If you are considering options to enhance and enlarge the appearance of the breasts with results that look both beautiful and natural, a breast augmentation from our board-certified plastic surgeon may be the ideal solution. Dr. Amie Miller offers a full selection of advanced breast implants that can add volume and improve the contour of the breasts to produce a fuller, more shapely appearance. Each breast augmentation procedure is completely customized for individual patients, allowing for results that can meet individual goals while successfully accentuating the balance of body proportions.
Breast Augmentation At a Glance
- Potential Benefits: Breast augmentation can enlarge the size of the breasts and give them a fuller appearance. This procedure utilizes breast implants to enhance volume, contour, and shape while improving symmetry and overall balance with body proportions.
- Candidates: Ideal candidates for breast augmentation include individuals who are in good general health and are dissatisfied with the current size and/or shape of their breasts. This treatment can be a good option for patients who have lost breast volume due to pregnancy, weight loss, or the natural aging process, as well as for those who may have had lifelong concerns with the size and appearance of their breasts.
- Procedure: Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure. General anesthesia will be required.
- Recovery: Patients should plan for at least five to seven days of rest and recovery following breast augmentation. Common side effects include swelling and bruising in the breast area, which should dissipate as healing progresses. Discomfort can be managed with oral pain medication.
- Surgeon: Dr. Amie Miller is certified by the ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery) and has successfully performed breast augmentation procedures many times. In fact, breast enhancement is a strong focus of Dr. Miller’s practice, and her customized breast augmentation procedures have produced exceptional, natural-looking outcomes for numerous patients.
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What Are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation?
For many years, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ annual statistics report has listed breast augmentation as one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States.* This treatment has helped millions of women successfully renew and restore the size and shape of their breasts with stunning results. Benefits offered by breast augmentation include:
- Enlarged breast size and a fuller appearance
- Restoration of lost volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
- Enhanced breast symmetry and shape
- The new breast size and shape can positively affect overall body proportions
Breast augmentation can be performed on its own, or it can be combined with a breast lift or other procedures. It is also one of the most common additions to our Mommy Makeover treatment plans.
Types and Sizes of Breast Implants
Women have a vast array of options from which to choose when it comes to today’s advanced breast implants. First, we’ll go over the two major types of implants, and then we can explore the various sizes that are available:
Silicone Breast Implants
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for breast augmentation patients aged 22 and over, and for breast reconstruction patients of any age, silicone breast implants are known for their ability to create results that look and feel quite natural. Composed of a silicone solution encased in a silicone shell, these implants are less apt to “rippling” when compared to saline implants. Since many silicone implants are “form-stable,” it may be recommended that patients have occasional MRI imaging scans to check for any possible implant ruptures as there may not be noticeable external signs in those cases. Silicone breast implants are often available in both round and “teardrop” shapes.
Saline Breast Implants
Saline breast implants are FDA-approved for patients who are aged 18 and above, and they are approved for patients of any age who are planning to undergo a breast reconstruction. Composed of a saline (saltwater) solution inside a silicone shell, these implants have been successfully used for several decades and can also provide natural-looking results. If the implant ruptures at some point over the course of its lifespan, any saline that leaks out should be harmlessly absorbed by the body. While many women prefer silicone implants over saline due to their ability to produce such natural-looking outcomes, it is important to note that saline implants offer the ability to be filled after they have been placed, which can often benefit patients who have natural breast asymmetry. Saline implants are only available in a rounded shape; however, this shape is one of the most popular.
Implant Size
Breast implants are available in a broad range of sizes, and Dr. Miller will present you with several options. There are also implant sizers available, which can help you narrow down your choices. Ultimately, the best results from breast augmentation often depend more on how the size of the implants affect overall proportions and projection. Dr. Miller will go over your options in detail with you during the consultation and talk with you about which implant sizes may offer the best results in accordance with your goals, expectations, and body proportions.
What Does the Breast Augmentation Procedure Involve?
Breast augmentation is typically performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. During the procedure, the size and type of breast implants you have chosen (either silicone- or saline-based implants) will be delicately placed inside the breast tissue and the breasts will be shaped and balanced. Dr. Miller will explain the various incision and placement techniques during the consultation and help you determine the best option for your needs. While there will be residual scarring, Dr. Miller utilizes meticulous suturing methods to minimize their noticeability as much as possible.
Breast augmentation generally takes about one to two hours to complete, depending on individual needs.
What Can I Expect During Breast Augmentation Recovery?
Patients should plan for approximately one week of rest and recovery after breast augmentation. While some extent of swelling, numbness, and bruising in the breasts can be expected, these effects should fade as the treatment area continues to heal. Discomfort during the recovery process can often be well-managed with medication. Many of our patients are able to resume normal daily routines after at least five to seven days; however, this will vary among individuals based on their unique healing response. Strenuous activities and stimulation to the breasts should be avoided for a minimum of six to eight weeks after breast augmentation surgery.
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?
The cost of breast augmentation typically starts at approximately $6,800 at our practice; however, the most precise estimate can only be ascertained once the customized treatment plan is developed. Factors that will be taken into account include the type of implants that have been chosen, the overall complexity of the procedure, costs associated with anesthesia and the surgical facility, whether other cosmetic enhancement options have been added to the treatment plan, and other components. A member of our team will be able to present you with a customized price estimate after the treatment plan has been created and answer any questions you may have about payment options. Foothills Plastic Surgery accepts an array of payment methods, and we work with third-party financing agencies that offer qualified applicants an extensive selection of financing plans that can make paying for this procedure as convenient as possible.
If you would like additional information on breast augmentation, or if you are ready to schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller, please contact our office today!