What Are the Most Popular Implant Sizes and Techniques in Breast Augmentation Surgery?

In March of 2009, the Aesthetic Surgery Journal published the results of a survey conducted among members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery that revealed the most commonly used breast implant size, type, placement, and incisional approach used by cosmetic surgeons.

Breast Implant Size

According to the results of the study, breast implants between 300 and 400 cc are used in about 80 percent of breast augmentation cases. For most patients, this would result in a small C cup to a large C cup in bra sizes. Other popular breast implant sizes include:

• 200 to 300 cc breast implants were used in 11 percent of cases
• 400 to 500 cc implants were used in 6 percent of cases

Implant Type

According to the plastic surgeons that responded to the study, saline implants are used instead of silicone implants 60 percent of the time.

Incisional Approach

The study concluded that the inframammary incisional approach is the most popular among surgeons, with 64 percent reporting that it is their preferred technique. The areolar approach received 25 percent of the vote. The transaxillary approach is used by 8.7 percent of surgeons, while less than 1 percent employ the transumbilical technique.

Implant Placement

Placement of breast implants beneath the chest muscle, the submuscular approach, is the most commonly used technique in breast augmentation, according to 62 percent of surgeons surveyed for the study. Only 11.5 percent of respondents reported use of subglandular placement.

How to Reduce the Appearance of Scars after Breast Augmentation Surgery

Patients who undergo breast augmentation are generally concerned about the appearance of scars post-surgery. While incisional techniques such as the areolar approach have been introduced to reduce the appearance of scars after breast enlargement surgery, it is important for patients to realize that there is always some degree of scarring when patients have breast implants placed. However, there are preventative measures patients can take to reduce the appearance of scars after surgery.

Here are the top four ways to minimize the appearance of scars:

1. Protect the scar from the sun. The sun’s rays can penetrate clothing, so it is a good idea to wear sun block on scars in the months following surgery.
2. Massage the scars. Massage therapy stimulates blood flow and may diminish the scars appearance.
3. Use a lightening cream such as Mederma, shea butter, or vitamin E oil during your massage to help scars fade.
4. Silicone sheets such as scarguard reduce the size, appearance, thickness, and color of scars on all skin types and tones.