Breast Enlargement (Augmentation)

Breast enlargement is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure designed to change the size and shape of a woman’s breasts. This procedure can increase the cup size of your breasts and/or balance an asymmetrical appearance. Also known as “augmentation mammaplasty,” breast augmentation can also restore fullness to saggy breasts.

Ideal Breast Enlargement Candidates

It is important to carefully evaluate your goals and expectations regarding breast augmentation surgery, and feel comfortable discussing them with your doctor. During your initial consultation with Dr. David Kim, you should have an even clearer understanding as to whether you are a good candidate for breast enhancement. Overall, ideal patients for breast surgery are women who are healthy, psychologically stable, and looking for improvement – versus perfection – in the way they look. In turn, you will learn about the possible risks and uncertainties associated with breast augmentation.

Your surgeon will also need to know if you smoke, and if you are currently taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.

What To Expect From This Procedure

Augmentation mammaplasty is expected to take approximately one hour, and will be performed under a general anesthetic (puts you to sleep). During this cosmetic surgery procedure, a small incision will be made. This is where the doctor will create a pocket in which the implant will be inserted.

Typically, a breast implant can be inserted either under the breast tissue (over the muscle) or under the breast muscle (further below the breast tissue). With the intention of minimizing scaring, incisions can be made in either the armpit (transaxillary incision), along the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple known as the periareolar incision), or under the breast at the crease. Depending on the implant and surgeon’s preference, an incision can also be made in the belly button to insert the implant (transumbilical breast augmentation or TUBA). The exact location of the implant will depend on your anatomy, the look you want to achieve, and your doctor’s recommendation.

Implant Decisions

Essential factors to consider include: size, fill, shape, and exterior cover.

The size of the implants are determined by the volume of liquid inside them. When referring to the size, many medical professionals will use the term “cc.” This is short for cubic centimeters – a unit of measurement for volume. Basically, the more cc’s in an implant, the bigger your size will be.

Implants can be filled with cc’s of either saline or silicone gel (both are FDA approved in the United States), both of which are commonly favored by women seeking enhancement.

Saline is a sterilized solution of salt and water, silicone is composed of a synthetic material, and the newest implants are referred to as “gummy bear implants” – made of dense silicone gel that will not leak. The name “gummy bear” comes from the fact that when they are cut, they don’t leak (similar to the candy).

There are two basic shapes of implant: round or anatomical (“teardrop-shaped”). The results you get with each shape greatly depends on your unique anatomy, the amount of breast tissue you have, and how Dr. Kim positions the implants.

The exterior cover to the implant can be either smooth or textured. In general, textured implants have a thicker shell than a smooth exterior cover. To learn the benefits of each, consult Dr. Kim for the details to consider before deciding which is best for you.

Possible Breast Enlargement Risks

As with all surgery, there are risks to undergoing breast augmentation. Immediate risks include infection and excessive bleeding, especially in the implant pocket. Other problems may develop after the surgery, such as implant deflation, calcification in the pocket, or asymmetry, which may be a result of implant slippage. Capsular contracture may also develop, in which the scar tissue that forms around the implant tightens within the pocket causing the breast to feel hard.

Recovery

It is expected that you will feel sore and tired for a couple of days following your surgery, but the medication Dr. Kim prescribes will help to control most of the discomfort. You should be up and about shortly – in 24 to 48 hours. At first, you will have a gauze dressing that will need to be changed, but eventually will be given a special bra. Swelling in your breasts may take three to five weeks to cease, and your stitches should come out in about a week and a half after your procedure.

Dr. Kim is a board certified plastic surgeon with a private practice in the Los Angeles / Beverly Hills area. He specializes in tummy tucks, breast enlargement, face lifts and various areas within the cosmetic surgery field.

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