Breast Augmentation
(Augmentation Mammaplasty)
Enhances your natural breast size and shape
Recovery: 2-3 weeks
Technique: Breast implants are placed either under or on top of the chest wall muscle (pectoralis major). Scroll for details on technique, incision choices, and implants.
Anesthesia: Usually general anesthesia.
Often combined with other procedures
Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries. During the procedure, breast implants are placed through a relatively small incision to enhance the natural size and shape of the breasts.
Women who undergo breast augmentation often do so to:
· Enhance the size of small breasts
· Restore volume to the breast after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging.
· Add fullness to achieve a more ideal breast shape
· Improve asymmetry in those with breasts that are not the same size
· Enhance their self confidence about their breast size and appearance.
Breast Augmentation Consultation:
We will meet and discuss your aesthetic goals at length as well as evaluate your overall health to ensure you are a good candidate for breast augmentation. We will review a variety of factors to consider when evaluating your breast augmentation options. Some of those include:
Implant size. Often times size is one of the hardest choices to make. Together, we will choose an implant size for you based on a thorough discussion of your preferences, measurements of your current breast characteristics, and implant sizers to give you an idea of what your new volume would be.
Implant Type: There are two types of implant material: saline and silicone. Both have been found to be safe for use in breast surgery by the FDA. Dr. McEwan believes neither is the absolute best choice for all patients. Silicone does look and feel a little more natural, but it also costs more.
Incision location: There are three reasonable choices for incision placement. Placing the incision in the crease below the breast is most common. Other choices for incision placement include in the underarm (axillary) or around the areola (periareolar). While a few patients may have characteristics that make a particular incision more ideal, most of the time patient preference is the main determining factor of incision location.
Implant placement: Implants can be placed under the muscle of the chest wall (submuscular) or under the breast gland (subglandular). Under the muscle is almost always the superior choice, but there are certain subsets of patients where under the breast gland may be the better choice.
Breast Augmentation Procedure:
· Breast augmentation is typically performed under general anesthesia and takes about an hour or so. It is an outpatient procedure and there is little care you have to do afterwards.
Breast Augmentation Care and Recovery:
· Initial Healing: Swelling and bruising are common initially but will subside over time.
· Garments: You will need to wear a non-underwire, elastic bra (such as a sport’s bra) all the time after surgery for a couple weeks.
· Resuming Activities: Most patients can return to normal activities within a week, though strenuous exercise may need to be avoided for at least a few weeks.
Postoperative Care:
· Follow Instructions: Adhering to postoperative care instructions, including proper wound care and avoiding strenuous activities, is crucial.
· Follow-up Appointments: Dr. McEwan sees his patients regularly throughout the postoperative period to ensure that you are healing appropriately.
Results:
· Size and shape: You will notice your increased size and shape right away. It usually takes a few weeks for the swelling to subside and at least a month or two before you are at your final result.
· Boost in Confidence: Many patients experience increased self-confidence and satisfaction with their appearance quickly after breast augmentation.