Breast augmentation is an excellent way to improve the shape, symmetry, and position of your breasts. This procedure will increase your self-confidence and allow you to feel more attractive. At Restore SD Plastic Surgery in San Diego, California, we can use this advanced cosmetic technique to transform your breasts and give you a fuller, more shapely physique.
What Is the Difference Between a Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants?
A breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure that changes the appearance of your breasts. This procedure can be used to achieve many different cosmetic objectives. For example, this cosmetic technique is an ideal way to enhance the size of small breasts. Further, if your breasts are different sizes, we can use this technique to make them look more symmetrical.
Breast implants are medical devices that are used to enhance your breasts. During your procedure, we will place these implants under your breast tissues or chest muscles. These implants will cause your breasts to look fuller and more beautiful.
What Will My Initial Consultation Be Like?
During your first meeting with us, we will tell you about our full range of implant options. We will also allow you to feel and examine the different implants that we can use during your procedure. In addition, we will discuss the different incision sites that we can use to place these implants into your body. You’ll also have a chance to use our state-of-the-art Vectra XT 3D imaging device to help you visualize the effects of your procedure.
This device will create images that will demonstrate how different implants are likely to look in your body. We will upload these images to your online medical record so that you can look at them whenever you want. Instead of being pressured to make your decision immediately, you’ll have ample time to review your photos and choose an implant option that will work for you.
What Type of Breast Implants Can I Use to Improve My Chest?
We can use saline implants or silicone gel implants to enhance your breasts.
Saline Implants
Saline implants contain a sterilized salt water solution that is held in place by a silicone shell. This type of implant has been used in cosmetic procedures for a very long time.
Silicone Gel Implants
A silicone gel implant is made of a silicone shell that contains a solution of silicone gel. There are many different types of silicone gel implants. As a result, if you are interested in this type of implant, we will work with you to choose an option that will achieve your desired look and feel.
Where Will I Receive My Incisions?
We will make your incisions in carefully chosen locations that will minimize your chances of developing noticeable scarring.
An Inframammary Incision
The most commonly-used insertion site is an inframammary incision. These incisions are located in the creases at the base of your breasts. If you are receiving larger implants, we are likely to use these incisions to place your implants into your breasts.
A Periareolar Incision
This type of incision is located in the areolas around your nipples. Placing your incisions in the textured, darker skin in your areolas is a good way to hide your incisions and give your breasts a natural look. If you are receiving smaller implants or saline implants, we are likely to use this type of incision.
How Will You Position My Implants in My Chest?
We can place your implants under or over your chest muscles.
Under Your Muscles
To use this positioning technique, we will put the upper portion of your implants underneath the muscles in your chest. We will put the lower portion of your implants underneath your breast tissues. If you are a slim person who doesn’t have very much breast tissue, this implant positioning technique may be a good option for you. Further, this type of positioning technique will make your new breasts look natural and sophisticated.
Over Your Muscles
Alternatively, we can place your implants on top of your chest muscles and under your breast tissues. If you have more natural breast tissue in your chest, this positioning is likely to be a good way to place your implants into your body.
How Long Will My Procedure Take?
This is an outpatient procedure that usually takes about sixty to ninety minutes to complete. To keep you relaxed during your breast enhancement, you’ll receive general anesthesia. Once we have finished placing your implants, you’ll be free to leave our office and recover in the comfort of your home.
Will Getting Breast Implants Prevent Me From Receiving Mammograms?
A mammogram is an X-ray that is used to detect breast cancer. After you reach age forty, you should get regular mammograms to screen for breast cancer and other illnesses. You should also receive regular mammograms if you have a family history of breast cancer.
Fortunately, getting breast implants will not harm your ability to receive these important X-rays. After you receive this procedure, a skilled mammographer will still be able to take high-quality images of your breasts. Further, many scientific studies have demonstrated that receiving silicone or saline breast implants does not appear to raise your chances of experiencing breast cancer during your lifetime.
Will I Have Prominent Scars After My Procedure Is Complete?
We will place your incisions in discreet places that will not create prominent scars on your breasts. That said, it’s common for the tiny scars on your body to take about nine months to one year to completely heal.
To help your incisions heal, you must follow our scar management rules. For instance, we may advise you not to expose your incisions to strong sunlight for about six to nine months. We may also instruct you to receive massages, get fractionated laser treatments, and regularly apply special creams onto your breasts.
When Will I See the Final Results of My Procedure?
It’s common for your implants to have a very tight, lifted appearance immediately after your procedure. Over the next several weeks, your skin will begin to loosen and your muscles will slowly relax. As this process occurs, your implants will settle into a lower, more natural-looking position on your chest. It’s normal for this process to take several months to complete.
When Will I Be Able to Return to Work?
We will use specialized techniques to shorten your recovery period and help you quickly resume your usual schedule. For instance, we will instruct you to help your breasts heal by wearing a support bra for a couple of weeks. Further, you should bring a family member or friend to your procedure. This person can drive you home after your appointment is finished and take care of you during the next several days.
You will need to spend some time resting while your breasts heal. Depending on the duties that you perform at your job, you’ll be able to go back to work after one or two weeks. You can go back to your exercise program after about a month.
Will My Implants Look Natural?
If you want to achieve natural-looking improvements in your breasts, you’ve come to the right place. During our initial consultation, we can work with you to select implants that will give you full, realistic-looking breasts. Further, our advanced Vectra XT 3D imaging device will help you select an implant size that will give you a balanced, attractive silhouette.
Can I Receive This Procedure If I Have Diabetes?
Diabetes negatively impacts your body’s ability to heal wounds and fight infections. Although it may be possible to receive breast implants if you have diabetes, you will have to be prepared to take extra precautions to protect your safety and strengthen your body in preparation for your procedure.
For instance, changing the level of glucose in your blood can improve your health and enhance your body’s ability to heal itself. As a result, we may advise you to work with your primary care physician to control your diabetes before you receive this procedure.
Will This Procedure Lift My Breasts?
If you have minor sagging issues, you might notice that your breasts are tighter after your procedure is complete. That said, if you would like to correct moderate or severe sagging issues, you should probably consider receiving a breast lift. During this procedure, we will lift your breasts by eliminating unnecessary skin in this area of your body.
The condition of your breasts and your general health will impact how we perform these procedures. For instance, we may advise you to receive your breast lift and breast augmentation during a single appointment. Alternatively, we might ask you to wait three to six months between each procedure.
Can I Receive This Procedure If I Smoke Cigarettes?
Smoking makes it harder for your body to heal wounds and recover from cosmetic procedures. That said, if you are a smoker, you may be able to receive a breast enhancement procedure if you are willing to adjust your behavior for a couple of months.
If you smoke cigarettes or use other products that contain nicotine, we will advise you to stop smoking for eight weeks. In addition, you should refrain from smoking for at least a month after you receive your breast augmentation. Further, we can perform a urinary test that will measure your nicotine exposure and help us determine whether you can safely receive this procedure.
Can I Use This Procedure to Improve My Breasts After Pregnancy?
The weight and hormone fluctuations that you experience during pregnancy are likely to impact the appearance of your breasts. In addition, breastfeeding can change the shape and size of your breasts.
This procedure is a wonderful way to enhance the size, shape, and symmetry of your breasts after you have finished having children. To give your breasts time to recover from pregnancy and breastfeeding, we will usually advise you not to receive this procedure until about nine months to a year after you have finished breastfeeding.
Enhance Your Breasts
If you’ve always wanted to change the size or shape of your breasts, you should consider receiving a breast augmentation. This cosmetic procedure will give your chest a fuller, more attractive appearance. To learn more about this procedure, call 858-224-2281 or contact us online to set up a consultation with female board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus.
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