Breast Augmentation

Silicone cohesive gel implants ("gummy bear" implants) are the gold standard globally. They are filled with an ultra-cohesive medical silicone gel that retains its shape even if the shell is cut, providing a natural, soft breast feel with virtually no visible rippling, particularly in slender women with thin breast tissue. Saline implants are silicone shells filled with sterile salt water; they feel firmer, require smaller incisions, but carry a higher risk of visible rippling and fluid sloshing. At Olive, US-FDA-approved cohesive silicone implants from leading manufacturers (such as Motiva and Mentor) are preferred for their superior safety and natural aesthetics.

In dual-plane placement, the upper two-thirds of the implant is positioned beneath the pectoralis major muscle, while the lower pole sits beneath the native breast gland. This technique provides multiple clinical advantages: the pectoral muscle provides an extra cushion of soft tissue that prevents the upper edge of the implant from looking visible or unnatural (the "step-off" deformity), significantly reduces the risk of capsular contracture, provides better long-term support against gravity, and ensures completely unobstructed mammography cancer screenings.

There are three primary incision approaches: Inframammary Fold (IMF), placed in the natural crease beneath the breast, which is the most popular, controlled, and safest incision worldwide, naturally concealed by the breast overhang; Periareolar, placed along the lower border of the areola, ideal when combined with a minor breast lift; and Transaxillary, placed within the armpit fold to avoid marks on the breast. Your surgeon will discuss which placement provides the most concealed scar for your anatomy.

Breast augmentation performed via an inframammary incision with dual-plane pocket placement does not cut milk ducts or disrupt the major sensory nerves of the nipple-areolar complex, preserving your physiological ability to breastfeed in the future. Regarding cancer screening, modern digital mammography with specialized "Eklund displacement views" allows radiologists to push the implant back against the chest wall while pulling breast tissue forward, ensuring thorough, unobstructed tissue evaluation. Ultrasound and MRI provide additional crystal-clear imaging.

Capsular contracture is an internal response where the natural scar tissue capsule that forms around any implant contracts abnormally, making the breast feel firm or uncomfortable. At Olive, we utilize the internationally recognized "14-Point Plan" to minimize capsular contracture risks to less than 1–2%: utilizing the "No-Touch" Keller Funnel technique (inserting the implant directly into the pocket without skin contact), atraumatic pocket dissection, meticulous blood control, antimicrobial pocket irrigation, submuscular placement, and operating in laminar-flow ultra-clean suites.

No. The myth that breast implants have an automatic "10-year expiration date" is outdated. Modern 5th-generation cohesive silicone implants are engineered for long-term durability. If your implants look great, feel soft, and show no signs of rupture or complications on routine check-ups, there is no medical need to replace them. Many women enjoy their implants for 15 to 20+ years. Routine clinical exams and periodic breast ultrasounds ensure long-term peace of mind.

Choosing the ideal implant is a scientific, collaborative process. Rather than focusing solely on cup sizes (which vary widely between bra brands), your surgeon measures your specific anatomical parameters: base breast width, soft tissue stretch (pinch test), sternal notch-to-nipple distance, and chest wall symmetry. Using intraoperative 3D sizers and external breast sizers, we evaluate volumes (typically 225 cc to 400 cc) and profiles (moderate, moderate plus, high profile) to complement your body frame, height, and personal lifestyle.