Breast Augmentation

WHAT IS BREAST AUGMENTATION?

Breast augmentation is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure performed to increase the size of the breasts using breast implants or fat grafts. This treatment can help people enhance their breast volume or restore a natural-looking breast shape to their figures.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR BREAST IMPLANT SURGERY?

Breast augmentations remain one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries from year to year. People in and around Portland, Oregon consider this procedure for a variety of reasons, such as:

• You feel that your breasts are too small for your body type
• You feel uncomfortable wearing a swimsuit or low-cut tops because of your breast size
• You have small or deflated breasts due to weight loss
• You have asymmetrical breasts

If you experience one or more of the above concerns, you may be able to benefit from breast augmentation or a related procedure, such as a breast lift. Breast augmentation patients need to be in generally good health and have reasonable expectations and motivations for wanting to increase their breast size. Dr. Fichadia will also tell patients to stop smoking before the plastic surgery procedure, as this limits the body’s ability to heal.

At the end of the day, an in-office consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hetal Fichadia is the best way to determine if you’re a good candidate to be a breast augmentation candidate.

BREAST AUGMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS

Breast augmentation comes with a few different choices that will determine the path of your surgery and the outcome of your results. These include your breast implant type, your incision, and the implant’s placement.

BREAST IMPLANTS

The broader classifications of breast implants are silicone gel implants and saline breast implants (both types are generally made with a silicone shell). Both saline and silicone implants Dr. Fichadia uses are FDA-approved, and breast implants, in general, are some of the most widely studied and documented medical devices in history.

Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution after placement inside the breasts, and the advantage of these implants is that it requires a smaller incision that is easy to conceal within the breast’s natural folds and pigmentation. The downside is that it is liable to deflate the breast if it ruptures, but this makes it easy to detect.

The other types of breast implants are filled with silicone gel. Their advantage is that they are softer and give a more natural look and feel compared to saline implants. Since they do not deflate with a rupture, however, this type can require an MRI scan to detect any weak areas or tears. “Gummy bear” implants are silicone implants but are filled with a more cohesive silicone gel, which is more like a solid than liquid, giving it a “gummy bear” consistency that feels very similar to natural breast tissue.

Additionally, both saline and silicone breast implants come in many different shapes and sizes, meaning Dr. Fichadia can assist you with selecting the ideal implant for your exact results. Some factors include projection, profile, shape (round or teardrop-shaped), and texture, all of which will produce different results. It’s important for a woman to know exactly how they would like their results to appear so that choosing the type of implant becomes easier.

INCISIONS

There are also a number of incision patterns that can be used for breast surgery. Dr. Fichadia offers breast augmentation techniques using these incision options:

• Inframammary incision, which follows the curve of the natural breast fold.
• Periareolar incision, which follows the pigmentation of the areolae.

Each of these incisions offers different benefits, depending on your implant choice and intended results. Both offer effective concealment for scarring, but you can speak with Dr. Fichadia about your options if your skin is especially prone to scarring.

IMPLANT PLACEMENT

Implants can be placed in one of two ways during a breast augmentation procedure: underneath the pectoral muscle or above it. The former procedure is called a submuscular placement and the latter is called subglandular. In either case, a small pocket is formed within the breast tissue to accommodate the breast implant.

Each placement type offers different benefits and will provide a different feel, comfort, and projection. For example, implants placed underneath the muscle will have a more natural feel and look, but will not project as much. Implants placed on top of the muscle will provide greater size and projection, but are more prone to rippling.

During your consultation, Dr. Fichadia will discuss your best options for all the various breast augmentation procedures, including implant size, shape, and placement.

THE RAPID RECOVERY PROCEDURE

Dr. Fichadia prefers to practice a set of techniques called rapid recovery breast augmentation, which leads to excellent results without the extended recovery period of traditional breast augmentation Portland. This surgical breast implant procedure includes taking care at every step of the procedure to avoid tissue aggravation and rough handling, both of which contribute to swelling and the risk of complications like capsular contracture. In practice, here is what rapid recovery breast augmentation looks like.

PRE-OPERATIVE STEPS

This process starts at your consultation with the precise and complete measurement of the treatment area, implants, and incisions. Although this is done at any breast augmentation consultation, the rapid recovery technique does it with the intent of reducing as much trauma and manipulation to the surrounding tissues as possible. When Dr. Fichadia has exact measurements and can precisely plan her technique, she can avoid these things that commonly contribute to extended recovery periods.

INTRAOPERATIVE STEPS

Most patients are surprised to learn that the rapid recovery method avoids using any deep anesthetic, intubation, or ventilation, and can be performed with a combination of lighter anesthetics. This greatly reduces any nausea or adjustment period after the surgery is complete, meaning many patients can be mobile after their procedure. The surgical techniques also focus on reducing bleeding, tissue trauma, and time spent in the operating room. Another factor that greatly reduces downtime is avoiding contact with the breast implant, which also greatly reduces the chance of infection.

POST-OPERATIVE STEPS

Unlike traditional breast augmentation recovery, which focuses on minimal movement or lifting, the rapid recovery method utilizes a long-lasting local anesthetic at the treatment area. This allows for light stretching and mobility soon after surgery, which can reduce the risk of capsular contracture. In fact, most rapid recovery plastic surgeons instruct their patients to regularly stretch and move around during the initial recovery.

Traditionally, the first few days after the procedure can be the most uncomfortable for a patient. The use of a long-lasting nerve blocker allows patients to recover comfortably, without the use of heavy pain medications.

RESULTS AND RECOVERY

You will receive detailed instructions for your rapid recovery during your consultation with Dr. Fichadia, but generally, you can expect to take two to three days off of work or school. After your breast augmentation surgery, you will be placed in a surgical bra to help minimize swelling and support your new breast size and shape as you heal.

Mild swelling, discoloration, tightness, and discomfort are expected. Excessive physical activity should be avoided for the first two weeks, though light walking is recommended. While most of the physical and emotional recovery occurs within 1-2 weeks after surgery, the recovery of the augmented breasts to their final appearance usually takes several months.

BREAST AUGMENTATION IN PORTLAND, OREGON

If you want to boost your self-confidence by looking great in whatever you choose to wear, breast augmentation may be right for you. We know you have many breast augmentation choices and we’re ready to show you why Dr. Hetal Fichadia is the best choice for your plastic surgery. Please contact our office today by calling (503) 488-2344 or contact us online to schedule your consultation with Portland breast augmentation surgeon Dr. Fichadia.

BREAST AUGMENTATION FAQS