Breast Enlargement

breast enlargement

Surgical Procedures

breast enlargement tucson

Breast enlargement, or breast augmentation, is an augmentation mammoplasty that is designed to increase the size of breasts that are underdeveloped or smaller than you prefer. This cosmetic surgery involves using silicone gel, saline implants, or fat transfer to increase the size of your breasts.

Breast enlargement surgery can also restore and enhance breast volume if it has decreased after pregnancy and childbirth.This cosmetic procedure helps restore the breast volume lost after sudden weight reduction or pregnancy.

You can achieve a more rounded breast shape or improve natural breast size asymmetry with a breast lift or breast implant surgery. The breast augmentation fat transfer procedure involves the removal of fat from one part of the patient’s body and using it to create improved breast volume.

How can breast enlargement surgery help?

  • Increase fullness of the breasts
  • Augment the projection of the breasts
  • Enhance body contours in the breast area
  • Improve your self-image and self-confidence

When should you consider breast enlargement surgery?

  • If you have underdeveloped breasts
  • If you feel your proportions would be better balanced with fuller breasts
  • If pregnancy, weight loss, or natural aging has left you with misshapen breasts

What are the types of breast implants?

There are two basic types of breast implants: saline implants and silicone gel implants.

  • Saline implants are silicone shells filled with sterile salt water (saline). In some cases, the saline water is pre-filled in the shells, while in some the water is filled during the implant procedure. There is a great deal of scientific evidence supporting the long-term safety of saline implants. Saline-filled implants are less likely to rupture and leak than silicone gel implants, and are less likely to result in capsular contracture. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the unconditional use of saline breast implants since May of 2000.
  • Silicone gel implants are silicone shells filled with plastic gel (silicone). Most patients say that silicone gel implants are more natural looking and feel more like real breasts than saline implants. These implants are made from a single piece of silicone and are designed to provide a smooth, natural look and feel. There is less chance of rippling with these implants due to their cohesion. Since 2006, silicone gel implants have been given conditional FDA approval for patients 22 years of age and older. These new form-stable silicone gel implants are made of a firmer and thicker cohesive silicone gel. Compared to older silicone gel implants, these new implants are much firmer and heavier, but initial reports show that they have a significantly reduced rupture rate.

Both types of implants are available in different sizes and can have either smooth shells or textured shells. It is advisable to discuss the best option for you with a specialist before planning to undergo breast augmentation surgery.

Dr. Peter Kay at Perfection Plastic Surgery & Skin Care is a practicing cosmetic surgeon in Tucson, AZ. He is certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and is a member of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Kay has successfully performed many breast augmentation procedures.

When to Consider Breast Enlargement

  • If you have underdeveloped breasts.
  • If you feel your proportions would be better balanced with fuller breasts.
  • If pregnancy, weight loss, or natural aging has left you with misshapen breasts.

Dr. Kay’s Approach

During your consultation, several important issues will be discussed in detail. One is the type of implant you will choose—silicone or saline. Our experience dictates silicone implants generally feel more natural and have a smaller chance of skin wrinkling in thin women. Saline implants afford more size adaptability and may be the best choice for women with significant asymmetry. It should be noted that saline implants are less expensive than silicone. During your consultation with Dr. Kay, you will thoroughly discuss and be informed of the pros and cons of each implant type as it applies to your individual situation. You will then be led through an exercise to determine an appropriate and desirable size for your implants. Part of this decision making process involves trying on implants of various sizes to better assist you in making a choice you are comfortable with.

Then, with Dr. Kay’s guidance, you will determine incision placement—either around the lower edge of your areola (the pigmented skin surrounding your nipple), or underneath your breast just above the natural crease. A pocket is created for the implant either behind your breast tissue or behind the muscle between your breast and your chest wall (pre-determined during your discussion with Dr. Kay). The best area for placement depends primarily upon your anatomy. If you opt to place the implant underneath the chest muscle, a small catheter (as thin as a paper clip) is inserted during surgery that will infuse local anesthetic into the area for several days post-operatively. This will significantly decrease post-operative discomfort, enabling you to move around more freely, consequently speeding up your recovery time.

Following breast augmentation surgery, your breasts will be wrapped in a dressing and placed in a surgical bra, which we provide. You will need to wear a supportive bra for several weeks following the procedure. Typically you will be able to resume normal activities, except for lifting more than 10 pounds, within a week of surgery.

PROS

  • Breast augmentation can provide symmetry of the body and a sense of well-being for many women.
  • Most often breast augmentation results in a natural feel and appearance to the breasts.

CONS

  • There is a risk of developing a capsular contraction.

FAQs

There is a great deal of scientific evidence supporting the long-term safety of breast implants. (During your consultation, I will discuss with you the known risks and safety issues associated with breast implants).

If you are in an appropriate age group for mammographic screening, I will ask that you have a mammogram report within one year of your surgery. Following surgery, we can assist you in finding a technician who has experience in mammography of augmented breasts; the presence of breast implants requires modified mammographic techniques and sometimes additional x-ray views.

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