Ideal Candidates for Breast Augmentation
Ideal candidates for breast augmentation should be in good physical and psychological health, have fully developed breasts, and be dissatisfied with the appearance of their breasts. Patients may decide to undergo breast augmentation for a number of reasons, including uneven breast size and genetic deformities, or general unhappiness with the size, volume, and shape of their breasts. When considering a breast augmentation, it’s important to be realistic with your expectations. To see real results of breast augmentation procedures from prior patients, view our before-and-after photo gallery.Before and After
Photo Gallery
Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
Your breast augmentation consultation will serve as the first step toward making the decision to enhance your breasts. Since this is a very personal decision, the surgeons at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery aim to facilitate a comforting environment, where all of your questions and concerns will be addressed. At your consultation, your surgeon will be happy to go over your options for breast augmentation, including type of implants, your incision and implant placement options, and size. Likewise, your surgeon will help you explore other procedures that might suit your cosmetic needs. For example, a breast augmentation alone cannot correct sagging breasts, which is why many Beverly Hills patients choose to undergo a breast augmentation with a breast lift to appropriately correct issues related to sagging. Just like how a facelift can rejuvenate the face, this popular combination of breast augmentation and lift can totally revive the look of your breasts. And the benefit of combining these procedures is that they can be done together, eliminating the need to come in for a separate surgery. Your medical history will also be reviewed during your consultation to ensure that you don’t have any health conditions that may increase your risk of complications from breast augmentation. You will likely be asked about any family history of breast cancer and the result of any recent mammograms and biopsies.
Preparing for Your Breast Implant Surgery
Undergoing any kind of surgery can cause anxiety. To alleviate this, the surgeons at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery focus on educating their patients about the procedure, and by providing helpful information so patients are fully prepared and comfortable. Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:- Get a medical evaluation or undergo lab testing
- Obtain a baseline mammogram
- Begin taking certain medications or adjust your current medications
- Quit smoking well before your surgery
- Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements, since they can increase bleeding
Understanding Your Implant Placement Surgery
Breast Implant Incision Options
The surgeons at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery offer four incision options: periareolar, inframammary, transaxillary, and umbilical. All incisions can be used successfully, but the right one for you will depend on your anatomy, preference, type of implant used, and ultimate cosmetic goals.-
- Periareolar: With periareolar, the incision is made at the outer edge of the areola, usually in the shape of a semi-circle on the lower curve of the areola. The benefit of this type of incision is that scars are usually well camouflaged because it’s an area where the skin naturally changes color and texture. And because the incision is so close to the implant site, it allows for precise implant placement.
- Inframammary: Inframammary incisions are made in the crease where the lower part of the breast meets the chest. Many Beverly Hills patients are drawn to this option since scars are easily hidden. And like periareolar incisions, it also offers precise implant placement.
- Transaxillary: With the transaxillary option, the incision is made in the armpit, essentially creating a pathway to the implant site. This incision option leaves no scars on the breasts. And for women who are planning to breastfeed in the future, this incision is also less likely to damage mammary glands.
- Umbilical: With umbilical breast augmentation, there will be a small incision on the navel, through which an endoscope is placed. Then, saline implants are eventually inserted through the incision all the way to the implant site, with the surgeon using the endoscope as a guide. Like the transaxillary incision, this method leaves the breasts looking virtually untouched, since they won’t have any scars.
Periareolar Incision, Inframammary Incision, Transaxillary incision
Breast Implant Types
There are three basic breast implant types: saline, silicone, and gummy silicone. While all options can produce exceptional results, they all differ a bit in the way that they achieve shape and volume.- Saline: Saline implants are filled with a sterile saline solution. The shape and firmness of saline implants can vary depending on how much they’re filled, so you can talk with your surgeon about what kind of look you’d like to achieve. In the rare event the implant shell leaks or ruptures, the saline can be safely absorbed by the body and expelled. Saline implants are approved for breast augmentation in women 18 years of age and older.
- Silicone: Silicone implants are pre-filled by the manufacturer with silicone. Many patients feel that silicone breast implants feel more like natural breasts to the touch. In the event silicone implants rupture, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or it can leak into the implant pocket. As a result, patients with silicone breast implants are required to have MRI screenings every few years to ensure the implant shell is in good condition. Currently, silicone implants are approved for breast augmentation in women 22 years of age and older.
- Gummy Bear Silicone: Gummy bear implants are a type of silicone breast implants that are made with a cohesive gel. Approved by the FDA in 2012, they have become quite popular for their impressive look and feel, which closely resembles natural breasts. They are called “gummy bear” implants because of the gummy-like consistency of the silicone gel. While these implants may still leak, because the cohesive gel is form stable, they will maintain their shape better.
Breast Implant Shape
The shape of the implants you choose for breast augmentation will affect the overall look. The surgeons at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery can help you choose the best shape for you, depending on your anatomy and what kind of aesthetic you’d like to achieve.- Round: Round implants have an equal amount of fullness in both the bottom and top part of the implants. Because they have the volume all the way around, they are popular options for patients who’d prefer bold enhancements. However, round implants can still have a very natural look depending on the profile and placement of the implant.
- Contoured: Sometimes called “teardrop” implants, contoured implants have more of a subtle, sloping shape that closely matches the natural curve of breasts. In other words, they have less volume at the top with more volume at the bottom, similar to a teardrop shape. For Beverly Hills patients seeking natural results from their breast augmentation, contoured implants are a great option.
Implant Positioning
When it comes to your breast augmentation, there are many options available to truly customize the procedure. Another option is where your breast implants will be located: in front of the pectoral muscle or behind it. Women with very little breast tissue typically benefit from placing the implant under the muscle, so that there is as much tissue as possible over it, creating a natural appearance. When breast implants are placed over the muscle, they will move less with muscle flexion; however, there would be more rippling and a less natural look.Risks Associated with Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is generally a safe procedure for healthy people, but as with any surgery, there are some risks involved. You can decrease your chance of complications by choosing a plastic surgeon, and by following any pre-operative and post-operative instructions.
- Poor scarring and poor healing
- Infection
- Temporary or permanent changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Capsular contracture
- Implant rupture
- Wrinkling or dimpling of the skin over the implant
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Fluid accumulation
- Blood clots
- Persistent pain
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- The possibility of asymmetry of the breasts
- A possibility of breast revision surgery
FAQs About Breast Augmentation in Beverly Hills
Where Will the Breast Augmentation Be Performed?
Breast augmentation is usually performed at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery’s accredited on-site surgical center. Or, it may be performed at an offsite outpatient surgical center or hospital. Regardless of the location, the surgeons at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery are dedicated to your comfort and safety throughout the duration of your breast augmentation.
What Are My Options for Anesthesia?
For optimal comfort and safety, breast augmentation is usually performed under general anesthesia.
What Is Recovery Like After Breast Augmentation?
Following the first few days after your breast augmentation, you should expect to experience soreness and swelling in your breasts, which can last for several weeks. You should avoid exercise and strenuous activity for about four to six weeks, but ultimately you should follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions about resuming activiy, since healing varies on an individual basis. You will also be given instructions on how to care for your breasts afterward, including massaging techniques, medications to take, what type of bra to wear, and follow-up appointments.
Will Breast Augmentation Give Me Noticeable Scars?
With time, any swelling in your breasts and incision lines will fade. Most incisions are strategically placed so that scars will be minimal and well hidden.