What is Breast Augmentation?
A woman’s breasts are a symbol of femininity, however, genetics, age, weight fluctuations, or childbearing can negatively affect their appearance. Breast augmentation surgery involves placing breast implants, utilizing one’s natural fat, or a combination of both to give the breasts a fuller appearance, youthful shape, and improved cleavage. Breast augmentation surgery can beautifully enhance or restore your natural appearance.
Thigh lift surgery can help sculpt and reshape the thighs, resulting in a more youthful appearance. Your surgeon will remove excess skin and fat while taking care to minimize and conceal scarring. The result is smoother, firmer thighs, and a naturally beautiful body contour. Let us help you look as good on the outside as you feel on the inside.
What are the benefits?
The surgeons at Optum are skilled artists that strive to amplify your natural beauty. The benefits of breast augmentation surgery include:
- Rounder, more symmetrical breasts
- Enhanced, feminine curves
- Improved fit to clothes and swimsuits
- Improvement in body image and self-confidence
- Natural, long-lasting results
Who is the ideal candidate?
Women with fully developed breasts looking for improved breast contour are generally candidates for breast augmentation surgery. Additionally, ideal candidates for a breast augmentation are at, or close to their ideal weight, do not smoke or consume nicotine, have completed breast feeding at least 6-8 months prior to surgery and are in good general health. Patients 40 years old and above should complete a screening mammogram prior to augmentation.
What can I expect from recovery?
After a breast augmentation procedure, you will have tender, sore and swollen breasts that may take several weeks to subside. You will wear a surgical bra to support the breasts and promote settling of the implants. Your implants may initially sit high on the chest, but will settle into their final contour after a few months. Most patients will be able to return to work after a week and return to their regular routine after 4 to 6 weeks.
What options and techniques are available?
The decisions to be made in a breast augmentation—type, size, pocket, shape—are highly individualized and best made collaboratively between you and your surgeon. There are many kinds of breast implants to choose from, but the two most common are saline and silicone, both of which have different characteristics but are equally safe and effective.
Together, you and your surgeon will decide the ideal implant placement. Implants can be placed above the pectoralis muscle (subglandular or prepectoral) or below the muscle (submuscular or prepectoral). Your surgeon will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both options, considering your anatomy and overall goals when deciding which one will give you the best result.
You and your plastic surgeon will also discuss the incision site. Implants can be placed through the crease under the breast (inframammary fold) or through the edge of the areola (infra-areolar). No matter the type of incision, your skilled surgeon will achieve a well-hidden incision site, causing minimal scarring.
The skilled surgeons at Optum will earn your confidence and guide you in your surgical journey.
Saline implants
Saline implants have a silicone shell and are filled with an adjustable volume of sterile saline (saltwater). There are fewer options when choosing a saline implant, however incisions may be slightly smaller compared to silicone implants. Your surgeon will discuss all options with you and help you choose the implants that most meet your goals.
Silicone implants
Silicone implants are composed entirely of silicone and may offer a more natural look and feel compared to saline implants, depending on one’s anatomy. There are hundreds of silicone implants to choose from, varying in size, projection and feel. Your surgeon will discuss all options with you and help you choose the implants that most meet your goals.
Inframammary incision
The implants are placed through an incision typically between 3 cm in length, placed within the natural fold on the underside of the breast (inframammary fold).
Infra-areolar incision
The implants are placed through a 3 cm semi-circular incision placed at the lower edge of the areola (infra-areolar).
Subglandular (pre-pectoral) placement
Implants are placed above the pectoralis major muscle (subglandular or pre-pectoral). In general, recovery may be quicker with this approach compared to a submuscular approach, however patients must meet certain anatomic requirements for this to be an option.
Submuscular placement
Implants are placed below the pectoralis muscle (submuscular). In general, this approach may be preferred in very thin patients, however your surgeon will discuss all options with you and help you decide which approach is best.
Subfascial placement
In this approach, the implants are placed above the pectoralis muscle (pre-pectoral), but under a very thin layer of connective tissue that separates the muscle from the overlying breast tissue.
Frequently asked questions
How will pregnancy affect my breast implants?
Pregnancy and / or breast feeding affects every woman’s breasts differently. In general, the breasts enlarge during pregnancy and may lose some volume in the post-partum period (depending on breast feeding). The breasts may droop over the implants, which may require a lifting procedure (mastopexy) to correct. Any decision for surgery should be delayed by at least 6-8 months following pregnancy or completion of breast feeding.
What are the risks of breast augmentation?
In addition to the general risks of cosmetic surgery including unpredictable scaring, infection, asymmetry and bleeding, some specific risks of breast augmentation are unnatural shifting of the implant (implant malposition), hardening of the scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture), and visibility of the implant contour through the skin. There is a risk of implant rupture that increases as the implants age, as they are not considered lifetime devices.
How should I prepare for breast augmentation?
There is no specific preparation that needs to be completed prior to breast augmentation surgery. Candidates for a breast augmentation are at, or close to their ideal weight, do not smoke or consume nicotine, have completed breast feeding at least 6-8 months prior to surgery and are in good general health. Patients 40 years old and above should complete a screening mammogram prior to augmentation.
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