Every woman has an “Ideal Self,” that is, her own individual idea of her perfect figure. If you’re not satisfied with your current shape and desire a more curvaceous form, breast augmentation surgery can help you achieve your goal. In this surgery, saline or silicone implants are inserted into the breasts in order to increase volume. Alternately, in selected cases meeting strict criteria, fat transfer can be used instead. This procedure involves the transfer of fat from one area of the body into the breasts. Breast augmentation can:
During your consultation, Dr. Anous will carefully review your objectives and motivations. He will then guide you to the correct implant type and volume meant to meet your needs. You, however, will be in control of the choices.
Before having breast augmentation surgery, you’ll need to decide whether you prefer saline or silicone (gel) implants. Both of these options are safe, durable, and capable of producing a natural look and feel, but they have distinct properties.
Saline implants have a silicone shell. They are filled during surgery with pure saline (sterile salt water). They are inserted while deflated, then expanded once they’re inside the breast pocket. Saline implants have the advantage of being adjustable intra-operatively. This can help in cases with marked asymmetry. Some patients also find comfort in knowing that if these implants leak, the saline fluid inside them can be harmlessly absorbed by the body.
Saline implants may not be suitable for patients with thin skin. This implant type is more likely to create visible wrinkles or ripples. Saline implants also look less natural than silicone ones. Their main disadvantage is the presence of the valve used for filling. Because it is glued to the body of the implant the valve is the most frequent site of leakage. This thankfully remains an infrequent event.
Silicone implants have a silicone shell filled during manufacturing with compact silicone gel. This closely mimics the consistency of natural breasts making these implants the preferred choice for most women. Current silicone implants are called “Gummy Bear” or “Cohesive Gel Implants” because their content is no longer fluid. These implants are highly durable and don’t typically display visible rippling or wrinkling. Contrary to popular belief, silicone is in many respects the safer implant type.
There are four different ways to create the retro-Pectoral (behind the muscle) pocket and introduce the implant. Every surgeon has his/her chosen method and should be able to explain her/his reasons. Dr. Anous will methodically and scientifically discuss his preferences. The access incision may however vary depending on the patient’s anatomy.
To view the results of breast augmentation surgery in different body types please view our gallery of “Before and After” pictures.
Fat transfer breast augmentation is ideal for patients with small firm breasts and no droopiness (ptosis). To perform fat transfer breast augmentation, Dr. Anous uses liposuction to remove fatty tissue from a chosen donor location (e.g., the abdomen, thighs, or back). He then purifies the harvested fat cells and injects them into the breasts. This procedure allows patients to achieve multiple body contouring goals (slimming areas of fat deposits while increasing breast size), but it offers a subtler increase in breast volume as compared to implants. Patients who have a fat transfer breast augmentation can expect to go up about one cup size and rarely two.
Breast augmentation is suitable for all women who desire bigger breasts. While the FDA recommends the restriction of silicone implants to women over the age of 22 (for consent reasons), the final decision is left to the patient and her surgeon. Young women between the ages of 18 to 21 who are candidates for Silicone augmentation (either by anatomy or choice) should preferably also have the support of their families or loved ones.
Patients who are interested in having a fat transfer must have a sufficient amount of body fat to permit fat harvesting. As such, this procedure may not be suitable for very thin individuals.
When you come in for a consultation, Dr. Anous will review your medical history in order to verify that you’re a good candidate for surgery. You’ll be asked to provide details about any current health conditions you have and what medications and supplements you use regularly. You’ll then be given instructions on how you should prepare for your operation.
Immediately after having surgery, due to the lingering effects of anesthesia, you will be unable to drive. You will therefore need to have someone with you. Because in most experienced surgeons’ hands this surgery rarely takes more than 20 minutes to complete and because Dr. Anous uses a “No Touch” technique with minimal tissue trauma, swelling, bruising and pain are usually not an issue. In fact, going for an outing the same night of the operation is possible. Motivated patients are able to resume gym activities, exclusive of bench-pressing, within 48 hours.
Dr. Anous will provide you with specific recovery instructions and a special post-surgical bra designed to minimize soreness and speed healing. You will also be given a prescription for oral pain medication although you might opt not to take it. Return to work is dependent on patient’s progress but is usually possible two to three days after surgery.
The best way to learn about breast augmentation surgery in detail is to visit a board-certified plastic surgeon for a personal consultation. If you’re ready to pursue this procedure, contact experienced Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Maher Anous. We look forward to welcoming you to our practice and providing you with personalized, attentive care.