Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, or enhancement, is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries. Dr. Patel understands that every patient is different, and our breast augmentation procedures are tailored and customized to fulfill your specific needs.

Breast augmentation can offer amazing results for women dissatisfied with their breasts’ size or shape. Our breast augmentations surgery in Tacoma and Puyallup can be a good choice for women who want to:

• Increase the roundness, fullness, and volume of small breasts
• Increase the upper volume of breasts that are elongated or “bottom heavy”
• “Even out” breasts of noticeably different sizes
• Improve the overall proportions of the body so the breasts are “properly sized” for the patient's shape and stature
• Improve the appearance of breasts that have decreased in volume following pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss

When considering breast augmentation surgery, focus on your own goals and expectations. This is critically important to ensure high satisfaction with your results. In general, you should be in good health condition to be a good candidate for surgery. You should also have realistic expectations about your goals and what surgery can and cannot do.

Who is a candidate for breast augmentation?

Breast volume and shape are cosmetically enhanced for a variety of reasons, including:

• Small breast size
• Breasts that are two different sizes
• Breasts that have become saggy or droopy due to aging, pregnancy and breastfeeding or significant weight loss

As breast augmentation continues to evolve, more implant and procedure options are available for patients. Implants come in silicone or saline form, are either smooth or textured, and can be either round or anatomic. There are also a number of ways to position the implants within the breast, which can be decided by the patient and surgeon prior to surgery.

Before your surgery, Dr.Patel will perform an in-depth evaluation and physical examination to assess your anatomy and understand your specific goals and expectations. You must provide a complete personal and family medical history before your procedure. Prepare to discuss your goals and expectations for the surgery.

During your conversation with Dr.Patel, you must be as specific as possible about your expectations for surgery. You will have plenty of time to ask questions or discuss any concerns about breast augmentation surgery and recovery. Some women with significant sagging of the skin and other tissues may require a breast lift or mastopexy to achieve the desired look along with breast augmentation surgery.

Depending on the patient’s preferences and goals, other procedures may also be performed simultaneously. For example, a tummy tuck to tone and tighten the belly area or liposuction to remove excess fatty tissue.

What else can you tell me about the procedure?

Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure that will be performed in a surgery center under general anesthesia to ensure your safety. Incisions are carefully placed in order to limit visible scarring. Incision placement can also be determined by the patient according to their cosmetic expectations. There are two types of incision options for this surgery that Dr. Patel offers:

• Inframammary incision: This approach places the incision below the breast, where it is hidden in the breast fold.
• Periareolar incision: This incision is made around the areola

Incision placement may also be determined based on the kind of implants you are receiving, the size of the implants, individual anatomy and patient-surgeon preference.

After the incisions are made, the implant is placed inside of a pocket either underneath the pectoral muscle or directly behind the breast tissue. After the implant is placed according to anatomy, size and patient specifications, the incisions will be closed with sutures that will dissolve during the healing process.

What should I know about taking care of myself after the procedure?

The recovery process from a breast augmentation procedure typically lasts a few weeks. The patient may experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort during this time, but these symptoms should subside within a few days. Most patients can return to their normal activities within a week or two after the procedure. A support bra will also need to be worn for a fewweeks in order to support the new shape and contours of your breasts. Some improvement will be seen after swelling subsides, but full results may not be evident for several months as the breasts adjust and the improved contours settle into the body.