Advantages vs. Disadvantages concerning incision preference, type of implant, implant position, shape of implant, and type of implant shell

I Morphs I FAQs I Before and After Photos I Dr. Shamoun's List of Precautions I Back to Augmentation Photo Gallery Patients 1-12 , Patients 13-24 , Patients 25-31




ADVANTAGES • Less ripples (visualized and palpable) • Softer feel		DISADVANTAGES • Autoimmune controversy • Greater risk of capsular contracture (15-40%) • More difficult to adjust size • Difficult to determine if leaking


ADVANTAGES • No autoimmune controversy • Less risk of capsular contracture (5-15%) • Smaller incision • If leaks (deflates) - becomes apparent • Easier to adjust size if asymmetrical		DISADVANTAGES • Greater risk of deflation • Harder feel (more palpable) • Slightly heavier than silicone • Greater risk of ripples
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Click on Incision Preference on diagram for Advantages and Disadvantages belly button (umbilicus)		Click on following patients to view close-up of specific incision. Patient: Peri-Areolar Incision after a Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation Patient: Peri-Areolar Incision after a Breast Augmentation Patient: Inframammary Incision Patient: Transaxillary Incision

(AROUND THE NIPPLE)
ADVANTAGES • Easy to correct nipple inversion/retraction or asymmetry of areola • Scar hidden at color change - usually a nice scar at areola border		DISADVANTAGES • Loss of sensation slightly greater (2-5%) • 20%will have difficulty breast feeding in the future
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(BOTTOM OF BREAST)
ADVANTAGES • Scar hidden in fold • Most versatile/most control • No breast tissue cut • Easy access for subsequent surgery • No interference with breast feeding		DISADVANTAGES • Scar in fold where bra strap lies • Scar red for longer period of time (12 – 18 months)
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(ARMPIT)
ADVANTAGES • Scar distant from breast		DISADVANTAGES • Greater risk of asymmetry in breast implant position (10-15%) • Subsequent surgery requires another scar • Interferes with Rx options for breast cancer if develops in future
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(BELLY BUTTON) This incision is NOT recommended by Dr. Shamoun.
ADVANTAGES • Scar distant from breast		DISADVANTAGES • Implant can only be placed above muscle safely • Subsequent surgery requires another scar • Least control (blind procedure) • Potential for irregularity in abdomen • Incision responsible for most lawsuits • Least accurate and crudest method • Not good for asymmetry
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ADVANTAGES vs. Textured • More natural feel and movement • Less ridges/ripples • Available as high, moderate, and low profile		DISADVANTAGES • Greater risk of capsular contracture above the muscle (20-30%) vs. below the muscle (5-10%) • Only available as round implant
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ADVANTAGES • No need to massage • Teardrop or round available • Less risk of capsular contracture, with silicone (10% if placed above the muscle)		DISADVANTAGES • Greater feel of implant • More ridges/ripples • Sticks to tissues (not mobile)
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Click on the specific implant position for Advantages and Disadvantages
(SUBGLANDULAR)
Utilized in 30% of Dr. Shamoun's patients - those with: 1. Slight droop (glandular ptosis) 2. Thick fibrous breast tissue 3. Greater than 3 cm superior pole thickness 4. Dancers requesting DD or larger 5. Pseudo ptotic breast 6. Patients who want big, round fake look
ADVANTAGES • More cleavage in general • Moves more naturally • Less pain (quicker recovery) • Droops more naturally with time (more ptotic) • No movement of implant with pectoralis activity		DISADVANTAGES • Feel the implant more (if little soft tissue coverage) • Droops faster • Greater risk of stretch marks (1-2%) • Less breast tissue in view on mammogram • More ripples if little soft tissue to cover • Greater risk of encapsulation (contracture) vs. under muscle • More glandular atrophy • Irregularities more visible
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(PARTIAL SUBMUSCULAR)
Utilized in more than 70% of Dr. Shamoun's patients (specifically for patients with an A-cup and very little breast tissue).
ADVANTAGES • Less ripples (waves) • Less movement of implant • Less risk of capsular contracture • More breast tissue visualized on mammogram • More soft tissue cover • More internal support (less droopy with time) • Less destructive to breast/skin over time (less atrophy)		DISADVANTAGES • Less cleavage (depends on chest wall) • Less movement of implant • Some displacement with exercises • More pain initially (temporary) • Ptosis of glandular tissue increases the risk for unnatural appearance
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Click Here for more information on the round implant dimensions.
ADVANTAGES • More round look, length=width • More choices: high profile, moderate profile, low profile		DISADVANTAGES • Ripples if under filled • Less long term control of superior pole (theoretical)


Click Here for more information on the tear drop implant dimensions.
ADVANTAGES • Greater projection, less width • More long term control of superior pole fullness • No need to massage (textured)		DISADVANTAGES • More palpable due to texturing • Length greater than width (not good if short chest) less than 5'5" • Can shift position and look awkward
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I Augmentation Gallery I Type of Implant I Type of Implant Shell I Shape of Implant I I Implant Position I Incision Preference I ©Copyright 2001, Dr. John M. Shamoun, M.D. All rights reserved.