Breast Augmentation

Dr. Alavi has performed over 5,000 Breast Augmentation procedures

Considering a Breast Augmentation, Revision, or Enhancement?

Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breast for several reasons:

• To enhance the body contour of a woman who, for personal reasons, feels her breast size is too small.
• To correct a reduction in breast volume after pregnancy.
• To balance a difference in breast size.
• As a reconstructive technique following breast surgery.

By inserting an implant behind each breast, surgeons can increase a woman’s bustline by one or more bra cup sizes. If you’re considering breast augmentation, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure–when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. It can’t answer all of your questions since a lot depends on your circumstances.

Types of implants

A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with silicone gel or a salt-water solution known as saline. Both of these implant types are available at the Center for Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Alavi has performed over 5,000 Breast Augmentation procedures and is considered an expert in both implant types. Dr. Alavi will review each implant type’s pros and cons and help you decide which is best for you.

The best candidate for Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon. The best candidates for breast augmentation are women looking for improvement, not perfection, in how they look. You will likely be a good candidate if you’re physically healthy and realistic in your expectations.

Breast augmentation is usually done to balance a difference in breast size, improve body contour, or reconstructive technique following surgery.

View Breast Augmentation Before & After Photos

Planning your surgery

In your initial consultation, Dr. Alavi will evaluate your health and explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you based on the condition of your breasts and skin tone. If your breasts are sagging, your doctor may also recommend a breast lift. Be sure to discuss your expectations frankly with your surgeon. They should be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives, risks, and limitations. You may want to ask your surgeon for a copy of the manufacturer’s insert that comes with the implant they will use — so that you are fully informed about it. And, be sure to tell your surgeon if you smoke and take any medications, vitamins, or other drugs. Your surgeon should also explain the type of anesthesia used, the facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved. Because most insurance companies do not consider breast augmentation medically necessary, carriers generally do not cover the cost of this procedure.

Breast augmentation surgery is relatively straightforward. But as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure. Your surgeon and staff will discuss these risks during your initial consultation. While most women do not experience these complications, you should discuss each with your physician to ensure you understand breast augmentation’s risks and consequences.

Preparing for your surgery

Dr. Alavi will give you instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding specific vitamins and medications. While making preparations, arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and help you for a few days, if needed.

Where your surgery will be performed

Your surgery will be performed in our accredited operating room.

Types of anesthesia

Breast augmentation can be performed with general anesthesia, so you’ll sleep through the entire operation. Some surgeons may use local anesthesia combined with a sedative to make you drowsy, so you’ll be relaxed but awake.

The Surgery

The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your anatomy and your surgeon’s recommendation. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest, around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple) or in the armpit. Every effort will be made to ensure that the incision is placed so that the resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible.

Incisions are made to keep scars as inconspicuous as possible, in the breast crease, around the nipple, or in the armpit. Breast tissue and skin are lifted to create a pocket for each implant.

Working through the incision, the surgeon will lift your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath your chest wall (the pectoral muscle). The implants are then centered beneath your nipples. Some surgeons believe that putting the implants behind your chest muscle may reduce the potential for capsular contracture. This placement may also interfere less with breast examination by mammogram than if the implant is placed directly behind the breast tissue. However, placement behind the muscle may be more painful for a few days after surgery than placement directly under the breast tissue.

The breast implant may be inserted directly under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle.

You’ll want to discuss the pros and cons of these alternatives with your doctor before surgery to ensure you fully understand the implications of the procedure they recommend. The surgery usually takes one to two hours to complete. Stitches close the incisions, which may also be taped for greater support. A gauze bandage may be applied over your breasts to help with healing.

After surgery, breasts appear fuller and more natural in tone and contour. Scars will fade with time.

After your surgery

You’re likely to feel tired and sore for a few days following your surgery, but you’ll be up and around in 24 to 48 hours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication prescribed by your doctor. Within several days, the gauze dressings will be removed if you have them, and you will continue to wear the surgical bra for four weeks after your surgery. You may also experience a burning sensation in your nipples for about two weeks, but this will subside as bruising fades. Your stitches will come out in a week to 10 days, but the swelling in your breasts may take three to five weeks to disappear.

Getting back to normal

You should be able to return to work within a few days, depending on the level of activity required for your job. Follow your surgeon’s advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct stimulation for two to three weeks, so you should avoid much physical contact. After that, breast contact is fine once your breasts are no longer sore, usually three to four weeks after surgery. Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months or even appear to widen. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never completely disappear. Routine mammograms should be continued after breast augmentation for women in the appropriate age group. However, the mammographic technician should use a special technique to ensure you get a reliable reading.

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