Breast Augmentation
with
Silicone Implants

Ocean Clinic Marbella

A breast augmentation with silicon implants is effective and safe. For over 50 years, it has been, and continues to be, one of the most common procedures in our field. We use a selection of brands (Motiva, B-lite, Nagor), each with their specific characteristics and advantages. The choice of brand, as well as the size and the shape of the implants, is tailored to your preferences and unique anatomy.

Pre-operative considerations include the positioning of the implants and, if suitable, possible complementary measures such as a breast lift and /or a fat transfer. Our consultation, regarding the technique and the nature of implants, will result in a 3D simulation of your projected outcome. Your (thoroughly informed) consent and enthusiasm are paramount in obtaining the breast you desire. Most importantly, a thoughtful and honest exchange between us is essential for us to truly understand and realise your wishes.

Breast
Augmentation

What You Need to Know Beforehand

Which breast implant brand is right for me?

Your preferences and anatomic proportions are key in finding the implant brand best suited to you. All the brands we use are of the highest quality, certified, approved and of the latest generation. They all provide you with a life-long guarantee for the implant and, in some cases, even a reimbursement for re-operation in case of late-onset complications. In our opinion, the chief advantages of each brand are:

Motiva: Novel, possibility of an ergonomic form, extremely low risk of capsular fibrosis in 6 years of survey, natural and pleasant touch. ➯ Motiva Novel
B-lite: Offering you a desired size and shape with approx. 30% less weight to carry, thus decelerating the sagging and ageing process by aiding the fight against gravity. ➯ B-lite Breast implants
Nagor: Very good value for money, highest possible projection (i.e. breast forward distance from the chest wall) amongst all anatomic shape implants. ➯ Nagor

What are the breast implants made of?

All our implants are made of silicon - we do not use anything else. The silicon molecules are three-dimensionally linked, which guarantees that the silicon cohesive gel cannot exit the silicon shell – even in the extremely unlikely event of an implant rupture. The silicon shell ranges from no texture (smooth) to various amounts of texture (feels like very fine sandpaper), depending upon brand and model. In case of B-lite implants, the standard silicon gel features additional microsphere enhancement, resulting in it being of a lighter weight.

Which breast implant shapes are available?

Round: Form of a compressed sphere, offering some more fullness to the upper part of the breast (upper pole).

Anatomic: Form of a teardrop, which does not change if you hold it upside down.

Ergonomic: Round when you are lying down and anatomic when you are standing up, just like a natural breast.

For every shape, there are four degrees of projection (breast forward distance from the chest wall) available – from low to extra high. Please do not be misguided by the misbelief that anatomic implants produce natural results whereas round implants should create a prominent décolleté. The ultimate shape of your augmented breast results not only from the shape and the positioning of the implant, but also from the shape, position and amount of your natural breast tissue, your skin laxity and your pectoral muscle thickness. Therefore, natural and less natural looks can be achieved by both anatomic and round implants. In order to obtain your desired final appearance, a competent examination and a surgeon’s advice is essential.

Scarring after breast augmentation with implants

Depending on the model and size of the implant, incisions are between 3 - 4.5cm long and their placement varies according to your preference.

Inframammary fold: In the breast fold itself - leaves only slightly visible scars.

Periareolar: Placed within the pigmented areola - leaves barely visible scars.

Trans-axillary: Performed in the armpit - leaves no bothersome scars; visible only if laying with arms elevated behind the head (e.g. while sunbathing or sleeping).

The Ocean Clinic’s preference is access via the inframammary fold, unless the breast enhancement is combined with a simultaneous breast lift. Access via the inframammary fold shows the lowest incidence of capsular fibrosis over the course of time.

Where is the breast implant placed?

Subglandular: Above the big pectoral muscle, underneath the breast tissue (glandular).

Submuscular: Underneath the big pectoral muscle and its connective tissue.

Dual plane: The upper pole of the implant is covered by the major pectoral muscle, whereas the lower pole lies predominantly sub-glandular. The muscle is divided along its anatomical direction of fibres, avoiding any functional deficits.

The most important criterion in deciding the position of the implant is the thickness of the skin covering the upper pole and the amount of underlying fat tissue. The assessment is called the ‘pinch test’ and is always carried out by Ocean Clinic surgeons.

After Surgery and Beyond

Mammoplasty: aftercare and recovery

The Ocean Clinic is dedicated to avoiding any unnecessary pain. We routinely perform a temporary local anaesthesia of relevant sensory nerves, thus considerably lowering the pain in the early post-operative period. With an additional combination of one or two painkillers, you should be free of pain. At worst, you may feel a strain reminiscent of excessive gym training. Our suturing is absorbable so there is no need to remove stitches. We will provide you with a special bra to be worn for approx. 4 - 6 weeks. Do not lift any objects weighing over 5kg, and avoid sports involving weights during this period.

Relevant risks in breast augmentation

Once a breast implant is in place, fibrous scar tissue forms around it, creating a tissue capsule. This is a natural consequence to any implanted foreign body (breast implant, pace maker, port etc). In around 10% of cases, this capsule can begin to contract, eventually becoming smaller than the breast implant itself, resulting in a change of form and/or size of the breast and provoking pressure and pain. If this is the case, it occurs on average 10 -12 years after the augmentation mammoplasty. The relevant treatment is to exchange remove the implant. There is no connection between breast implants and breast cancer. Neither do breast implants have any impact on the detection or timely diagnosis of breast cancer. Extremely rare cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) associated with breast implants have been described throughout literature. The relevant treatment is to remove the implant, including its surrounding capsule. Overall, augmentation mammoplasty is the third most common procedure in the field of plastic surgery. In experienced hands, it is a safe and straightforward operation with highly rewarding results.

Do i have to change my breast implants? If so, when?

If you do not have any problems and are still satisfied with the appearance, there is no reason why you should change your implants. The belief that there is a standardised necessary implant exchange every 10 years grew from a much higher incidence rate of capsular fibrosis in the past. With the latest-generation implants we use, these numbers diminish to very low levels. All our implants have a life-long guarantee. In case you have any symptoms or uncertainties, come and see us.

Alternatives to breast augmentation with implants

Fat grafting is a recommended alternative technique, should you have sufficient fat reserves for the procedure. Multiple sessions are often necessary, as the body absorbs a certain amount of transplanted fat. It is above all a good option if you wish to enhance your breasts by one or two cup sizes or as a complementing procedure. Autologous breast lifting is possible if you have sagging breasts with a prominent lower pole. Notice that your breasts will not become bigger, but implant effect can be created as your breast tissue is repositioned in order to tighten and lift the breast. The method does require the patient to accept more scarring.

Ocean Clinic experience in breast augmentation

In over 10 years, we have performed more than 1000 breast augmentations. We are the authors of multiple scientific peer-reviewed publications concerning breast surgery and particularly breast enhancement. We continuously give related lectures at international scientific conferences and symposiums. We were among the first to use novel implants of the highest quality available on the market, and continue to do so. We are proud of our satisfied patients due to meticulous planning and implant selection. We accept zero compromise on our patients’ safety.