Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is a very popular cosmetic procedure among women who want to boost their self-confidence and have a shapelier and more feminine appearance.
Who is it for?
- breast asymmetry,
- the loss of breast fullness due to age, weight loss, or childbirth/ breastfeeding, and
- tuberous breast syndrome.
How does it work?
Dr. Nguyen will recommend either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, depending on your case. The incisions for the surgery can be made in several different locations:
- The Inframammary Incision is also known as the “breast crease” incision because it is made in the natural fold at the underside of your breast where your breast tissue meets the flat surface of your chest wall. This is the most common of the incision types because it allows the plastic surgeon the best visibility of the breast tissue for optimum implant placement and symmetry. Inframmamary incision scars can be quite subtle after they heal completely.
- The Transaxillary Incision is less popular than the inframammary incision because it allows only indirect visibility of the implant site and requires that the surgeon be skilled in the use of endoscopic surgery techniques. A small incision is made in the underarm area, and an endoscope (fiber optic camera) is inserted to allow the surgeon to see the breast pocket and place the breast implant correctly. When performed by a skilled surgeon, breast augmentation via transaxillary incision can have beautiful results with minor scarring. Scarring from this type of incision is even less conspicuous because of the fact that it is not on the breast.
- The Peri-Areolar Incision, in selected individual, will result in near-invisible scarring around the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple). The pigmentation of the areola can allow for the scar to blend in with the skin tissue, but peri-areolar incisions carry with them the risk of loss of nipple sensitivity or conspicuous scarring if they are not performed successfully
In addition to working with Dr. Nguyen to select the best type of incision for your desired result, you will also work with him to determine the type of implant— silicone or saline—that will be best for you.
- Silicone Breast Implants are approved by the FDA for women ages 22 and over for breast augmentation. They contain a gel that looks and feels very similar to natural breast tissue. Silicone implants do carry the risk of leakage, which may stay within the implant shell, or flow out into the pocket made for the breast implant. You may need to schedule regular visits to your surgeon to track the condition and integrity of your saline implants with MRI or ultrasound procedures. The FDA recommends starting these visits three years after your surgery and scheduling them every two years thereafter.
- Saline Breast Implants are FDA-approved for women ages 18 and older for breast augmentation. They contain sterile salt water, which is usually added after the implant shell has been inserted. The body can naturally dispose of the saline should the implant rupture.
After determining the incision and implant types for your procedure, the final option for your surgery is the placement of your implants. Implants can be inserted over the pectoral muscle, behind the breast tissue (submammary/subglandular), or under the pectoral muscle (submuscular). Dr. Nguyen will work with you to determine the best placement for the look you want to achieve.
What happens after the procedure?
When you go home after your breast augmentation surgery, you can expect to feel sore for one to two weeks. You will be given pain medication to combat this soreness, and you will wear a special compression garment to allow your breast tissue to heal in its new position. You may experience swelling, bruising, redness, or tenderness in the breast area as your heals and body adjusts to your new implants. Dr. Nguyen will go over the recovery process with you in detail, but most patients can expect to need up to two weeks away from work, and up to six weeks without strenuous activity.
Cosmetic Surgery
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