About Breast Augmentation

New Horizons Plastic Surgery, Dr. H. James Webb, FACS

Breast augmentation is generally performed for breast enlargements; however, it can also be done to balance differently sized breasts or as a reconstructive measure following any other surgery on the breasts. A saline filled or silicone gel implant is generally placed behind the breasts, giving the appearance of a fuller, larger breast.

Breast Augmentation Options

Every woman's body is different, so the surgical procedure used to insert your breast implant will vary according to the size and shape of your breasts. The incision may be placed underneath the breast, around the areola or in the armpit. The implant may then be placed behind the pectoral muscles or directly underneath the existing breast tissue.

As with any cosmetic surgery, there are many variations and decisions to be made regarding your breast augmentation. Dr. Webb is incredibly skilled in overall body assessment, ensuring that your new breasts are not only beautiful in their own right, but complement your entire body.

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  • Choosing the right implant size

    After undergoing breast augmentation surgery, many women wish they had gotten larger breast implants. Deciding what size breast implant for you can be difficult. You don't want to get implants that are too large because they may interfere with your lifestyle. You also don't want to get implants that are too small and don't meet your goals for your breast augmentation surgery.

    There are several determining factors in deciding the perfect breast implant size for you. You will want to consider:

    • Your body type
    • Your body shape and size
    • Your lifestyle
    • The style of clothing you want to wear
    • Your specific personal goals

    Your Body's Type, Shape, and Size

    Your body type including your shape and size are the most important factors in deciding the breast implant size that is perfect for you. Smaller framed women will want to choose a smaller breast implant size. A larger size will not compliment the body's natural curves and may not look harmonious with the rest of the body. Women with larger frames will want to choose a larger implant size to accentuate the curves and help the waist visually look slimmer.

    Looking at before and after breast augmentation patient photos will help you get a better idea of how different implant sizes will look on your body. You can see photos of women with a similar body type to yours and see how their implants have improved their figures. This will only give you an idea of how your body will look because every woman's body is different and unique.

    Your Lifestyle and Style of Clothing

    Your lifestyle will have a huge impact on the breast implant size that is perfect for you. Athletic women will want to choose a smaller implant size. Larger implants may interfere with certain athletic activities such as running, jumping, or tumbling. Also, depending on how the implant is placed, building up the chest muscles may cause problems with the implants. Athletic women will want to have their implants placed above the muscle instead of below the muscle to allow for the muscle to change in size without impacting the implant.

    It is important to know how your breast implants will look in the style of clothing you wish to wear. Certain clothing will need to be filled out more with larger implants whereas smaller implants will look great in tighter fitting clothing.

    Your Personal Goals for Breast Augmentation

    Everyone has different goals and desires for breast augmentation. It is important to discuss these goals with Dr. Webb so he understands how best to help you with your decision. Many women consider the following when choosing a breast implant size:

    • How the size of implant will improve self-esteem
    • How clothing will fit better
    • How the implants will improve your natural appearance

    There are several reasons for wanting breast augmentation. The most important part of this procedure is your satisfaction. Please be sure to discuss every aspect of the procedure and your goals with Dr. Webb.

  • Incision options

    Breast augmentations are not all alike - they can be as unique as the women receiving them. Besides the choices in type of breast implant and size, a woman considering breast augmentation also has options about the location of the surgical incision. There are four different common incision locations, each with its advantages and drawbacks.

    Inframammary Incision

    An inframammary incision is made in the crease where the chest and the breast come together. This incision is sometimes called a crease or fold incision. The placement of the incision means that the scar resulting from the incision will be very difficult to see unless looking up at the breast from below. This location also means that the doctor will be inserting the breast implant and working directly at the breast. Also, this is the simplest approach for placing the breast implant over or under the pectoral muscle. This is the most common approach.

    Periareolar Incision

    A periareolar incision is made around the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. Scarring from this incision is usually minimal, as it blends in with the darker pigmented skin of the areola. As with inframammary incisions, a periareolar incision allows the breast implant to be placed either over or under the muscle tissue, and also allows the doctor to work closely at the site of implantation, making the procedure easier to perform. On the other hand, this procedure results in higher risk of breastfeeding complications and numbness in the nipple.

    Transaxillary Incision

    The transaxillary incision is made in the armpit, reducing the possibility of conspicuous scarring. As with the first two locations, this location allows for over or under breast implant placement. But, in this procedure, the doctor is working farther away from the breast, so perfect placement of the breast implants is more difficult. Also, any further surgeries cannot use the same entry point, so another incision will have to be made, increasing the chances of scarring.

  • Breast Augmentation Recovery Time

    A breast augmentation is typically performed if you wish to enlarge your breast size. However, this procedure can also balance unevenly shaped breasts or be combined with a breast lift.

    The First and Second Day after Surgery

    The day after your breast augmentation procedure, you will be sore and fatigued. You should apply ice packs to the chest area and do nothing but rest during the first 48 hours. If your implant is placed under your muscle, your recovery period may be longer because more incisions are required during the surgery. If your breast implants are placed over the muscle, you will heal faster and may return to work in as little as three days, providing your job is not strenuous. Several days after your procedure, your gauze dressings will be removed and you can switch to a surgical bra.

    The Week after Surgery

    The week after your breast augmentation, you can expect swelling, bruising, and breast pain. Most pain can be controlled with medication. It is a good idea to have a friend or family member around to help you because your movement will be limited during the first week. If you have stitches that must be taken out, they are often removed after one week.

    You should sleep in an upright position and avoid sleeping on your stomach for at least the first two weeks after your breast augmentation. Continue wearing a support bra or compression garment, as this will help:

    • Improve your blood circulation
    • Reduce swelling
    • Keep your implants in their correct position
    • Expedite the healing process

    All of which will contribute to you getting the results you desire from your breast augmentation.

    The Second to Fifth Weeks after Surgery

    For the first several weeks of your recovery, your breasts will be sensitive. They may remain swollen for a month or longer. Refrain from physical contact until your sensitivity has subsided, as this could lead to an injury that prolongs your recovery. Wait at least four weeks until resuming exercise and other strenuous activities.

    Several Months after Surgery

    It will take a good few months until you heal completely and your final results are visible. This can be frustrating, but be careful not to rush the healing process. This can injure your breasts, alter their appearance and require an even longer recovery period.

  • The best age for breast augmentation

    Breast augmentation is one of the more popular cosmetic surgery procedures. Many women feel more feminine and comfortable in their clothing after having the procedure. There are many questions asked by women during a confidential consultation with Dr. Webb about the procedure. The most common question is about the best age for breast augmentation.

    The best age for breast augmentation is anywhere from 18 to 50 years old. Women opt for this procedure for many reasons. Younger women wish to have the procedure because their breasts may not be as full as they wish them to be. Women who have had children notice their breasts have changed and are not as perky or full. Older women may notice the signs of age and gravity and want their breasts to feel youthful again. Whatever the reason, breast augmentation is an appropriate procedure at almost any age.

    Breast Augmentation for Teenagers

    The Food and Drug Administration does not recommend breast augmentation for women under the age of 18. It is important for the breasts to be fully developed before undergoing this procedure. Many women do not have fully developed breasts until their early 20s while other women's breasts are fully developed by the age of 18. Waiting for the breasts to be fully developed will help you and your breast surgeon decide what size and shape of breast implant is right for you. Deciding on a shape and size is very difficult while the breasts are still developing.

    Breast Augmentation for Women 20 to 35

    Most women who decide to have breast augmentation surgery are between the ages of 20 and 35. There are several considerations that need to be discussed before women in this age group have breast augmentation. These considerations are:

    • Are the breasts fully developed?
    • Does the woman plan on having children?
    • Does the woman plan on breast-feeding?

    Breast implants in women whose breasts are not fully developed may cause sagging and stretch marks after the breast are finished developing. The developing breasts will stretch further because of the implants and may cause excess skin.

    Women between the ages of 20 and 35 may choose to have children. Breast surgeons advise these women to wait to have breast augmentation until after they are finished having children. The breasts change during and after pregnancy especially if the woman breast-feeds. The breasts will grow and change in size and shape while the women breast-feeds. The breasts will reduce in size after the child is weaned. Breast implants in pregnant women and in women who breast-feed may have adverse affects. The implants will hinder the woman's ability to breast-feed and may cause the breasts to sag and reduce the firmness of the breasts.

    Breast Augmentation for Women 35 to 50

    This age group is typically the best for having breast augmentation. This is a good age range for having breast augmentation because these women are finished developing, usually done having children, in relatively good health, and are usually more mature.

    These women do not have to worry about the complications that having breast implants while being pregnant, breast-feeding, or still developing may cause. These women are also more mature and have a better understanding of the possible risks and complications associated with breast augmentation.

    Breast Augmentation for Women at Any Age

    Women over the age of 50 can have breast augmentation. It is important that women over the age of 50 be in excellent heath before undergoing the procedure. They also need have a firm understanding of the risks because the risks increase for women in this age group.

    Women can have breast augmentation at any age. You will want to make sure you understand the possible risks, complications, and benefits of having breast augmentation at your age before deciding to have the procedure.

  • Breast Augmentation FAQs

Before and After Pictures

Before After

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The content of this page is for informational purposes only and shouldn't be taken as medical advice. If you need personalized medical advice, please schedule a consultation with New Horizons Plastic Surgeon Dr. Webb.