement the curviness and waistline of your body.
Originally published on 2020 June 20
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