Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the U.S. and one of our most popular services. Breast augmentation can give women with small or unevenly sized breasts a fuller, firmer, better proportioned look through the placement of saline or silicone implants in the breast.
Our patients elect to undergo breast augmentation for many different medical and aesthetic reasons including balancing breast size, compensating for reduced breast mass after pregnancy or surgery, and correcting a congenital breast defect. Under Dr. Kurtzman’s expert care, patients enjoy great looking, natural feeling breasts that are one or more cup sizes larger after the operation.
Fully Customized Breast Enhancement
We know that every woman is unique in both her desires and her body shape. With that in mind, we take the time during the pre-operative consultation to learn what each patient hopes to gain from breast augmentation surgery, and to decide which implant type and placement is best. All of our patients receive a completely customized treatment designed with her specific goals in mind.
Complementary Procedures
Breast augmentation can achieve dramatic and beautiful results. This procedure can be in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery or non-invasive procedures. We sometimes recommend combining breast augmentation with other procedures such as a breast lift for more satisfying results.
Saline and Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Breast implants are silicone shells filled with either saline (salt water) or silicone gel. Both implant types are very safe and each offers it’s own advantages. Dr. Kurtzman will help you decide which implant is right for you. During surgery, we will place the implants either behind each breast, underneath breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle.
After many years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved silicone breast implants for breast augmentation surgery. Dr. Kurtzman is proud to offer patients this option of silicone gel-filled breast implants which are much softer and feel more natural than saline-filled breast implants.
Incision Techniques
The breast augmentation procedure takes one to two hours and is typically performed with general anesthesia. Incisions are made in inconspicuous places on the breast to minimize scar visibility. These may be located:
- In the armpit (transaxillary)
- In the crease on the underside of the breast (inframammary)
- Around the areola, the dark skin around the nipple (periareolar)
After the incision, the breast is lifted creating a pocket for the implant to be inserted. Saline implants may be placed endoscopically through an incision in the navel. This minimally invasive breast enhancement technique is known as a transumbilical breast augmentation or TUBA approach.
Placement Options
Implant placement beneath the chest muscle offers a few advantages over placement beneath the breast tissue such as reduced risk of capsular contracture (post-operative tightening around the implant) and less interference with mammogram examinations. Possible disadvantages are the need for drainage tubes and elevated pain in the first few days following surgery. Dr. Kurtzman will discuss which option may be best for you.
In the TUBA procedure, implants cannot be placed beneath the chest wall. After the implants have been inserted and positioned beneath the nipples, the incisions are stitched closed and then taped and bandaged. In a few days, these bandages may be replaced with a surgical bra.
Recovery
Most patients feel tired and sore after breast augmentation surgery which usually passes in a day or two. Many patients return to work within the week. Stitches are removed in a week to 10 days after breast augmentation. Any post-operative pain, swelling and sensitivity will diminish over the first few weeks. Scars from breast augmentation incisions will begin to fade in a few months and will continue to fade for months or years.