Breast Augmentation is one of the most popular procedures performed in Orange County, CA and one of the most sought after procedures by Dr. John Park.
Breast Augmentation allows for the unique opportunity to increase your breast size, and improve their shape and contour. You may be a good candidate for breast augmentation if you feel your breasts are too small, if weight loss has changed the size and shape of your breasts, or if your breasts have become smaller and lost their firmness following pregnancy.
Dr. John Park takes a customized approach to each patient’s surgery in order to achieve the best outcome for each of his patients. Every woman has a different figure, unique needs and various concerns when it comes to improving the appearance of her breasts. During your consultation, Dr. Park will listen to your concerns, inform you of important considerations of breast augmentation as it pertains to you, and go over the various options for breast augmentation.
– J.C., Actual Patient*
Breast augmentation can be performed by a variety of approaches, and depending on your desired outcome and taking into consideration the unique aspects of your figure and anatomy, four main decisions will need to be made to formulate the best approach for you. They are: location of the incision, location of the implants, size and shape of the implants, and finally the type of implants.
Dr. John Park uses one of three different incision locations when performing a breast augmentation.
There are several factors to consider when deciding the location of the incision. What might be right for one woman may be less than ideal for another. During your consultation, Dr. Park will discuss with you these options in more detail.
Breast implant placement over the chest muscle (pectoralis major) for breast augmentation has largely fallen out of favor, and the majority of implants placed for breast augmentation are placed under the pectoralis muscle (see figure below). This reduces the risk of capsular contracture and allows for a softer transition in the upper pole of the breast, creating a more natural result.
In the presence of modest breast ptosis or droopiness where the nipple position is lower than desired, a dual plane approach with the appropriate breast implant can achieve some breast lift without the need for a separate breast lift surgery. In dual plane breast augmentation, the breast implant is placed under the muscle as well, but by lifting the breast tissue off the muscle in a separate second plane, placement of the breast implant allows for upward rotation of the breast mound over the implant and some degree of breast lift. The right decision on which approach to take for a particular patient is dependent on having her specific concerns and questions addressed, being properly informed of all the options, and receiving recommendations that take into consideration the uniques aspects of her figure, current breast size and shape, desired breast size and shape, and skin character.
Because of the relationship of the pectoralis muscle to the position and size of the breast, only the upper portion of breast implant is under the muscle.
There are two main types of breast implants, silicone breast implants and saline breast implants. Both types of breast implants are FDA approved and have been used for years. Both breast implants consist of a silicone shell, but saline breast implants are inserted deflated then filled with saline water, whereas silicone breast implants come sealed and pre-filled with a cohesive silicone gel. There are instances where the choice between silicone or saline breast implants may be more important to the final result than in other cases. In addition, in some cases, silicone breast implants may be preferred over saline breast implants or vice versa. During your consultation, Dr. John Park will discuss in detail the advantages and disadvantages of silicone vs. saline implants.
A saline breast implant is filled with a salt-water solution from a sterile IV fluid bag. The saline breast implant is positioned under the muscle deflated then filled to the desired volume. The advantage of this is that the saline breast implants can be more easily positioned and may allow for a slightly smaller incision. Because there is a range of recommended fill volume for a given sized saline implant, there is also an opportunity to make final adjustments in the size and shape/projection of the implant. With saline implants, a leak would be readily noticeable because the breast would lose its augmented volume over a few days as the body absorbs the salt-water solution that had filled the breast implant.
Silicone breast implants, unlike saline implants, are pre-filled to a particular volume and shape with silicone gel of various cohesivity. The newer generation cohesive silicone breast implants are filled with high cohesive silicone gel, resulting in a firmer breast implant that is less fluid and less likely to leak out of the shell in the event of rupture compared to older generation lower cohesive silicone gel implants. Even higher cohesive or “gummy bear” breast implants have become available and are useful in select situations. With few exceptions, silicone breast implants tend to have a more natural feel and in some instances may allow for a more natural result. However, unlike saline breast implants, a leak in the silicone implant will not be readily apparent, as the silicone gel largely remains within the body’s capsule that naturally forms around any breast implant.
Most breast implants, whether saline or silicone have a smooth surface. However, in certain instances a textured surface may be preferred. A smooth breast implant is free to move and even rotate within the body’s natural capsule that forms around the implant, whereas a textured implant has a rough surface that sticks to the capsule. All tear-drop shaped implants that have a top and bottom orientation have a textured surface so as to prevent rotation of the implant. Textured implants decrease the risk of capsular contracture and are thus useful in revision cases for capsular contracture. However, they may be prone to visible ripples on the augmented breast and are not commonly used in primary cases.
Choosing the right size and shape of breast implants is as important as consideration between the choice of silicone or saline breast implants. The size of breast implants is based on the implant volume as measured in milliliters, and range between 100 mL – 800 mL. It is a most important factor in determining the overall size of the augmented breast. Equally important to achieving a great result is choosing the right breast implant shape. Round breast implants of a given volume are available in three to four different shapes of different degrees of projection.
Higher profile breast implants will be more prominent but have a smaller diameter at the base compared to a more moderate profile implants of the same volume, which will have less projection but a larger base with a wider diameter. The right size and shape of breast implant for you depends on a combination of your desired size and shape after breast augmentation, the dimensions of your torso and width of your breast. At your consultation with Dr. John Park, you will learn more about the various breast implant options and be advised on which implants would be most suitable for you.
A return to normal activity with the exception of strenuous physical work or exercise can be expected within 3-7 days following breast augmentation in most cases. With gradual careful increase in physical activity, most patients can expect to return to full physical activity after 2-3 weeks. During the first few weeks, you will wear an elastic support bra and you may also be asked to wear an elastic band following breast augmentation. You will have several follow up visits with Dr. Park to ensure you recover well and quickly. Dr. Park takes pride in making himself readily available for all his patients after surgery to alleviate any concerns following surgery.
If you are looking to achieve greater balance in body proportions and attain the figure you have always wanted, breast augmentation may be right for you. Dr. John Park’s breast procedures include not only breast augmentation, but also breast lift, breast reduction and breast reconstruction.
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