Breast Enlargement (Breast Augmentation)

Breast enlargement surgery can result in a beautifully contoured bustline and natural appearance. The key is to enhance the patient’s natural beauty, accentuating what they already have in order to achieve their cosmetic breast enhancement goals. Breast augmentation typically involves the placing of implants under, over, or partially under the chest muscle to bring a more balanced and proportionate look to the body frame. However, some patients may opt for natural breast augmentation using fat transfer – a method which uses the patient’s own tissue from an area that has excess fatty deposits, like the abdomen. Fat transfer can be combined with implants or used to augment the breasts on its own.

PROCEDURES

Types of Breast Implants

Breast implants are filled with either a saline solution or silicone gel. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed that patients must be at least 18 years old to receive saline implants, and at least 22 for silicone implants. Because they are filled with sterile saltwater, saline implants are safer than silicone implants in the event of a leak. Also, a leak is more easily detected, since the implant would collapse noticeably. Silicone implants generally require an ultrasound or MRI screening to detect a leak, since they will not collapse. However, many patients believe silicone implants feel more natural to the touch. Implants are also categorized by shape, texture, and size, so your choices will include:

Round or Shaped

Round implants are uniformly shaped, while teardrop-shaped implants have more projection at the bottom and are tapered on top. Gummy bear implants are a third type of shaped silicone implant. Because they are made with cohesive silicone gel, this type of implant will not leak if ruptured. However, they have a firmer feel and breasts can appear unusually shaped if they shift out of position. Round implants pose no such concern.

Textured or Smooth

Textured implants hold their place more firmly inside the implant pocket within the chest. They naturally induce some scarring that helps secure the implant and makes them less inclined to repositioning. Textured implants have a higher incidence of capsular contracture – a condition which causes scar tissue to form around the implant, tightening and squeezing it. Many patients feel smooth implants are softer and give the most natural appearance.

Different Sizes

Breast implants are measured in volume of cubic centimeters (CCs). Since size is the most important aspect of your augmentation, the surgeon will work carefully to help you choose the size that will suit you best. You must also have enough breast tissue to accommodate the breast implant size you desire. Since CC’s are a different kind of measurement than cup size, you can try on sizers to get an idea of what will look best for you. Another way that breast implant sizes are measured refers to their profile. A higher implant profile means that the implant projects higher off the chest. This is determined by the width of the base. Higher profile implants have a smaller base than moderate profiles, which creates a more prominent silhouette.

Anesthetic

Dr. Malek will choose whether general anesthesia or local anesthesia is best patient to patient. Breast implants have a few different methods when it comes to incision location and implant placement.

PROCEDURES

Types of Breast Implants

Breast implants are filled with either a saline solution or silicone gel. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed that patients must be at least 18 years old to receive saline implants, and at least 22 for silicone implants. Because they are filled with sterile saltwater, saline implants are safer than silicone implants in the event of a leak. Also, a leak is more easily detected, since the implant would collapse noticeably. Silicone implants generally require an ultrasound or MRI screening to detect a leak, since they will not collapse. However, many patients believe silicone implants feel more natural to the touch. Implants are also categorized by shape, texture, and size, so your choices will include:

Round or Shaped

Round implants are uniformly shaped, while teardrop-shaped implants have more projection at the bottom and are tapered on top. Gummy bear implants are a third type of shaped silicone implant. Because they are made with cohesive silicone gel, this type of implant will not leak if ruptured. However, they have a firmer feel and breasts can appear unusually shaped if they shift out of position. Round implants pose no such concern.

Textured or Smooth

Textured implants hold their place more firmly inside the implant pocket within the chest. They naturally induce some scarring that helps secure the implant and makes them less inclined to repositioning. Textured implants also have a reduced incidence of capsular contracture – a condition which cases scar tissue to form around the implant, tightening and squeezing it. Many patients feel smooth implants feel the softest and give the most natural movement.

Different Sizes

Breast implants are measured in volume of cubic centimeters (CCs). Since size is the most important aspect of your augmentation, the surgeon will work carefully to help you choose the size that will suit you best. You must also have enough breast tissue to accommodate the breast implant size you desire. Since CC’s are a different kind of measurement than cup size, you can try on sizers to get an idea of what will look best for you. Another way that breast implant sizes are measured refers to their profile. A higher implant profile means that the implant projects higher off the chest. This is determined by the width of the base. Higher profile implants have a smaller base than moderate profiles, which creates a more prominent silhouette.

Anesthetic

The surgeon will choose whether general anesthesia or local anesthesia is best patient to patient. Breast implants have a few different methods when it comes to incision location and implant placement.

Incision methods

We perform one of the different types of incisions that can be made to insert the implant. Schedule a consultation to decide which placement is best for you.

Inframammary Incision: An incision made in natural crease below the breast
Periareolar Incision: An incision made along the bottom of the areola
Transaxilary Incision: An incision made in the armpit
Transumbilical Incision: An incision made in the belly button

Implant placement options

There are also three different placement options in reference to the pectoral muscle. Schedule a consultation to decide which placement is best for you.

Subglandular Implants: Placed over the pectoral muscle
Partial Submuscular Implants: Placed partially over the muscle and partially underneath.
Full or Complete Submuscular Implant: Placed underneath the pectoral muscle

Subglandular

Full Submuscular

RECOVERY

Patients can generally return to a desk job after about a week of proper recovery. Lifting and strenuous arm activity should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks. Discomfort may be experienced and will subside in about a week. However, the total amount of time needed for recovery depends greatly upon the method of implant placement used. Subglandular breast implant placement (the placement of implants above the pectoral muscle) involves a shorter recovery time than patients who undergo submuscular breast implant placement (the placement of implants underneath the pectoral muscle).