Breast Augmentation
A Fuller and Balanced Aesthetic
A sense of confidence in one’s body is one of the most fundamental requirements for a positive quality of life. With a breast augmentation in Beverly Hills at Dr. Min’s practice, patients can see subtle or drastic changes that allow them to achieve a body that matches their ideals. With balanced, aesthetically-refined procedures, we aim to help our patients unlock a sense of truly being at their best. Contact us today to start on a path toward unlocking a self that embodies your aesthetic ideals.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that can increase the size of a patient’s breasts. It is a prevalent and life-changing procedure for women who want to enhance their appearance and feel more confident in their bodies. This procedure involves placing breast implants under the chest muscle or directly behind the breast tissue, depending on the type of procedure method you choose. The results can last for a lifetime, lending a dynamic enhancement to your personal aesthetic.
Patients may choose from one of several augmentation methods, including:
- Saline Implants: Ideal for a more uniform shape and texture.
- Silicone Implants: Flexible and popular materials for natural-feeling implants.
- Fat Transfer: Uses the body’s own fat as a natural means of improving breast volume.
Who Is a Candidate?
Breast augmentation can be an excellent option for patients who have asymmetric breasts, little breast tissue, or small or drooping breasts. But it can also be ideal for individuals who simply want to achieve a fuller look. Other signs you are a great candidate for the procedure include:
- Being in good physical health
- Staying realistic about expectations from the results of the procedure.
- Being ready to discuss your goals with an experienced board-certified surgeon
- Avoiding smoking before and after your surgery
How do I decide on the right implant?
Below are several important points about breast implants that your plastic surgeon will discuss with you about the procedure.
Silicone versus saline
Both are popular options, each with its own set of characteristics and advantages.
Silicone implants are filled with a cohesive gel that closely resembles the feel of natural breast tissue. They are known for providing a more natural look and feel compared to saline implants. The gel inside these implants tend to stay together even if the implant shell were to break. This can make detecting a rupture more challenging without regular imaging.
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water after being placed in the breast pocket. They can feel slightly less natural and may be more likely to ripple. They are generally inserted while empty, allowing for smaller incisions. If a saline implant ruptures, the saline solution is harmlessly absorbed by the body, making ruptures more easily detectable as the implant visibly deflates.
What is an implant profile?
Implant profiles determine how much it projects forward from the chest wall. Generally there are five different profiles ranging from low to extra-high profiles (low, low-plus, moderate, high, extra-high). This is the decision your plastic surgeon will help guide you based on the proportions of your chest and body.
How do I choose the right implant size?
Choosing the implant size is a significant consideration. Your body frame, current size, and aesthetic goals will influence the appropriate size. Bringing photos of your desired look to the consultation is helpful in communicating your personal preference. During the consultation, you will have a chance to try on different breast implant sizers to help make the decision regarding the implant volume.
In which layer are the implants placed?
Breast implants can be placed in three different layers, and the decision to place in one layer over the other will depend on your chest anatomy and a thorough discussion between the patient and the plastic surgeon. It can be placed:
- Under the chest pectoralis muscle (“submuscular” or “dual-plane”)
- Over the muscle (“subglandular”)
- Over the muscle and under the pectoralis muscle fascia (“subfascial”)
Which incisions are used to place the implants?
Breast implants can be placed via different incisions located under the chest fold (“inframammary”), around the nipple-areolar-complex (“periareolar”) or under the arm pit area (“axillary).
Benefits
When performed by a skilled physician, breast augmentation can deliver a range of benefits to patients. Some of the core benefits patients can expect from a breast augmentation with Dr. Min may include:
- Improved self-confidence: This is one of the primary reasons our patients elect to get breast augmentation. A fuller, more balanced breast size can help you look and feel at the top of being you.
- Natural-looking results: You and your surgeon will discuss the best implant for you based on your body type and desired outcome. The modern techniques used today allow for natural-looking results that build upon what makes you unique.
- Minimal scarring visibility: The incisions used for breast augmentation are made in discreet locations and can be hidden from view after healing.
- Long-lasting results: Breast implants typically last for years to over a decade.
An Overview of the Procedure Experience
Most breast augmentation procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and take about one to two hours. You will be given general anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure’s duration. The incision sites chosen by your surgeon will depend on the type of implant used and your desired outcome. After the implants have been placed, they may need to be adjusted or repositioned to achieve the desired look. If you are combining augmentation with other procedures, such as a breast lift or liposuction, then the procedure duration could be longer. But even combination procedures tend to still be outpatient ones, allowing you to return home following the surgery.
After the Surgery: Recovery
The recovery period after a breast augmentation typically lasts several weeks, but it should prove straightforward. During this time, you should follow Dr. Min’s instructions for care to ensure a smooth and successful healing process. Immediately after the procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort, swelling, and bruising, which will gradually subside over the first several days. Patients typically will need about two weeks of downtime away from work and daily activities to focus on recovery.
You will also need to limit your physical activities to allow the implants to properly settle into their proper position. Most patients can return to work and other normal activities within a few days of surgery. However, it may take a few weeks before you feel completely back to normal. It is also important to follow up with Dr. Min periodically to allow her to monitor the healing process and ensure you are getting the best results from your surgery.
Seeing Your Results from Breast Augmentation
Once you have healed fully, you can see the full results of your breast augmentation. It is important to remember that these results are permanent and should not need further adjustments in the future. However, it can take several weeks to months for swelling to fully go down and for the implants to settle into their final position. While this residual swelling is not very noticeable, it can still affect how the implants sit in the breasts. But once it fully fades, you will see your final results in all their fullness.
Combining With Other Procedures
In some cases, patients may choose to combine breast augmentation with other procedures, such as a breast lift. A lift can help enhance the shape and position of your breasts, creating a more youthful look. When combined, a lift can amplify your final results dramatically. Patients may also choose to have other procedures, such as liposuction or a tummy tuck, to complement their breast augmentation results. During your consultation with Dr. Min, you can explore all your possible treatment options and select the right path forward for your goals.
Meet Dr. Elise Min
Board-Certified Female Plastic Surgeon Specializing In Breast And Body Procedures In Los Angeles
Board-Certified Female Plastic Surgeon Specializing In Breast And Body Procedures In Los Angeles
Dr. Elise Min, a distinguished female plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, is renowned for her unique expertise in breast and body surgery. Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Min is celebrated for her personal approach to aesthetic surgery and her exceptional patient care. She places great emphasis on educating her patients, allowing them to make informed decisions about their treatment.
Book Your Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about breast augmentation and the benefits it can bring to your life, we encourage you to get in touch to set up a consultation visit. Our board-certified surgeon, Dr. Min, has years of experience helping patients achieve their desired results. We are here to answer any questions you may have and help guide you on your journey toward a fuller and more balanced aesthetic. Book your consultation today to learn more about our option in Beverly Hills.
FAQ
What else should I know about breast implants?
Breast implants are not forever devices and have a life-time of approximately ten years. Some may choose to keep them longer than this, but in general, around ten years is when you want to consider getting your breast implants exchanged. The longer you keep them beyond this timeline, the risk of implant rupture and hard capsule can be higher. In fact, some rare cancers, such as implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC), appears to have a bias to implants in place for many years according to available data. There is also a rare type of cancer, such as implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), which is predominantly associated with textured implants, which are no longer being used. Furthermore, some women report symptoms of Breast Implant Illness, which is a collection of symptoms (fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, dry eyes, etc.) that is diagnosed through ruling out other health conditions.
How long do the results last?
Breast augmentation results tend to last between 10 and 20 years. The duration depends most on the type and quality of implants you receive. For example, saline implants last shorter than silicone. However, saline implants still have unique advantages. Implant durability is just one of the factors we go over with patients when determining the best plan for them. Once your implants age, you will need to replace them. Otherwise, they could become damaged and lead to issues down the road.
Can I change my implant size later?
You can! Patients can change their implants to a larger or smaller size, depending on their current preferences. The amount of a size increase will vary, as we want to ensure your skin has enough elasticity to adjust. You could also swap out your implant for a different type in many cases. However, we will still need to make sure that the new type is safe for you before moving forward.
Will breast augmentation leave a scar?
The incisions in breast augmentation will result in a scar, no matter how skilled your surgeon is. However, that does not mean the scar will be noticeable. Dr. Min always hides the incision under the breast when possible, keeping any scarring out of sight. Additionally, the size of the incision and scar will depend on your implant type. Some implants can be inserted through smaller incisions. Lastly, Dr. Min carefully creates incisions to follow the natural shape of your breast, further helping them blend in.
Scarring will be more notable in the first few months as you heal. Proper scar care is essential during this time to help with healing. Most patients will see any scarring gradually become less visible as time goes on. Some patients can a
How much does breast augmentation cost?
The cost of breast augmentation will depend on the type and size of implants and your procedure complexity. No blanket quote would be entirely accurate. Instead, Dr. Min provides a personalized quote following your consultation. This quote lays out each cost element, and it requires no commitment.
Additionally, we work with patients to explore financing plans and flexible payment options. These solutions open the door for more patients to receive the procedures they need. Ask about financing during the consultation, and we will gladly go over options that could suit your situation.
Is breast augmentation safe?
Breast augmentation is generally safe for healthy candidates working with a skilled plastic surgeon. However, as with any procedure, it does carry some risk. Dr. Min and her team work to minimize risk and maximize patient safety for every procedure. This starts with in-depth consulting and ends with attentive patient follow-up to ensure smooth recovery. We also only use premium quality breast implants from the top brands in plastic surgery.
