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 women to enhance or restore a balance to their figures.

Who Is A Candidate?

Breast augmentation remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries from year to year. Women consider this procedure for a variety of reasons, such as:

• You feel that your breasts are too small for your frame
• You feel uncomfortable wearing a swimsuit or low-cut tops due to your small breasts
• 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. An in-office consultation with Dr. Fichadia is the best way to determine candidacy.

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 implant type, your incision, and the implant’s placement.

Breast Implants

The broader classifications of breast implants are silicone-filled implants and saline-filled implants (both types are generally made with a silicone shell). Saline implants are filled with a sterile solution after placement inside the breasts, and the advantage of these implants is that it requires a smaller incision which can be 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. On the other hand, silicone implants are filled with silicone gel. Their advantage is that they are softer and give a more natural feel compared to saline implants. Since they do not deflate with a rupture, however, this type can require MRI’s 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.

Additionally, implants come in many different shapes and sizes, meaning Dr. Fichadia can assist you with selecting the best 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 to know exactly how you would like your results to appear so that choosing your implant becomes easier.

Incisions

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

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

Each of these incisions offer 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 the procedure, which includes underneath the pectoral muscle or on top of it. In either case, a small pocket is formed within the breast tissue to accommodate the implant. Each placement type offers different benefits as well, and will provide 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 in terms of your implant type and incision.

The Rapid Recovery Procedure

Dr. Fichadia prefers to practice a set of techniques called rapid recovery breast augmentation during this procedure, which leads to excellent results without the extended recovery period of traditional breast augmentation. This procedure includes taking care at all steps 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 recovery process starts at your consultation. It begins 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 your plastic surgeon has exact measurements and can precisely plan their technique, they 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 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 which allows for light stretching and mobility, 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 patients. 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 2-3 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 breasts as they heal. Mild swelling, discoloration, tightness, and discomfort are expected. Excessive physical activity should be avoided for the first 2 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.

If you are interested in learning more about breast augmentation in Portland, contact our office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Fichadia.

Breast Augmentation FAQS

How long is breast augmentation recovery?

Dr. Fichadia uses innovative techniques to make breast augmentation a rapid recovery procedure. Patients can expect to take up to 3 days off work or school. Any physical or strenuous activity should be avoided for 2 weeks post-op, at which point normal daily activities can be resumed. The optimal results from breast augmentation will still not be apparent for a few months as the tissues heal.

What happens if you don’t massage your breast implants?

Some patients have heard that massaging your breasts after breast augmentation is good for preventing capsular contracture, this is a myth. Massaging the breasts after breast augmentation can do more harm than good. The breasts will be fitted with a surgical bra or compression garment to aid in healing and making sure the implants settle into the desired position.

What causes breast implants to rupture?

All breast implants have a chance of rupturing. Over time, the risks of implant rupture increases. Most implant rupture is caused due to aging of the implant, but it can also be caused by trauma from accidents or impact to the breasts.

What is a gummy bear implant?

A gummy bear implant is one of the many implant options available for breast augmentation. Gummy bear implants are a type of silicone-gel implant that is made in a teardrop shape. They are called gummy bear implants because they are known to retain their shape better than other types of implants and allows breasts to still be naturally soft.

Do breast implants sag over time?

Breast implants can sag over time especially if they are large. The augmentation surgery does not stop the skin from aging so the natural strength and elastin of the skin on the breasts can change to cause the implants to sag.