Breast Augmentation Guide: Implant Materials and Complications

Looking at the beautiful photos and videos posted by actresses and influencers, who wouldn't be envious? How can they have both "the face of an angel and the body of a devil"? You have also started following tutorials on Xiaohongshu, both toning your lines and massaging, but you are still far from your goal. If you are tired of a flat figure and want to shake off labels like "flat chest" through surgery, you absolutely cannot miss today's guide!

Breast augmentation is suited to these four types of people:

1. Underdeveloped breasts and a small cup size

2. A lack of fullness in the upper chest, with gaps in the bra cups

3. Sagging or shrunken breasts after childbirth

4. Breasts that point outward or differ in size

Breast Implant Materials

The first question everyone cares about is: will breast augmentation look fake? In fact, modern surgery has advanced greatly and there are many kinds of materials, so achieving a natural breast shape and a soft feel is no longer difficult! Next we analyze six common breast augmentation materials:

Breast augmentation methods are divided into "fat transfer" and "implants," and implants are further divided into "saline" and "cohesive silicone gel." This article focuses on "cohesive silicone gel."

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Cohesive silicone gel implants come in:

Round smooth, round textured, teardrop implants, Motiva implants, Sebbin, Mentor Prestige (Queen Wave), and others

- Round smooth-surface breast augmentation: The main component is highly cohesive silicone, which is very viscous, soft to the touch, and resistant to deformation, making it the first choice of many women with small breasts! However, diligent massage is needed after surgery to avoid the breast developing "capsular contracture" or "rock-hard breasts."

Suitable for: people who want their ideal cup size in one session, like a soft feel, and do not mind massage after surgery.

- Round textured breast augmentation: Also called peach-fuzz breast augmentation, this is an improved version of the smooth surface. The surface is covered with a layer of fine short fuzz that adheres closely to body tissue after implantation, increasing the stability of the implant and lowering the incidence of capsular contracture. In terms of feel, it is also relatively bouncy, and it looks very full, giving a voluptuous effect!

Suitable for: people who want their ideal cup size in one session, like a firm breast shape, and do not want to massage.

- Motiva breast augmentation (textured Motiva): The previous two are round-shaped, whereas this Motiva is a "teardrop" shape. The fine fuzz on the surface of the textured Motiva also adheres closely to the body, and the interior is filled with 100% 4D flowing gel with excellent elasticity, which lets the implant change shape with gravity: teardrop-shaped when you stand and a natural round disc when you lie flat.

Suitable for: people who want their ideal cup size in one session, like a natural feel, and do not want to massage.

- Sebbin breast augmentation: Like Motiva, its surface has ultra-fine, nano-scale fuzz, which lowers the chance of capsular contracture compared with smooth-surface implants. Sebbin has a 100% fill ratio, giving the breast more of a drooping feel and a natural sway. However, for those with thinner skin, the upper chest may not be full enough. For this situation, adding fat along the upper edge of the breast to increase fat thickness can improve it.

Suitable for: people who want their ideal cup size in one session, like a soft, fat-filled feel, and do not want to massage.

- Mentor Elegance (teardrop) breast augmentation: Also called the mermaid teardrop, the implant is thinner at the top and thicker at the bottom, forming a natural teardrop shape with a full side profile. It shapes the lower edge of the breast well and repositions the nipple so that it tilts slightly upward, giving women a natural breast shape. This material fits closely to the body, generally needs less massage after surgery, and has a much bouncier feel!

Suitable for: people who want their ideal cup size in one session, like a natural side-breast contour, need their breast shape adjusted, and do not want to massage.

Say Goodbye to Small Breasts: Mentor Elegance (Teardrop) Breast Augmentation

- Mentor Prestige (Queen Wave) breast augmentation: Called "the best material for Asian women", it uses innovative AI precision filling technology, combining a unique material with an improved fill ratio to provide a more natural, fuller three-dimensional breast shape. Even Asian women with small frames can easily have the full, "Western-style" beautiful breasts and a deep V cleavage.

Suitable for: people who want their ideal cup size in one session, like a lifelike breast with realistic sway, need their breast shape adjusted, and do not want to massage.

Best for Asians? Key Facts You Must Know About Queen Wave Mentor Breast Augmentation!

Breast Augmentation Incisions

Everyone is curious about where breast augmentation surgery is done from, which location is better, and which leaves a less noticeable scar. Next we analyze four breast augmentation incisions:

1. Periareolar incision: The incision is made along one-third to one-half of the areola's circumference, and then the implant is inserted. The scar left around the areola is less noticeable, and since Asian women's areolas are naturally dark brown, the scar is basically invisible. The advantages of the periareolar incision are "a small scar" and "fast recovery", but it carries a risk of damaging the mammary glands, so it may cause temporary abnormal sensitivity after surgery, and it is also less suitable for people whose areola diameter is under 3 cm.

2. Inframammary fold incision: The inframammary fold incision is very close to the pectoralis major muscle, but happens to be away from the main nerves, so a pocket can be created for the implant.The technique is to make a 4-5 cm incision at the inframammary fold and insert the implant, after which the natural shadow of the breast can hide the scar, and there is less pain. However, because the lower breast fold is close to where the underwire of a bra sits and the two often come into contact, long-term friction can easily cause pigmentation and make the scar more noticeable.

3. Axillary incision: A 3-4 cm incision is made in each armpit. It is some distance from the breast, so there is no need to worry about affecting the surrounding nerves or mammary tissue. Although no scar is left on the breast, women usually remove armpit hair by laser or by hand, which can make the reddish-brown scar very noticeable, so we recommend not wearing sleeveless tops or camisoles for six months after surgery.

4. Umbilical incision: Last of all! Is this your first time hearing about the umbilical incision? Specifically, a 1.5 cm opening is made at the navel, and the implant is inserted through the subcutaneous tissue. This surgical approach has small wounds, easier aftercare, and a lower risk of infection, but it is technically more difficult and is relatively uncommon in Taiwan.

How Should the Implant Be Placed to Look Natural and Attractive?

The breast has many structures. The positions most people choose now are "under the mammary gland," "under the fascia," and "under the pectoralis major."

1. Under the mammary gland: The implant is placed beneath the mammary gland tissue, which is technically less difficult and has a fast recovery, and at the same time lets the implant support the breast contour, giving a full, three-dimensional upper chest. It is the position many people choose. But Asian women naturally have small frames, and this shallow placement makes the shape of the implant more visible, so it is easy to tell that the breasts have been augmented.

2. Under the fascia: The breast fascia covers the pectoralis major and wraps around the nerves, muscle, and blood vessels. So doctors use endoscopic techniques to separate the entire fascia and place the implant beneath it, so that the breast, under the tension of the fascia, naturally takes on a beautiful teardrop shape.

3. Under the pectoralis major: The pectoralis major lies at the deepest layer of the breast tissue, and its support keeps the implant from sliding around. The muscle is covered by a thick layer of fat above it, so the feel is the most natural, with no foreign-body sensation. However, the recovery period is longer and the pain is the most noticeable, and although it is the most natural, fewer people accept it.

Why Do Breast Augmentation Complications Occur?

Breast augmentation is major surgery with certain risks, and post-op complications usually come from the following two areas:

1. Poor surgical skill: As everyone knows, shop around before having surgery! Besides finding a clinic with a good reputation, also make sure of the clinic's operating room environment, the doctor's background and experience, and whether they hold professional, qualified licenses, and, most important of all, whether an anesthesiologist stays with you throughout!

2. Choosing an unsuitable augmentation method: Everyone's expectations after breast augmentation differ, and of course the suitable surgical method differs for each person according to expectations, budget, individual constitution, and other factors. If you want the most natural result possible, you can choose fat transfer; if you are worried about the fat survival rate, we recommend choosing implant augmentation.

How Do You Handle Breast Augmentation Complications?

With these complications and risks, how do you avoid and handle them? The method is actually simple. Besides choosing your doctor and clinic carefully, the pre-op examination must be thorough, you must reach a consensus with your doctor in pre-op communication so that your ideas align, and after surgery you must follow your doctor's instructions and never slack off! With good care and regular follow-up visits, the chance of complications can be greatly reduced!

Common Q&A

1. What should I avoid and watch for in my diet after surgery?

- For 3 days after surgery, ice the inner side and lower edge of the breasts 4-5 times a day, about 10-15 minutes each time.

- Stop taking anticoagulant medications for 2 weeks.

- For 1 month after breast augmentation, avoid swimming, weightlifting, boxing, lifting heavy objects, playing badminton, and similar movements and sports, to prevent wound bleeding or failure to heal.

- Avoid foods that promote blood circulation, and also avoid irritating substances such as spicy food, smoke, and alcohol.

2. How long after surgery can I wear underwire bras?

We recommend not wearing underwire bras for three months after surgery. You can choose "wireless" bras instead, to keep the wires from pressing on the breasts and deforming their shape unnaturally.

3. Do I really need to massage after surgery?

In principle, apart from textured implants, all other breast augmentation methods require massage to reduce the problem of capsular contracture. If you are lazy or do not want to massage, be sure to discuss it with your doctor before surgery and choose a material that suits you better!