breast implant after surgery Archives

When you have breast augmentation surgery, a cosmetic surgeon will insert breast implants to increase their size. Before going ahead with breast implant surgery most clients want to know more about the sensation: how the implants feel after they are inserted, and what they feel like. While it does take some getting used to, after a few months most patients have grown accustomed to them. Let’s answer the question of ‘what do breast implants feel like’.

Types Of Breast Implants

There are two primary types of breast implants used in breast augmentation surgery in Australia: saline and silicone.

Saline implants

Saline implants are actually silicone containers that are filled with saltwater or saline solution. The feeling of water inside the implant structure is slightly different to that of silicone, which is more viscous.

While some people may find that saline feels less natural than silicone, they are safer because if the envelope starts to leak, the implant structure will collapse and the saline solution will be absorbed by the body.

Silicone implants

Silicone implants are silicone envelopes filled with a gel-like substance that feels very much like natural breast tissue. Unlike saline implants, if there is a leak, the structure of the implant might not collapse. The contents of the implants may remain inside the envelope or leak into the body. Sometimes it can cause pain and complications, other times there may be no visible signs of the leak.

What Do Breast Implants Feel Like: Saline Vs Silicone

On the whole, silicone implants’ viscosity is believed to feel more natural than saline. Silicone has a firmer texture to it. Silicone yields, or gives way, under pressure, which is a trait shared by natural breast tissue.

What Else Contributes To How Breast Implants Feel?

The ratio between the natural breast tissue and the implant makes a difference in how they feel. If you have a fair amount of breast tissue available to cover the implant, and if the implant is placed sub muscularly, it can feel more natural.

The size of the implant also plays a role in what they feel like. Larger implants will feel less natural than smaller ones.

How Do Breast Implants Feel To You?

The Position Of Your Breasts

Once your implants have been put in, your breasts will sit higher on your chest than they used to. This is because the muscle around the implants is still tight and needs to stretch more around the bigger breast size. It usually takes around three months for the position of the implants to settle down into the right place.

New Sensations In Your Breasts

After your breast implant surgery, you may experience new sensations in the breast area. Some patients describe the feeling as tingling or prickling. It should not be painful and you shouldn’t worry; this is a sign that your breast tissue is healing and those feelings are your nerve endings repairing.

New Movement Sensations

If your breast implants were placed under the muscle, you might feel them moving around when you make certain movements, like lifting your arms above your head. This is not serious and nothing to worry about; you should get used to this sensation in time.

How Will Your Nipples Feel?

It’s normal to notice changes in nipple sensation after breast augmentation surgery. They might feel sore, tender or numb for a short while afterwards but these changes are temporary, and normal sensation should return as your breasts heal.

What Affects The Way Your Implants Feel?

There are different factors that contribute to what do breast implants feel like including

The size of the implants
How cohesive or stiff the contents of the implant structure area
The ratio of the implant to breast tissue

You do need to decide how important the natural feeling is to you. While gel that is less cohesive might feel more natural to the touch, it can be prone to rippling. Rippling can be felt too, and it can also be seen if you are not carrying a lot of weight. Implants that are more cohesive will not ripple but they may feel less natural comparatively.

Interestingly the shape of the implant can also have an effect on what it feels like. A teardrop-shaped breast implant is cohesive but may feel firmer than your natural breast tissue.

The Importance Of Planning And A Skilled cosmetic Surgeon

When you’re considering permanent changes to your body it’s best practice to get a second opinion, particularly if it’s the first time you’re having a procedure. Your cosmetic surgeon needs the right combination of experience and skill to perform a breast augmentation surgery that looks and feels natural.

You need to be able to have an in-depth conversation about what you would like your breasts to look and feel like and your surgeon needs to advise you accordingly, based on your proportions, weight and lifestyle. If a natural feeling is really important to you, this needs to be tabled upfront so any limitations can be discussed.

If you have questions about ‘what do breast implants feel like’, why not schedule an appointment and speak to a professional: (02) 8599 7161.