Breast augmentation surgery—also known as breast enhancement surgery—is a procedure to increase the size of your breasts and/or change the shape of your breasts. This is typically done using saline or silicone breast implants.
At VirdenMD, we understand that every woman has unique goals when it comes to achieving a natural, beautiful look. We listen to your desired outcome and discuss all available implant options to create a custom surgical plan that meets your specific needs.
Breast augmentation (or breast enhancement) can help you:
You may seek a subtle breast enhancement, or want a more dramatic transformation. We’re here to help you achieve a shape you love.
You may be a good candidate if you’re unhappy with the size, shape, or firmness of your breasts. Possible factors contributing to this include weight loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or a simple desire for a more full, more symmetrical look.
Breast augmentation can also help restore balance after breast cancer surgery.
Your provider will assess your individual needs and recommend the most suitable implant options to achieve your desired outcome.
Interested in breast augmentation surgery? Book an appointment with our team today!
During your pre-surgery consultation, your provider will conduct an exam to ensure you’re a good candidate for breast augmentation. Age plays a role in implant selection. Saline implants are typically available for those 18 and over, and silicone implants for those 21 and over.
Your provider will assess your existing breast tissue, shape, and skin elasticity, and take precise measurements of your breasts and chest wall to determine the ideal implant size, type (saline or silicone), and placement (behind the muscle or tissue).
As a general overview, breast augmentation typically takes 1 to 2 hours under general anesthesia. Your doctor will make small, strategically placed incisions based on your desired outcome and anatomy, and create a pocket behind your chest wall tissue or muscle—determined pre-procedure—to house the implant. The incisions are closed for a discreet and aesthetically pleasing result.
You can expect some soreness following your breast enhancement. Your provider will provide more in-depth post-surgical instructions and prescribe pain medication if needed.
You’ll leave the surgery wearing a comfortable post-operative bra with gentle compression to aid healing and minimize swelling. This bra is worn for around 3 weeks. We typically use dissolvable sutures for out-of-Reno patients, but local patients will return to our office for suture removal.
Bruising and swelling are common for 1 to 2 weeks, and we recommend light activity during your initial healing phase. Most patients recover fully within 6 to 8 weeks and experience a natural look and feel within a few months.
Breast implants are the silicone or saline filled devices inserted during surgery. Breast augmentation refers to the entire surgical procedure to increase your breast size or fullness. Breast augmentation can use implants, but can also involve fat transfer for volume.
Breast augmentation uses implants to increase size, fullness, or create a rounder shape. This is ideal for women seeking a bustier look or to restore volume after weight loss or pregnancy.
A breast lift improves position and perkiness by tightening existing tissue to address sagging or drooping. This is a good option for women who desire a more youthful breast shape without necessarily increasing size.
Breast implants—inserted during breast augmentation—typically last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Implants are not considered lifetime devices and may need to be replaced due to factors like wear and tear, rupture, or a change in your desired look.
There’s no single age that is best for breast augmentation. (The only age requirements come from the FDA regarding implants—18 or older for saline implants, and 22 or older for silicone.)
You may wait until your mid-twenties to ensure full breast development and have the chance to consider how future pregnancies or weight goals can impact your desired look. Your doctor will assess your overall health to determine if breast augmentation aligns with your goals at any age.
Some scarring is inevitable with any surgery, but following proper aftercare can reduce their visibility within a year. While genetics also plays a role, your provider may have more information about how to minimize scar formation.
Breast augmentation surgery is all about balance. As one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed among plastic surgeons, this surgery will make the breasts symmetrical and proportionate to the patient’s body shape. It is a surgery that produces stunning results for women who desire larger, shapelier breast, and our patients are thrilled with their enhancement. Please call our plastic surgery office and schedule your consultation with our team today.
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