Breast augmentation is performed to increase breast size or resolve breast asymmetry. The procedure may involve placing either silicone or saline implants, above or below the chest muscle, or with natural fat transfer. Breast augmentation can also restore full, plump breasts for women after significant weight loss or after breastfeeding.
Breast augmentation is one of the most powerful ways a woman can enhance her appearance, femininity and self-confidence. With his expertise in the latest surgical techniques and artistic eye, board-certified plastic surgeon Darren M. Smith, MD, can enlarge and improve the shape of your breasts.
Our advanced techniques lead to an easier, faster recovery, allowing you to return to your life with a look you love and a boost in your confidence. To see if a breast augmentation is right for you, book a consultation in Dr. Smith’s office. You can either request an appointment online or call the office directly.
Related Content: Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
The type and size of the selected breast implants will determine the location of the incisions. The types of incisions used will determine where on the body the incisions scars appear. The incisions may be:
Incision scars usually fade to a thin, white line over time, but may require a year or more to fade. An advantage of placing saline implants is that since the implants are filled after being placed, a smaller
incision is required. The drawback, however, is that saline implants feel slightly less natural than silicone implants, as the saline solution is heavier than the soft silicone gel in the latest generation of silicone implants.
If you are unhappy with your breast size or shape and in good general health, you are probably a good candidate for breast augmentation. Imagine the difference in your feelings of confidence, the clothing you can wear, and your overall quality of life – that’s the beauty of undergoing a custom breast augmentation.
If you are considering enhancing your figure with breast augmentation, with Vectra, you can visually evaluate how various sizes and shapes of breast implant appear after surgery. Vectra is a groundbreaking 3D imaging technology that creates a 3D model of your body, which is then altered to reveal how various levels of augmentation will look on your frame so your choice matches your vision of beauty.
A breast augmentation, often referred to as a breast enlargement, breast implants or “boob job”, involves increasing your breast size, but the cosmetic procedure is not a one-size-fits-all surgery. Breast augmentation means strategically placing implants, often behind your breast muscles, to create a bigger bust line. Some of the most common types of breast implants include:
Saline implants are constructed of a silicone shell, which is filled with sterile saline solution after being placed in a surgically-created “pocket.” Advances in aesthetic science have led to the development of improvements in saline implants that feel and look far superior to earlier types.
Form-stable implants, or “gummy bear” implants maintain their shape even if the shell has been damaged. Called “form stable” or “cohesive,” the silicone gel holds its shape, even if the shell is ruptured, with lower risk of leaking into the implant pocket. The gel is thicker and slightly firmer than standard gel implants.
These implants are round in shape, and filled with sterile salt water after placement. Should the implant rupture, it is immediately obvious as the implants deflates, with the water naturally absorbed by the body without posing a health risk.
An important advance in saline implant construction, Ideal Implants have a youthful shape, more natural feel, and no risk of “silent rupture.” Data shows these implants to have a reduced risk of rippling and complications such as capsular contracture and rupture. Additionally, like saline implants, the Ideal Implant requires a smaller incision for placement than silicone implants. The innovative design involves an inner structure made of nested implant shells, with two separate chambers to create a softer, more natural feel.
Breast implants may be round or teardrop in shape. The appropriate choice depends on individual patient anatomy and the outcome you envision. With so many options available in size, shape, and projection, it’s important to discuss the pros and cons of each type of breast implant with Dr. Smith so you make an informed decision.
Round breast implants, when correctly placed, often beneath the chest muscle, create a lovely, rounded shape with slightly more volume at the upper area of the breast. The creation of the pocket and how the implant is placed makes all the difference in creating a very natural look.
Developed to create a more natural appearance, these implants are shaped to mimic natural breast tissue, with more volume on the bottom of the implant. It is necessary to ensure your breast augmentation is performed with advanced surgical techniques to help avoid the risk of the implant shifting within the pocket, creating an oddly-shaped appearance.
Performed on an outpatient basis, breast augmentation surgery usually requires general anesthesia. You’re going to experience some bruising, swelling, and mild soreness after your procedure — all of which is normal. Dr. Smith might place you in a compression bandage or bra to help minimize swelling and to further contour your breasts after you breast augmentation.
Women seek a custom breast procedure at different ages, from the 20s to the 60s and beyond. Each age group tends to focus on specific surgical corrections. In the earlier decades, breast augmentation and correction of inherited breast shape problems are often sought, while later in life, women may seek treatment for sagging breasts, or require breast reconstruction.
No matter what your age, you want your breast surgery to be performed by a highly-rated, board-certified plastic surgeon with a reputation for excellence in surgical technique, patient care, and outcomes: Dr. Darren Smith.
Main Concern: Treating breast developmental issues:
Small Breasts
Resolved with breast augmentation by placing:
Silicone implants
Saline implants
Structured saline implants
Asymmetry Corrected with one or more of the following:
Enlarging smaller breast with breast implants
Decreasing size of larger breast with breast reduction
Lifting the lower breast with a mastopexy (breast lift)
Inverted nipples – Corrected with nipple eversion procedures
Tuberous breast deformity – Corrected with breast implants and procedures designed to improve areola size and shape and relieve constriction of the inframammary fold.
Uncomfortably large breasts – Corrected with breast reduction
Many issues seen in the 20s (size, shape, hereditary concerns) are also addressed in the 30s (augmentation remains most common). Additionally, we start to see issues associated with weight gain, weight loss, pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Changes after pregnancy and breastfeeding
“Deflated” appearing or sagging (“ptotic”) breasts
Most frequently treated with breast lift with or without implants depending on desired size
Mild cases of breast ptosis can sometimes be addressed with breast implants alone
Enlarged or distorted areola
Treated with areola reshaping or reduction procedure
Enlarged nipples
Treated with nipple reduction procedure
Changes with weight loss
Similar to the situation after pregnancy and breastfeeding (loss of breast volume leads to relative skin
excess, causing a deflated appearance)
Treated with breast augmentation/breast lift
“Deflated” appearing or sagging (“ptotic”) breasts
Most frequently treated with breast lift with or without implants depending on desired size
Mild cases of breast ptosis can sometimes be addressed with breast implant alone
Inverted nipples
Correct with nipple eversion procedures
Address breast size, shape
Most common: small breasts:
Addressed with breast augmentation
Silicone implants
Saline implants
Structured saline implants
Changes with weight gain
Breast enlargement
Treated with breast reduction
In addition to addressing the changes from childbearing described above, this is a time during which the focus of breast surgery is often on rejuvenating the breasts and restoring their appearance to a state of vitality and youth.
Breasts that are sagging, or ptotic, may be lifted with a mastopexy.
Breasts that are sagging only mildly and are smaller than desired can be treated with breast implants alone.
If there is significant volume loss in addition to the ptosis, the patient may opt for a mastopexy (breast lift) with implants.
In instances in which the breasts are larger than desired, with or without ptosis, a breast reduction is a common solution.
In addition to addressing the changes in breast shape and volume frequently corrected in earlier decades, women who have implants in place may desire a change in appearance or require maintenance procedures.
Implant malposition (for example “bottoming out” due to gravity over time)Corrected with breast implant revision surgery.
Breast asymmetryImproved with a breast lift (mastopexy), adjustment of the height of the fold beneath the breast (the “inframammary fold”), or other procedures.
Breast implant removalWomen that no longer want to have implants in place can have them removed.
Some may opt for a breast lift (mastopexy) at the same time to address the skin excess and sagging appearance that frequently occurs after a larger implant is removed.Improve breast size, shape, projectionProcedures like breast augmentations, lifts and reductions are popular in this group as well for those that wish to improve the appearance of their breasts.
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The Breast Augmentation Experience
While you probably want to rush off and buy new, sexy bras, you will have to wait about six weeks before you can wear such a bra, and until that time, a softer sports bra should be worn.
Your breast implants must “settle” into place. Sleeping on your back allows this to occur more evenly. You should sleep on your back for about two to three weeks. You may have to get used to this position, but it makes a difference.
Alcoholic drinks must be avoided during the healing process, as alcohol dehydrates the body, thins the blood, and will interact with pain medication. While you may want to celebrate your new figure with friends, avoid drinking for about two weeks, or until Dr. Smith gives you the okay.
You must wait about four weeks before returning to any vigorous exercise. The incisions must be fully healed. Prior to that time, you should continue to exercise by taking walks each day.
If you plan to breastfeed your child in the future, the surgical plan will reflect your wishes. A properly-performed surgery that aims to protect the milk-producing glands should not pose any problem. You should be aware that the natural breast tissue will expand and enlarge which could affect the overall appearance of your breasts.
To schedule your breast augmentation evaluation with Darren M. Smith, MD, click on the online booking feature. You can also call us directly to schedule a convenient time to discuss breast augmentation.
Dr. Darren Smith offers his patients the most advanced surgical techniques and exceptional results in breast augmentation. His extensive training, far beyond most practitioners, is the foundation for his
reputation for surgical excellence. His background has given him the experience to assess patients from a unique perspective and produce truly outstanding outcomes.
Dr. Smith takes a conservative approach to plastic surgery, never just jumping into a procedure, but using a careful, thorough evaluation so the correct surgical technique is used for the individual. His
private, luxury clinic offers discretion, comfort, the most stringent safety protocols, along with personalized aftercare.
You will be able to walk around with light discomfort immediately after your breast augmentation procedure but will feel like taking it easy. Many patients are able to enjoy going out to dinner on the evening of their first day after surgery. Patients with less physically active employment, such as working at a desk, can return to work after just a couple days. It is often reasonable to have the procedure on a Friday and return to work after the weekend on Monday. It may require up to two weeks to see a significant decrease in swelling. It can also take a few weeks for the implants to “settle” into the ideal position, so some patience is required. You should have a full recovery and be back to 100% in terms of physical activity in about a month.
Related Topic: Breast Augmentation Cost
Dr. Smith and his staff are absolutely incredible. They made me feel welcome, comfortable, and listened to from the moment I first arrived for a consultation, all the way to my surgery and afterwards. The care I received from Dr. Smith, Annalise, and Julia was exemplary. I am thrilled with the results of my procedure, and sincerely can't recommend them highly enough.
All photos are of models except before and after images.
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