Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation has consistently been one of the most popular plastic surgeries performed in the United States. This may be because, for many women, breast size is directly related to their sense of confidence, femininity, and sensuality. Other women feel that breast augmentation will balance out their figure and give their body a more proportional appearance.

Whatever your reasons for seeking breast enhancement, breast enlargement specialist Dr. Christopher Chung has the experience and training to make your desire for fuller breasts a reality. If you would like to learn more about breast augmentation, click here to request your complimentary consultation with Dr. Christopher Chung, a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast enhancement procedures.

Your Breast Augmentation Options

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For women of all ages and sizes, breast augmentation has become an increasingly popular option. Generally, breast augmentation is a highly rewarding, safe, and short (typically taking around 30-40 minutes) outpatient procedure with anesthesia administered by a board certified anesthesiologist.

However, choosing breast enlargement is only the beginning. Once you’ve decided to undergo breast enlargement surgery, there are a number of key decisions that are instrumental to achieving the results you want.

Breast Implant Size and Type

Most women have an idea of what they want their new breasts to look like, and in order to achieve that look, the proper size and shape of implant must be selected. The type of implant will also affect how your enhanced breasts will feel – another important consideration. Dr. Chung can help you in selecting the implant size, shape, and material that best suits your personal needs.

• Silicone Gel Filled Implants have long been the most popular choice for implants worldwide, and are regaining popularity in the United States. After more than a decade of exhaustive investigation into their safety, the FDA approved a new generation of silicone gel implants in 2006. The latest generation is vastly improved over earlier versions, and is much less likely to leak or bleed if ruptured. Dr. Chung’s breast enlargement patients who choose silicone typically prefer the more natural look and feel that these implants provide. Silicone implants are especially advantageous for women with minimal breast tissue in order to produce a more natural outcome, both in terms of feel and look.
• Saline Filled Implants have been a safe and effective breast implant choice for decades, and are the only option available to patients under 22 years old, due to FDA guidelines. In the case of implant rupture, saline (salt water) is harmlessly absorbed and eliminated by the body. Some less desirable attributes associated with saline implants include occasional visible wrinkling and rippling, especially in women who are thin and have minimal breast tissue, or who lose weight after breast augmentation surgery. Although saline implants, at times, do not look and feel as “natural” as silicone implants, they do offer some advantages. Saline implants cost less, require a smaller incision (one inch or less), and in some cases, may allow for more incision placement options. And because saline implants do not come pre-filled (unlike silicone implants), Dr. Chung can adjust the final volume during surgery to achieve better symmetry if differences in size exist between the two breasts.

Breast Augmentation Incision Options

Once you’ve decided on the type of implant that Dr. Chung will use in your surgery, you will need to choose which incision method is right for you.

• The Periareolar Incision is a small incision made along the lower border of the areola – the circle of more darkly pigmented skin surrounding the nipple. This approach allows the surgeon very direct access to the internal anatomy of the breast, and can be re-used in the case of subsequent breast surgeries. This incision tends to heal nicely, leaving little visible scarring on the breasts. This method is ideal for women who have less developed breast fold and for those who tend to develop hypertrophic or keloid scars.
• An Inframammary Incision is made beneath the breast in the natural fold where the breast meets the ribcage. This approach often results in a faint, well-camouflaged scar well “hidden” within the natural fold of the breast. The inframammary incision is the most commonly used incision for breast augmentation, as it offers the surgeon good access for placing and adjusting the implant with minimal disruption to the breast tissue. This method is ideal for women who are concerned about their ability to breast feed as it avoids the entire nipple-areolar complex from any surgical damage.
• At times, Transaxillary (armpit) Incision can be used for placement of implants. This approach may require the use of endoscopic instruments as this exposure is farthest from the internal anatomy of the breast. In any event, it is important to find out which method your surgeon is most comfortable with, and will deliver the most optimal outcome.

Implant Placement Options

There are two options for the placement of your breast implants, and Dr. Chung will go over these with you thoroughly to help decide which approach is best suited for your particular anatomy and desired outcome.

• Subglandular placement refers to implants that are placed just beneath the breast tissue, but above the chest muscle (pectoralis). Practically speaking, the main advantage of this placement is a shorter, more comfortable recovery. However, this placement tends to make the implant more noticeable with increased palpability (feeling more of the implant) and increased visibility (increased rippling and wrinkling). This placement is not a good option for most women, especially those with very thin skin or little breast tissue. It may also have increased interference with a mammogram’s ability to detect abnormal findings.
• Submuscular or subpectoral placement puts the implant beneath both the breast tissue and the chest muscle. Since the implant is placed underneath the muscle, an increased discomfort from the stretching of the muscle is felt initially. However, most patients find that this method produces a much more natural looking and feeling result. Most of Dr. Chung’s patients choose to have their implants placed “under the muscle” for the many benefits of this method.

Ready for a Consultation?

If you are interested in learning more about your breast augmentation options, click here to request your complimentary consultation with Dr. Christopher Chung, a board-certified plastic surgeon and breast enlargement specialist. Or you can call our office to schedule your appointment.