What Are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation boasts very high patient satisfaction rates because of its benefits. Some of these benefits include:
- Transforms naturally small breasts into a full and feminine bustline: While some women enjoy the appearance of their natural breasts, others want to enhance them with breast augmentation.
- Provides a more balanced figure: Small breasts may not pose a problem when they are part of a well-proportioned and petite figure. However, when the lower half of a woman’s body doesn’t match the top, she can benefit from breast augmentation.
- Restore volume loss due to pregnancy or dramatic weight loss: Breast implants can restore the volume often lost after pregnancy, breastfeeding, and significant weight loss.
- Increases confidence and self-esteem: When a woman’s silhouette looks out of balance or she feels less feminine due to her small breasts, a breast augmentation can make her feel better about her body.
- Corrects asymmetrical breasts: Breast asymmetry occurs when one breast is smaller or lower. This can result from hormonal changes, puberty, or trauma and can be solved with breast implants.
These are a few reasons women choose to undergo breast augmentation. If you are experiencing problems with your body image, breast enlargement surgery might be right for you.
If you plan to become pregnant in the next few years, you may want to postpone this procedure as your results may be altered.
Planning Your Breast Augmentation
Establishing Your Goals
If you are considering breast enhancement surgery, visualize your ideal outcome and look for images of other women with breasts that are similar to the results you desire.
It is important to remember that breast augmentation is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. At Inland Breast and Body, our surgeon will tailor your cosmetic breast surgery to meet your needs and goals. During your consultation, Dr. Andreasen will help guide you through the decision process to ensure your satisfaction.
Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
Dr. Andreasen is a leading breast expert in the Inland Empire, performing over 400 breast procedures each year. He understands the emotional and physical needs that his breast augmentation patients have and uses techniques best suited to meet those concerns.
During your consultation, Dr. Andreasen evaluates your body type, the condition of your natural breasts, your medical history, and your cosmetic goals.
With these factors in mind, he will recommend the best implant material, incision type, and placement option. Implant simulators may be used to help you visualize results based on the choices available.
Including a Breast Lift
Young women typically only need implants to achieve their desired breast appearance. For women who have been pregnant, experienced weight fluctuations, or have age-related breast laxity, a breast lift may be included to ensure firm and full results that will last for many years.
Dr. Andreasen will assess the elasticity of your natural breast tissue during your consultation.
“Thank you so much for all your help in making this very important decision. Your staff was very welcoming and so sweet. Your honesty is very refreshing and I look forward to soon scheduling my surgery!”
"I have had a few people tell me to check out other doctors with cheaper costs but am not interested at all. I am very insecure when it comes to certain parts of my body and i felt very comfortable and sure that I wanted you to do this surgery."
"I had gone too 2 diffrent locations , this place made me automatically made my mind up I had two recommendations from this place and I love the work they did on them , staff is very nice as well as the surgeon I love this place very pleased with my procedure."
Individual results may vary
How Should I Prepare for My Breast Augmentation?
To prepare for your breast augmentation surgery, you should:
Stop smoking
Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs
Arrange for a week of recovery time
Gather previous medical records
What Are My Breast Augmentation Options?
Breast augmentation is a highly customized procedure that requires your input about the size, placement, and implant type.
Dr. Andreasen will help you decipher your options during your consultation.
Which Breast Implant Is Right for Me?
- Saline Implants – A saline implant consists of an elastomer silicone shell filled with a sterile saltwater solution during the placement procedure. These implants are FDA-approved for women 18 years or older.
- Saline implants are considered the safest option because the body can easily absorb the solution filler in the event of a rupture.
- Expandable saline implants can be adjusted during surgery for customized sizing.
- Saline implants are available in both smooth and textured options.
- Saline implants are more prone to visible ripples and may appear less natural when compared to silicone options. However, this complication can be avoided with sufficient natural breast tissue or submuscular placement.
- Silicone Implants – A silicone implant is a silicone shell that is comprised of a form-stable cohesive gel. Implants are FDA approved for women 22 years or older.
- Silicone implants better simulate the natural look and feel of breast tissue, which is why it is the most commonly preferred implant option.
- Silicone implants may be a better choice for women with less breast tissue because they are not prone to rippling.
- Silicone implants are available in both smooth and textured options.
- Since silicone implants are pre-filled, your incision options may be larger.
Where Will My Breast Incisions Be?
Dr. Andreasen’s incision options are designed to leave discreet scars. The type of implant you choose for your procedure will impact which incision is best for you.
If a breast implant exchange is needed, Dr. Andreasen will make the incision in the same spot as the initial breast augmentation incision to minimize scarring.
Common breast augmentation incision options include:
- Periareolar – An incision is created around the areola
- Inframammary – An incision is placed along the lower breast crease
- Transaxillary – An incision made within the underarm
Where Are My Breast Implants Placed?
The placement of your implants can impact the overall shape and profile of your augmented breasts.
- Subglandular – The implants are placed under your natural glandular breast tissue but over the pectoral muscle. This prevents distortion of the implant during muscle contraction.
- Submuscular – The implants are placed under the pectoral muscles. This helps create a more natural breast slope and helps to mask implant edges in women with thinner breast tissue or who have chosen saline implants.
- Partial submuscular – Implants are placed underneath the breast tissue and partially under the chest muscles.
Which Breast Implant Size Is Right for Me?
The best implant size for you is determined by your body type and personal preference. Smaller implants can make a dramatic difference if you have a petite frame, whereas larger implants may be necessary to achieve your ideal shape if you have a broader chest.
What Are Your Concerns?
What Is Breast Augmentation Recovery Like?
You will experience some bruising and swelling after your surgery. A special support or compression bra should be worn throughout your recovery, and you will be required to rest for several days following your procedure.
Most patients can return to work within a week or two after surgery and resume a regular exercise routine after about a month. Your breasts may still feel tender around this time, but excess swelling should subside after six weeks.
Will I Have Scars After My Breast Augmentation?
The visibility of your breast augmentation scars will depend on incision placement and your body’s natural healing ability. Any scarring that develops can easily be concealed by clothing and natural skin folds. If you add a breast lift to your augmentation, you can expect additional scarring. However, Dr. Andreasen uses incision techniques to help minimize scars. Most breast augmentation and lift scarring are inconspicuous and will fade over time.
Will I Experience Pain During Breast Augmentation?
General anesthesia is used during your surgery to ensure safety and comfort. You may feel discomfort following your procedure as your body acclimates to the new pressure of your implants and incision sites heal. Oral pain medication is prescribed to help control post-operative discomfort.
When Will I See My Breast Augmentation Results?
You will notice the increased breast size immediately after the surgery. However, the final results may not be noticeable until the swelling subsides and the implants settle into place, which can take up to two months.
Adhering to Dr. Andreasen’s post-operative instructions following breast augmentation will lead to a better recovery experience and the best results. Our team is here to help with any questions you may have during recovery.
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?
Breast augmentation is a nuanced and intricate plastic surgery procedure that involves many steps and an individualized approach.
Since the final cost of your breast augmentation will reflect this personalization, it is difficult to estimate the price of your breast augmentation until you meet with Dr. Andreasen for your consultation, where your needs can be better established.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) lists the average cost of breast augmentation as $3,824, but this is only the national average of surgeon’s fees and does not include other charges such as facility fees, anesthesia fees, and location.
Financing options are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?
You may be the right candidate for breast augmentation if you:
- Are in good general health
- Have realistic expectations about your results
- Are at an ideal weight
- Have underdeveloped breasts
- Have poorly proportioned breasts
- Have an asymmetrical breast appearance
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When can I shower after breast augmentation?
You can shower the day after your breast augmentation surgery as long as you keep the incisions clean and dry.
It is important to keep your incisions clean and dry throughout your breast augmentation recovery to aid in the healing process.
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Will breast augmentation naturally lift my breasts?
No, a breast augmentation alone will not raise the breasts. Women with sagging breasts should consider combining their breast augmentation procedure with a breast lift to achieve optimal results.
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Do breast implants impact your ability to breastfeed?
Certain breast implant placement techniques may affect your ability to breastfeed in the future.
It is important to discuss these concerns with Dr. Andreasen during your consultation.
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Does breast augmentation cause you to lose sensation in your nipples?
While you may experience some initial loss of nipple sensitivity, this is usually not permanent. Most patients do not experience any long-lasting changes in sensation.
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What are the complications associated with breast augmentation surgery?
As with any surgery, bleeding and infection are the most common risks.
While rare, other complications can include:
- Implant rupture
- Implant leaks
- Capsular contracture
- Bottoming out
- Issues associated with tissue laxity
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What is implant rupture?
Implant rupture is a complication that occurs when the outer shell of the implant weakens and tears, causing discomfort and a deflated breast appearance.
You can read more about what to do if your implants rupture in our blog post here.
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Are breast implants safe?
Silicone and saline implants are FDA-approved for cosmetic use. Although they are safe, breast implants may cause complications over time.
Breast implants are not designed to last forever, and it is important to be mindful of your implants as they age.
Patients with silicone breast implants should receive regular MRI screenings to ensure there are no serious complications with their breast implants.
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Can breast implants cause cancer?
The FDA has reported an association between a specific brand of textured breast implants and the development of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), which is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that can develop in the fluid or scar tissue surrounding the implant.
Common symptoms of BIA-ALCL are persistent swelling and a large bump in the area of the implant. This cancer may develop after the incision has fully healed or years after the procedure. It is a good idea to learn about the device manufacturer and implant type.
Dr. Andreasen will answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the potential risks of BIA-ALCL. You can also view an FDA recommendation on things to consider before getting breast implants.
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Should I stop smoking before my breast augmentation surgery?
Yes, you should stop smoking weeks before your breast augmentation surgery.
Nicotine is a harmful substance that can interfere with blood flow and put you at serious risk during and after the procedure.
Dr. Andreasen is the premier plastic surgeon in the Inland Empire of SoCal
Troy J. Andreasen, M.D.
3333 Concours St Bldg #3
Ontario CA 91764
Phone: 909-291-4900
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