7 Common Questions About Breast Augmentation Answered

7 Common Questions About Breast Augmentation Answered

Many of our patients at Glamour Plastic Surgery and Med Spa inquire about breast augmentation. It should be noted that breast augmentation is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. In fact, Dr. Olga Bachilo, a Houston-area plastic surgeon and Director of Glamour Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, makes sure that every single breast augmentation procedure that she performs is customized for each patient.

There are many options that you can choose from when it comes to obtaining larger breasts, and Dr. Bachilo will be happy to walk you through your options, making the most suitable recommendations for you. Many aspects will be taken into consideration, including your age, body type, family health history, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals.

How is breast augmentation performed?

Breast augmentation may be performed using various procedures. You may either elect to have implants inserted, either behind or in front of the breast muscle, or you may elect to use your own body fat to augment the size of your breasts.

With breast implants, the implants may be inserted using various types of hairline incisions, leaving barely visible scars that will eventually fade over time.  Dr. Bachilo uses a special touch-free technique that minimizes the risk of infection and capsular contracture. The procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia and typically requires an overnight hospital stay.

With fat transfer, there will be less scarring, as the augmentation procedure is performed by means of injections rather than surgical implants.

Although the two procedures differ, in either case, you will need to rest and recover for several days following the procedure, and you will also be advised to wear compressive garments for several weeks in order to optimize the healing process.

While the recovery period is shorter and more comfortable with fat transfer, you should still plan to give your body the rest it needs following any cosmetic procedure. Recovery from a fat transfer will affect not only the breasts but also the fat harvest site, as the fat is extracted via liposuction, which requires a brief recovery period.

What types of options are available with breast implants?

Breast implants come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. You may choose between saline and silicone breast implants, smooth or textured implants, and round or shaped implants. Dr. Bachilo is skilled and experienced enough to help you choose the most flattering option for your body type after discussing your preferences as far as the size, shape, and projection that you want your breasts to have.  If you later decide that the implants you selected are not right for you, you can easily switch out your old implants for new ones.

How does breast augmentation with fat transfer work?

Using your body’s own excess fat to add volume to underdeveloped breasts is a desirable option for many women and provides the most natural-looking results as well as the safest option. Fat transfer, often referred to as fat grafting, harvests fat from areas such as the abdomen, hips, or thighs, and transfers it to your breasts.

Fat grafting is a two-part procedure that uses liposuction to extract excess fat from areas where you don’t want it, and then liquefies the fat so that it may be injected into the breasts to enhance fullness. The procedure may need to be performed more than once in some patients, because the body may absorb some of the grafted fat. This can be easily corrected by repeating the injections.

Am I a good candidate for breast augmentation?

You may be a good candidate for breast augmentation if you are an adult over the age of 18 and in overall good general health. If you are pregnant or nursing, it’s best to postpone cosmetic improvements to your breasts until you are done with the process of lactation.  You may also need to postpone the use of certain medications in preparation for a breast augmentation procedure. Dr. Bachilo will also request that you avoid smoking for at least one month before your procedure and continue to avoid smoking for several months after your procedure to optimize the healing process.

How do I know which type of breast augmentation is right for me?

When you come in for your initial consultation, Dr. Bachilo will assess your body, frame, the size and shape of your natural breasts, and your medical history. She will inquire about your goals and how you want your breasts to look and feel. You may feel free to show her photographs of breasts that you admire, or to bring a partner or good friend with you to help you make your selection.  Dr. Bachilo will patiently explain the procedure, as well as your options. She will show you the different types of implants that are available and discuss the possibility of fat grafting if you are a candidate for that.

If you elect an implant procedure and later change your mind about your decision, the procedure may be easily modified or reversed. You may switch from silicone to saline implants or vice versa, or switch your implants to another size and shape. If you decide to abandon the use of implants over time, you may opt for a fat transfer procedure to replace implants. You may also opt for a breast lift to help lift any sagging skin caused by the pull of gravity on your breasts.

What is the difference between augmentation and a breast lift?

Breast augmentation procedures make the breasts larger and fuller, while a breast lift elevates the breasts to a higher position on the chest and corrects the projection of the nipples so that they point outward and not downward.

In many cases, with breast augmentation, patients will also require a breast lift, since larger, heavier breasts will be more prone to sagging. A breast lift may also be performed to lift and tighten the skin of your natural breasts. In cases where women change their mind after wearing implants and want to correct the sagging skin left by implants once they are removed, a breast lift can restore a youthful, firm, and perky appearance to the breasts.

Will my breasts function normally after breast augmentation?

Many women ask whether they will still have natural sensation in their breasts and nipples following a breast augmentation procedure. In most cases, the answer is a resounding yes! Dr. Bachilo takes great care to re-assemble all nerve endings in the nipple and areola carefully and precisely in order to maintain natural sensation. Most women are also perfectly capable of breast-feeding following a breast augmentation procedure. While it is possible to nurse an infant after breast surgery, the hormonal changes caused by pregnancy and lactation may affect the results of your procedure, so it is advised that you wait to have breast procedures performed after you are finished with pregnancy and lactation.