Breast Augmentation / Breast Implants

Breast Augmentation Surgery

 Most women with small or underdeveloped breasts who wish to enhance their appearance may choose to have a procedure called breast augmentation mammoplasty.

A fuller and more aesthetically pleasing body contour can be safely achieved through the placement of breast implants directly under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle. Implants for breast augmentation procedures are filled with either saline (salt-water) or silicone gel, both of which are approved for use by the FDA. During your complimentary consultation, a doctor will discuss  which option is best for you.

Planning & Preparing for

Breast Enhancement Surgery

Based on your skin tone, the current condition of your breasts and an evaluation of your overall health during your initial consultation, your surgeon will talk to you about the best breast augmentation methods for your specific case. Your surgeon may also suggest a breast lift if your breasts are sagging.

It's important to be honest with your surgeon about your expectations. Your surgeon should offer this same level of honesty by discussing any alternatives, along with their individual limitations and risks. It's a good idea to request and read a copy of the implant manufacturer's insert. While you are talking to your surgeon, be transparent about your consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, medications and vitamins.

You should also ensure that your surgeon tells you about the location and cost of your surgery, along with the type of anesthesia that will be administered. Because this procedure is not normally classified as a medical necessity, breast augmentation is usually not covered by insurance carriers.

You will be given guidelines and instructions from your surgeon on what medications and vitamins to take (and avoid), smoking, eating and drinking. Additionally, you should enlist the help of someone that can take you home from the hospital and provide assistance during the first few days of your recovery.

What Takes Place During My Surgery?

Small incisions are made so that the implant can be inserted. These small incisions may be made in the crease under the breast or under the areola. You can also choose to hide the incision in the axilla (armpit) or in the umbilicus (belly button). This breast augmentation technique does not result in any visible scarring; however, this technique is not recommended for all patients. Your doctor will discuss which method of insertion best compliments your goals and your body type.

Once the incision is made, a pocket will be created under your pectoral muscle or behind your breast tissue and the implant is inserted. If you chose to have a breast augmentation with saline implants, the implant is then filled with saline to achieve the desired size and shape of the breast and adjusted to be sure that your implants are centered and symmetrical.
Breast augmentation surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure at one of our fully accredited facilities under general anesthesia and takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete.

• Breast Implant Options
• Silicone Vs. Saline Implants
• Options for Incision Techniques / Breast Augmentation Scars
• Over the Muscle Vs. Under the Muscle
• Breast Anatomy / Breast Structure

Breast Augmentation Recovery

What Happens After My Surgery?

Although you will be able to walk around in one to two days after your procedure, you will feel sore and tired for several days. The majority of the unpleasant sensations you experience can be dulled through prescribed medication.

After a few days, your gauze dressings will be replaced with a surgical bra. While you may feel a burning sensation in your nipples for up to two weeks, it is important to consistently follow your surgeon's instructions for wearing the surgical bra.

Even though your stitches will be removed in seven to ten days, it can take up to five weeks for the swelling in your breasts to subside.

When Will I Return to Normal?

Depending on how much movement is required for your job, you should be able to return after a few days of recovery.

It's important to listen to your surgeon's guidelines about how long you should wait to begin your normal activities and exercise. You should avoid excess physical contact for two to three weeks after your procedure, due to the sensitivity that will most likely be caused by direct stimulation of your breasts. Physical contact can normally be resumed in three to four weeks without causing any soreness.

For a minimum of six weeks, your scars will be pink and firm. For the next few months, they may appear to widen, but will most likely remain the same size. Although you will always have your scars, they will significantly fade after several more months.

How Will I Look After My Surgery?

As a result of their fuller appearance, most women feel more satisfied (and possibly ecstatic) with their body after the procedure.

By scheduling regular examinations and mammograms, any complications can be detected and treated as early as possible.

Although not everyone will understand your desire to undergo this procedure, the opinion that matters the most is your own. Your breast augmentation will be considered successful as long as it meets your goals.

Who are the Best Prospects for Breast Augmentation Surgery?

You can boost your self-confidence by enhancing your appearance through a breast augmentation. Women with small or under-developed breasts are the best candidates for this procedure. Breast augmentation patients should be in good health and have reasonable expectations for the outcome of their surgery. Although breast augmentation can make you feel more confident and improve the contours of your body, it will not necessarily change the way people treat you. It is important to discuss your expectations about your breast augmentation procedure with your doctor at your consultation.
Women who want to improve their breasts but don't expect them to look perfect are the best prospects for breast augmentation surgery. You are a strong candidate for breast augmentation if your health is good and your expectations for the surgery are not unrealistic.

Risks Associated with Breast Augmentation Surgery

A breast augmentation is a fairly simple surgery. However, every surgery has it’s own set of complications and risks.

Like all surgeries, pain and swelling can result from excessive bleeding after the surgery. If the bleeding cannot be stopped, an additional surgery may be necessary to take care of the bleeding and get rid of the blood that has amassed.

In a small percentage of cases, an infection develops around the implant. This normally takes place within a week of the surgery, but can happen at any time. For some women, the treatment involves letting the infection clear by taking out the implant for several months and then replacing it with a new one.

Loss of Feeling in Nipples After Breast Augmentation

Oversensitivity, under-sensitivity or numbness of the nipple after surgery are all sensations that have been reported by women. Small areas of numbness near the incision sites are also common. Although these sensations normally fade with time, there is the possibility of them being permanent.

Breast Implants & Mammograms to Detect Breast Cancer

Although breast implants have not been linked as a cause of breast cancer, they can impact the ability to perform a mammography. It's important to get your routine mammograms done at a facility where the technicians have experience using the techniques required to perform a reliable mammography of an implanted breast. In addition to extra views, an ultrasound examination may be useful to evaluate the implant or detect any lumps in the breast.

Most women do not encounter any complications with their surgery, but it's important to discuss them with your doctor before making your final decision to have the procedure.

Breast Implants & Pregnancy

Breast implants have not been proven to impact pregnancy, fertility or the ability to nurse. Nevertheless, there is the possibility that you will produce milk for several days after your procedure if you have nursed during the year prior to your surgery. If this condition results in discomfort, a doctor can treat it with a prescription medication.

Capsular Contracture – Hardening of Breasts(s)

Capsular contracture is the most common complication of a breast augmentation. This condition occurs from a tightening of a capsule or scar around the implant. A capsular contracture results in the breast feeling hard. There are several treatment options for this condition, including scoring or removing the scar tissue, and removing and replacing the implant.

Implant Rupture – Leaking Implants

Two results can occur from a break in a gel-filled implant. If the scar capsule remains intact but the shell breaks, you may not notice a change has taken place. If the scar does tear or break (which can happen after a situation that causes extreme pressure), the surrounding tissue may be exposed to silicone gel. The silicone gel can enter other areas of the body or stay within the breast and result in the formation of a new scar. This can cause the firmness or shape of the breast to change. Either type of break can result in the need for an additional operation and a new implant to replace the one that is leaking. Sometimes, it is not always possible to get rid of all the silicone gel in the breast tissue after a rupture.

There are cases where women have reported symptoms similar to arthritis, scleroderma and other diseases of the immune system. The list of potential symptoms can include breast pain, fatigue, fever, joint pain and swelling. Although the FDA has asked for additional research, no concrete connection between these symptoms (which are known as connective-tissue disorders) and breast implants has been found.

Important Questions to Ask About Breast Augmentation

Education is a vital part of the plastic surgery process. We strongly encourage our patients to learn as much as possible and to ask questions of our doctors to better understand their procedures. For additional information about breast augmentation, please visit our Breast Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions page.

Breast Augmentation at California Surgical Institute

The breast augmentation surgeons at California Surgical Institute are highly specialized in breast augmentation surgery and are highly sought after for their natural looking results. Our plastic surgeons specialize in the latest cutting edge techniques including breast augmentation with an internal breast lift and "scarless breast augmentation" where breast implants are placed under the breast muscle through a tummy tuck incision. Each suregon travels throughout our 7 Southern California locations for your convenience.

We offer complimentary consultations and helpful tools to help you visualize your procedure and potential results, including our 3-D Surgical Animation and Breast Augmentation Before & After Photos located at the top right-hand corner of the page.

To schedule a complimentary consultation, please call us toll free at 866-372-3288 or fill out our Online Form.

Los Angeles Breast Augmentation 

Beverly Hills Breast Augmentation Surgeons - 9025 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 411, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Pasadena Breast Augmentation Surgeons - 790 E. Colorado Blvd. Suite 100, Pasadena, CA 91101

Orange County Breast Augmentation

Newport Beach Breast Augmentation Surgeons - 3501 Jamboree Rd. Suite 200, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Brea Breast Augmentation Surgeons - 910 E. Birch St. Suite 350, Brea, CA 92821

Inland Empire Breast Augmentation

Riverside Breast Augmentation Surgeons - 7120 Indiana Ave. Suite H, Riverside, CA 92504
Upland Breast Augmentation Surgeons - 930 W. Foothill Blvd. Upland, CA 91786
Ontario Breast Augmentation Surgeons - 3401 Centrelake Dr. Suite 370, Ontario, CA 91761