Maybe you’ve always wanted a fuller and more balanced bosom. Or perhaps pregnancy, weight loss, and age have taken their toll on your breasts in recent years. There are several reasons why women opt for breast augmentation. At Boulder Plastic Surgery in Boulder, CO, we understand that pursuing augmentation is a deeply personal decision, and we can work with you to determine if you’re a good candidate for this treatment.
How Can I Tell if I’m a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
You Want a Noticeable Increase in the Size of Your Breasts
Augmentation is all about increasing the overall size of the breast, usually by at least one cup size. Patients who seek out augmentation want breasts that are fuller and more shapely, but still natural in appearance. In some cases, they are struggling with breasts that have become elongated with age, leaving the top of the chest less full.
Other patients are looking for help in regaining the breast volume they had before pregnancies or a significant weight loss. If you’re unhappy with the size of your bosom, augmentation can give you the volume you’re looking for.
Your Breasts Don’t Match
Augmentation is also a way of remedying asymmetrical breasts. It’s normal for a woman to have one breast that is slightly larger, or shaped differently, than the other one. But if the difference between the two breasts is large enough to be noticeable, and if it creates inconvenience and emotional distress for the patient, an augmentation treatment can help.
You Want a More Proportionate Figure
Sometimes, a patient’s top just doesn’t match her bottom. If your chest has plenty of curves but still feels disproportionately small compared with the rest of your body, an augmentation can help bring balance to your figure.
You Need Breast Reconstruction
An augmentation with implants is also a way of reconstructing the breast after trauma or following a mastectomy.
You’re Healthy
Patients should be in good overall health and not be pregnant or breastfeeding. Non-smokers who consume alcohol only in moderation are particularly good candidates.
Your Breasts Are Full Developed
Augmentation is only performed on breasts that have fully developed. This usually happens by the age of 17 or 18, although for some women, the breasts continue developing into their early twenties.
You Have Realistic Expectations
The best patients are emotionally healthy and are realistic about the results they’ll achieve through augmentation. This treatment can significantly enhance the size and appearance of your bosom, but it won’t make you look 18 again, and it won’t resolve underlying body image issues.
What Does Augmentation Involve?
Each augmentation that we perform is tailored to address the patient’s anatomy and cosmetic goals. These treatments are usually performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
Depending on the treatment plan we’ve designed for you, incisions may be made in the fold beneath the breast, around the areola, or in the armpit. An implant is then placed in the breast. Or if you’ve opted for a fat transfer augmentation, the fat that has been liposuctioned from another part of your body will be injected through the incision.
How long Does Treatment Take?
Augmentation usually takes anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours.
What Type of Recovery Is Involved?
After your augmentation, your breasts will be wrapped in gauze and elastic bandages that will provide support and help speed the healing process. You’ll want to avoid sleeping on your stomach during the days immediately following treatment. Most individuals rest and recover at home and start to resume non-strenuous work in three to five days. Low-impact exercise can be resumed in two to three weeks.
It will be important for you to follow the post-treatment instructions we give you.
Why Must I Stop Smoking Before the Treatment?
Patients are asked to refrain from smoking for several weeks before most surgeries. This is because nicotine can cause constriction in the blood vessels. If you haven’t smoked, your blood will flow freely during surgery and will help your body heal afterward.
Will My Results Be Permanent?
Yes. This treatment permanently increases the size of your breasts. You’ll notice some improvement in your bosom right away, with your final results developing within the next six months as your breasts settle into a natural position on your body.
You won’t have to worry about subsequent treatments or take any special steps to preserve your results. Your bosom, like the rest of your body, will evolve as you age, and it’s a good idea to maintain a healthy and consistent weight long-term. But your results will last you a lifetime.
What Options Do I Have in Selecting an Implant?
Implant Type
Patients can choose between saline and silicone implants. The saline option contains saltwater. These implants, which are suitable for individuals 18 years and older, often feel firmer to the touch than silicone implants.
Silicone implants are filled with silicone gel and are popular because they often feel more natural once in place. They are suitable for patients 22 years and older and are a particularly good option for individuals who are slimmer and have smaller bosoms. Silicone implants maintain their shape long-term and are less likely to ripple. Having a breast MRI every several years is a good way of monitoring the stability of the implant.
Implant Shape
Breast implants have historically been round, which allows them to rotate in place without altering the look or shape of the patient’s bosom. Teardrop-shaped implants, a more recent development, mimic the natural shape of many women’s breasts. Teardrop-shaped implants, which are sometimes called anatomical implants, often have a textured surface that helps keep them in place.
Implant Size
Implants are available in different sizes. Your body type and proportions, your height, the size of your chest, and your activity level should all be considered when selecting the size of your implant. We have lots of experience in helping patients select implant types and sizes, and we can help you with this decision.
What’s the Difference Between Augmentation and a Breast Lift?
A breast lift reshapes your existing breast tissue in a way that improves the shape and position of your bosom, but it won’t significantly increase your size. If your bosom is sagging, and your breasts rest unnaturally low on your chest, a lift can bring them back into the proper position. For patients who want to lift sagging breasts and also increase their size, a combination treatment involving both a lift and implants may be recommended.
Breast Augmentation Q&A
Will My Results Look Natural?
Breast augmentation treatments have evolved considerably over the years, and we are now able to offer patients very natural results. If natural results are a particular concern, please let us know and we can work with you to ensure the best possible outcome. The placement of implants, for example, can influence the results. Implants that are placed under the chest muscle, as opposed to above it, often result in a more natural-looking outcome.
Is This Treatment Safe?
Yes. Both types of implants have received FDA approval and have been widely and effectively used.
What if I’m Interested in Augmentation, but I’m Not Sure Which Type of Implant I Want?
You don’t have to come to us knowing exactly which type of implant you want. If you’re interested in exploring augmentation, the first step is to schedule an initial consultation with our practice.
During this appointment, we’ll review your medical history, talk with you about your concerns and goals, and work with you to determine if breast augmentation is the best approach for you. We can also make a recommendation for you regarding the best type of implant for your body type, activity level, and cosmetic goals.
Can I Breastfeed if I Have Implants?
Most patients who undergo augmentation are still able to breastfeed. The material in implants has no impact on the safety or makeup of breastmilk.
Will This Treatment Increase My Breast Cancer Risk?
No. Augmentation will not increase your risk of getting breast cancer, and implants don’t make it any more difficult to detect cancer.
What Kind of Bra Should I Wear During My Recovery?
We usually recommend that augmentation patients wear a surgical bra that provides gentle support during recovery. We’ll let you know when it’s appropriate to transition to an underwire bra.
What Is the Best Age to Undergo Breast Augmentation?
There is no perfect age for breast augmentation. Many patients seek out this treatment in their 30s after they’ve had children. But we also routinely perform this treatment on women in their 40s and 50s with great results.
Will I Lose Sensation in My Nipples?
It’s not unusual for patients to lose some sensation in the nipples following augmentation, but this usually returns within a year.
How Common Is Breast Augmentation?
Augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic treatments in the United States.
Why Should I Consider Augmentation?
The fuller bust and curvier silhouette this treatment offers can give you a figure you can be proud of. Many of our augmentation patients have been bothered by the size of their bosom for years. Once they undergo this treatment they feel sexier, more feminine, more confident, and more comfortable in swimsuits, backless dresses, and halter tops. Once you’ve had an augmentation, you’ll look forward to getting dressed in the morning.
Is There Anything I Can Do to Maximize My Results?
Eating a healthy diet, both before your treatment and during your recovery, is a great way to help your body function at its best and quickly recover. Eating healthfully also helps control your weight and showcases the great results you’ll enjoy after this treatment. Another step you can take to maximize your results is to avoid excessive sun exposure, which can leave the skin on your chest looking rough and weathered.
What Other Breast Treatments Does Your Practice Offer?
In addition to augmentation, we offer breast lifts and breast reconstruction. We can also perform breast reductions for both male and female patients as well as transgender surgery.
Take the First Step Toward a Shapely New Figure Today
Are you tired of hiding your figure behind turtlenecks and bulky sweaters? There’s a good chance you’d be an excellent candidate for augmentation. This widely performed treatment can give you a larger, fuller bosom and help you achieve the silhouette you’ve long wanted. Best of all, the results will be permanent. Give Boulder Plastic Surgery in Boulder, CO, a call today and schedule your breast augmentation consultation.