Should the implants be saline or silicone? Should they be round or anatomically shaped? Is one size up enough? Is three sizes up too many? How will you look, after the surgery? How will you feel? Will there be scars? If so, where will they be?

While there was a silicone "scare" some 20 years ago, today's silicone implants are perfectly safe and have the full approval of the FDA. In both saline and silicone implants, the outer cover of the implant sac is made of a solid form of silicone. The two types of implants differ in the substance used to fill the implant sac. Saline implants are filled with saline, a saltwater solution similar to that found in IV fluids. Silicone implants are filled with silicone gel, a substance made from silica, a common, semi-metallic substance.

A silicone implant is better able to mimic the feel of a natural breast, but its size can't be altered later without another surgical procedure to replace the entire implant. A saline implant is less able to mimic the feel of a natural breast, but if, at a later date, you want to change the size of the breast, the amount of saline in the implant can be increased or decreased without removing the implant.

Your plastic surgeon most likely will have a preference, and you should pay attention to the reasons why. But ultimately, which type of implant to choose is your own choice - so you should take the time before planning your surgery to experiment with both types. You can't experiment with the actual implants, of course, but you can take advantage of a pre-surgery planner system that allows you to wear implant simulations to see how you will look with your new figure.

Will the simulations give you the exact look and feel of the "new you" after surgery? No - but they come very close.

The last thing you want is to realize, after your breast augmentation, that you've chosen something too big ... or the wrong shape ... or any other kind of similar nasty surprise. Taking advantage of a planning system before making up your mind about which kind of implant to choose - and which size and shape, as well - is the best way to determine what's exactly right for you.

The more you know about breast implant surgery and its likely results before you undergo the procedure, the more satisfied and happier you'll be. Taking the time to "preview" the new you with a pre-surgery planning system is an excellent way to guarantee good results (instead of disappointing surprises).