Surgical procedure designed to enhance the size, fullness, and shape of a woman's breasts using implants or fat transfer.
Breast augmentation, a cosmetic surgical procedure, aims to enhance a woman’s breast aesthetic by increasing size, fullness, and shape. This procedure involves the use of saline or silicone breast implants, commonly known as gummy bear implants, which are inserted through minimal incisions and placed beneath the pectoralis muscle, known as submuscular breast augmentation.
Different types of implants are available: saline-filled implants, silicone gel-filled implants, structured saline implants, and form-stable implants.
Augmentation Without Implants: Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
While breast implants are the gold standard for improving breast shape and size, they are not the only way to increase breast volume. A small increase can be achieved without any implants, using your own fat.
Fat transfer breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that involves removing fat via liposuction from an area of the body such as the hips, flanks, stomach, or thighs and re-injecting that fat strategically into the breast to add volume. This technique can be customized to improve asymmetry, add cleavage, and/or increase volume up to about 1 cup size.
Breast augmentation offers increased breast size, improved shape and symmetry, and can enhance a woman’s overall silhouette. It provides a customizable solution with various implant types and the option of fat transfer for those seeking a more natural approach.
During breast augmentation, implants are inserted through minimal incisions and placed beneath the pectoralis muscle. Alternatively, fat transfer involves liposuction to remove fat from other areas of the body and re-injecting it into the breasts. The procedure typically takes about one to two hours and is performed under general anesthesia.
Before undergoing breast augmentation, many patients often ask about the appearance of their scars post-surgery. Skilled cosmetic surgeons strategically place incisions during breast augmentation to ensure that resulting scars are discreet and easily concealed.
The choice of incision technique depends on individual anatomy and desired outcomes. Patients can expect their surgeon to use one of several incision techniques when placing breast implants. Rest assured that experienced cosmetic surgeons prioritize minimizing scarring for optimal results.
The Procedure
Breast augmentation is a common outpatient procedure that is usually done under general anesthesia. Patients can often walk around by themselves a few hours after surgery and may feel ready to leave the house within a day or two. It is important to follow the instructions of your cosmetic surgeon, which may include wearing a supportive bra for a period of time. The implants may initially appear high on the chest but will settle into place over several weeks.
Regular mammograms are safe with breast implants, and monitoring for ruptures is recommended for silicone implants. Pregnancy or weight changes may impact results over time, and wearing a supportive bra can help prevent unnecessary sagging as breast tissue changes with age.
Patients can often walk around a few hours after surgery and may feel ready to leave the house within a day or two. It is important to follow the cosmetic surgeon’s instructions, which may include wearing a supportive bra. Initial swelling and high placement of implants will subside as they settle into place over several weeks.
Breast augmentation results in enhanced breast size, improved shape, and symmetry. Implants will settle into a natural position over time, and fat transfer provides a subtle increase in volume. Results can be long-lasting, but factors such as pregnancy and weight changes can affect the outcome.
Breast augmentation is a common outpatient procedure with a good safety profile when performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon. Regular mammograms are safe with breast implants, and monitoring for ruptures is recommended for silicone implants. Wearing a supportive bra can help maintain results over time.
The cost of breast augmentation varies depending on the type of implant or fat transfer, the surgeon’s experience, and the geographic location. Breast augmentation can range in price from $6,000-$12,000.
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