Breast Augmentation Before & Afters
Before
After
Before
AfterHow you view yourself is critical to your happiness. For many women, breast augmentation surgery can enhance their confidence, self-esteem, and serenity.
Breast augmentation can be a means of changing a woman’s breast size, shape, and fullness. This field of surgery in particular requires highly trained and highly experienced physicians who listen attentively to their patient’s needs and goals. The pair of Phoenix breast augmentation surgeons at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics consistently earn high marks from patients for their communication skills and approachability.
Our Board-certified Doctors bring meticulous care and advanced training and techniques to this complex and demanding practice, earning the confidence of women throughout Arizona. Southwest Breast and Aesthetics in Phoenix invites you to schedule a consultation. You will be examined, your medical history will be taken and your particular goals will be carefully noted and meticulously followed.
Breast augmentation, known medically as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that enables you to change the size, shape, and in some cases the “feel” of your breasts.
The operation involves trained surgeons placing either saline or silicone gel implants under the breast tissue or chest muscles. In some cases, the desired augmentation may be achieved by using fat from another part of the patient’s body. This method of breast augmentation may be ideal for patients who would like to reduce excess fat in specific areas of the body or who would like to avoid risks associated with implants.
Southwest Breast and Aesthetics are well-versed in fat transfer breast augmentation for patients in Phoenix and Chandler. Many women seek the procedure to enhance their appearance and self-confidence. Some also believe the augmentation can make their clothes more attractive by elevating the look and fit of their wardrobe and improving the balance between their breast and hip contours.
Enhancing the size or shape of the breasts can profoundly impact a patient’s satisfaction with their appearance. When the breasts are ideally proportional to the rest of the body, it can make getting dressed and filling out swimsuits and bras easier. Implants can also improve breast asymmetry where one breast is noticeably smaller than the other. Finally, breast augmentation can restore volume that has been lost as a result of weight loss, pregnancy, or medical procedures.
The FDA requires that women be at least 18 years old to receive saline-filled implants and at least 22 years old to get silicone implants. There are things to consider before undergoing breast augmentation surgery.
There are many reasons a patient might consider breast enhancement, including but not limited to:
For example, it is recommended that women who have silicone gel implants receive an MRI examination three years after the surgery and about every two years thereafter to ensure there has been no rupture or leakage. If that has occurred, you will need to have the implants removed or replaced. Breast enhancement surgery can in some cases make it more difficult to get a mammogram, and also may make it more difficult for you to breastfeed. Like all surgeries, breast augmentation carries risks. Risks may include, but are not limited to:
Breast implants are not one-size-fits-all. Your Phoenix breast augmentation surgeon at Southwest Breast will take careful measurements of your chest to determine the appropriate implant size, shape, and profile for your body frame and goals. In addition, they will go over the different types of breast implants during your consultation with you. Here are some of the implant features that are available:
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants are composed of a silicone shell and a gel-like silicone filling. The cohesiveness of the gel varies based on the style of implant. The more cohesive the gel, the firmer the implants.
Saline Implants
Like silicone implants, saline implants consist of a silicone shell. However, saline implants contain sterile saline water instead of a silicone gel filling. While saline implants generally cost less than silicone, the chance of rippling is higher. Some patients also report that silicone implants feel more natural than saline. These issues are less of a concern for patients with adequate natural breast tissue and those who elect for submuscular or dual-plane implant placement.
Round implants have equal fullness on the top, bottom, and sides. Newer anatomic implants (also known as gummy bear implants) resemble a teardrop shape, mimicking the slope of natural breasts. Both are excellent options and are really just a matter of patient preference. Teardrop implants typically have a firmer texture than round silicone or saline implants. Because they are firmer and less pliable, the incision may be slightly longer.
The outer shell of the implant will be smooth. Southwest Breast and Aesthetics do not currently offer textured implants.
The width of the implant base varies based on your chest width measurements. Patients with a narrow chest width do best with a narrow implant base. The wider the chest wall, the larger the base of the implants can be.
Projection refers to how far the implants protrude forward from the chest. A low profile implant offers modest projection, while high profile implants provide the most projection. Other options include medium and moderate-plus implants. Your provider at Southwest Breast can determine the ideal implant projection for your particular needs.
By far, the most popular method involves a horizontal incision hidden in the inframammary crease or under the curve of the lower portion of the breast.
With this method, the surgeon makes an incision hidden in the armpit through which they pass the implant into the breast pocket. This technique is commonly used for patients with a family or personal history of keloid scarring.
In this technique, the surgeon makes an incision around the areolar border. The flap is then elevated to allow your surgeon to access the breast tissues.
It is important to remember that breast implants are not meant to last a lifetime. You may need to at some point have the implants replaced if the size and shape of your breasts change over time. Remember, too, that breast augmentation does not correct severely drooping breasts, a condition that may require a breast lift along with breast augmentation in order for sagging breasts to appear fuller, firmer, and “higher.”
Before the procedure, you will meet with your highly trained and very experienced breast augmentation surgeon at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications and/or supplements for a few weeks prior to your surgery, which is typically performed under general anesthesia to ensure you remain “asleep” and pain-free during the operation.
Breast augmentation surgery usually takes between one and two hours. Your surgeon will make a cut under your breasts, under your arms, or around your nipples. That decision will be based on your body, the type of implant chosen, and the extent of the enlargement you desire. Your doctor will place the implant into a pocket above or underneath your chest muscle. While Southwest Breast and Aesthetic offers implant placement above and below the muscle, we believe that an implant placed above the muscle in a subfascial plane avoids long term complications and exercise restrictions that may occur with submuscular implant placement. Your surgeon will discuss the pros and cons of each option with you during your consultation to ensure that your implant placement best suits your goals and lifestyle.
Saline-filled implants are filled with sterile saltwater. Some are pre-filled and others are filled during the operation. Silicone gel-filled implants are filled with a plastic gel. While many women say that silicone gel-filled implants feel more “natural,” they do pose more of a risk if they leak. After your implants are properly placed and aligned, your surgeon will close the incisions with sutures or surgical tape. Your breasts will be covered with gauze after the surgery. You may have drainage tubes, which will be removed in a few days. While our breast augmentation in Phoenix is generally an outpatient procedure, your doctor may recommend you stay overnight in the hospital.
You’ll want to take it very easy for a few weeks! Over-the-counter pain relievers will likely control much of your discomfort, but your doctor may prescribe medication for you as well.
You will likely have some swelling in your breasts and around the incisions. As time progresses, the swelling will ease and the scars will fade. Heavy lifting (anything heavier than a gallon of water) is a definite no-no for up to six weeks after your surgery. You may need to wear a surgical bra for a while. You and your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments as needed to make sure you are healing properly and reaping the results you want.
If the procedure is purely cosmetic it will not. Typically, a breast augmentation costs between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on the doctor, the location, and the type of implant used.
Schedule an initial consultation with the highly trained and experienced team at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics today. If you wish to proceed, the doctors and staff will work closely with you to develop a specific surgical plan to select the optimal size and shape of implants to compliment the contours of your body and to meet your desired goals. Your breast history will be thoroughly reviewed and a baseline screening mammogram will be performed. If all is in order, your surgery will be scheduled and you will be given detailed pre-operative instructions.
To ensure you are prepared, protected, and confident. You want the best for your body and for your enjoyment of your life. Choosing the very best surgeons for your breast augmentation in Phoenix can impact the quality and care you receive. Our Board-certified Surgeons at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics in Phoenix, AZ possess the training, the experience, the staff-and just as importantly- the listening skills and the “personal touch” to help you in your journey.
Breast augmentation generally refers to altering the size of the breasts, which can be accomplished through the insertion of prosthesis (implants) or autologous fat transfer.
Nationally, the cost range of breast augmentation is estimated between $3,300 and $9,750. These numbers may only factor in the surgeon fee and do not necessarily reflect all the costs associated with breast augmentation, such as the anesthetist, facility, or aftercare costs. The type of implant, method of insertion, and surgeon’s experience all impact the final cost, so the best way to receive an accurate price quote is to come into the office for a consultation. The FDA recommends replacing implants every 10 years, but the final decision ultimately is between the doctor and the patient.
Breast implants don’t expire, contrary to popular belief. However, the silicone shell can leak or degrade over time. Generally speaking, most patients have their breast implants removed and replaced within ten years after their initial surgery.
Your breast implants may initially appear to ride high and firm on your chest. On average, it takes approximately one year for the tissues to relax so the implants can settle into their final position. This process is informally known as the “drop and fluff."
It is rare for nipple size to change considerably after breast augmentation. During the first few weeks post-operatively, when swelling is abundant, the nipples may appear swollen or enlarged. This should subside as the inflammation goes down.
Your journey to better begins with a consultation at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics. Our plastic surgeons set the standards for plastic surgery through their innovative procedures and meticulous attention to detail. Discover a better experience by booking your consultation at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics today.
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Please contact our office to schedule your plastic surgery consultation to further discuss your medical needs. Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Mesa, and other surrounding cities in Arizona, including Glendale, Gilbert, and Chandler, AZ.
