Being unhappy with an aspect of your appearance is not unusual. For many women, the feature that makes them the most self-conscious is their breasts. This part of the female form is often associated with femininity and attractiveness, and sometimes women who have been graced with smaller breasts feel that they lack some of these traits. You might also feel that your breasts look out of proportion for your frame, or you want to enjoy shopping for a different style of clothes. Whatever your reason for considering breast augmentation surgery, our experienced surgeon, Dr. Jaimie Garza, can transform the appearance of your shape and give you the curves that you desire.

Types of breast implant

There are two different types of implant that you will be able to choose from. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, and your surgeon will be happy to talk these through with you to help you determine which is right for you.

Silicone implants

Silicone implants are probably the most well-known variety used in breast augmentation surgery. These are pre-filled bags of silicone that are inserted into the breast cavity whole, meaning that a fairly large incision may be required, depending on the size of your implant.

Silicone varieties are available in a range of different cup sizes, and you will be able to see, feel and potentially even try (by inserting the implant into your bra) the different options available to you. This will help you to decide how much larger you wish to go.

Saline implants

Saline implants are a little different in that they are inserted empty and then filled to the size of your choice. Again, this volume can be pre-determined ahead of your surgery. Since the saline implants are inserted empty, the incisions used to place them can be smaller. They can also be a better option for patients who currently have breasts of uneven sizes as different amounts of saline can be used to balance their appearance.

Natural restrictions to size enlargement in breast augmentation surgery

While we will endeavor to enable you to achieve the size increase that you desire for your breast augmentation surgery, it is important to realize that there are natural restrictions that may come into play. The skin can only stretch so far to accommodate your new breasts. This means that if you want to make a significant jump, such as from an A-cup to a DD-cup, it may be necessary to perform the breast augmentation procedure in two stages, for example from an A-cup to a C-cup, then from a C-cup to a DD-cup. This will allow the skin to stretch to accommodate your growing breasts.

What will happen during my breast augmentation surgery?

Breast augmentation is a fairly straightforward procedure that usually involves placing incisions under the natural breast through which your chosen implant will be placed. If there is a reason why we cannot make the incision here, it may alternatively be placed in the armpit or around the nipple. Whether or not your implants will be placed above or below the wall of muscle in the chest will depend on your individual circumstances and will be discussed with you at your consultation. Once your implants are in place, the incisions will be closed using sutures. A small scar will be evident under each breast, but this fades with proper care and time.

The entire procedure is carried out under the effects of a general anesthetic and usually takes under three hours. Patients may need to stay in our care overnight, although in many cases you can return home the very same day.

Recovery from breast augmentation surgery

It is important to remember that every patient recovers at their own pace. As such, your surgeon will give you instructions that should be followed, but that may need to be adapted to suit your rate of healing. However, a few key points to remember include the following:

• You can expect to wear a supportive bra for up to six weeks after your surgery. This will support your new breasts and prevent strain on the sutures.

• If you have a fairly sedentary job, you can probably go back to work within a week of your breast augmentation. If you have a physical job, you may need to take a few weeks off.

• Heavy lifting and any physical exertion should be limited for anywhere up to three weeks.

• Swelling and bruising can last some time and you may not see the overall result of your procedure for a number of months.

If you are considering breast augmentation surgery and would like more information, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our offices.