Breast
Breast Augmentation
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We Specialize in Two Things:
One Size Does Not Fit All.
Bigger is not always better and can leave your breasts looking overdone, out of proportion, and completely unnatural.
If it doesn't look natural, we don't do it.
Achieve Balance: Our goal is to find the breast size–through augmentation or reduction– that best suits your overall figure.
Solve Problems: We address aesthetic issues like sagging and lack of volume, as well as more pressing medical concerns.
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Procedure Information
What is it?
Breast augmentation is an aesthetic surgery that increases and restores your breasts’ shape and size using silicone implants, saline implants, or in some cases, fat transfer. Breast augmentation is one of the most popular aesthetic procedures.
Why get it?
If you feel your breasts are too small, uneven, or not proportionate with the rest of your body, breast augmentation may be right for you.
What are my surgery options?
Where will the surgeon place my breast implants?
Multiple factors, including your anatomy and your surgeon's recommendations, will determine how your surgeon inserts and positions your breast implant. Your surgeon will place the implant in a pocket in one of the below locations.
Underneath the Pectoral Muscle
The pectoral muscle is between the breast tissue and chest wall. With this placement, the surgeon places the implant underneath the pectoral muscle and on top of the chest wall. This placement may interfere less with mammograms and breast-feeding. However, the implant may move when you flex your chest muscles.
On Top of the Pectoral Muscle
The pectoral muscle is between the breast tissue and chest wall. With this placement, the surgeon places the implant underneath the breast tissue and on top of the pectoral muscle. This placement may interfere with mammograms and breast-feeding. However, the implant should stay in place when you flex your chest muscles.
What type of breast implants are there?
There are a lot of breast implant choices. Your aesthetic plastic surgeon will help you select an option based on your breast size and shape, medical history, and desired outcome.
You can choose between saline implants and silicone implants. Choosing the type of implant typically comes down to personal preference and your surgeon’s opinion. You will also need to choose a size and shape.
Saline-Filled Breast Implants
Saline breast implants are filled with sterile saltwater. They may be prefilled at a predetermined size or filled during the surgery to allow for minor modifications in the implant size.
Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants
Silicone gel breast implants are filled with soft, elastic gel and are available in various shapes and degrees of firmness. All silicone gel breast implants are pre-filled. If you are getting a larger implant placement, you’ll likely have a longer incision.
Cohesive Gel Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants (also known as “gummy bear” or “form-stable” implants)
Cohesive gel silicone breast implants are filled with a cohesive gel, made of crosslinked molecules of silicone, which makes them a bit thicker and firmer than traditional silicone gel implants. They hold their shape better than traditional silicone gel implants too. The FDA approved these implants for use in the United States in 2012. These implants have been available in many areas of the world since 1992.
What can I expect during a consultation?
Generally, because of the in-depth nature of the consultation, there is usually a cost associated with the initial visit.
During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your aesthetic goals. Your surgeon will evaluate whether you are a good candidate for a breast augmentation and clarify what breast augmentation surgery can do for you. Be prepared to describe what changes you’d like so your surgeon can help you choose between implants or fat grafting.
Your surgeon will examine, measure, and photograph your breasts for your medical record and will consider:
- The current size and shape of your breasts
- The breast size and shape that you desire
- The quality and quantity of your breast tissue
- The quality of your skin
- The placement of your nipples and areolas
What questions should I ask my aesthetic plastic surgeon?
It’s important that you take an active role in your surgery, so please use this list of questions as a starting point for your initial consultation.
- Am I a good candidate for a breast enhancement or enlargement?
- Are the results I am seeking reasonable and realistic?
- Do you recommend combining a breast lift with my breast augmentation?
- Do you recommend implants or fat transfer?
- What type of implants do you recommend for me?
- In my case, will the breast implants be placed on top of the pectoral muscle or under the pectoral muscle?
- How many additional implant-related operations can I expect over my lifetime?
- How can I expect my breasts to look over time? After pregnancy? After breast-feeding?
- How will my breasts look if I choose to have the implants removed in the future?
- Do you have before and after photos of breast augmentation procedures that I can see?
- How many breast augmentations have you performed?
- Where will you perform my breast augmentation, and how long will it take?
- Will I have any scars, and will they be visible?
- What kind of anesthesia do you recommend for me?
- What will be the costs associated with my breast augmentation?
- What will you expect of me to get the best results?
- What kind of recovery period can I expect, and when can I resume normal activities?
- What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
- What are my options if the outcome of my breast augmentation does not meet the goals we agreed on?
What happens after the consultation?
Based on your goals, physical characteristics, and your surgeon’s training and experience, your aesthetic plastic surgeon will share recommendations and information with you, including:
- An approach to your surgery, including the type of procedure and combination of procedures
- The outcomes you can anticipate
- The financial investment required for the procedure
- Associated risks and complications
- Options for anesthesia and surgery location
- What you need to prepare for your surgery
- What you can expect to experience during and after surgery
- Before and after photos of cases similar to yours
- Computer imaging to show you the improvements you can expect
- Answers to any of your questions
Once you’ve done your research and completed your consultation, you should be able to make an educated decision on whether breast augmentation is right for you and whether a surgeon is a good fit. If you still aren’t sure how to proceed, you should feel empowered to ask follow-up questions or set up a consultation with a different surgeon.
How do I prepare for surgery?
Your surgeon will provide thorough preoperative instructions, answer any questions you may have before your surgery, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery.
In advance of your procedure, your surgeon may ask you to:
- Stop smoking before undergoing surgery to promote better healing.
- Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding.
- Hydrate before and after surgery for safe recovery.
- Wear a special bra to expand the skin and tissue around the breasts and prepare them for the fat injection (for breast augmentation using autologous fat transfer).
To help detect and track any changes in your breast tissue, if you are over 40 years of age, your aesthetic plastic surgeon may recommend:
- A baseline mammogram before surgery.
- Another mammogram a few months after surgery.
Breast augmentation is usually an outpatient procedure. You’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you at least the first night following surgery.
What can I expect the day of my surgery?
Be sure to consult with your surgeon before your surgery so you have the most accurate expectations.
- You may have your breast augmentation in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility, or office-based surgical suite.
- Breast augmentations typically take at least one to two hours to complete, but it may take longer if you are also getting a breast lift.
- The surgeon will administer medications for your comfort during the procedure.
- General anesthesia is common for breast augmentation procedures. In some instances, the surgeon will use local anesthesia or intravenous sedation too.
- For your safety during the surgery, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
- Your surgeon will follow the surgical plan discussed with you before surgery.
- After your surgery, you will go to a recovery area for continued monitoring.
How long does it take to recover from surgery?
It typically takes one to two weeks to recover from a breast augmentation. Your surgeon will let you know how long it will be before you can return to your normal level of activity and work. Your surgeon will also give you and your caregiver detailed instructions about your postoperative care after your surgery, including information about:
- Drains, if they have been placed
- Typical symptoms you will experience
- Potential signs of complications
It is vital that you follow all the patient care instructions your surgeon provides. It is also important to know that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.
What can I expect in the first 24 hours of my surgery recovery?
- You will have bandages around your breasts and chest, or you may have to wear a compression garment such as a surgical bra. You also may have some surgical drains.
- When the anesthesia wears off, you may experience some pain. Breast augmentation surgery stretches the breast tissue and it can be painful—especially when your implants are underneath the pectoral muscle. Typically, you’ll experience the most pain within the first 48 hours after surgery. Your pain level will typically decrease each day, and you should be able to treat your pain with various pain medications. If the pain is extreme or long lasting, contact your surgeon.
- Your breasts may feel tight and sensitive to the touch and your skin may feel warm or itchy.
- You may experience difficulty raising your arms.
- You will have some redness and swelling after the surgery, but this will disappear quickly. Most residual swelling will resolve within a month.
- Rest and sleep on your back in an inclined position (25-to 45-degree angle) for the initial postoperative days or if you have significant swelling. Use wedge pillows with an incline design or sleep in a recliner chair.
- You should be able to walk without assistance immediately after breast augmentation surgery. It is very important that you walk a few minutes every few hours to reduce the risk of blood clot formation in your legs.
- Avoid straining, bending, and lifting since these activities might cause increased swelling or even bleeding.
What can I expect in my first few weeks of recovery?
- Your chest area may feel stiff and sore for two to five days. If you have severe pain, contact your surgeon.
- You will need to remove any surgical dressing and drains a few days after your surgery. You may be instructed to wear a support bra.
- You will be permitted to shower between one and seven days after surgery.
- If you have external sutures, your surgeon will remove them in about a week. If your surgeon used tissue glue or tape, it will fall off on its own in a week or two.
- You may be able to return to work within a few days to a week, depending on the nature of your job.
- You should refrain from lifting, pulling, or pushing anything that causes pain and limit strenuous activity or upper body twisting if this causes discomfort.
How long will my surgery results last?
Under normal circumstances, breast implant results will be long-lasting; however, it’s important to know that breast implants will likely need to be replaced. There are many different types of implants, and implants are available in different sizes, shapes, and filler material. Talk with your surgeon about which implant is best for you, and how long your specific results are expected to last. For more information about implant types, see detailed procedure information. You’ll need to schedule routine follow-ups with your surgeon to determine the frequency for replacing your implants.
With breast augmentation using fat transfer, the results are long-lasting but you will lose some volume and may experience sagging over time. With either technique, your breasts will change due to:
- Childbirth
- Aging
- Weight gain or loss
- Hormonal factors
- Gravity
While results are individual to each patient, breast augmentation before and after photos can help you assess what a successful breast augmentation will look like.
What do I need to consider after my surgery?
To achieve the most beautiful and safe outcome, it’s important you return to your aesthetic plastic surgeon's office for follow-up evaluations at prescribed times and whenever you notice any changes. Do not hesitate to contact your surgeon when you have any questions or concerns.
After a number of years, if you become less satisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a breast revision to exchange your implants, or a breast lift to restore a more youthful shape and contour.
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