Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and help build your self-confidence and self esteem.

The best candidates for breast augmentation are:

  • Women who are looking for improvement in their figure and are bothered by their feelings that their breasts are too small
  • Women who have small breasts or loss of breast volume following breastfeeding are typically good candidates for breast augmentation
  • Woman whose breasts have become smaller and have lost their firmness after having children
  • One breast is noticeably smaller than the other
  • Weight loss has changed the shape and or size of your breast

You should be in good physical condition and have realistic expectations to be a good candidate for the Los Angeles, CA procedure.

A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with a saltwater solution known as saline. If the implant leaks, the saline is absorbed into the body. This is the same as if the saline were given as an IV fluid. The method of inserting and positioning an implant is dependent upon factors based on the patient’s anatomy that are discussed with your doctor at the time of the consultation.

1. The incision can be placed in a number of different locations and every effort is made by your doctor to assure that the incision is placed so the resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible.

2. After the incision is made, a pocket is created either under the breast tissue or under the pectoralis muscle. This pocket is made just large enough to accommodate the implant. The implant is then positioned to give the best cosmetic result.

3. Following surgery, detailed instructions are given to the patient as to post-operative care and activity. All information regarding implants is discussed with the patient at the time of surgery.

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Breast Augmentation FAQ

What makes up implants and what different styles are there?

Nowadays, implants typically contain a silicone shell and are generally full of a saline solution. Only in particular cases are silicone gel-filled implants used, as they are restricted by the FDA. Styles of implants include difference in size, shape and consistency. The implants shape can be contoured like a tear-drop or round. The consistency can be silky or grainy. Which style is best suited for you depends on your personal situation. Your surgeon can help you with deciding.

Breast augmentation surgery should last for how long?

Usually anywhere from one to three hours is how long surgery lasts. However it really depends on the individual patient, what type of placement for the implant and the form of anesthesia that is used.

Will my breast be more sensitive after breast augmentation?

Though short-term, the breast or nipple can have some sensitivity after breast augmentation. A few patients feel an enhanced sensitivity, others may feel a decrease, and a tiny amount of patients may have lost all feeling in their breast or nipple. There have been some unusual situations where these types of experiences are permanent, having a lasting affect on breastfeeding as well as a response sexually.

Where the likely sites of the incisions?

The many possible sites incisions are put are: periareolar (around the nipple); inframammary (within the crease beneath the breast); or axillary (below the armpit). Depending on a few factors, your incisions will be determined with the help from your surgeon. Typically, inframammary and axillary placements are linked with less complications if you decide to breastfeed, although both do have a small visible scar. Periareolar placement will result with a less visible scar, but higher complications with breastfeeding.

How much recovery time is required after surgery?

After breast augmentation, each patient recovers in her own way and with various periods of time. For the most part though, a patient commonly can go back to work in a few days after their surgery, but laborious activities needs to be avoided for 3 weeks or more.

What is a gummy bear implant?

A generally new sort of implant that has an inner substance close to the texture of a gummy bear are called gummy bear implants. They are technically recognized as cohesive gel implants and designed like this to lessen the wrinkling effect. Also, they are known to keep their shape and reliability should they leak or break.

What is the different between contoured implants and round implants and which of the two are the better?

Also called anatomical implants, contoured implants are in the shape of a tear drop and the round implants are merely round. Depending on the patient and a variety of reasons, your surgeon will help you determine which one is right. There are patients that would rather have contoured implants because they look more natural and then there are others who prefer to have the fuller look of the round implants (accomplished by submuscular placement). Problems can result if the contoured implants move or roll, requiring additional surgery. The majority of contoured implants are textured as to help lessen the dangers of them moving around.

How does the size of the implants get determined?

There are a lot of things to consider when thinking of implant size and because of that, your surgeon is there to help you make the right choice. Yet, many patients find that size choosing is the hardest decision. An idea to help you decide may be to begin looking at photos in magazines to help yourself better determine the shape and size that you think is eye-catching. Another idea may be to get a few different sized bras and fill them with padding to see which size you feel most comfortable in.

What is the meaning of bottoming out?

After surgery if the implant drops very low on the chest, that is called bottoming out. Further surgery is typically required. Although there are many reasons for bottoming out, the typical reasons are because of the inframammary and periareolar placements of the incision, and the subglandular placement of the implant. Bottoming out can happen right after surgery or over a period of time.

What does symmastia mean?

Symmastia is a problem with implants when they slide together to the middle of the chest making them look like one breast. This condition is often referred to as ‘breadloaf’. This complication normally requires corrective surgery.

Does breast augmentation procedure hurt?

There is always some type of anesthesia used for the procedure, yet depending on the patient, they might have some sort of pain. With submuscular implant placement, there usually more pain. In about a couple of days, with medication prescribed for pain by your surgeon, the hurt should go away.

If I get pregnant will my breast implants have an affect on me?

It can be feasible for breast implants to have a negative affect in regards to breastfeeding. A postpartum lift may be needed since pregnancy can change the look of augmented breasts.

After surgery, how will my implants feel?

Breasts with breast implants are likely to feel firmer than those breasts that are natural. However, the majority of patients think that it’s a good thing. Factors that may impact how breasts naturally feel after breast augmentation are: the placement of the implants, the implant’s surface and filler, the feel of the skin and the amount of current tissue that’s left.

How long is the recovery for scars to become pale?

After breast augmentation, the scars will become pale within several months to a full year.

What are string implants?

Currently, string implants are not available in Los Angeles or the U.S. They are made up of a polypropylene material and after implantation they continually get bigger.

What is different between textured and smooth implants and is one better than the other?

Silky on the surface, smooth implants do not have a texture, while on the other hand, textured implants do. The textured implants were first developed lower the danger of capsular contracture, but it is not totally for sure that they do. Most contoured implants are textured to help lower the danger of moving or twisting. The choice that is best for you will be determined with help from your surgeon.

What choices are there for implant placement and which one is the better choice?

Two choices for the implant placement are subglandular (above the chest muscle) and submuscular (below the chest muscle). There are benefits to them both and picking the correct one is figured out with the help of your surgeon. The submuscular placement is linked with a lower danger of implant palpability, capsular contracture and the interference with mammograms, however this placement can have an extended surgery and healing time, reduced access in the case of a re-operation and more pain. The subglandular placement is linked less surgery and healing time, easier access in the case of a re-operation and a smaller amount of pain, yet this placement can have a higher chance of implant palpability, capsular contracture and interference with mammograms.

What is rippling and how does it happen?

One of the main reasons of a disappointing breast augmentation is rippling. It’s when waves or notches appearing on the shell of the implant and could be felt or visible through the skin. It us typically necessary to take the implant out and replace it, but sometimes the rippling is only short-term. It can happen for a few reasons, such as: the subglandular placement of the implant (specially in patients that have little or no tissue coverage and thin skin), implants that are textured, or the underfilling of the implant.

Is it true that breasts make noises after breast augmentation?

Noises such as buzzing, cracking, squeaking, gurgling or sloshing coming from the breasts after augmentation is common amongst some women. It’s a result of air bubbles in the implant pocket, a build up of fluid or the implants just trying to settle. Within several weeks, the noises should stop.

Does insurance pay for the cost of a breast augmentation procedure?

Because it is a cosmetic surgery, breast augmentation is usually not covered by insurance; however, if it is used after a mastectomy, some companies do offer some sort of coverage.

What are the risks concerning breast augmentation and mammograms?

Implants, predominately subglandular placed implants, can hinder with the reading of a mammogram, so it is important for patients to mention that they have implants to the technician. Deposits of calcium may appear around the implant, allowing a misreading of it being cancer. When this happens the implant has to be taken out in able to find out for sure if there is cancer.

With breast augmentation, what anesthetic is used?

General anesthesia or a mixture of local anesthesia and sedation is typically used.

What are the dangers linked with breast augmentation?

With every sort of surgical procedure there are dangers linked and the same goes for breast augmentation. The dangers might include bleeding, infection, mammography interference, capsular contracture, deflation, breast or nipple sensation changes, or implant removal and/or implant replacement.

What are soy bean oil implants?

Presently not accessible in Beverly Hills or the U.S., soybean oil implants that has soybean oil as the filler. At first, soybean oil as a filler was thought to provide positive results such as not interfering with mammogram readings, and if it leaked or broke that the body could safely absorb it; however their long-term effects are not known.

Can fat injections be used for a breast augmentation?

Although it could be a great means for other procedures, especially as a soft tissue filler for facial features, fat injections are not a good alternative for breast augmentation. This is because the outcome is short-term and can turn into problems, such as misdiagnosed mammogram readings.

What are the dangers of getting extremely big implants?

When deciding on the extent of the implant, it is imperative that you consider what amount your own body can make room for. Those that do not have tissue that exists and opt for an extremely big implant may have results that can effortlessly be noticed and felt through the skin. Also, breasts that have very big implants can become droopy too early just like naturally big breasts do.

How long do implants last?

Not meant to last forever, implants may over time need surgery to remove and/or be replaced. They can give way at any given moment even though there are people who think they have a life span of about ten years. There are a few implant manufacturers that give some form of guarantee that could consist of replacing the implant if required.