Modern breast augmentation surgery is safer and more customizable than ever before. These innovations also allow women to achieve a natural-appearing result.
Throughout history, beauty standards have glorified an hourglass body figure that prioritized large breasts. This trend grew even more popular with the emergence of celebrities like Pamela Anderson.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
More customized and safe than ever, modern breast augmentation surgery. This is largely because of improvements in implant technology and new methods and equipment employed in the process. Reconstructive surgeons like Dr. Joel Aronowitz frequently use these technological advancements.
Women have clarified that they want their augmentations to look and feel natural. This has led to a decrease in the size of implants and an increase in patients opting for a more subtle improvement.
The latest silicone gel implants have a firmer consistency, similar to natural breast tissue. These “gummy bear” implants retain their shape more consistently than older varieties and are less likely to leak or rupture.
Another trend is to minimize surgery time and recovery for a more comfortable experience. A minimally invasive technique called the Keller Funnel, which looks like a pastry bag a baker would use to frost a cake, can reduce damage during implant placement and speed up recovery times.
Customized Implants
Regarding breast augmentation, patients want results that look and feel natural. This desire has led to innovations in implant technology, including different types of gels and wider options for shape, size and width. It has also guided plastic surgeons to adopt advanced surgical techniques that minimize complications and optimize outcomes.
Another trend in breast enhancement is customized implants for each patient. For example, the Conformis breast implant uses image-based sizing and manufacturing to create an implant that fits each patient’s unique anatomy. This approach could eventually lead to an end to the one-size-fits-all breast implant.
Incision location is another factor in achieving a natural-appearing result. Many women prefer implants underneath the chest muscle rather than breast tissue. This technique has been known to feel more natural and may also minimize the potential for capsular contracture. However, the procedure can be more invasive and require longer recovery.
Hybrid Breast Augmentation
One of the latest trends in breast augmentation techniques is hybrid breast reconstruction. This approach uses both implant and fat grafting to achieve the desired results in a minimally invasive way. During this procedure, a silicone or saline breast implant is placed in the sub-glandular (SG) plane and then covered with a layer of fatty tissue from the abdomen or thigh. This technique improves the overall appearance of the breasts, decreases the risk of capsular contracture and provides additional coverage in case your body needs it because of radiation or other medical procedures.
Many women choose to undergo a hybrid breast augmentation for various reasons. For example, they may want to increase their cup size or correct asymmetry in the chest area for a balanced appearance. The fat transfer to the breasts is also beneficial because it softens the implant edges, making them look more natural. This is especially important for patients who have had a previous implant surgery.
Natural-Appearing Results
Despite implants’ heightened visibility and varying shapes, women have shown an interest in maintaining a natural appearance. Surgeons like Joel Aronowitz MD have responded with innovations in implant materials and surgical techniques. Implants now come in different gel types, shapes, widths, and projections that make them more natural-looking, while the ability to customize sizes and shapes means women can achieve the look they want.
Incision locations have also changed. The trans-axillary technique places an incision under the breast, in the armpit, resulting in little to no scarring. This technique makes it easier for patients to keep their surgery a secret from others. It enables them to undergo future breast procedures without worrying about the location of additional scars.
Those who prefer not to use implants can opt for a fat transfer technique, which uses the woman’s body fat to add volume to the breasts. This method requires liposuction to remove excess fat from the abdomen or thighs, but the results can be more subtle and natural.