Breast Augmentation Surgery
Small breasts can be the result of a number of factors. Genetics, pregnancy, or weight loss can all rob you of attractive, full breast volume that enhances your appearance and helps create feminine curves. Breasts that are too small may lack an appealing shape or eye-catching definition. Breast augmentation utilizes implants to increase the size and improve the shape of your breasts for a fuller, more attractive bustline.
Customize Your Breast Augmentation
Breast Implant Options
Material
Saline
- Silicone shell filled with a saltwater solution
- Placed empty and filled during the surgery
- Allows for easy identification of an implant rupture
- More prone to visible wrinkling and rippling
Silicone
- A silicone shell surrounding a cohesive silicone gel
- Best simulates the look and feel of natural breast tissue
- The cohesive nature of the gel minimizes visible wrinkling and rippling
- More difficult to identify implant ruptures
Shape
Round
- Round with a continuous edge
- Comes in a variety of profiles, including high, medium, or low
- Won’t cause breast distortion if the implant rotates in the breast pocket
- May create a noticeably augmented look in women with thinner natural breast tissue
Anatomical
- Teardrop shape designed to simulate the natural shape of the breast
- Low implant projection helps create a more natural-looking breast
- If the implants rotate in the breast pocket, it will distort the appearance of the breast and may require surgical intervention to correct
- More expensive than round implants
Texture
Smooth
- Smooth outer shell that allows the implant to rotate in the breast pocket
- Ideal for round implants
- Less prone to visible rippling and wrinkling
Textured
- A rough outer shell that helps prevent the implant from rotating in the breast pocket
- Ideal for anatomical implants
- May be considered during revision surgery for women with a history of capsular contracture
Implant Locations
Over the Muscle
- Implants are positioned under the breast tissue but over the pectoral muscle
- Allows for an easier placement and shorter recovery period
- Can help create more defined cleavage
- Implant shape isn’t distorted during pectoral muscle flexing
- More prone to visible implant rippling
- Higher rate of capsular contracture
- Lacks support of the lower breast tissue that may result in bottoming out
Under the Muscle
- Implants are positioned under the breast tissue and the pectoral muscle
- Ideal for women with thinner breast tissue because it masks implant edges
- Provides extra implant support
- Lower risk of capsular contracture
- More discomfort during recovery due to the displacement of the pectoral muscle during insertion
- Might cause slight implant distortion during muscle flexing
Incision Locations
Under the Breast (Inframammary)
- The incision is made under the breast where the tissue meets the chest wall
- Allows for implant placement over or under the muscle
- Allows for more precise implant placement
- The scar is well concealed below the breast
Around the Areola (Periareolar)
- The incision is made around the edge of the areola (the colored skin that surrounds the nipple)
- Allows for implant placement over or under the muscle
- Allows for a breast lift to be easily combined with your augmentation
- Possible scarring blends well with the natural border of the areola
- Higher rates of capsular contracture
In the Armpit (Transaxillary)
- The incision is made in the natural folds of the armpit
- Allows for implant placement over or under the muscle
- Implant placement may not be as precise as with other methods
- Scarring may be visible in evening gowns or swimsuits
- May require a second incision if bleeding is encountered or if a secondary revision is needed
What do you desire?
Fuller Breasts
Choosing a properly sized implant can help you add volume to the breasts and create a balanced body appearance. For many women, fuller breasts allow them to feel sexier and more attractive. Larger breasts allow women to feel comfortable in a wider variety of clothing, including dresses and bathing suits.
An Attractive Shape
For some women, their small breasts lack definition and shape. In some cases, the breasts may appear pointed and cause women to feel self-conscious about their appearance. Choosing an implant shape and projection that best suits your body can dramatically improve the shape of your breasts, helping you feel more confident in the appearance of your breasts.
Enhanced Cleavage
When women increase the size of their breasts, they often also want to enhance their cleavage. Having more defined, attractive cleavage can improve the appearance of your clothing and provide better breast definition. Implant projection and insertion techniques can be used to create better cleavage, and your surgeon can help determine the best options to achieve the amount of cleavage you desire.
Voluptuous Curves
Creating larger breasts can also help create more pronounced curves. These curves can make your body feel more soft and feminine. Voluptuous curves can improve the appearance of clothing and make you feel sexier. For some women, creating curves also helps bring balance and better proportions to their body’s frame.
Increased Confidence
The greatest benefit of breast augmentation is the boost in confidence many women experience after they enhance their breasts. Having a more balanced appearance can help you feel more confident and attractive in your body. When you feel positive about your appearance, you feel better about yourself. It has been shown that increased confidence impacts other areas of your life, leaving you feeling more satisfied and content.
Before & After Photos
50 year old female had a mommy makeover that included a breast augmentation (365cc silicone gel) and a mini tummy tuck with high definition liposuction of the abdomen and flanks.
View Photo GalleryBreast Augmentation Concerns
Recovery
Your breasts may feel bruised and swollen following your surgery. Breast soreness and tightness is common and may last several days. You will rest for three to four days in an upright position following your surgery.
Most patients can return to work within three to five days following their surgery. You may wear a special support bra to facilitate healing and provide better results. Patients can resume their regular exercise routine after four weeks with surgeon’s permission. Your implants will sit high on your chest wall immediately after surgery and can settle and drop for up to 6 months following your surgery. Most major swelling should have subsided after six weeks, at which time your final results should be visible. Minor swelling may last up to six months and can slightly affect the appearance of your breasts.
Scars
Dr. Wilson always takes great care to place your incisions in discreet locations. Some patients are more genetically prone to scarring than others. Patients who develop visible scarring will likely see an improvement in their scars over time. Most scarring eventually fades.
Pain
You may feel a tight, new pressure on your chest from the additional weight of your implants. This discomfort can last for several days. During this time, oral medication can be taken to control any pain you may experience.
Risks
Breast augmentation is a safe procedure with a low risk of complications. As with any surgery, you should follow your after-care instructions carefully to avoid infection. The most common complications after breast augmentation are implant rupture and capsular contracture. Discuss with your surgeon how to best care for your breasts following surgery and how to identify any possible complications that may develop.
Cost
The cost of a breast augmentation is determined by several factors. Surgical fees, implant fees, facility fees, and anesthesia fees are all reflected in the cost of your breast augmentation. The type of implant used, including material and shape, can affect the cost of your procedure. A customized quote will be provided for you following a thorough consultation.
Breast Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions in Huntsville, AL
What implant size is best for me?
The best way to determine the implant size that will best suit your needs is to undergo a consultation with your surgeon. The size of your implants will significantly affect your results and may affect how active you can be following the procedure. Very large (oversized) implants may be a hindrance to women who enjoy a highly active lifestyle, while small implants may not provide the desired improvement. Sharing your goals and concerns with your surgeon will help them give you advice on which size may be right for you.
What can I do to improve my breast augmentation results?
If you are not satisfied with your breast augmentation results or would like to make some minor changes, breast revision surgery may be a good option. A breast revision is a secondary breast procedure that can be used to:
- Correct an implant complication(s)
- Change implant shape, size, or material
- Remove implants permanently
If you would like to undergo a breast revision, there is typically a six-month waiting period needed after your breast augmentation. This allows the implants to settle into their final position.
What are the risks associated with breast augmentation?
As with all surgical procedures, there are some risks associated with breast augmentation. These potential risks include:
- Complications with the anesthesia
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Poor scarring
- Asymmetry
- Implant complications, such as capsular contracture and implant rupture
The risk of complications can be significantly reduced by following your surgeon’s pre and post-procedure instructions very carefully.
Will my breast augmentation results be permanent?
Previous generation silicone breast implants were recommended to be exchanged every 10 years because of “gel bleed,” a phenomenon in which the silicone gel would slowly ooze out of the implant shell. Fortunately, today’s gel implants no longer have gel bleed, so arbitrary implant exchange is no longer required. With the newer generation implants (4th and 5th generation), some women experience complications requiring implant exchange, and others keep their implants a lifetime without complications. You can maintain the contours of your breasts by following all the post-operative instructions from your surgeon, wearing supportive bras, and avoiding significant weight fluctuations.
