Breast Augmentation
Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?
Breast Augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries in the United States. This surgical procedure makes it possible for women to increase the size and shape of their breasts. Women seek augmentation surgery for a variety of reasons. If you feel as if your breasts have not developed into your ideal size or your bodily contours feel disproportionate, you can choose to undergo a breast augmentation surgery to give them the size and proportions you’re looking for.
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Saline or Silicone Breast Implants
Patients now have a choice between saline and silicone gel implants. Silicone gel implants are available to women 22 and older and the choice between saline and silicone gel implants is a personal one for the patient.
The saline implant has the advantage of containing water that would be absorbed into the body if the implant leaks whereas in the silicone gel implant, the gel remains in the pocket and is not absorbed. It is sometimes difficult to tell if a silicone implant is ruptured and if rupture is suspected or the breast shape has changed, an MRI may be the only way to tell if the implant is ruptured. Silicone gel implants have the advantage of being softer and more natural in their feel compared with saline implants.
Benefits of a Breast Augmentation
Women who have experienced changes in the breasts caused by childbearing or weight loss can also seek breast augmentation. The breasts can deflate after pregnancy, nursing or weight loss and implants can replace the loss of volume and restore a more natural shape. The implants can provide a foundation for the breast and patients can restore volume or increase volume depending on their preferences.
For many women, augmentation can take up some loose skin especially if the breast does not have significant drooping or ptosis. The implant can provide some lift to the breast without adding additional scars.
Augmentation can also correct asymmetries in the volume of the breast and provide a boost in confidence and self esteem. Breast augmentation improves the appearance of the breasts and can make clothes fit better without the need for padded bras. After the procedure, patients often feel more proportionate and confident in their bodies, especially in bathing suits.
How do I Decide on the Size and Shape of the Implant I Want?
Before moving forward with the breast augmentation surgery, a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is necessary to determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery. During this time, you can talk about the pros and cons of silicone versus saline implants. You can also discuss the procedure, risks and recovery time in more detail.
I will assess your body as a whole and advise you sizing options that would fit your body shape and proportion and your lifestyle. I like patients to try on the implants and we have special sizers to demonstrate the different sizes available and what a certain size or shape will look like on your individual body type.
Implants can vary in shape and size depending on a person’s height, weight and chest width. Individual goals and preferences can be realized when you try on the sizers. Our Vectra 3D imaging system can also demonstrate different sizes and shapes and give patients more information to help with decision making.
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As a physician myself, it was very important for me to find a plastic surgeon who was highly recommended by other physicians in the community, and who would provide discretion about my breast augmentation surgery. This easily led me to choosing Dr. Place. Everything about the procedure went so smoothly- from phone calls with her helpful and friendly staff, appointments, and scheduling the surgery.
From my first visit with her, I felt comfortable and confident with her knowledge and professionalism. Dr. Place’s expertise in what would be best proportionally for my body type resulted in a wonderful outcome– I am incredibly happy with the results.
I highly recommend her and would refer my own patients to her– she truly is a wonderful surgeon!
*Individual Results may vary
Once I Have Decided on Proceeding With Surgery, What Happens Next?
Once you have made a decision to proceed with the surgery you can schedule a date that works well for you. A pre operative appointment will be scheduled 1 week before your surgery to review your medications, restrictions and fit you for a surgical bra. A packet of information will be sent to you before your pre operative appointment to review the restrictions, risks and complications of the procedure (informed consent document) and to advise you of medications to avoid prior to surgery.
Anti inflammatory medications, such as aspirin, advil, motrin and naprosyn can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising and should be avoided at least 10 days prior to the procedure and for 10 days after the procedure. Bring your informed consent documents to the pre operative appointment so that any questions you may have can be answered and explained. If lab work is needed, you will be given a prescription to obtain that prior to surgery at the lab of your choice.
The location, time, and details of the surgery will be reviewed and your medications, pain medication, a muscle relaxant and an antibiotic will be called in to your pharmacy to pick up prior to your surgery. You will be instructed to wear comfortable clothes for the day of your procedure, no jewelry or make up and to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the day prior. Having an empty stomach will prevent nausea or problems with vomiting from the anesthesia.
What Happens the day of the Surgical Procedure?
A breast augmentation procedure usually takes 1-1 ½ hours and is done under a general anesthesia with a board certified anesthesiologist. The procedure is performed in a fully accredited outpatient surgery center, the San Ramon Surgery Center, and you can go home soon after the procedure is completed.
You will come in 1-2 hours before your breast augmentation surgery and stay for several hours after the procedure in the recovery room. Once you are up and walking around and can take something to eat and drink then you will be discharged home with a responsible person who can drive you. It is ideal to have a close friend or family member stay with you for the first day and night to provide any assistance. You will be sleepy for the first few hours and will need to rest.
Recovery and Restrictions After a Breast Augmentation Surgery
Ideally you should not have any travel plans within two weeks after your surgery as you will need time to recover. Most patients are up and walking the day after surgery and light activity is encouraged for the first week. The main restrictions after surgery involve avoiding heavy lifting, strenuous activity, and any exercise for 2-3 weeks. Walking and light activity is fine and you can drive when you are off the pain medication which is usually 3-4 days.
Care must be taken to avoid repetitive activity with your arms for the first week such as vacuuming, cleaning, lifting, and carrying things greater than 10 lbs. After 3 weeks you can start light aerobic exercise for 2-3 weeks and then begin weight resistance exercises and proceed to normal exercise within 2 months.
You will be followed with post operative visits and as your healing progresses you can increase your activity level. If you have a more sedentary job you can go back to work as early as a week. You will also be instructed on massage of the implants at your first postoperative visit. Massage keeps the implants soft and has been shown to decrease the incidence of capsular contracture.
What is the Cost of a Breast Augmentation?
Every plastic surgery procedure is unique. A great deal of attention and care is put into customizing the surgical plan to fit your own individual needs. During our consultation, I will talk to you about your aesthetic goals and help decide the best technique and size to help you achieve your goals. During that time, we can also talk about the cost you can expect to incur.
Contact Our Office
Dr. Place is a board-certified plastic surgeon, located in San Ramon, California, who is very skilled and has a vast amount of experience with the Breast Augmentation procedure. Interested in learning more about the surgery? Contact Dr. Place to see how she can help you achieve your desired appearance. Our highly skilled and caring team will help guide you through every step of the process and gladly address any questions you have.