Breast Augmentation Miami

WHAT IS A BREAST AUGMENTATION?

A breast augmentation, also known as mammoplasty or breast enhancement, is a surgical procedure that improves the fullness and volume of the breast through implants. While breast augmentations are customarily elected for cosmetic purposes, they also restore the breast after illness or surgery. Breast reconstruction is standard after a mastectomy or traumatic accident. However, natural anatomy, weight fluctuations, breastfeeding, and age all impact the appearance of the breasts and are typically what prompt women to seek breast augmentation surgery.

BENEFITS OF A BREAST AUGMENTATION

The benefits of breast augmentation depend on the needs of the patient. However, they generally include:

• Prominent, rounder, more symmetrical breasts
• Natural-looking breasts that fit your body flawlessly
• Breasts restored to their pre-baby shapeliness
• Breasts reconstructed after mastectomy
• Enhanced confidence for an invigorated, more vibrant version of yourself!

TYPES OF BREAST IMPLANTS

Saline Implants

• Contents: Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution and have a silicone outer shell.
• Look and Feel: Saline implants are heavier and offer a rounder look than their silicone counterparts. Patients desiring saline implants should also have enough breast tissue to avoid undesirable rippling effects. The surgeon can adjust the implant size once the shell is in place for a custom look and feel.
• Eligibility: Saline implants are FDA-approved for individuals 18 years and older.
• Durability: Saline breast implant ruptures are rare. Still, in the occurrence that one does tear, it immediately becomes visibly apparent. The body harmlessly absorbs leaked saline. Saline implants last 10 to 20 years for maximum implant longevity with no need for yearly MRI scans, as traditional silicone implants require.
• Openings: Saline implant shells are collapsed, placed in the breast by themselves, and then filled with a saltwater solution to achieve the desired look. Since the implant casings are compact, the incisions are also smaller than pre-filled silicone implants.

Silicone Implants

• Contents: The implant is filled with a gel-like silicone and has an outer shell also made of silicone.
• Look and Feel: Silicone breast implants have a natural look and feel that mimics breast tissue. They also pose a lower chance of rippling than saline-filled implants since they maintain their shape more easily.
• Eligibility: Silicone implants are FDA-approved for individuals 22 years and older.
• Durability: Silicone implant ruptures are called "silent ruptures." When severed, the thick silicone gel spills and encircles its shell, not outwardly reflecting the rupture. Leaked silicone may escape into the breast implant pocket and must be remediated since the body cannot absorb silicone. Silicone breast implant ruptures are extremely rare, as silicone implants can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. However, they are usually replaced every 8 to 10 years for cosmetic reasons.
• Openings: Since silicone breast implants come pre-filled, they require a larger opening during the surgery, resulting in a more extensive scar.

Gummy Bear Implants

• Contents: Gummy bear implants are filled with a dense and highly cohesive silicone gel.
• Look and Feel: Ultra-cohesive silicone gel breast implants are famed as "gummy bear implants" since they maintain their substance when cut in half, similar to a gummy bear candy. Being made of a cohesive silicone gel, they have a firmer feel. The consistency of the gummy bear implant is thicker than traditional silicone implants, resulting in a shell that better holds its shape. Standard saline and silicone implants are round, but the gummy bear implants have a natural-looking teardrop shape.
• Eligibility: Gummy bear implants are FDA-approved for individuals 22 years and older.
• Durability: These are form-stable silicone implants that retain their shape, even when the outer shell breaks. Therefore, the silicone does not migrate elsewhere in the body in the event of a rupture.
• Openings: Incisions may be longer when placing gummy bear implants since they are teardrop-shaped and require more room to insert.

BREAST IMPLANT TEXTURES

Smooth Breast Implants

Both saline and silicone breast implants can have a smooth surface. Smooth breast implants have thinner shells than textured implants, which give them a cushioned, more natural consistency. Their polished surface allows them to move around more freely in the breast, mimicking organic breast tissue. Since smooth implants mold to the body's everyday movements, their shifting is more prone to cause slightly visible rippling in the skin in patients with limited breast tissue.

Textured Breast Implants

Textured breast implants have a rougher silicone shell. The gritty texture allows the implant to form a tighter grip on the tissue and remain in its proper position over time. Although they feel firmer than natural breast tissue, many patients elect textured breast implants since they are less likely to shift and cause skin rippling. Since textured implants are firm, all teardrop-shaped breast implants are textured by design to maintain the proper placement in the body.

BREAST IMPLANT INCISIONS

Periareolar Incision

Around the areola: Periareolar or areolar incisions allow surgeons to insert the implant through an opening made where the darker border of the areola and the skin meet.

• Advantages of the Periareolar Incision: Periareolar openings facilitate greater visibility and control when placing the implant. This breast incision technique allows for the breast implants to be placed anywhere over the muscle or underneath. It also leaves minimal scarring–nearly invisible–since the incision blends with the areolar border.
• Disdvantages of the Periareolar Incision: There is an increased risk of infection with the periareolar incision technique. Since bacteria naturally live in the milk ducts, the incisions become vulnerable to bacterial infection once the implant passes through these ducts. Periareolar openings also pose the risk of temporary or permanent loss of nipple sensation, as it requires the surgeon to remove and reattach the areola back onto the breast.

Inframammary Incision

Under the breast fold: Inframammary incisions are made in the crease underneath the breast. Once the opening is created, the surgeon slides the implant into place behind the areola. This breast implant incision technique is typically performed with form-stable or teardrop-shaped implants because their size and lack of flexibility require a larger incision. However, they can be created even smaller to inserted deflated saline implants.

• Advantages of the Inframammary Incision: Unlike other breast implant incision techniques, the inframammary incision presents no additional risk of nerve damage and loss of sensation in the nipples since the implants are placed underneath the breast, away from the areola. The incision scar is typically between 0.5" -2" inches wide and unnoticeable since it sits underneath the breast. It can be reopened for subsequent surgeries, eliminating the likelihood of additional scarring. Inframammary openings also allow increased control over bleeding and implant placement, making them popular with most patients.
• Disadvantages of the Inframammary Incision: The main disadvantage of inframammary implant placement is that the incision scar makes it challenging to alter the breast size later. If a patient wants to increase their breast size, the scar will move upward, and if they wish to decrease, it will move downward.

Transaxillary Incision

Through the armpit:Transaxillary incisions are made on the armpit. The surgeon creates a pathway from the armpit to the breasts and guides the saline implant casing through the groove. It is filled with a sterile saline solution according to the patient's desired size once correctly in place.

• Advantages of the Transaxillary Incision
  Transaxillary incisions make for a virtually scarless breast augmentation since the opening is in the armpit. This breast implant technique is also less likely to damage the mammary gland than other incision types, thus, being most suitable for patients still planning to have children hoping to breastfeed with a full milk supply.
• Disadvantages of the Transaxillary Incision
  Transaxillary openings can only be used once, and thus new scarring will be incurred if a breast revision is necessary. It can also be challenging for surgeons to create symmetry with this incision type since it requires more precision when measuring implant placement.

Transumbilical Incision

Through the navel: Transumbilical incisions are formed during a Transumbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA), where the shell of a saline implant is collapsed and funneled through a pathway in the belly button. Once placed, the surgeon fills the implant with a sterile saline solution according to the patient's desired size.

• Advantages of the Transumbilical Incision: The transumbilical incision leaves no visible scars in comparison to traditional breast augmentation implant openings. Since the incisions are not placed on the breasts, there is also less risk of exposure to external bacteria and reduced risk of infection. The scars are hidden within the navel, leaving the breasts to appear untouched. TUBA patients recover quicker than patients who have undergone other forms of breast augmentation techniques.
• Disadvantages of the Transumbilical Incision: The transumbilical breast augmentation does not allow for much visibility when placing the implants, interfering with proper implant placement. Also, TUBA incisions cannot be reused. This poses a disadvantage, as the patient will incur new scars with every breast revision procedure. Since the transumbilical openings are through the crest of the navel, it is not suitable for patients with abdominal scars, hernias, or slender builds.

BREAST IMPLANT PLACEMENT

Breast implants may be placed over the pectoral muscle or underneath, with each placement having its own pros and cons. Factors such as your body type, style of implant, and desired size all dictate which placement is best for you.

Submuscular

Breast implants are inserted into a pocket underneath the pectoral muscles of the chest.

Pros

• Produces a more natural appearance since the implant is covered by more breast tissue (especially on thinner patients with less breast tissue)
• Reduced rate of capsular contracture

Cons

• Longer postsurgical recovery
• Higher discomfort during postsurgical recovery
• Recovery takes longer and feels more unpleasant since the muscle was affected

Subglandular

Breast implants are placed over the pectoral muscle, underneath the breast tissue and mammary ducts.

Pros

• Provides a lifting effect
• Reduced rate of capsular contracture

Cons

• More likely to interfere with breastfeeding
• Can cause rippling in women with less breast tissue
• Increased chance of capsular contracture

BREAST AUGMENTATION PROCESS

Anesthesia: A licensed and experienced professional administers general anesthesia before the breast enhancement procedure begins.

Incision : Your surgeon creates an opening to place the implant. The placement of these openings vary depending on the incision method you decided upon during your private consultations.

Implant Placement : The surgeon inserts the implant through the incision and into the designated region to achieve the most natural-looking results.

Incision Closure & Recovery: Once the incision is closed, you will be wheeled into Body Aesthetic Center’s ultramodern recovery room and gently soothed out of anesthesia by a licensed nurse before discharge.

BREAST AUGMENTATION RESULTS AND RECOVERY

Body Aesthetic Center patients should expect to see the final results of their breast augmentation after 6 months. However, the level of adherence to aftercare instructions affects the timeline of your healing process. It is essential to have a family member, close friend, or nurse assist you in recovery during the first few days after surgery.

24 Hours Post-Op

The first 24 hours after your breast augmentation will feel unpleasant. Bruising and swelling are common. However, you may also experience aching at the incision site, fatigue, and nausea. Your breasts may either be oversensitive or considerably numb, depending on your body's reaction to the surgery. All this reactions are common 24 hours after your breast augmentation procedure.

First Week Post-Op

Discomfort peaks during the first week. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to ease discomfort. It is essential to rest and limit strenuous movements to avoid added soreness. Swelling and tingling are common. You may also experience sharp pains in the breasts and nipples; this is a normal indication that the nerve endings are healing after being stretched. After the first week, you may return to regular walking, sitting, and mild desk work. However, you must avoid sudden movements and stretches. It is imperative to make deliberate body movements and avoid carrying objects over 10 pounds.

1 Month Post-Op

Swelling and bruising around the surgery site will subside after one month. You will be able to engage in lighter exercises and resume sexual activity after four weeks, but it should commence gently. Raising blood pressure too high so soon after surgery increases the risk of internal bleeding and pressure on the incision site. It can also provoke complications that are harmful to your health and aesthetic results. Continue wearing your post-surgical bra and avoid any stress on the incision site at this time for optimal results.

3 Months Post-Op

Three months after your breast augmentation, swelling and bruising will no longer obscure your results. Your breasts will settle as they approach the final stages of their appearance; they should look fuller, rounder, and feel slightly softer. Residual firmness in the breasts is still expected, as the breast pocket in which the implants were placed has not yet stretched to accommodate them. Nonetheless, you will be allowed to switch from your compression bras to sports bras since your healing process is nearly complete!

6 Months Post-Op

After six months, your breasts should be settled and at their complete softness. The final look and feel of your breast augmentation will be apparent, and most, if not all, symptoms will have subsided. Some patients may still experience slight tinges of pain for up to a full year, as the implants take longer to settle and drop into a more natural-looking position. Most patients, however, are mainly concerned about how to fade their breast augmentation scars at the 6-month mark. Your surgeon will provide you with a scar care routine to fade the small scars at your incision site.

WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER A BREAST AUGMENTATION?

If you are of age and in good general health, you can consider a breast augmentation procedure to increase breast size and correct asymmetries. Patients seek breast augmentations when their breasts lack fullness, projection, and proper proportions. However, they must be of age to be permitted to undergo breast augmentation surgery. Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for individuals 22 and over, and saline breast implants are FDA-approved for those aged 18 and above.

BREAST AUGMENTATION COST
AT Body Aesthetic Center

The average cost of a breast augmentation procedure at Body Aesthetic Center ranges between $3,000 to $6,000USD. The price of your breast enhancement depends on the procedure's objective and elected methods. Since every situation is unique, you will receive personalized pricing at your initial consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.

YOUR BEAUTY TRANSFORMATION AWAITS

Body Aesthetic Center caters entirely to your needs as you embark on your beauty transformation. Whether you are a local or out-of-town patient, our team delivers premier care so you can focus exclusively on creating your most vibrant self! Please leave your contact information to schedule a private consultation with the Body by Unique surgeon of your choice. Once your request is submitted, we will contact you to arrange an appointment and escort you through the formation of your newfound confidence.

BREAST AUGMENTATION FAQS