Breasts mean a lot of different things to different women. They could represent your femininity or sexuality. They nurse and nourish new life. You might like the way they fill out a sweater. And many people have a lot of different thoughts and feelings about breasts.
Every year around 400,000 American women have breast augmentation surgery to change the shape and/or size of their breasts. Approximately three-quarters of these operations are cosmetic, and the remaining quarter reconstructs breasts after a mastectomy. Some of the reasons women choose to have breast augmentation surgery include:
Increase the size of naturally small breasts
Restore breasts after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Make breasts the same size and shape
Change the shape of breasts
Whatever your motivation for wanting to enhance the appearance of your breasts, Dr. Nees can help, here at his state-of-the-art facility in Boca Raton, Florida.
What is breast augmentation?
Sometimes generically referred to as a “boob job,” breast augmentation is an aesthetic surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of your breasts with implants. Breast implants are FDA-approved for anyone in good health and who meets the age requirements. Saline implants are approved for anyone over the age of 18, while you need to wait until you’re 22 to have silicone implants. In some cases, Dr. Nees can use your own fat tissue to reshape your breasts.
How is breast augmentation different from a breast lift?
A breast lift is a different type of procedure to change the appearance of your breasts. Instead of using implants, Dr. Nees manipulates and adjusts your existing breast tissue to lift your breasts. You might opt for a breast lift if you don’t want to increase the size of your breasts but want to restore youthful firmness and perkiness.
Many women opt to combine breast lifts and implants for a youthful and natural appearance. For example, your breasts can appear deflated or saggy after pregnancy and breastfeeding. A combination of breast augmentation and lift is one of the many options available to restore the shape and volume of your breasts.
Different types of breast implants
The three most common types of breast implants include silicone, saline, and gummy bear. Each type of implant offers certain benefits.
Saline implants
Saline implants are silicone shells filled with a saltwater solution. Saline implants are filled after they’re placed into your body, which allows for a more precise customization of size. You can also opt for structured saline implants that provide a more natural feel. If a silicone implant should happen to leak, your body can safely absorb the saline solution.
Silicone implants
Silicone implants are filled with silicone gel. Some patients say they feel and look more natural, but that’s a matter of opinion. Silicone implants are filled before Dr. Nees inserts them into your body. They’re less likely to leak, but if they do, the gel is likely to stay in the shell.
Gummy bear implants
Gummy bear implants are a more solid texture with a thicker shell. They hold their shape and are unlikely to leak. They do require a slightly larger incision.
Details you need to consider
When you’re considering breast augmentation surgery, you need to make several choices about your implants that will affect your appearance.
Size
Breast implants range from 150cc to 800cc. Dr. Nees can help you decide which size of breast implant will look best on your frame and deliver your desired appearance. You might need different sized implants for each breast.
Shape
Implants are available in round and teardrop shapes. Round implants often have a more dramatic appearance, while teardrop implants look more natural.
Placement
Dr. Nees can place your implants above or below your pectoral muscles. When the implant is beneath your pectoral muscle, you might have a more natural-looking result with a reduced risk of rippling. Over the muscle, implants involve less invasive surgery, and you can opt for larger implants.
What happens during breast augmentation surgery
Breast augmentation surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes a few hours. While you’re under general anesthesia, Dr. Nees makes an incision under your breast or in your underarm to place your implants. Depending on your preferences, he puts the implant under or over your pectoral muscle. When your full implants are securely placed into your body, Dr. Nees closes your incision with sutures, skin adhesive, or surgical tape. In some cases, he might place drainage tubes to allow excess fluid to drain from your body while you recover. He bandages you with gauze and a compression bandage.
Recovering from breast augmentation
When you recover from your anesthesia, usually within an hour or so, Dr. Nees releases you. You need a friend or family member to drive you home since the sedation will leave you tired for a while.
Dr. Nees provides customized aftercare instructions and schedules your follow-up appointment. In most cases, you need to wear a support or compression garment while your body heals from surgery. It helps reduce swelling and can increase your comfort. Dr. Nees might prescribe a short course of pain medication to get you through the first couple of days after your surgery.
You will need to avoid strenuous physical activity as well as any movements that stress your upper body. You might even need to avoid reaching for items above your head or in front of you for a while. However, you should be back to most of your regular activities within a week or two.
You should be able to see the results of your breast augmentation surgery right away, although as your postoperative swelling subsides, your breast and profile will settle.
If you’re unhappy about the size, shape, or overall appearance of your breasts, call Dr. Nees or schedule a consultation online to learn more about your options to enhance the appearance of your breasts. Dr. Nees provides expert aesthetic surgeries and wants to help you look and feel amazing. He customizes each operation to meet the needs and expectations of the individual patient.