Breast
Breast Augmentation Overview
Breast augmentation surgery, which is also referred to as augmentation mammaplasty, is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures in the United States. Women who have very little breast tissue may consult with a trusted plastic surgeon, like Dr. Erick Sanchez, to have a breast augmentation in Baton Rouge using silicone or saline implants. The implants are surgically placed into the natural breasts to increase size and produce shapelier breasts, too.
In some cases, it may be performed in combination with a breast lift to achieve a fuller, more lifted breast appearance, where the breast lift corrects a sagging breast. Dr. Sanchez can for the right patient perform these surgeries at the same time for optimal results. Patients, who have had this combination cosmetic breast procedures, report that they are very happy with their new and improved chest size and contour.
There are many way to perform a breast augmentation. Consideration must be made into site of the incision as well a placement location of the silicone or saline implant. Most incisions are hidden under the in the breast fold or in the nipple areola skin. Skin incisions usually are limited to 4-6 cm. The incision size can be bigger for silicone implants as they are firmer. The surgeon then decides if the implant should be placed under the chest muscle or just under the breast tissue. For patient with little breast tissue to hide the upper part of the implant, placement under the muscle helps create a smooth and natural upper breast pole appearance. Subglandular (under the breast tissue) is more common in patients with more breast tissue.
Best Candidates for Breast Augmentation
Good candidates for breast augmentation are women who demonstrate:
- Small breast size for body shape
- Size discrepancy of breasts
- Breasts that have become smaller and lost their firmness after having children
- Non-smokers or those who have ceased smoking two months prior to the procedure
- Patients considering a mommy makeover
- Overall good health
- An understanding of this procedure, it’s risk, and benefits
Saline or Silicone Implants
Both saline and silicone breast implants remain popular choices among women today. The type chosen depends on a few different factors. Saline implants are filled with saltwater during surgery and this amount can be adjusted during the procedure. These implants can feel a bit firmer than silicone implants. Silicone implants have a pre-filled amount of cohesive gel when placed during surgery and they have a more natural feel.
Both silicone and saline implants have a silicone shell, just the fill of the implant is different. A lot of consideration has gone into determining the safety of silicone implants. From 1992-2006 the FDA placed a moratorium on the use of silicone implants. During that time numerous large scale studies determined that the use of silicone implants in breast augmentation is safe.
A couple of distinct differences between saline and silicone breast implants are that patients must be 18 years of age in order to receive saline implants, and 21 years of age for silicone. In addition, silicone implants usually cost about $1,000 more than saline. Also, how scar tissue forms (capsular tissue)around the implant is different between saline and silicone implants. Scar tissue will form around all implants placed in the body. In most patients this scar tissue or “capsule” is asymptomatic and causes no breast changes. In select patients, the scar tissue can tighten and cause something called a “capsular contracture”. Although rare, capsular contracture is more common with saline implants especially when placed above the chest muscle in the sub-glandular plane.
In your consultation with Dr Sanchez, he will assess the current breast tissue, as well your specific goals for augmentation and then together determine the best implant to use to attain the best long lasting result.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) updated their breast augmentation reports stating that there were more than 2 million of these procedures in 2019 alone. This procedure also has one of the highest satisfaction rates in plastic surgery. According to realself, 98% of women who received breast enlargement said that the treatment was worth it.
Incision Placements
Dr. Sanchez places breast augmentation incisions in inconspicuous locations so that scarring is barely noticeable. The precise location of the incision will be determined by a number of factors, including the type of breast implant used, the shape and size of the implant, the patient’s unique anatomy, and individual preferences. Generally, the surgeon can choose from any of three incision placements.
• Inframammary Incision
In this type of incision, Dr. Sanchez will create an incision along the breast crease. This allows more access so that the surgeon can easily place the implants. Inframammary incisions are great in situations where a silicone implant is being used because they provide flexible access to the breast tissue and pectoralis muscle interface. This is the most commonly used type of incision among patients who have a history of favorable scarring and a well-defined inframammary fold.
• Periareolar Incision
In this approach, the surgeon creates an incision near the lower half of the areola, which helps conceal the resulting scar. This type of incision can result in an optimal outcome when the breast augmentation is being combined with a breast lift. Periareolar incision types are commonly used on patients who have a poorly defined inframammary fold, and those who may be prone to hypertrophic scars (thick raised scars).
• Transaxillary Incision
Transaxillary incisions are far less common, but may still be used to suit the requirements of the surgery. The surgeon creates an incision under the armpit and dissects a tunnel via which to insert the implant. This technique does not create a scar on the breast itself but is usually prone to implant asymmetry (mis-positioning).
Dr. Sanchez will examine the patient and evaluate the requirements of your surgery before determining the best incision technique to attain the most natural looking results. At Erick Sanchez, MD Plastic Surgery in Baton Rouge, Dr. Sanchez uses advanced surgical techniques and keeps incisions to a minimum in order to reduce the likelihood of visible scarring.
Videos: What is Breast Augmentation?
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
It may be possible to use fat harvested from the patient’s own body (instead of implants) for the breast enlargement procedure. This type of technique is referred to as fat grafting or fat transfer. With liposuction, Dr. Sanchez will remove excess fat from other parts of the body such as the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Once harvested, the fat is then cleaned and purified before it is gently injected into the breast to form the new breast tissue. Natural breast augmentation is a complex procedure that requires the artistic eye of a skilled plastic surgeon. Keep in mind that patients who are too thin may not have enough reserves of excess fat in the donor area, and thus may not be good candidates for this procedure.
What to Expect from Breast Augmentation
The patient’s overall health, along with the current breast size and breast shape will be discussed during the initial consultation. Additionally, we will evaluate the underlying bone anatomy of the chest, the presence of breast masses (if any), the looseness of the skin of the breasts (if any) and the patient’s overall body shape in proportion to the breasts. Finally, measurements will be taken of the breasts to help determine the best implant size. Is is important to determine a specific size range for implants based of each individuals breast tissue. Using implants to large for the underlying breast structure can cause long term tissue damage and require possible revision.
Things to Consider with Breast Augmentation Surgery
When choosing the right breast implant, the surgeon will discuss several aspects of the various implants that are offered today. Each implant is produced with varying profiles, which is the amount of projection the implant will offer. This is taken into consideration along with the chest wall and the breast base width. The goal is to find an implant that will fill the base width naturally, while at the same time offering a projection the patient will be happy with. Breast implants also come in various shapes (round or tear-shaped), and different textures (smooth or a textured surface). The incision type and the implant placement will also be addressed. Dr Sanchez typically places the implant under the pectoralis major muscle with a pre-made pocket that is created surgically. A common approach for the incision is either within the natural crease of the breast or along the nipple. Both of these techniques hide scarring and offer a natural result.
After Breast Augmentation Surgery in Baton Rouge
After breast augmentation surgery, patients are placed in a surgical support bra. Swelling is expected after surgery. The swelling and bruising will start to resolve 1-2 weeks after surgery, although this will vary between patients. Usually patients may return to work within 3-5 days depending on the nature of their work. Most patients can resume modest activity in 2 weeks and a complete recovery can be expected between 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Breast Augmentation Surgery Cost
Breast augmentation surgery cost is typically between $5,600 and $6,600. Financing breast augmentation is also an option. is This includes implant, plastic surgeon, and anesthesia fees. Breast implant costs differ by roughly $1,000 between silicone, saline, and gummy bear implants. Thus, the cost of your Baton Rouge breast augmentation will vary in depending on the implant used, incision placement points, and if the patient needs a breast lift performed in tandem with the breast augmentation.
Achieve the Look You Want!
Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed among plastic surgeons. It is a surgery that produces gorgeous, natural looking results and the majority of women are thrilled with their outcome. If you desire shapelier breasts, please call our plastic surgery office and schedule your consultation with our doctor today.
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