Breast Augmentation / Implants

Breast augmentation surgery is a versatile procedure that can accomplish a multitude of cosmetic breast improvements. Many women choose to undergo breast augmentation to:

• Add fullness to the breasts
• Create a more proportionate figure
• Improve breast symmetry
• Reshape the breasts
• Achieve more youthful-looking breasts
• Enhance cleavage
• Restore depleted breast volume after weight loss or pregnancy
• Replace breast implants or improve the results of a prior breast augmentation (called breast augmentation revision)
• Reconstruct breasts after illness or injury
• Complement a breast lift
• Boost self-confidence

A wide variety of implants can be used to accomplish a breast augmentation, so it is important for our physicians to have a good understanding of your aesthetic goals. Based on bio-dimensional planning principles, and often having patients bring in photographs of their desired breast size and shape, our physicians will guide you through the process of selecting the right implant type, size, shape, and texture, as well as the most suitable approach for implant placement.

Women considering breast augmentation should be prepared to have a serious discussion about their expectations for the surgery during the consultation. They must also be aware that there are important pre-surgery and post-surgery actions that need to be followed to ensure the success of the procedure. As with any other surgery, breast augmentation entails some risks, and our surgeons will carefully review them.

Anyone over the age of 18 can be considered for breast augmentation surgery. Generally, you must be over the age of 22 to receive silicone implants. You should be in good general health with no bleeding problems or other issues that could affect surgery or your capacity to heal well. Smoking contracts blood vessels, so people who smoke are generally advised to stop before breast augmentation surgery. Anyone with an active infection anywhere in the body should not undergo breast augmentation surgery, nor should any woman with pre-cancerous or cancerous cells who is not yet being treated for their condition. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should wait to get breast augmentation. If you intend to become pregnant in the near future, you should discuss these plans during your consultation. Pregnancy can cause changes in breast tissue that may affect the augmentation result. Your physician may suggest waiting until after your pregnancy to place the implants.

Either saline or silicone implants are used to accomplish the majority of breast augmentation procedures. Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater, and silicone implants are filled with silicone gel. Your physician will help you choose an implant depending on your goals and individual needs.

Saline breast implants

Silicone breast implants

Natrelle 410 Cohesive Gel (“Gummy Bear”) breast implants

Natrelle INSPIRA Gel Breast Implants

There are two main shape categories: round or teardrop (also called “shaped” or “anatomical”). Each implant shape offers specific aesthetic benefits that can help patients achieve their ideal look:

Round breast implants are the most common shape of breast implants, and they can be filled with saline, silicone gel, or cohesive silicone gel. Patients who choose round, symmetrical implants often do so to create more noticeable volume in the upper portion of the breast, while emphasizing lift and cleavage for a fuller, more shapely look.

Teardrop-shaped implants are designed to create a natural-looking breast enhancement result. These implants are fuller at the bottom and tapered at the top, which gives them their signature sloped side profile. This type of breast implant is always made from cohesive silicone gel to maintain its unique shape. To help prevent rotation of a teardrop-shaped implant, which would cause the breast shape to appear distorted, the surface is always textured.

Within these categories, there are a terrific number of varieties in size and projection, all of which will be covered in complete detail at the time of your consultation to ensure the appropriate decisions are made for the outcome you desire.

Choosing the implant can be fun and also challenging when there are so many to choose from. One of our physicians will work with you to define your goals, choose an implant type, and determine a size. While some patients want a “wow” effect, others are looking for more of a “keep them guessing” effect. Either way, we will help you evaluate options and create a surgical plan that meets your goals for beautiful breasts. Our physicians always strive to create the most beautiful breast augmentation results possible, given your anatomical characteristics and the aesthetic features you desire for your enhanced breasts.

During the consultation, your doctor will provide examples of breast implant shapes and sizes and will likely use our VECTRA 3D Cosmetic Imaging system to simulate your body with the implants you are considering. While there is no way to completely predict the results, these models often provide a good understanding of what is possible. The 3D simulation is a bit like a hologram that is saved to your portal and can be viewed from home.

Our physicians are happy to answer all your questions and will discuss the full range of breast implant options during your consultation. We encourage you to speak openly and honestly about your goals to help us give you the best possible result.

Proper preparation before your procedure can help surgery go smoothly and hasten your recovery time. The first step is your consultation, during which we’ll walk you through all steps of the process. A portion of your consultation will be spent discussing the breast implant type, size, shape, projection, and texture that is best suited for accomplishing the look you desire. We have compiled a list of questions you may want to consider prior to your consultation with one of our doctors:

• Do you want to increase your cup size? If so, how many cup sizes larger do you think you’d like to go?
• Are you trying to restore depleted breast volume? If so, what was your former breast size and shape?
• Do you want to balance the proportions of your figure with larger breasts?
• Do you prefer a natural look or a more noticeable degree of breast enhancement?
• Is there a picture that provides a good example of the goals you’d like to achieve?
• Would you like to see added fullness in the upper portion of your breast? Would you like to enhance the appearance of your cleavage?
• Do you want to focus on adding more volume to the lower portion of the breast for a more subtle “tear drop” shape?
• Are you most interested in a natural-feeling implant?
• Are you focused on minimizing the occurrence of potential breast implant complications (capsular contracture, implant rippling, implant rotation, etc.)?

You don’t need to have all of the answers ready when you meet with our team. If you have any questions or concerns about breast implants, your physician can draw upon their experience and expertise to give you the answers, options, and recommendations you are looking for. 

After your consultation, you will be required to have some laboratory tests done to determine the overall state of your health. Your Water’s Edge physician may recommend getting a mammogram before your surgery to serve as a baseline for future testing. Generally, patients are required to eat a healthy diet and get sufficient rest in the weeks before the procedure. You should avoid taking aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs for at least a week before surgery to prevent excessive bleeding. Herbs and supplements should also be stopped for at least two weeks before you undergo surgery. Stop smoking at least six weeks before surgery. If you are on other medications on a regular basis, your physician may advise you to stop taking them for a period of time before surgery.

The physician will also give you specific instructions for the day of the surgery. Follow these instructions carefully for a safe surgery. You will be groggy after surgery, so you should arrange to have someone drive you home and stay with you for a time until you fully awake from the anesthesia.

While our surgeons are careful to keep incisions as hidden as possible, either within the inframammary fold or along the inside border of the areola, scar tissue is expected to form during the incision healing process.

During the initial phase of healing, scar tissue may appear reddish and raised; however, with proper care, scar tissue should fade and flatten considerably within the first year. To minimize visible scarring, it is important to follow all post-operative care instructions to prevent infection, as well as protect incisions and scars from exposure to UV rays. If for some reason you are unsatisfied with the appearance of your breast augmentation scars once they have fully matured, you can explore scar reduction treatment options with your physician. Both Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling and skin resurfacing lasers can be effective options for reducing the prominence of surgical scars.

At Water’s Edge, the average price ranges for breast augmentation with each type of breast implant. While the type and size of your breast implants are the main considerations in the price of your breast augmentation surgery, other factors can also cause the cost to fluctuate. The complexity of the procedure and the placement technique used, as well as surgeon’s fees, surgical facility costs, and anesthesia are considered when determining the price for your custom breast augmentation surgery.

If you want to receive a quote for the cost for your personalized breast augmentation surgery, a consultation with one of our physicians is the first step. Once a surgical plan has been developed, our office team will provide you with a detailed price quote. You will also have the opportunity to discuss the payment methods we accept and plastic surgery financing opportunities available. We work with trusted third-party lenders to provide qualified applicants with loans and flexible payment plans that help make paying for surgery more convenient and affordable.

One of the most common complications following breast augmentation is capsular contracture. This occurs when scar tissue called a capsule forms around breast implants. Capsules can cause the breasts to harden or distort their appearance. They may also cause the implant to rupture. Capsules may also be uncomfortable.

Capsulectomy is a surgical procedure to remove capsules and replace breast implants. During breast augmentation, the implants are inserted through a pocket. To remove the capsule(s) and replace the implants, the surgeon may make a new pocket and/or change the size or type of implant. A specific type of capsulectomy is a en bloc capsulectomy, in which the implant and surrounding scar tissue are removed as one unit.