BREAST AUGMENTATION (AUGMENTATION MAMMAPLASTY) OVERVIEW
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Everyone has their own distinct vision of what the ideal body looks like. While some individuals may be able to achieve that vision through diet, exercise or nonsurgical treatments, for most people, attaining the perfect figure can feel impossible due to areas that are resistant to nonsurgical corrective measures. The breasts are one such area of the body that play a vital role in a woman’s self-image, but unfortunately, are virtually impossible to alter effectively or permanently without surgical intervention.
There are countless reasons why women may wish to enhance the natural appearance of her breasts. Whether to achieve more flattering proportions, help clothes to fit better or restore the breasts after childbearing, breast augmentation surgery is a highly-personalized surgical procedure that allows women to achieve more voluminous curves with long-lasting results.
WHAT IS BREAST AUGMENTATION?
Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammaplasty, offers a customizable surgical solution for women who are unhappy with the size, shape or appearance of their natural breasts. Breast augmentation surgery can enhance the fullness of naturally small breasts or restore lost volume to breasts that have begun to droop due to aging, pregnancy or significant weight loss. Breast augmentation can also be an empowering option for breast cancer survivors who wish to restore their femininity after a mastectomy. Whatever your reasons or concerns, modern breast augmentation surgery is a highly-requested and safe procedure that can be uniquely tailored to fulfill the specific aesthetic ideals of each patient.
As a highly individualized procedure, planning your breast augmentation surgery can seem daunting without the guidance and recommendations of an expert in plastic surgery.
Dr. Hisham Seify and his team at Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associates in Newport Beach are here to guide you throughout every phase of your breast augmentation journey. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Seify has both the skill and experience to ensure that your breast augmentation procedure and results are a complete success.
WHO IS BREAST AUGMENTATION FOR?
Many women seek breast augmentation surgery because they desire larger breasts and a fuller bustline. However, the benefits of breast enhancement are often more far-reaching than many women realize. Breast augmentation can create a more balanced and proportional figure, enhance cleavage and even correct breast asymmetries and deformities. The results of breast augmentation are also very long-lasting, so potential patients must understand that they are making a decision that will require a certain degree of upkeep throughout their lives.
Breast augmentation is a highly effective and safe procedure that is suitable for a wide range of women. The ideal breast augmentation candidate is a patient who is in good overall health, who is otherwise happy with their figure and their weight and who is seeking to enhance their breasts’ appearance by enlarging them and making their shape perkier and more symmetrical. If you desire to change the appearance of your breasts but are already happy with their size and fullness, you may be a better candidate for a different breast enhancement procedure, such as a
breast lift. During your initial consultation, Dr. Seify will discuss all of your options with you to determine which procedure or set of procedures will best meet your goals.
You may not be a good candidate for breast augmentation if you plan to or may become pregnant again, or if you are hoping to lose a significant amount of weight in the future. Both future pregnancies and weight fluctuations can impact the shape of your breasts and alter the results you achieve with this procedure, so it is often best to wait to undergo breast enhancement procedures until you know your results will not be interfered with. These factors and more will be discussed with Dr. Seify during your consultation so that you can make an informed decision as to whether breast augmentation is right for you at this time.
OPTIONS FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION
Breast augmentation has held its title as the most popular form of plastic surgery for decades in part due to its ability to be customized to meet the unique needs and goals of each patient. At its most basic level, breast augmentation surgery involves the use of synthetic implant devices to alter the natural shape and size of the breasts. However, before you undergo your breast augmentation, there will be several decisions to make throughout the preparation for the surgery.
From the size, shape and style of your implants to their placement and incision lines, Dr. Seify will discuss the benefits and risks of each of the following categories during your consultation to create a surgical plan that will yield the most natural, beautiful results for you.
Implants
While both contain a durable, silicone outer shell, breast implants for breast augmentation can be filled with either silicone or saline. Silicone implants are the most requested option, as many patients believe they offer the most natural look and feel, and are less likely to produce visible flaws such as implant wrinkling over time. However, silicone implants are accompanied by added health risks should the implant rupture or leak. Silicone implants tend to rupture silently or without detection from the patient. The FDA recommends that women with silicone breast implants undergo an MRI scan every two years after their initial three years with the implants to ensure the devices are still intact and no silicone has migrated outside the breast pocket.
Saline implants are filled with a harmless saltwater solution, but unlike silicone may be inserted into the breasts empty to be filled to match your unique size requirements. Saline implants involve smaller incision lines that appeal to many patients; however, they do have an increased risk of producing visible flaws such as wrinkling or rippling within the breast pocket. Saline implants do not require MRI screening, as any leaks or ruptures will become apparent within hours or days and the saline solution can be safely absorbed by the body.
In addition to the type of implant, patients must also choose their implant size, texture, shape and profile. Breast implants come in a wide range of sizes that are measured in cubic centimeters rather than bra size and can come with a smooth or textured outer shell. Your implants can also be anatomically shaped, otherwise known as teardrop-shaped, or round depending on your preference. Implants with a high profile will create a more prominent breast silhouette, while lower profile implants offer a more subtle and natural enhancement.
Implant Placement
While the type, size, shape and profile of the implant will have a drastic impact on your final results, there are many surgical details to determine that are just as important for ensuring a successful outcome. For instance, there are two options for the placement of your breast implants. In a submammary or subglandular placement, the implant is inserted between the chest muscle and the breast tissue. In a submuscular placement, the implant is inserted under the chest muscles. Your placement decision will impact the overall look and profile of the breasts and may also affect the risk of postoperative complications like capsular contracture.
Incision Placement
Lastly, your surgical plan must include one of four different choices for the placement of your incision lines. Incision placement is often dictated by the specific implant selected and its chosen placement in the chest. However, incisions can be made below the natural curve of the breast (inframammary), around the lower half of the areola (periareolar), near the underarm (transaxillary) or around the navel (transumbilical).
While all of these operational decisions may seem highly technical and intimidating, Dr. Seify will carefully review all of your options with you to help you understand how each choice will affect your outcome. Dr. Seify can make expect recommendations that align with your goals and address any of your questions or concerns so that you are entirely comfortable with your surgical plan before moving forward with the procedure.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION PROCEDURE?
Breast augmentation can be performed as an outpatient procedure, so you should plan on arriving at your surgery with a trusted friend or family member who can help to transport you home and who can provide assistance for several days after your surgery. Your breast augmentation surgery will generally last between one to two hours, depending on the options selected and whether any additional procedures will be performed. General anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation may be used depending on your needs.
During your procedure, Dr. Seify will create an incision in the predetermined area based on your chosen implant type and personal preferences. Once the incisions are made, a pocket will be created for the breast implants either in front of or completely behind the chest wall muscle. After these pockets are created, the breast implants will be inserted.
Depending on the implants you have chosen, they may be pre-filled, or they may need to be filled during your procedure. If the implant must be filled, Dr. Seify will fill the empty implants with saline solution according to the agreed-upon size specifications. After both implants are filled or placed, the surgery is complete, and Dr. Seify will close the incisions and place bandages around the area to aid in the recovery process.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION RECOVERY
Though recovery time will vary for each patient, most women find that their breast augmentation requires two to four weeks of recovery time depending on their state of health and their body’s ability to heal. Patients can expect to experience mild to moderate discomfort, bruising and swelling after their breast augmentation. Still, Dr. Seify and his team will provide you with instructions to minimize those side effects as well as pain medication to manage any postoperative pain. You will be advised to wear a surgical support bra for several weeks during your recovery process, which limits swelling and provides the necessary support and protection to the breasts as they heal.
Most patients will usually return to work within one to two weeks of their procedure, depending on the nature of their job. Most strenuous activities can also be resumed at the two-week mark; however, activities involving vigorous use of the arms or chest muscles or activities that raise your blood pressure and heart rate should be avoided until advised otherwise by Dr. Seify. Follow-up appointments after your breast augmentation procedure will be required after one week, two weeks, six weeks and three months after your surgery to ensure you are healing correctly and to allow you to express any questions or concerns you may have to Dr. Seify. While most side effects will resolve on their own within six weeks, residual swelling can persist for many months as your implants settle into the breast pockets.
YOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION RESULTS
Breast augmentation promises long-lasting results for most patients that undergo the surgery. It can take between three and six months to complete the breast augmentation recovery process and judge your final look, but your breasts will continue to improve in appearance during this time. Incision lines from breast augmentation will continue to mature and fade for as long as a year, but Dr. Seify takes extra care to ensure any scarring is well concealed within the natural folds and curves of the breasts for natural-looking outcomes.
While many breast implant manufacturers put a 10-year life expectancy on their devices, it is only necessary to remove your implants if you experience complications. Some women can enjoy their implants for even longer, while others decide to remove or replace their implants sooner for a variety of personal reasons. There is not a substantial amount of maintenance required in the years following your procedure; however, women with silicone implants will need to schedule an MRI every two years to stay on top of potential leaks or ruptures. With proper care, breast augmentation surgery boasts a high patient satisfaction rate due to the dramatic, beautiful and long-lasting outcomes it provides.
CONTACT NEWPORT PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
Dr. Hisham Seify, along with his talented team at Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associates, is dedicated to providing a warm, welcoming atmosphere in which you feel comfortable sharing your aesthetic goals and discussing whether breast augmentation is the right option for you. Dr. Seify will carefully walk you through every step of the procedure as well as the pros and cons of each option to allow you to make an informed decision in a safe and supportive space.
As with any surgical procedure, there will always be potential risks associated with breast augmentation surgery. But board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Seify prides himself on using state-of-the-art technology and techniques to minimize risks, complications and discomfort as much as possible both during and after your surgery. If you are ready to learn more about breast augmentation and what it can do for you, contact the Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associates office today at (949) 251-1502. We look forward to speaking with you, and to
scheduling your initial consultation with Dr. Seify.
*The information about Breast Augmentation was reviewed by Dr. Hisham M. Seify. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.
