Factors Affecting Breast Size and Options for Breast Augmentation
Small Breasts can be a topic of considerable interest and sometime concerns as breast size varies widely among individuals.
Sydney Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Bish Soliman aims to shed light on the factors that contribute to smaller breast sizes and explore available solutions for those who want to increase their breast size in this blog.
Download Dr Bish Soliman Cosmetic Breast Surgery Guide
Factors Influencing Breast Size
Breasts are made up of glandular tissue, fat, and connective tissue. The ratio of these components varies among women, influencing the size and shape of their breasts.
Genetic Influences
When it comes to the size of your breasts, your genes are a major player. It’s a bit like inheriting your eye colour or height from your parents:
- Family Traits: Just as you might inherit your mum’s smile or your dad’s eye colour, breast size often runs in the family. If the women in your family tend to have smaller breasts, chances are you might too.
- DNA’s Role: Your DNA, the genetic blueprint you’re born with, determines a large part of your physical characteristics, including breast size.
Hormonal Imbalances and Age-Related Changes
Hormones are like your body’s chemical messengers, and they play a big part in breast development:
- Puberty: During puberty, hormones like oestrogen and progesterone kick into high gear, leading to breast development. Variations in hormone levels can mean differences in breast size from person to person.
- Pregnancy and Menopause: During pregnancy, hormones prepare your breasts for breastfeeding, often making them larger. But with menopause, hormonal changes can reduce breast size and fullness.
- Ageing Process: As you get older, hormonal levels fluctuate, which can change the size and shape of your breasts over time. It’s a natural part of ageing.
Body Fat and Its Role in Breast Size
Your body fat percentage has a direct impact on your breast size. Here’s how:
- Composition of Breasts: Your breasts are made up of fat, glandular and connective tissues. The amount of fat plays a big role in your breast size.
- Weight Changes: If you lose weight, you might notice your breasts getting smaller. This is because you’re losing fat, which includes breast fat.
- Athletic Physique: Athletes or those with a lower body fat percentage often have smaller breasts. This is due to less fat in the breast area.
Do I Have Small Breasts? How to Measure Them
Determining whether your breast size is ‘small’ can be subjective. However, understanding how to measure your breasts can provide a clearer perspective on where you might fit on the spectrum of sizes. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to measure your breasts and what these measurements can tell you.
How to Measure Your Breast Size
Measuring your breast size is a simple process that you can do at home with just a measuring tape. Here’s how:
- Measuring Your Band Size: To begin, stand up straight and take a measuring tape around your ribcage, positioning it right under your bust. It’s important to ensure the tape is snug but not overly tight to get an accurate measurement. Once you’ve wrapped the tape around yourself, note down the measurement – this is your band size. This first step is crucial for finding a bra that fits comfortably and provides the right level of support.
- Measuring Your Bust Size: Next, you’ll want to measure your bust size. To do this, wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust. As you do this, make sure the tape is kept parallel to the floor to ensure accuracy. It’s important not to pull the tape too tightly; it should rest comfortably on your bust without digging in. This measurement is key to understanding your breast size in relation to your band size.
- Calculating Your Cup Size To determine your cup size, start by subtracting your band size measurement from your bust measurement. Both measurements should be in centimetres. The difference between these two numbers will help you find your cup size. Generally, in Australia, every 2 centimetres difference equates to one cup size up. For example, if your bust measurement is 2 centimetres larger than your band size, you’re likely an A cup.
Breast Augmentation with Implants
Breast augmentation is a choice for those looking to increase their breast size. It’s a surgery where implants are surgically inserted to give your breasts a fuller look. It’s quite a popular option and here’s what it generally involves:
- Implant Insertion: The main part of the surgery is putting in the implants.
- Fuller Appearance: The goal is to make your breasts look bigger and fuller.
- Consultation Needed: Before you go ahead, you’ll need to talk it over with Dr Bish Soliman to see if it’s right for you.
It’s a personal decision, and getting all the information first is key.
Types of Breast Implants
When it comes to breast implants, you’ve got a few options. Each type has its own benefits:
- Saline Implants: These are filled with sterile salt water. If they leak, the body absorbs the saline.
- Silicone Implants: Filled with a silicone gel, they feel a bit more like real breast tissue. If they leak, the gel may stay in the implant shell or escape into the breast implant pocket.
- Individual Choice: Dr Bish Soliman will help you decide which type is best for you, considering your body type and what you’re looking for.
Choosing the right implant is an important step in this journey.
What to Expect from Your Breast Augmentation Surgery
Getting breast augmentation is a big step, and knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared:
- Making Cuts: Dr Soliman will make incisions in discreet areas to minimise visible scarring.
- Putting in Implants: The implants are then inserted and positioned.
- Closing Up: After the implants are in place, the incisions are stitched up.
This process is done under anaesthesia, so you won’t feel anything during the surgery.
Post-Surgery Care and Recovery
After the surgery, there’s a recovery period:
- Rest is Key: You’ll need to take it easy for a few weeks.
- Follow Instructions: Dr Soliman will give you specific instructions on how to care for your breasts after the surgery.
- Healing Time: It can take a few weeks to fully recover.
Listening to your body and following your plastic surgeon’s advice is crucial during this time.
Potential Risks and Considerations
Like any surgery, breast augmentation comes with its own set of risks:
- Infection Risk: There’s always a small risk of infection with any surgery.
- Scarring: Scars are part of the process, but they usually fade over time.
- Implant Issues: Sometimes, there can be problems with how the implant sits.
Talking these risks over with your surgeon is an important part of deciding whether this surgery is right for you.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
When it comes to enhancing breast size, fat transfer breast augmentation stands out as a less invasive option compared to traditional implants. This procedure involves using your own body fat, harvested from another part of your body, to alter the size and shape of your breasts.
What Does Fat Transfer Entail:
- Using Your Own Fat: This technique utilises fat taken from your own body, often from areas like the abdomen, hips, or thighs.
- Dual Benefit: An added advantage is that you get liposuction in areas where you might want to reduce fat, giving a two-fold benefit.
- Natural Feel and Appearance: Since it’s your own fat being used, the result often feels and looks more natural compared to synthetic implants.
The Procedure Explained
- Harvesting Fat: The first step involves liposuction, where fat is removed from a part of your body, where you have excess fat.
- Purifying the Fat: Once harvested, the fat is then processed and purified.
- Reinjection into Breasts: The processed fat is carefully injected into the breasts to change their size and shape.
- Minimally Invasive: Unlike traditional implant surgery, this method is less invasive, often resulting in quicker recovery times.
Advantages of Fat Transfer
- Reduced Risk of Allergic Reactions: Since your own body fat is used, there’s less risk of your body reacting negatively to the material.
- Natural Look and Feel: Many women prefer this method for its ability to provide a more natural augmentation.
- Less Scarring: As this procedure involves smaller incisions, it usually leads to less noticeable scarring.
Considerations and Limitations
- Modest Increase: Fat transfer offers a more modest increase in size compared to traditional implants. It’s a good option for those looking for a moderate enhancement.
- Fat Absorption: Some of the injected fat may be absorbed back into the body, potentially leading to asymmetry or the need for additional procedures.
- Multiple Sessions: Depending on your desired outcome, it might require several sessions to achieve the optimal result.
Recovery and Aftercare
- Recovery Time: Recovery time is generally shorter compared to implant surgery, but it varies from person to person.
- Aftercare: It’s important to follow Dr Soliman’s aftercare instructions to ensure the best results and minimise complications.
- Regular Check-ups: Post-procedure check-ups are crucial to monitor the progress and address any concerns.
FAQs about Breast Size and Breast Augmentation
Is it possible for breast size to change naturally over time without any specific intervention?
- Yes, it’s common for breast size to change naturally due to various factors such as hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, as well as fluctuations in body weight and overall health.
Are there any specific vitamins or supplements known to affect breast size?
- While no vitamins or supplements are scientifically proven to increase breast size significantly, maintaining a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients can support overall body health, including breast tissue health.
Can wearing the right type of bra affect the perceived size and shape of my breasts?
- Yes, wearing a well-fitted bra can significantly impact the appearance of your breasts. Bras that offer proper support and are designed for your breast size and shape can enhance your overall silhouette and make your breasts appear more proportionate to your body.
Are there any specific exercises that can help in enhancing the appearance of small breasts?
- While exercises cannot increase breast size directly since breasts are mostly composed of fatty tissue, strengthening the pectoral muscles and improving posture can make the breasts appear firmer and slightly more lifted.
How do I know if breast augmentation surgery is a suitable option for me?
- The suitability of breast augmentation surgery depends on individual factors like your overall health, reasons for wanting the surgery, and expectations. Consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon such as Dr Bish Soliman can help determine if it’s a suitable option for you, considering the potential risks and benefits.
Further Reading about Breast Augmentation with Dr Bish Soliman
- Read more about The Rise of Small Breast Implants
- Read more about Solutions for Breasts that Lack Volume after Weight Loss
- Read more about What Is the Best Breast Implant Placement?
- Read more about Bra Cup Sizes related to Breast Implant Sizes
- Read more about Round vs Anatomical Breast Implants
- Read more about 10 Questions you must ask your Surgeon before a Breast Augmentation
Medical References about Breast Augmentation
- What you need to know about breast augmentation – Medical News Today
- Important things to know about breast augmentation – American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Where will your breast implants be placed? – ASPS
- Placement of breast implants – Mayo Clinic
- Round or ‘Shaped’ Breast Implants – American Society of Plastic Surgeons