What is Breast Augmentation?
One thing most women wish they could control is breast size. However, like most physical features, breast size is heavily dependent on biological factors such as genetics, diet & exercise, and body composition.
Breast augmentation allows women with small, uneven breasts, to have a fuller, more firm, symmetrical chest. Using saline or silicone implants, we can increase the size and shape of a patient’s breast to their exact specifications. Allowing women to have the symmetry, size, and shape they want, all in one procedure!
Who is a good candidate for Breast Augmentation?
During your consult, we will perform a thorough examination of the subject area to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure, taking into account, overall health and expectations.
Breast augmentation can provide correction to women who simply want to improve on what mother nature gave them or those who have suffered a loss in breast volume due to any number of factors. Factors include:
- Pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding
- Weight-loss
- Trauma
- Aging
Patients should be aware that breast augmentation surgery does not correct overly saggy or drooping breasts. During your consult, depending on your individual needs, we may recommend a Breast Lift procedure, along with your augmentation. These procedures are often done in conjunction.
Breast augmentation specifically:
- Increases fullness and point of your breasts.
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Improves symmetry and balance of breasts.
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Improves shape, giving your breasts a more round, aesthetic look.
Pre-Procedure
During your consult you will be educated you on your options and take a series of photos of your current breasts.
You will have to decide on a few options including size, type of implant (silicone versus saline), placement (implants can be placed both over the muscle or under the glandular tissue), as well as if you’d like to resize the nipple/areola area on your breasts. You will be able to see a 3D representation of all your options before deciding!
Implant Type
Patients have the option of choosing between silicone and saline breast implants. most prefer to use silicone implants, as they allow for the most natural look and feel of the two. Both implants have a silicone shell. The saline implants contain a liquid saline solution, whereas the silicone implants are filled with a thick gel that molds easily to your breasts shape. In the (unlikely) event that the implant was to rupture at some point, the silicone gel maintains its shape and won’t be absorbed into your chest tissue. You will be able to try on a sample set of each implant, in addition to 3D imaging, during your consult.
You will also have the choice of either a round or teardrop shaped implant, as well as a smooth or textured implant.
Rounded implants are best suited for women with less overall breast tissue, who desire a fuller, more even shape. While the teardrop implants slope downward, creating a natural “bottom-heavy” breast, where the implant occupies the lower breast more.
Procedure
During the procedure, you will be put under general anesthesia and will make an incision under the breast. The incision is generally made in the hollows of the underarm or around the areola, to insure minimal scarring. During your consult, as you and our staff decide on the type of implant, it will determine the placement of the incision.
The breast tissue is then trimmed and contoured and the implant is inserted, and the area is drained to speed up recovery. The incisions, both inner and outer are closed using dissolvable stitches.
Aftercare
Your chest area will be wrapped in compression dressings, that will act as a means to support the new implants and healing breast tissue. Patients are all provided with a set of tips and recommendations by our staff to promote proper healing, and you may be prescribed oral pain medication to alleviate any pain or discomfort while recovering. Within a week or two a follow-up is scheduled to check in and insure things are healing properly. Of course, there will be a lot of swelling in the area initially, but as time passes it will reduce and you will begin to see the true size and shape of your newly augmented breasts. It is recommended that you abstain from strenuous activity for a brief period of time to heal properly.
