Breast
Augmentation
Experience SMART Aesthetics™ for your breasts
Trends in plastic surgery come and go, but breast augmentation has consistently remained one of the world’s top procedures. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), 2.2 million breast augmentations were performed in 2022, up 29% from 2021.
It’s easy to see why breast augmentation is so popular — nearly every aspect of the procedure is customizable, and it has an unmatched ability to enhance the contours of the upper body. Whether you want to reconstruct your breasts after a mastectomy or simply enhance their size and shape, the experienced and board-certified plastic surgeons at PURE Plastic Surgery are here to help you achieve the beautiful, personalized results you've always wanted.
What is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation, known formally as augmentation mammoplasty, is a highly personalized surgical procedure that uses breast implants to enhance the size, shape and volume of the breasts. Placed just below the chest muscle or breast tissue, breast implants come in a variety of sizes and materials to help you reach your goals. They may be either round or teardrop-shaped, filled with saline or silicone, and provide bold or more natural results.
To ensure the best look, your surgeon will help you choose implants that provide the most symmetry and volume while also taking into account the natural proportions of your body. During your consultation, our team will guide you through the available breast implant options and develop a treatment plan that results in a fuller, larger and more pleasing appearance.
Reasons for choosing Breast Augmentation:
- You want to increase the size, volume and fullness of the breasts
- You want to improve overall breast shape and symmetry
- Your breasts have lost firmness due to weight loss, pregnancy or aging
- You’re looking to reconstruct the breasts following a mastectomy
- You want to feel confident about your appearance and body contours
- You want to fill out lingerie, bikinis and other types of clothing
Breast Augmentation or Breast Lift?
If you’re concerned about sagging breasts in addition to size issues, combining a breast lift with breast implants can create beautiful and youthful-looking results. Implants add volume but won’t lift the breasts. This is something you’ll want to discuss during your consultation. If you’re happy with the size of your breasts, a breast lift alone can create a perkier breast shape.
Am I a candidate for Breast Augmentation?
If you’re unhappy with your current breast size, shape or symmetry, you might want to consider breast augmentation surgery. Some women choose to undergo this procedure after pregnancy to restore a fuller bust, while others are looking to accentuate their natural curves. No matter what your goals are, ideal candidates for breast augmentation include women who:
- Are bothered by the appearance of their breasts
- Have smaller, uneven or less voluminous breasts
- Are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are in good health with no serious underlying medical concerns
- Want to improve their confidence and self-esteem
- Have realistic expectations about their results
Because the breasts can continue to grow throughout your 20s, candidates must be 18 or older to receive saline implants and 22 or older to receive silicone implants. Anyone who wants to feel more confident about their appearance, have better breast projection and achieve a fuller, more rounded breast shape is a great candidate for breast augmentation surgery.
What should I expect at my Breast Augmentation consultation?
To ensure the best results, it’s important to choose a highly qualified and experienced plastic surgeon like Drs. Earle, Vidal or Wegerif to perform your breast augmentation. You’ll also want a caring and competent staff to support you through the process and help you feel comfortable with your decision. Before your surgery, you’ll meet with our team virtually or in-person to discuss your goals and explore the options for enhancing your breast size and shape.
During this meeting, we will listen carefully to your wishes and examine your breasts to see if your desired outcome can be achieved. We may also take measurements of your breasts and body contours, and you will have the opportunity to view photos of real-life results. If we believe that breast augmentation is right for you, we will walk you through the procedure and what to expect from surgery. As you consider your options, we recommend bringing a list of questions to your consultations to ensure that all of your concerns are addressed as we move forward.
Your options in
Breast Augmentation
When considering breast augmentation, there are numerous options available to create a look that’s all your own. The material, size and placement of your implants can significantly impact your final results. At PURE, our team will thoroughly evaluate your goals to guide you through the selection process, helping you achieve the look you’ve always envisioned.
Breast Implant Materials
The two types of available breast implants are saline and silicone. Saline implants feature an outer "shell" made from silicone that gets filled with a sterile solution after being placed in the chest, allowing for highly customizable size adjustments. In contrast, silicone implants are filled with a cohesive gel that closely mimics the feel of natural breast tissue. Both options can deliver exceptional results.
Breast Implant Sizes
Breast implants are measured in cubic centimeters (cc) rather than traditional cup sizes. They range from as small as 120cc up to a much larger 800cc, with most women opting for breast implants between 300cc and 400cc. Generally, each 150-250cc increase adds about one to one-and-a-half cups to your current breast size. The ideal size will ultimately depend on your personal preferences, body type, height and chest width to ensure natural-looking results.
Incision Location
There are four main incision options for breast augmentation: inframammary (under the breast), periareolar (around the areola), transaxillary (through the armpit), and transumbilical (through the belly button). Each technique has its own advantages and considerations. During your consultation, our team will help you choose the most suitable incision based on your individual needs and goals, ensuring minimal scarring and the best possible results.
Breast Implant Placement
Breast implants can be positioned behind the breast tissue in front of the chest muscle (subglandular) or beneath the chest muscle (submuscular). While inserting the breast implant below the chest muscle involves a longer recovery, a majority of implants are placed this way for better results. This technique is often recommended for women with less natural breast tissue, as it offers better coverage and a more natural look. Subglandular placement, preferred by some athletes, reduces the impact of muscle movement on the breast implant. The best placement for you will be determined by your specific anatomy and lifestyle.
Other Breast Implant Options
- Round Implants: A great option for sagging breasts, round implants are the most common type selected. They provide increased projection for more dramatic cleavage. There are several different types of round implants that can work for your body type.
- Smooth Implants: These implants are soft and moveable. They give the appearance of moving with you, leading to a more natural feel and look.
Silicone Gel Implants: Also known as gummy bear implants, these have a highly cohesive gel that makes up the implant. These implants hold their shape even if they have no outer silicone shell. They are a firm and durable choice for your breast surgery.
What to expect during your Breast Augmentation
Once you’re considered a candidate for breast augmentation surgery, you’ll be given instructions to follow before the day of your surgery. Make sure to follow these instructions closely to avoid holding up or delaying your surgery date. Your breast augmentation at PURE will be performed as an outpatient procedure, and you’ll be able to return home the same day.
During your procedure, you can expect to be given general anesthesia so you are comfortably asleep during surgery. Breast augmentation typically takes between one to two hours to complete, but this can vary depending on your unique surgical plan. If a breast lift, tummy tuck or other procedure is also being performed, the overall duration of surgery will be longer.
You can expect the following steps during your breast augmentation:
- Incision: Your surgeon will make an incision in a predetermined location, which may be around the areola, under the breasts or in the armpit.
- Implant Placement: Your surgeon will then create a pocket behind the breast tissue or underneath the chest muscle and place the implant inside.
- Incision Closure: Once the implant has been properly placed, your surgeon will close the incisions using sutures or surgical tape.
After surgery, you’ll be brought to a recovery area and monitored until you wake up from anesthesia. You’ll be able to leave a short time later, but you will have to have someone drive you home from surgery and remain with you for the first 24 to 48 hours of your recovery.
Breast Augmentation recovery
After your procedure, you’ll be given instructions for your recovery, which might include pain management, activity guidelines, incision care and scheduling your follow-ups. You’ll also be advised to monitor for certain side effects that might occur after surgery, such as:
- Excessive pain, bleeding and bruising
- Redness or warmth at the incision sites
- Leaking fluid or pus that may signal an infection
- Post-op fever
- Build-up of scar tissue
- Movement of the breast implant
It’s important to rest and take it easy in the days following your surgery for the best results. Most patients can return to work one week after their breast augmentation, but it can take several months to heal completely. Your surgeon will provide guidance on when you may resume more strenuous activities and monitor your recovery progress with follow-up appointments.
During your recovery, you’ll want to keep your breasts wrapped in bandages and supported with a special bra to reduce swelling, promote healing and ensure the best results. Avoid bras with an underwire for at least six weeks. You’ll be given detailed post-op instructions to ensure a smooth recovery, and we always encourage patients to call or text with any questions!
Breast Augmentation Results
Improvements in the shape, size and volume of your breasts will be visible immediately after surgery, but it takes some time for the swelling to go down and your implants to “settle” into position. Until then, your breasts may appear higher than expected — this is normal. However, if the breasts feel unusually tight or painful, this may indicate capsular contracture, a complication in which healing has gone awry. Fortunately, choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon and following all aftercare instructions can reduce the risk of this and other potential complications.
Once your final results have developed, you can expect to be very happy and satisfied with your new breasts. Many women report an improvement in body image following their surgery and feel more confident about their overall appearance. Breast implants are highly durable and you’ll be able to enjoy your results for a long period of time, but they are not designed to be permanent. The FDA recommends having regular check-ups and getting your implants assessed after 10 to 15 years to determine if an exchange or replacement is necessary.
Enhance Your Results With Combinable Procedures
Breast augmentation patients often combine body contouring procedures with augmentation. Women who have had children, for example, may get a tummy tuck and liposuction at the same time as breast augmentation. This combination surgery is typically called a mommy makeover. Another popular combination is a breast lift with implants for comprehensive results. Incorporating other procedures into your treatment plan is safe when done by a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon. To help you achieve the results you’ve always wanted, our team will review the available treatment options in more detail during your consultation.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Can I get Breast Augmentation without implants?
Will I be able to breastfeed with implants?
Is Breast Enhancement Surgery safe?
Will I need to replace my breast implants eventually?
What if I decide I want to remove my implants?
Is Breast Augmentation painful?
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