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Breast Augmentation

Serving Virginia Beach & Chesapeake patients

Quality You Can See

A Natural, Youthful Appearance

Undergoing breast augmentation is a personal decision that all women should be entitled to make. Before undergoing such a procedure, it is important to gather the right information and consult with a well-practiced and trusted plastic surgeon. At North Beach Plastic Surgery our board-certified plastic surgeons can answer any questions you have regarding your Virginia Beach Breast Augmentation procedure. Read on to learn more or to determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure.

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What is breast augmentation?

North Beach Plastic Surgery approaches breast augmentation with patient safety as their priority. They understand that breast size and shape can play an essential role in a woman’s self-image, confidence, and femininity.

North Beach Plastic Surgery is focused on natural appearing breasts that are fuller and perkier without looking obviously “fake.” In the right hands, breast augmentation is far more than merely making the breasts larger – an elegant shape is far more important than size.

Because of everyone’s anatomic differences, breast augmentation must be tailored to the individual to achieve the results you desire. Your doctors at North Beach Plastic Surgery will personally spend a significant amount of time with you during your consultation to determine how best to help you achieve your goals.

Types of Breast Implants

When considering breast augmentation, your doctor will extensively review and recommend the types of implants during your consultation. In general, there are several factors to consider when choosing the appropriate breast implants.

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Breast Implant Texture, Shape, and Size

More than half a million women underwent some form of cosmetic breast surgery. They report that breast augmentation is the most popular procedure in the group. Click here to read more about findings on implant placement and selection. Breast implant manufacturers now offer a multitude of implant choices. Selecting the appropriate implant must be done with careful consideration. The shape can be divided into a round (looks like a half-circle) or anatomic (has a teardrop shape).

Implant texture can be smooth (glides effortlessly in the surrounding tissue) or textured (has a rough feel so that the implant sticks to the surrounding tissue and does not move). Profile refers to the implant projection; that is how far it comes forward. All these decisions are nuanced, and your doctors will help guide you through the process of choosing the breast implants for you during the consultation.

IMPLANT MATERIAL: SILICONE OR SALINE?

The implant “filling" will determine its shape, feel, and visibility. For most patients, highly cohesive (“gummy bear implants") silicone implants are an excellent choice since they maintain a natural feel, are less likely to show skin rippling, and potentially have more longevity. The implant's outer shell is always made of silicone, whether or not the filling is silicone gel or saline. Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater and tend to be firmer, resulting in a less natural feel. They can also be more prone to visible rippling at the skin surface. Multiple scientific studies have examined women who have silicone implants and found they were not more likely to develop health issues than similar women who did not have implants.

Candidates for Breast Enhancement Surgery

Patients who desire fuller, perkier breasts span various ages and backgrounds. Breast augmentation can be used to balance your proportions or recover what pregnancy, weight loss, or age have taken away. Although no two breasts are precisely identical, breast augmentation can improve any asymmetry or differences between the two breasts. The implant type, implant pocket, and incision must be highly individualized to achieve the desired result.

Your Breast Augmentation Procedure

Upon your surgery, you are administered general anesthesia. Your surgeon then makes the discussed and agreed type of incision. Next, a pocket is made to place the implant and insert it into your breast. Your entire procedure takes about an hour; however, it may be longer if you elect to have simultaneous surgeries, such as a breast lift and tummy tuck.

Once your surgery is completed, the doctor places you in a compression garment to keep swelling and bruising down. You may have drainage tubes to help with excess fluids in some cases. Most breast augmentations are outpatient procedures, which means you can return home after your surgery. However, it is crucial you have someone drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours after your surgery.

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Where are the incisions?

Some incisions grant the surgeon access to allow insertion of a breast implant. Incisions may be used in the following locations:

  • Inframammary – in the natural fold at the bottom of the breast
  • Periareolar – along the lower border of the areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple)
  • Transaxillary – in the armpit

Your surgeons at North Beach Plastic Surgery in Virginia Beach will review these various options with you to determine which is appropriate. When selecting the optimal incision, he will consider the desired implant size, breast anatomy, the definition of your inframammary folds, areola pigmentation, and your personal preferences for breast augmentation.

Are my implants going to be under the muscle or over the muscle?

A pocket must be created for the implant. This can be either located in the subglandular space (between the pectoralis muscle and the breast tissue) or slightly more rooted in the submuscular space (between the pectoralis muscle and the ribs). The submuscular plane (also known as dual-plane) has many advantages, including additional soft tissue coverage over the implant to make it less visible, decreased risk of capsular contracture, and significantly less interference with mammograms. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the choice between saline and silicone-related to submuscular placement isn’t as simple as you might think. While most women opt for “under the muscle" breast implant placement, there are other factors to consider. When deciding which is suitable, your doctors will evaluate your nipple position, breast and chest wall anatomy, and personal preferences.

Breast Augmentation Results

The board-certified doctors at North Beach Plastic Surgery want your breast augmentation results to be achieved in the safest possible manner. Your breast augmentation will be performed in an accredited operating room in a surgery center or hospital. On the day of your surgery, you will meet a certified anesthesia provider who will administer general anesthesia, ensuring you are comfortable. Your doctor utilizes a recovery technique including a surgical dissection, a local anesthetic (numbing medicine) in the surgical area, and providing medication for use at home. At North Beach Plastic Surgery, we strive to offer the best breast augmentation Virginia Beach has to offer

Recovery from Breast Implant Surgery

After your surgery, you can expect to be monitored in the recovery room to ensure you are comfortable and well-cared for. You will then be discharged home the same day. Many patients can go about normal daily activities (not including exercise) quickly after surgery.

Your doctor will typically recommend taking a week off from work, but some may be able to return earlier. After surgery, he will instruct you in implant displacement exercises to help keep the breast implants soft. Cardio, such as running or biking, can generally resume after two weeks. Heavier lifting must wait until later in the healing process. It is normal to have some swelling and bruising, which typically resolves in about two weeks. The breast implants will soften and settle within the first two months to have a more natural look and feel.

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Schedule your Virginia Beach Breast Augmentation consultation at North Beach Plastic Surgery today

Take comfort in choosing the best plastic surgeons in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and surrounding areas.

Schedule your private one-on-one consultation with one of our surgeons at North Beach Plastic Surgery. During your consultation, your doctor will ensure all of your questions and concerns are addressed so you can make informed decisions about your surgery. Our surgeons have over three decades of combined experience, and each is exceptionally trained to bring you the most optimal breast augmentation results.

North Beach Plastic Surgery in Virginia Beach & Chesapeake

At North Beach Plastic Surgery, we believe in treating each patient as though they are family. Our years of training and experience in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery are at your service. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about Virginia Beach Plastic Surgery at North Beach Plastic Surgery Clinic.

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