what creates the upper pole fullness? some after photos have none and others seem to have a lot. is it primarily based on anatomy, skill of the PS or type of implant used?
March 18, 2017
Answer: What creates upper pole fullness? Just about any implant size will result in more upper pole fullness than existed preoperatively, and most patients are looking for at least some degree of increase in their upper breast fullness. As implants increase in size, the degree of upper pole fullness tends to increase as the skin and tissues get tighter and more "filled" (think a larger woman trying to fit into a small dress...it gets bulgier). Someone with looser and stretchier tissues may accommodate a larger implant and still have it look natural, while someone with tighter tissues may show excessive upper pole fullness with the same size implant. Also, placing the implant above the muscle may show even more upper pole fullness, or at least a more prominent upper slope and implant edge, compared to a subpectoral placement...although at the risk of visible implant wrinkling and a higher risk of capsular contracture. Also, patients with a breast footprint lower on their chest may not have their upper implant contour as high up on their chest as a patient whose breast footprint is higher on their chest wall to begin with. Different patients have different goals in terms of upper pole fullness, and that is why, in addition to having patients try on sizers to choose their goal implant volume, we have patients bring in photos to show us how much upper pole fullness they desire...that is, how natural vs. how obviously "implanted" a result they are seeking.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
March 18, 2017
Answer: What creates upper pole fullness? Just about any implant size will result in more upper pole fullness than existed preoperatively, and most patients are looking for at least some degree of increase in their upper breast fullness. As implants increase in size, the degree of upper pole fullness tends to increase as the skin and tissues get tighter and more "filled" (think a larger woman trying to fit into a small dress...it gets bulgier). Someone with looser and stretchier tissues may accommodate a larger implant and still have it look natural, while someone with tighter tissues may show excessive upper pole fullness with the same size implant. Also, placing the implant above the muscle may show even more upper pole fullness, or at least a more prominent upper slope and implant edge, compared to a subpectoral placement...although at the risk of visible implant wrinkling and a higher risk of capsular contracture. Also, patients with a breast footprint lower on their chest may not have their upper implant contour as high up on their chest as a patient whose breast footprint is higher on their chest wall to begin with. Different patients have different goals in terms of upper pole fullness, and that is why, in addition to having patients try on sizers to choose their goal implant volume, we have patients bring in photos to show us how much upper pole fullness they desire...that is, how natural vs. how obviously "implanted" a result they are seeking.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful