Though the procedures have come a long way since their initial inceptions in the 20th century, having breast implants or undergoing a breast lift procedure is still no picnic, as they say. Most people know that implants are made of either saline or silicone, but did you know that there are three separate incision points a surgeon can make in order to enter the breast to place the actual implant? Understanding which placement is best for you is something you’ll have to work out with your doctor.

But just like there are multiple options for incisions, there are also plenty of options when it comes to the actual specifics of the surgery. It’s best to go into the planning stages of the procedure knowing exactly what is what in the realm of breast augmentation. As such, we’ve put together this handy list of three things every woman should know before considering a boob job.

1. Silicone is expensive but shapelier.

There are many benefits of breast augmentation, with the most commonly reported one being a boost in self-esteem and sexual satisfaction. But in order to get the benefits of better breasts, it’s important to choose the right kind of implant. Saline implants are literally small sacs filled with saline solution, while silicone implants are completely synthetic gelatinous round objects designed to look and feel the most like actual breasts. Most doctors believe you get a better shape with silicone, though they’ll almost always end up costing more.

2. Under the muscle is best for mammogram imaging.

Some surgeons would argue this point, but there’s no denying the photographic proof. Implants that are inserted over the breast’s pectoral muscle can often obscure the result of a mammogram screening test, which is bad news for women with a history of cancer in their family. Going under the muscle is best for mammograms as the implants won’t do much to block the imaging. That means a more accurate reading every time.

3. Breast lifts and augmentations can be coupled together.

Like breast augmentation, the breast lift procedure is a great way to achieve a more “fit” look in women whose breasts have been affected by aging or motherhood. However, lifts won’t do anything to increase the size of the breasts — only the shape. That’s why many women choose to have the procedures coupled together in order to achieve both a larger bust size and more youthful-looking breasts. Breast lift costs are often comparable to those of implants.

You might be diligently following all the celebrity breast augmentations in the industry, but the only one that really matters is the one you invest in for yourself. For more information on implants or breast lift procedures, talk to your doctor and find out if they might be right for you. Reference links: www.fountainofyouth.com