What Type of Breast Implants Should I Have? Take Our Quiz

Such is the range of breast implants on the market today, it can be difficult to work out which ones are the right ones for you.

To help you understand the attributes of the different types - and how they might meet your aesthetic goals - Ocean Clinic Marbella has created a quiz. Simply read the questions and choose the answers you most agree with. Make a note of your answers and then check out your results below.

Of course, the best way to understand what type of breast implant will be ideal for you, is to have a consultation with a surgeon. A surgeon will consider your anatomy and take detailed measurements in order to find a shape, style and size that fits. However, attending the consultation with an idea of what you might like is also useful, so give our quiz a try!

QUIZ - What Type of Breast Implants Should I Have?

Q1. What is your key concern?

a) Increasing upper pole fullness

b) Increasing lower pole fullness

c) Correcting asymmetry of breasts

d) Achieving a better proportioned body

Q2. What is your preferred incision location?

a) In the armpit

b) In the crease under the breast

c) Around the areola

d) I don’t want scarring

Q3. What is your desired look?

a) An impressive cleavage

b) Perfectly shaped

c) Naturally full

d) Subtle enhancement

Q4. How do you want your breasts to feel?

a) Firm but with movement

b) Firm with limited movement

c) Soft with some movement

d) Soft with lots of movement

Q5. What best describes your physique?

a) Very little body fat

b) Some body fat

c) Moderate body fat

d) Ample body fat

Q6. Which of the following concerns you the most?

a) Implant rotating and breast becoming deformed

b) Implant leaking

c) Implant being visible/skin rippling

d) Need for more surgery in future

If you answered...

Mostly As: Silicone Implants

Silicone implants have the most natural consistency of all the implant types available and come in a versatile range of sizes and projections, although they are only available in round shape. The round shape makes them idea for restoring upper pole fullness and achieving a ‘full’ cleavage. Because round implants are completely symmetrical, an advantage is that they do not cause a problem if they rotate.

The silicone gel in the implants behaves like natural breast tissue, with a good ‘flow’. They are therefore a good choice for patients without much body fat. In such cases they can be placed under the muscle to disguise their outline. Unless you are having a very large size (or have small nipples), silicone implants can usually be inserted via an incision around the areola or through the armpit - their round shape makes them a good choice for when the surgeon does not have visibility of the breast pocket. In terms of safety, a leaking silicone implant can be hard to detect. Rupture is rare but you may still wish to have them screened every few years.

Mostly Bs: Cohesive Implants

Cohesive implants (also called gummy bear implants) are made from form-stable silicone, meaning they keep their shape at all times. They are firmer to the touch than standard silicone implants but they come in both round and teardrop shapes. The anatomical teardrop shape is bigger at the bottom and tapered at the top, mimicking a natural breast. It’s a good choice if you wish to increase lower pole fullness and do not have ptosis (breast sagging).

A cohesive implant has a lower risk of rupture and will maintain its shape even if the shell is broken. There is no gel to leak into the body, however, because they are semi-solid and less malleable, cohesive implants require a longer incision. Therefore they are usually not suited to insertion via the armpit or areola - especially if they are teardrop shape. Furthermore, there is a small risk with teardrop implants that they could rotate and lead to a misshapen appearance. Cohesive implants are a little less likely than silicone implants to be visible beneath the skin or cause rippling. Risk of capsular contracture is also reduced.    

Mostly Cs: Composite Breast Augmentation

A composite breast augmentation utilises cohesive implants in combination with a patient’s own body fat. Smaller implants are used to establish a base size and fat is added on top of and around the sides of the implants to create a soft covering that looks and feels natural. The advantage of this technique is that a variable amount of fat can be added to each breast, making it easier to correct any asymmetry and achieve the desired final cup size.  

Because smaller sized implants are used, they can usually be inserted through the areola. They are also lighter so can reduce the risk of 'bottoming out' (dropping too low in the breast), which can be a risk in patients with skin laxity. Use of a cohesive implant provides peace of mind that, if there is a rupture, there won’t be any gel leakage into the body. Meanwhile, the occurrence of issues such as implant visibility or skin rippling is most unlikely with a composite breast augmentation.

Mostly Ds: Fat Transfer

If you actually don’t like the idea of breast implants very much and don’t want any visible scars, a breast enlargement carried out using your own fat could be a good option. To be a suitable candidate you will need to have both enough donor fat (this can be taken from your tummy or thighs, for example) and realistic expectations in terms of what’s achievable. If you have tight breast tissue, this will limit how much fat can be transplanted there. On the other hand, if you have previously had bigger breasts and lost volume, this can be replaced with fat from another part of your body.  

Breast enlargement with fat can be ideal for patients who want to even out their figure, allowing excess fat to be taken from one area and put into the breasts to give a more balanced size. Patients must allow for a certain amount of fat re-absorption, however the fat cells that remain after six months will become permanent. The fat will behave naturally - increasing and decreasing in size with weight gain or loss. There will be no requirement for any future surgery, unless you want more fat transferred. Because fat is removed and grafted into place using a fine cannula only small puncture wounds are required, rather than the larger incisions necessary for implants.

Now you have a better idea of the type of implant you’d like, it’s time to choose a size! We have a wide range for you to try on. Make a consultation at Ocean Clinic Marbella.

10 Celebrities Who've Had Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery among celebrities is incredibly common but most are not willing to admit it. This leads to huge speculation about who’s had what.

To cut through the conjecture, we thought we’d profile 10 stars who have spoken openly about their procedures. By sharing their experiences, these celebs are helping to break the taboo around plastic and cosmetic surgery and making it clear that everybody deserves to feel good about the way they look!

1. Tyra Banks - Nose Job

Presenter of America’s Next Top Model Tyra Banks reveals in her book Perfect is Boring that she had a nose job when she was younger. She called the decision to get surgery "cosmetic slash medical," after discovering her nose had been broken as a child.

Tyra told People that she decided to open up about the procedure because she feels she has a responsibility to tell the truth about her looks and also doesn’t think people should be judged for enhancing their appearance.

"Natural beauty is unfair,” she said. “I get really uncomfortable when women who are these natural beauties judge anybody who does anything to themselves. Fix it or flaunt it—I think women should be able to do both. You want a hair weave? Fine. You want permanent eyebrows? Fine. We as women need to stop judging."

By Toglenn - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

2. Chrissy Teigen - Armpit Liposuction

Model Chrissy Teigen has admitted to having liposuction on her armpits. She told Refinery29 that the procedure added an extra two inches to her arms.

"I had an armpit sucked out, which was one of the best things,"  she said. “It was so easy. It made me feel better in dresses, I felt more confident.” However, Chrissy does add that nine years later, she now wants to have the procedure repeated.

By Eva Rinaldi - Models, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

3. Ariel Winter - Breast Reduction Surgery

Ariel Winter, the 17-year-old Modern Family actress, has gone on record saying she has had breast reduction surgery. She made the decision after enduring back pain and discomfort growing up in the spotlight, but now feels exactly as she's "supposed to be."

"It's hard when you're a teenage girl and you already have a lot of ridicule and then you pile on more, and it's kind of…it just gets too much," she told Glamour. "We live in a day and age where everything you do is ridiculed. The Internet bullies are awful. I could post a photo where I feel good, and 500 people will comment about how fat I am, and that I am disgusting.”

Speaking about how she coped with red carpet events, she added: “I just said to myself, 'You have to do your best to look confident and stand up tall, and make yourself look as good as you can in these photos,' because everyone is going to see them. I definitely seemed confident; I'm an actress, that's what we do. But on the inside, I wasn't feeling so happy."

By Eva Rinaldi - https://www.flickr.com/photos/evarinaldiphotography/12709487044/, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

4. Kourtney Kardashian - Breast Implants

Socialite and reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian says the fact she’s had a breast enlargement is no secret. She was just 21-years-old when she underwent the procedure. However, since then her breasts have also grown naturally, following the birth of her first child Mason.

She told Nightline: "I have had breast implants, but it's so funny 'cause it's not a secret, I couldn’t care less." Talking about before and after photos in a magazine speculating about the surgery, she adds  "It's so funny because the 'before' picture that they showed was after I had my boob job, so I'm like, they should have written 'before Mason' and 'after Mason.' Like my boobs have like tripled since breastfeeding."


By Toglenn - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

5. Iggy Azalea - Nose Job & Breast Implants

Rapper Iggy Azalea was so pleased with the results of her surgery she says she just had to shout about it. Iggy had breast enhancement surgery, followed by rhinoplasty. She has spoken openly about both.

"I love them so much I had to talk about them...I'd feel better not to have some secret. It's much freer to say it and then you don't have to worry someone will dig it up," she told E! about her breast augmentation.

In a later interview with Seventeen, she also spoke about her nose job : "I'm not denying it, denying it is lame. I don't think you should be ashamed if you made a change to yourself, which is why I've spoken about the changes I've made, like with my breasts."

By Eva Rinaldi from Sydney Australia - Iggy Azalea, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

6. Kaley Cuoco - Nose Job, Breast Implants & Filler

Star of Big Bang Theory, Kaley Cuoco, told Women's Health that having a breast augmentation was "the best thing I ever did." She also admitted to having rhinoplasty and a round of fillers.

“Years ago, I had my nose done," she said. "And my boobs—best thing I ever did. Recently I had a filler in a line in my neck I've had since I was 12.”

She added: "As much as you want to love your inner self, I’m sorry, you also want to look good. I don’t think you should do it for a man or anyone else, but if it makes you feel confident, that’s amazing."

By iDominick - https://www.flickr.com/photos/82924988@N05/16049011332/, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

7. Patricia Heaton - Tummy Tuck & Breast Reduction

Actress Patricia Heaton, famous for her roles in Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle, revealed to People that she wanted surgery on her breasts and tummy after completing her family of four children.

"I had four C-sections and my stomach looked like the map of the world,” she said. “My breasts were hanging down to here from breastfeeding those babies, and my nipples were like platters. I wanted to fit into the gowns that I finally got to wear.”

She added that celebrity glamour could often be misleading: "It's better to be honest if you can. There is a lot in Hollywood that is not as it seems."

By Matt - originally posted to Flickr as Patricia Heaton, CC BY 2.0, Link

8. Jane Fonda - Eye bag Surgery, Chin & Neck Lift

Fitness guru and two-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda said her decision to have plastic surgery came about because of the mismatch between how she felt and how she looked.

“I had bags taken out from under my eyes and the looseness taken out from under my chin,” Fonda told The Post in 2010. “I did it because I got tired of walking down the street and catching myself in a window, looking tired — and I didn’t feel that way.”

By Paul Schultz - Flickr, CC BY 2.0, Link

9. Christie Brinkley - Fillers

According to model Christie Brinkley, growing up in a hot climate led to skin damage that she’s now trying to tackle with anti-aging treatments and facial fillers.

She told People Style: "I grew up in Malibu, then my modeling took me to beaches all over the world and under the sun. I really am aware of all the sun exposure I’ve had in my life and I’m interested in things that they can do to [reverse the sun’s effects]...and occasionally I’ll do a little bit of filler."

Public Domain, Link

10. Kelly Rowland - Breast Implants

Singer Kelly Rowland says she dreamed of a breast enlargement ever since she was a teenager in Destiny’s Child. After thinking about it for a very long time, she finally got the surgery aged 28.

"I wanted to get breast implants when I was 18, but my mom and Beyoncé's mom told me to really think about it first," she told Shape. "I took their advice and waited 10 years. Once I felt ready, I tried on padded bras and walked around in them to see how it would feel. You have to know what you're getting, no matter what type of surgery it is."

By Eva Rinaldi - Kelly Rowland, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

To see before and after photographs of real people who’ve undergone plastic surgery, check out our patient gallery. To make an appointment for a free consultation, contact us here.

10 Common Myths About Breast Reduction

Do you suffer from back, neck, and shoulder pain or struggle to do sport because of the size of your breasts? Do you get unpleasant rashes or sweating beneath your breasts? Perhaps you simply don’t like the attention your breasts attract and have developed a hunched posture to hide them?

Large breasts have many limitations that may affect your ability to live a normal life. Breast reduction surgery in these cases can have a transformative effect, but women often put off surgery due to unwarranted fears and misinformation. Here, we seek to bust those myths and give you the facts you need in order to decide if surgery is for you.

Myth #1. You won’t need breast reduction surgery if you lose enough weight

While weight loss is likely to help reduce the size of your breasts, it is not always the solution. Unfortunately it is not possible to target specific areas through dieting, but neither does weight loss always occur evenly across the body. This means you may end up losing weight from other areas, while your breasts remain heavy. If you are already a healthy weight and don’t need to lose excess pounds - apart from those on your chest - then dieting will not help here either.

Myth #2. You can’t have a breast reduction until you’re 21 years old

The ideal age to have any type of breast surgery is 21 years old or above. That’s because breast development can continue into the late teens, while growth charts indicate that the average young woman gains weight between the ages of 18 and 21. Both of these factors will affect eventual breasts size. However, in some cases, it is in the interest of the patient to perform surgery prior to maturity being reached. If a teenage girl is suffering from physical or mental distress because of breasts size, most surgeons would consider performing surgery. It is worth bearing in mind though that breasts may increase in size as development continues.

Myth #3. You can use liposuction to perform a breast reduction

This is not a complete myth - some breast reductions can be performed using liposuction but only in cases where minimal reduction is required. If you only wish to go down one, maybe two, cup sizes and have good skin tone, this could be an option for you. Most patients we see however, require more extensive reduction and are not good candidates for lipo-reduction. If large amounts of fat are removed via liposuction it will leave the patient with loose, sagging skin and poor breast shape.

Myth #4. A breast reduction will correct droopy breasts

If you’re suffering from ptosis - the medical term for sagging breasts - a breast reduction alone will not solve the problem. For that, you will require a breast lift. Confusion arises here because breast reductions are often carried out at the same time as a breast lift, but they are in fact two separate surgeries. Make sure you discuss your aesthetic goals with your surgeon, so they understand your desire for both lighter and perkier breasts and can quote you for treatment that will meet your expectations.

Myth #5. Breasts can be made as small as the patient desires

After years of living with large breasts, you may wish to go right to the other end of the scale and have them made very small. Unfortunately, you can’t always request the exact size you want to be - this is dictated by your body. It is important to leave enough breast tissue to provide an adequate amount of blood supply to the nipple. Furthermore, aesthetically, you’ll want to leave enough breast tissue in relation to the size of the nipple (you don’t want a breast that is all nipple). Your surgeon will advise what approximate size will give you the best result.

Myth #6. Breast reduction surgery means you have to have your nipples cut off

Lots of women considering breast reduction worry about their nipples being detached, but usually the nipples remain attached to the breast tissue beneath. They are simply moved to a higher position. This keeps the blood supply intact and the nipple functioning as it should. Only in some cases, where a patient has extremely large breasts, is complete detachment required. The nipple will be trimmed and grafted into place. The new nipple will be flatter, paler and sensation will be reduced but it can still be well worth it for patients troubled by large breasts.

Myth #7. Breast reduction surgery leaves bad scarring

Scars from breast reduction as not nearly as bad as people think. The incisions your surgeon makes will depend on the extent of your reduction. There are two main techniques, but both are similar in terms of visible scarring. You will have vertical scars from your nipples to the base of your breasts. Although they will be pink for a number of months they will eventually fade within 12-18 months to become less noticeable. There will also be scars around the circumference of your nipples, but those can be disguised by micropigmentation at a later stage. For patients who have the Hall-Findlay anchor-shaped incisions, these will be hidden in the fold of the breast.

Myth #8. The recovery from breast reduction surgery is long and painful

Because breast reduction only deals with skin and fat (not muscle or bone) it is one of the least painful procedures. You can expect a few days of discomfort but nothing that can’t be managed with painkillers. In terms of downtime, you will need to take a week off work - longer if you have a physical job - and you won’t be able to drive for a week. If you’ve had non-dissolvable stitches, these will be removed after 10 days. Exercise can be resumed after one month.

Myth #9. Breasts will grow back after breast reduction surgery

You might be worried that your breasts will just grow back again following a breast reduction but there is no reason this should happen if you maintain your body weight. It is a good idea to establish a sustainable diet and exercise regime ahead of your operation to avoid fluctuations in weight afterwards. If you crash diet before surgery, for example, you’re more likely to regain that weight post-surgery, jeopardising your results. Pregnancy may also lead to an undoing of results, so if you’re planning on becoming pregnant you may wish to put your surgery on hold.

Myth #10. It is not possible to breastfeed after breast reduction

Leaving the nipple and areola area still attached to the breast tissue beneath greatly reduces the risk of patients experiencing problems breastfeeding. If you think you may wish to breastfeed in future, discuss it with your surgeon so they can tailor the surgery. Taking extra care not to damage nerves will ensure the patient retains the greatest chance of being able to nurse - but remember, breastfeeding is not always successful regardless of whether you’ve had surgery or not. It is advisable to wait at least 24-months after having a breast reduction before trying to breastfeed, giving your nerves time to recover and for full sensation to return.

Breast reduction surgery can transform your life. Find out more by contacting Ocean Clinic Marbella on 951 775 518

Recovery After Plastic Surgery - What You Need to Know

Electing to undergo surgery is a big decision. You may well be concerned about the length of time it will take you to get back on your feet again afterwards.

To make sure you know exactly what to expect, Ocean Clinic Marbella has put together a guide covering all aspects of the recovery process. Post-surgical care will vary from procedure to procedure, but the information below applies to most surgeries.

Going home from the clinic

It is advisable not to drive after surgery as your body is recovering from the effects of the anesthetic. You will also have reduced movement and may be experiencing some pain. Therefore, you should arrange in advance for someone to drive you. We can organise a taxi for you, if necessary.

We recommend that you have someone stay with you for a least 48 hours following surgery. It is great to have the help and support of a partner or friend at this time and they can assist you should you start to feel unwell. You may also be unable to drive for a period of time. If you do not have anyone to call on, we can recommend carers who can be privately hired.  

Painkillers and antibiotics

Everybody experiences pain differently, but in general you should expect to be taking painkillers for around three to five days. Pain is usually well managed with over the counter medication, although it may leave you feeling fatigued so make time to rest.

You may be prescribed a course of antibiotics to take to minimise the chances of post-surgical infection. The full course should be finished, even if you feel fully recovered. You will also be given a stomach protector tablet to take daily.

Bruising and swelling

Healing differs greatly from person to person - some people bruise easily, while others hardly bruise at all. You will probably have an idea of how well you heal or how prone to swelling you are, which can help inform you about how long your recovery is likely to take.

However, it is safe to assume a period of around two weeks for bruising and swelling to subside (a little longer if you are having facial bones broken). You may be offered a course of lymphatic drainage sessions to help get rid of swelling faster. If you have had fat transfer, the area will continue to decrease in size for around six weeks while fat is reabsorbed.

Dressings and stitches

You will be asked to return to the clinic at different intervals after your surgery in order to have dressings changed or removed, and for the surgeon to check you are healing well.

Some procedures use dissolvable stitches, meaning you won’t have to have them removed. If you have received regular stitches, you will be asked to come back in after 10 days for them to be taken out. If you have undergone rhinoplasty, your nose cast will also be removed after 10 days.

Taking a bath or shower

Some dressings can be worn in the shower and dried with a hairdryer afterwards. Other bandages and casts must be kept dry meaning you will be unable to bathe properly until they are removed.

You should plan to wash with a flannel and you might want to seek the assistance of a partner or friend to wash your hair. You can be well prepared by stocking up on toiletries like dry shampoo and face wipes in advance.

Compression garments

If you have had liposuction, you might be asked to wear a compression garment - or in the case of breast surgery, a surgical bra. This should stay on at all times, although it can be taken off for showering.

You may have to wear this garment for as long as a month so it is a good idea to plan outfits that will cover it. Bear in mind that it might be a little hot to wear in summer so you’ll want to keep out of the sun.

Sleeping

To aid lymphatic drainage and help swelling go down, you may be asked to sleep in a semi-upright position. If you have a facial cast on or have had breast implants, it is even more important to sleep in a way that will not impair your surgical results.

You can prepare for this by investing in a v-shaped cushion that you can use to prop yourself up in bed. Sleeping may be uncomfortable for a day or two but you will soon get used to this new position.

Scar tissue and numbness

As you heal, you may notice areas of hardness under the skin as well as lumps, bumps and unevenness. This can take months to soften up and even out so it’s important not to worry about it. To speed up the release of scar tissue, you may be offered a course of ultrasound therapy sessions.

It is important to remember that you will sustain a certain amount of nerve damage as a part of your surgery. This means that the feeling in the treated area might take a while to fully come back. You may experience numbness for a number of months while the nerves repair themselves.

The final result of your surgery

People are understandably impatient to see the results of their plastic surgery. But while you will get a good idea of what it’s going to look like after a couple of months, you won’t see the end result for around 12 months.

The healing process is very gradual and things will be changing and developing inside your body for many week post-surgery. The area that has been operated on will continue to refine and soften. Only when all hardness caused by scar tissue and swelling has gone will you really see how good it looks. To keep track of your progress, you might like to take a photo every month!

Got more questions about your surgery or recovery? Email us at info@oceanclinic.net and we’ll be happy to answer them.