Breast

Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation

At Sieber Plastic Surgery, we believe that no woman should have to live with breasts that don’t make her happy. Maybe you were born with breasts that are smaller than you’d like. Maybe they’ve lost volume due to pregnancy and breast feeding or are sagging now with age. Whatever the reason, breast augmentation surgery can quickly and effectively change the size, shape and appearance of your breasts. Our goal with any breast augmentation procedure is to not just deliver your desired outcome, but to find the ideal implant for your individual body. Why? Because no two women are alike which means that what works for your friend, may not work for you.

During your initial consultation, Dr. David Sieber will listen closely to your goals, assess your anatomy and then take you through the various implant considerations such as size, shape, fill, type and placement. Using his years of expertise from training with many of the top breast augmentation surgeons in the country as well as his keen artistic eye, Dr. Sieber will work together with you, helping to guide you towards the implants that will best deliver the fuller, natural looking breasts of your dreams.

Breast augmentation surgery is often performed as a part of another procedure such as the Mommy Makeover, a Breast Lift, and surgery for correction of Breast Asymmetry.

To find out more about a breast augmentation with Dr. David Sieber at Sieber Plastic Surgery, call us today at: 415-915-9000 or schedule a consultation here.

Breast Augmentation Implants and Incisions

During your consultation, Dr. Sieber will review the different types of breast implant options that are available and will help you to decide which type of implant would be the most suitable choice to achieve the look you desire. Breast implants fall into one of two major categories, saline or silicone. Each has its pros and cons:

• Saline breast implants

  Saline breast implants are filled with saline at the time of surgery which means that the incision is smaller. They cost less than silicone implants, but tend to feel slightly firmer to the touch than their silicone counterpart and may show more rippling on the sides of the breast. If a saline implant ruptures, breast volume will immediately diminish, and the implant will need to be replaced.

• Silicone breast implants

  Silicone breast implants are filled with a silicone gel that is soft and feels very natural to the touch. They tend not to ripple as much as saline. In the very unlikely chance of implant rupture, there will be no apparent change in the size of the breast because the newest implant technologies utilize a cohesive material that does not migrate, like gummy bear candy. Silicone implants are the preferred implant for most breast augmentation candidates due to their more natural feel and decreased incidence of rippling.

There are 3 main types of incisions used for breast augmentation surgery:

• Inframammary Fold Incision:

  This incision is made in the crease underneath the breast, which sits in or near the skin fold and is hardly perceptible once healed. This incision can be used to place the implant either above or below the chest (pectoralis) muscle, and is the preferred incision type for all breast augmentations.

• Transaxillary Incision:

  This incision is made in the axilla, or armpit. The implant is then placed through this incision into a pocket created beneath the breast. A transaxillary incision can be used to place the implant either above or below the chest muscles.

• Periareolar Incision:

  This incision is made around the lower border of the areola at the junction of the areola and the skin. Because the incision goes through the breast ducts and glands, a periareolar incision may result in a higher rate of implant infection and capsular contracture.

Breast Augmentation Technique

During the operation, Dr. Sieber will make a small incision, typically in the inframammary location under the breast. Through this incision, he creates a precise pocket for your breast implant. Dr. Sieber may use sizers during the procedure to ensure that your selected implant size will, in fact, be able to deliver your desired look. Before placing the final implant, the pocket is irrigated with a specific antibiotic solution which helps prevent post-operative infection, and reduces the risk of capsular contraction. All of your incisions are then closed with absorbable sutures.

Preparing for Breast Augmentation Surgery

As with any major surgery, all medications and supplements which cause an increased risk of bleeding should be stopped 2 weeks prior to surgery. Please see our list of medications and supplements to avoid. As always, make sure to check with your doctor before stopping any medications.

Recovery from Breast Augmentation Surgery

Most women will feel sore for the first few days after surgery due to pressure on the pectoral muscles from the implants, but this will improve with time. You will be started on a scar therapy program 1 week after surgery to ensure that you heal with the best possible scar. Most women choose to take about 1 week away from work. Women who work a desk job with no heavy lifting can typically go back to work within 3 to 5 days following surgery.

It is normal to experience some numbness or hypersensitivity of the nipple, areola or skin around the breast following surgery which should improve over time. This is due to the fact that some of the nerves will be stretched during surgery. It is also normal to feel pressure both in your armpits and along your sternum. This tight sensation will decrease as your muscles and skin relax to accommodate the new implants. If you notice any sudden swelling in one of your breasts with increased pain, notify your surgeon immediately.

After surgery you will need to refrain from any rigorous activity for the first 2 weeks, and avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 lbs. You may begin to perform light exercise 2 weeks after your surgery, but should avoid chest exercises such as push-ups. You may begin more intense exercise at 4 weeks, and will be released to full activities at 6 weeks post op.

FAQs

Q: My breasts are far apart in the middle and I want them closer together after surgery.

A: Your pre-existing anatomy determines the location of your chest muscles, under which the implants are placed. Therefore, there is a limitation to how closely the implants will be able to be placed in the middle.

Q: How do I know what size implant is going to be the best for me?

A: Dr. Sieber will take multiple measurements of your breasts during your consultation. These measurements are used to determine which size implant will fit your breast tissue, and give you the most natural looking result.

Q: What should I wear after surgery?

A: Bring comfortable clothes with you on the day of surgery. Usually something soft with a front zipper is easiest. After surgery, you will be placed in a surgical bra for your own comfort. Dr. Sieber has his breast augmentation patients refrain from wearing an underwire bra for the first 4 weeks after surgery. During this time, patients often choose to wear a comfortable, soft sports bra.