What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States, and one of our most popular services. Breast augmentation can give women with small or unevenly sized breasts a fuller, firmer, better-proportioned look through the placement of saline or silicone implants in the breast.
Our patients elect to undergo breast augmentation for many different medical and aesthetic reasons, including balancing breast size, compensating for reduced breast mass after pregnancy or surgery, or correcting a congenital breast defect. Under Dr. Walden’s expert care, patients enjoy great-looking, natural-feeling breasts that are one or more cup sizes larger after the operation.
Fully Customized Breast Enhancement
We know that every woman is unique in both her desires and her body shape. With that in mind, we take the time during the preoperative consultations to learn what each patient hopes to gain from breast augmentation surgery and to decide which implant type and implant placement is best. In this way, every one of our patients enjoys completely customized treatment designed with her specific goals in mind.
Can Breast Augmentation Be Combined With Other Procedures?
Breast augmentation can achieve dramatic and beautiful results on its own, as well as in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery or noninvasive procedures. We sometimes recommend combining breast augmentation with other procedures, such as a breast lift, for more satisfying results.
Saline vs Silicone Implants
Breast implants are silicone shells filled with either saline (salt water) or silicone gel. Both implant types are very safe, and each offers its own advantages. We will help you decide which kind is right for you.
During surgery, we will place the implants behind each breast, underneath either breast tissue or the chest wall muscle.
After many years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved silicone breast implants for breast augmentation surgery. We are proud to offer patients the option of silicone gel-filled breast implants, since they are much softer and feel more natural than saline-filled breast implants.
Breast Augmentation Procedure
The breast augmentation procedure lasts one to two hours and is typically performed with general anesthesia. Incisions are in inconspicuous places on the breast to minimize scar visibility. Incision locations may be:
- In the armpit (transaxillary)
- In the crease on the underside of the breast (inframammary)
- Around the areola, the dark skin around the nipple (periareolar)
The breast is then lifted, creating a pocket into which the implant is inserted.
Saline implants may also be placed endoscopically through an incision in the navel. This minimally invasive breast enhancement technique is known as a transumbilical breast augmentation, or TUBA, approach.
Breast Implant Placement
Implant placement beneath the muscle of the chest offers a few advantages over placement beneath only the breast tissue. These include reduced risk of capsular contracture (post-operative tightening around the implant) and less interference with mammogram examinations.
Possible disadvantages include the need for drainage tubes and elevated pain levels in the first few days following surgery. We will discuss which option may be best for you.
In the TUBA procedure, implants cannot be placed beneath the chest wall.
After the implants have been inserted and positioned beneath the nipples, the incisions are stitched closed, then taped and bandaged. In a few days, these bandages can be replaced with a surgical bra.
Breast Surgery Recovery
After breast augmentation, drainage tubes may be necessary. Dr. Walden stitches and bandages the incisions. Patients typically wear a surgical bra to minimize swelling and support the breasts. In a week to 10 days after breast augmentation Dr. Walden will remove the stitches.
Most patients feel tired and sore after breast augmentation surgery, but this usually passes in a day or two. Many patients return to work within the week. Any postoperative pain, swelling and sensitivity will diminish over the first few weeks. Scars from breast augmentation incisions will begin to fade in a few months, and will continue to fade for months or years.
Risks of Breast Augmentation
With any surgical procedure, there are some risks. The risks related to a breast augmentation with implants include:
- Implant leaks/ruptures
- Implant deflation or shifting
- Assymetry
- Change in nipple sensation
- Capsular contracture
Breast Augmentation Patient Reviews
Check out this 5-star rating from a highly satisfied patient!
“The renewed confidence in myself! So happy with my results! The experience from my original consult to after surgery has been more than positive! I cannot say enough good things. Everyone I have come into contact with has been so friendly, helpful and professional. Everything was explained so well, and I did not have any problems. So pleased with the outcome of the surgery. Will be referring friends for sure!” Breast Augmentation Patient of Jennifer Walden, MD
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in Breast Augmentation and want to see if you are a good candidate, call 512-328-4100 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jennifer Walden. Our practice serves Austin, TX and surrounding areas.
