Breast Augmentation Specialist

Who is a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a choice to consider if you are unhappy with your breasts. Breast augmentation can:

• Increase fullness, size, and projection of your breasts
• Enhance your self-image and self-confidence
• Appropriately balance your figure 

Breast augmentation is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself. The procedure may be a good option for you if:

• You feel that your breasts are too small
• You are dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging

Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast Augmentation surgery usually takes one to two hours and is typically performed under general anesthesia. Three important decisions that will be discussed during your consultation with Dr. Patel are the following:

• Type of implant
• Placement of incision for the surgery
• Where to place the implant

Each patient is different and Dr. Patel will spend time with you during the consultation to create a treatment plan to help you achieve the look you want.

All breast implants whether saline or silicone consist of an outer silicone shell. Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water within the silicone shell. They can be filled with varying amounts of saline which can affect the shape, firmness, and feel of the breast. Silicone implants are filled with silicone gel. The gel feels and moves similarly to natural breast tissue. In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved silicone breast implants for breast augmentation surgery. In June 2011, the FDA issued a “white paper” on the safety of silicone gel implants.

During your consultation, Dr. Patel will help you decide which implant is right for you. Dr. Patel will also discuss with you the option of shaped vs. round implants. Anatomically shaped implants provide a long lasting shape and contour your breast with natural curves. 

Incisions for Breast Augmentation Surgery

Dr. Patel will discuss with you where to place the incisions for the surgery so they are located in inconspicuous places. This will allow the scar to be minimally visible. Options for scar placement include under the breast crease (inframammary incision), around the areola which is the dark skin around the nipple (periareolar), or under the arm (transaxillary).

Where to Place the Implants

Dr. Patel will discuss with you where to place the breast implants after the breast pocket is created. Dr. Patel places the implant in one of the following locations:

• Behind the muscle (a submuscular placement)
• Behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (a submammary/subglandular placement)
• A combination of the above – partially under the muscle and partially under the breast tissue (dual plane).

The method for inserting and positioning implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, and your body type.

Recovery

Most patients feel sore for about 24 – 48 hours. Usually patients return to work in 7 – 10 days. The swelling subsides after the first few weeks. The scars will start to fade within a few months and continue to lighten over the next few months and years.