What Are the Benefits of a Breast Augmentation?
Women who undergo breast augmentation may enjoy the following benefits:
- Increased breast volume
- Feminine curves
- Greater availability of clothing
- Better breast symmetry
- Enhanced confidence
Am I a Candidate for a Breast Augmentation?
Women consider breast augmentation to enhance the shape and size of their bustline. Candidates for breast augmentation are over the age of 18. Women considering this surgery do not smoke, are in good overall health, and have realistic expectations of their results.
Are you a candidate for breast augmentation? Call Dr. Agullo at (915) 590-7900 to set up a consultation.
What Is Discussed During My Breast Augmentation Consultation?
During your one-on-one consultation, Dr. Agullo will:
- Discuss your breast augmentation goals and expectations
- Evaluate your breasts
- Take measurements and photos
- Recommend combination procedures, if necessary
- Design your surgical plan
- Explain how you should prepare for your surgery
- Offer Vectra® XT 3D Imaging simulation
What Is the Vectra® XT 3D Imaging System?
The Vectra® XT creates high-quality, three-dimensional images that allow you to see yourself with different implant styles and sizes. This imaging system will help you choose the best implant for your procedure.
What Are My Breast Augmentation Options?
Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure that is performed with general anesthesia or conscious sedation.
General anesthesia allows patients to sleep unaware throughout the procedure. Conscious sedation allows patients to receive intravenous anesthesia but breathe without the need to intubate. Patients with this sedation method remain comfortable throughout the surgery and may have a quicker recovery.
What Are My Breast Implant Options?
Breast implants offer the greatest range of size selection and can be performed on all patients.
Before your breast augmentation, you will select from the following options:
Implant Material
Your implants will consist of a silicone shell that is filled with one of the following materials:
- Silicone: These implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel that simulates the look and feel of natural breast tissue. These implants are less prone to leaks and ruptures and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are lighter than their saline counterparts and have less risk of rippling. Silicone implants require larger incisions to place the implants.
- Saline: These implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution and are more rounded and firm than natural breast tissue. Saline implants are filled during augmentation, allowing for adjustment and better symmetry. Saline implants require smaller incisions than silicone implants but may need to be replaced more frequently.
Implant Shape
Implants are available in the following shapes:
- Round: Implants are spherical in shape. These provide upper pole fullness and a round breast appearance.
- Anatomical (teardrop, or gummy bears): No longer recommended by Dr. Agullo. These implants are round at the bottom of the implant but taper at the top to provide a natural appearance, often called teardrop. Because these implants have to be textured, Dr. Agullo does not recommend their use. Texture has been shown to cause a form of lymphoma (ALCL).
Implant Profile
Implant profile determines how wide an implant is and how far it projects off of the chest.
Dr. Agullo offers:
- Low
- Moderate
- Moderate plus
- High
- Extra high
The higher the profile, the more projection (and narrower base) the implant offers. Most women choose a moderate plus or high implant; however, moderate profiles allow women with wider chest walls to use a smaller implant, and extra high profiles enable petite women to use larger implants.
Where Will My Breast Augmentation Incisions Be Located?
Dr. Agullo offers several breast augmentation incision options, depending on your personal preferences and breast characteristics.
Your implants will be inserted through one of the following incisions:
Axillary: The incisions are made in the armpit. An endoscope will aid in the insertion and positioning of the implant.
Inframammary: The incisions are made along the breast crease.
Periareolar: The incisions are made around the lower portion of the areola.
Where Will My Implant Be Placed?
Dr. Agullo will help you determine the ideal implant placement, depending on your breast characteristics and objectives.
Implants can be placed in one of the following areas:
Subglandular: Implants are placed below the breast tissue but on top of the pectoral muscle. This placement provides a rounder and more prominent projection.
Subpectoral: Implants are placed beneath the breast tissue and the pectoral muscle. This placement gives the breast a more natural slope and decreases the risk of capsular contracture. Subpectoral placement is also known as “under the muscle” or “dual plane” breast augmentation.
At Agullo Plastic Surgery, tailored care begins with a full consultation to discuss the goals and options available.
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What Is Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer?
Breast augmentation with fat transfer injects harvested fat into the breasts. Fat is harvested with liposuction and moved to the breasts to add fullness. This is ideal for women who do not want or are not candidates for breast implants.
Fat transfer breast augmentation provides the most natural feel and appearance and does not require implants; however, it does limit the increase in breast volume to one or two cup sizes and may require multiple surgical sessions.
How Should I Prepare for My Breast Augmentation?
Planning and preparation are essential for a quick and smooth recovery. Before your breast augmentation, you should:
- Stop all tobacco use
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements
- Ask a friend to drive you home from your surgery
- Establish a comfortable recovery space
On the day of your surgery:
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your procedure
- Wear a loose-fitting shirt
- Bring your paperwork and identification
What Are Your Breast Augmentation Concerns?
What Can I Expect for My Breast Augmentation Recovery?
Swelling, bruising, and tenderness will develop following breast augmentation.
Your breasts will be supported in a surgical bra that will facilitate the healing process by reducing swelling, promoting blood flow, and ensuring that your implants settle correctly.
Most women return to day-to-day activities within 24 hours and work within five to seven days. Patients should avoid any strenuous exercise, which includes lifting, pushing, or pulling anything over 10 pounds for four to six weeks.
Is My Breast Augmentation Painful?
Breast augmentation is performed with anesthesia to prevent pain during and immediately after the procedure. Some discomfort will develop in response to the bruising, swelling, and incisions.
Dr. Agullo offers Exparel to provide ongoing anesthesia for up to 72 hours. With Exparel, most patients experience little to no pain, which allows them to return to normal activity sooner. The decreased pain level reduces muscle contractions, which allows implants to settle into place sooner.
Alternatively, prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication can minimize any discomfort. Most patients experience no pain after a few days.
Will My Breast Augmentation Leave Scars?
Scarring will develop at all incision sites. Dr. Agullo does his best to make these incisions as small as possible, and all scarring will fade with time. You can help reduce the visibility of these scars by keeping the incisions out of the sun, avoiding underwire bras that can irritate the incisions (until after the incisions have healed), and applying silicone strips or gel.
When Will I See My Breast Augmentation Results?
The results of your breast augmentation will be noticeable immediately after your surgery and will continue to form and finalize as the bruising and swelling subside. While most of the swelling subsides within a few weeks, some residual swelling can remain upwards of six months.
Once the swelling disappears, your breast size and appearance are not expected to change. You can help maintain your augmented figure by keeping a stable weight and wearing a supportive bra.
What Are Some Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Augmentation?
Dr. Agullo has performed hundreds of breast augmentation surgeries and understands how to reduce the complications. Unfortunately, breast augmentation is still an invasive surgery, and there is no way to eliminate the risk of potential complications with surgery.
These risks include:
- Harmful interactions with the anesthesia
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Changes in breast sensation, which can be temporary or permanent
- Capsular contracture
- Implant rupture
- Double-bubble deformity
Aesthetic complications include:
- Undesirable scars
- Breast asymmetry
- Visible implant rippling
- Stretch marks
A layer of scar tissue forms around the implant after it is placed. Occasionally, this scar tissue contracts around the implant, causing aesthetic distortion and physical pain. This is known as capsular contracture.
While there is no way to eliminate risk, breast implant massages may help.
Implants are durable and can withstand a significant amount of pressure and stress. Unfortunately, they can still rupture, and there is no way to eliminate your risk.
If you notice the sudden deflation of the implant, lumps in the breast, or a change in your overall breast shape, see your plastic surgeon right away.
Fat transfer breast augmentation is an alternative to breast implants that uses an organic augmenting material and comes without the risk of implant complications. While breast augmentation with fat transfer may be preferable to some, it is not always better. Fat transfer cannot achieve the same level of volume and may not be available to petite women who do not have adequate fat to harvest.
Breast implants are not linked to breast cancer and will not increase your risk. Women with breast implants, especially women with a family history of breast cancer, must see their doctor for their scheduled mammograms and MRIs. Breast implants will not prevent mammograms, and these should be performed routinely.
Implant complications like rupture, displacement, or capsular contracture can occur at any time following your breast augmentation. Implant complications will not correct themselves on their own. You should schedule an appointment with your plastic surgeon immediately to address any complications or changes with the implant. Breast revision surgery will be performed to remove the damaged implant and replace it with a healthy one.
During a breast revision, an identical implant or an alternative size or shape may be selected.
Women who consider breast augmentation after nursing or weight loss may have breast ptosis (breast sagging) in addition to their volume loss. If you have moderate to significant breast sagging, a breast lift may be recommended to restore youthful elevation to the breasts.
Breast lift surgery firms and elevates sagging breasts by tightening glandular tissue and removing excess skin.
Dr. Frank Agullo is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast enhancement surgery like breast augmentation. Dr. Agullo has helped thousands of women achieve their desired contour with his skill, knowledge, and use of innovative technologies such as the Keller funnel and a triple antibiotic solution that decreases the risk of infection and capsular contracture.
Interested in Breast Augmentation?
If you want to learn more about breast augmentation with Dr. Agullo, contact his office by calling (915) 590-7900. Dr. Agullo offers breast augmentation for patients worldwide in his El Paso, Texas, practice. Most of our patients are from out of town, and we will be happy to guide you through the virtual consultation process and help you coordinate your entire transformation.
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