Breast Augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a very popular and common procedure that enhances the size and shape of the breast by placing a saline or silicone implant under the muscle.
— Dr. Mark Anton, Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
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Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgical procedure that is used to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. It is typically associated with breast enlargement, which is a common request for enhancement; however, addressing asymmetry may also be a primary concern.
It can be achieved by adding either silicone or saline implants in a variety of sizes and shapes or by using natural implants. For those seeking a more subtle enhancement or who prefer to avoid foreign substances, fat transfer breast augmentations are an option. This involves harvesting fat tissue from another area of the body through liposuction and injecting it into the breasts to create volume.
For some women, breast implant surgery is a way to enhance self-image and self-confidence. Alternatively, breast enhancement may be a component of breast reconstruction following surgery for breast cancer or other conditions that impact the breast.
Our Newport Beach Breast Augmentation is performed to increase the current size and volume of a patient's breasts. You are a good candidate for this procedure if you are unhappy with the shape of your breasts, and have one or more of the following concerns:
These factors can result in sagging breasts that lose their elasticity and firmness, a condition also known as ptosis.
Breast Augmentation is the number one plastic surgery procedure each year in the United States.
Women who choose to undergo breast augmentation surgery do so for many reasons including:
Breast Augmentation surgery can dramatically improve the appearance of a woman's breasts and enhance her sense of body confidence. During your consultation for a breast augmentation Newport Beach plastic surgeon, Dr. Anton, will go over your options for achieving your desired breast appearance factoring in:
Dr. Anton will also discuss the benefits of breast augmentation and determine whether or not you are a candidate. Often times, women seeking a breast augmentation, particularly after breast feeding or dramatic weight loss, will also require a breast lift due to the sagging tissues. If a patient is a candidate, Dr. Anton can perform a crescent lift with breast augmentation. This procedure removes a small amount of skin to lift the nipple(s) for a more youthful appearance.
At Aesthetics MD in Newport Beach breast implants can be filled with a saline solution or a gel-like synthetic material called silicone. Breast implant materials can also vary in shape and the type of shells used to surround the contents.
Saline Breast Implants - traditional implants are filled with sterile salt water. If a leak or rupture occurs, the saline will be absorbed and safely expelled by your body. In addition, structured saline implants contain an inner structure that often makes the implants feel more natural. The FDA has approved saline breast implants for women aged 18 or older. In the past, women had to compromise the natural look and feel of silicone for the safety of saline. Today, the ideal implant is unique in its patented technology that offers the natural look and feel of silicone with the peace of mind of saline.
Silicone Breast Implants - are filled with a gel that feels more like natural breast tissue. If silicone breast implants leak, the gel usually remains within the implant shell but, in some cases, may escape. Therefore, these implants need regular medical follow-ups, including ultrasound or MRI exams, to ensure your implants are intact & functioning properly. Silicone implants are FDA-approved for use by women aged 22 or over. At AestheticsMD, we offer a variety of implants by various manufacturers, including Allergan Natrelle, which provides a warranty against capsular contracture or rupture.
Gummy Bear Breast Implants - are a type of form stable breast implants filled with a cohesive silicone gel that maintains its shape and consistency, similar to the texture of a gummy bear candy. These implants are designed to provide a more natural look and feel compared to traditional saline or silicone implants. In the event of a rupture, the highly cohesive gel tends to stay within the implant shell, minimizing the risk of leakage into the surrounding tissues. Gummy bear implants are FDA-approved for women aged 22 and older.
Round implants - either saline or silicone - are the most commonly preferred shape and do not rotate in your chest. Women who desire more fullness at the top of their breasts often opt for a moderate profile, round implant with a smooth shell.
Benefits of round implants include:
Dr. Anton creates natural-looking breast augmentations by employing his signature surgical techniques. The placement of the implant is critical for a natural-look and for minimizing the risks. Dr. Anton prefers and almost always places the implant beneath the pectoral muscle or what is known as sub-muscular implant placement.
Dr. Anton first carefully releases the chest muscles immediately below the lower breast pole so as to enhance the shape of the breast and the cleavage area. Then he creates a pocket for the implant with ample space for it to move naturally and freely by partially lifting the pectoral muscle (outermost muscle of the chest wall). This also reduces the risk of capsular contracture, double bubble, and rippling. Placing the implant under the chest muscle can result in more post-operative pain and what some patients have described as feeling like an elephant is sitting on their chest. Dr. Anton combats this by offering his patients an intraoperative pain management medication called Exparel, which numbs the treated area for up to 4 days post-operatively. This allows the patient to recover comfortably and can reduce the amount of pain medication required after surgery.
Many women contemplating breast surgery express concern over the size of their breast implants being too big or too small after surgery. During your consultation for a breast augmentation Newport Beach plastic surgeon, Dr. Anton will review his Breast Implant Sizing Guide and discuss how he is able to achieve the size you desire and that poses the least amount of post-surgical complication and risk.
SIZE MATTERS
When it comes to choosing the right breast implants size, you are the ultimate expert. That’s why we have created our very own Breast Implants Sizing Guide to help you find your ideal volume.
It’s important not to get stuck on a number when you are choosing, there is very little difference, for example, between 300cc and 350cc implants. At the pre-op appointment, we outline a range of sizes to achieve the desired look. This is reinforced by the photos you provide showing what you want your breast volume to be.
In surgery, Dr. Anton uses breast implant sizers to determine how your anatomy adapts to the implant. Once the sizer is placed, he sits the patient up on the operating table to review the overall volume of the breast. The photos you provide are on the monitor overhead in the OR to guide the process. Once the desired look is achieved, the implant is surgically placed.
It is so important when choosing a size that is the patient’s decision. Other people might want to influence your decision, so think carefully about who you bring with you to your pre-op appointment.
In your consultation with Dr. Mark Anton, you will hear about the three priorities of any breast procedure: 1. Softness 2. Shape 3. Size (in that order). But SIZE is on your mind, and we want to help you find your optimal volume before surgery. This is achieved with some specific and general homework to be completed BEFORE your pre-op appointment, where it will be reviewed and further optimized with the clinical coordinator. Homework to complete before your pre-op appointment:
General Homework – Creating your Look Book
It is time to start looking for pictures of your ideal breasts! The Look Book is used for you to communicate with Dr. Anton what your ideal breast looks like.
Things to bring to pre-op appointment:
Specific Homework FLAXSEED. **YOU CAN SKIP THIS STEP IF YOU ARE WANTING TO GO SMALLER IN SIZE
Your job is to figure out what breast size is too small, what is too big, and what is just right for you! Follow these simple steps:
During your breast augmentation consultation, Dr. Anton will discuss the pros and cons of each incision site based on the anatomy of your body plus the characteristics of your skin. As with all plastic surgeries, there are constant headline-making techniques that gather Internet attention but not what Dr. Anton considers to be of sound surgical practice, like the Transaxillary Incision (under the arm) and the Transumbilical Incision (belly button). Dr. Anton does not recommend either of these incision sites but does recommend two incision sites: Inframammary Fold and Periareolar:
Inframammary (IMF) Incision
This is the most commonly used incision and the one Dr. Anton most strongly recommends, as it offers the least amount of complications. The IMF incision is made below the breast fold (the natural crease where the breast meets the chest wall) and does not cut through breast tissue, minimizing complications and risks. The length of the incision depends on the size of the implant being used but generally is small and well hidden by the natural curve of the breast. Breast scars tend to heal very quickly and with minimal visibility after healing.
Periareolar Incision
This incision site is typically the most concealed because it is at the outer edge of the areola and follows the curve that separates the darker skin of the nipple from the rest of the breast. Because this incision cuts through breast tissue, it increases the potential for complications which include:
To look your best, choose the best. Dr. Anton is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a distinguished Castle Connolly Top Doctor. He finished a Breast Fellowship prior to establishing his aesthetic plastic surgery practice in Newport Beach, California.
Dr. Anton, alongside Dr. Hartrampf, father of the modern-day breast reconstruction, co-developed the widely utilized Star Flap Nipple Reconstruction technique, a development that remains the gold standard in breast and nipple reconstruction surgeries today.
Furthermore, Dr. Anton actively participated in a comprehensive 10-year study involving thirty-five physicians across the nation, focusing on assessing the safety of silicone implants. In 1997, the U.S. Institutional Review Board, after examining Dr. Anton's and his colleagues' findings, declared silicone implants to be safe for women's health.
Currently, Dr. Anton remains on the cutting edge of breast implant safety. He maintains unwavering confidence in smooth silicone gel implants as a safe option for breast augmentation that pose no additional risk to women's health. When discussing the matter with his patients, Dr. Anton explains that silicone is widely used in various medical devices, such as chin and cheek implants, contraceptive diaphragms, joint replacements, pumps, shunts, and other medical applications.
Throughout the pre-operative process, Dr. Anton will discuss with you your preference for the size you would like to achieve. Prior to surgery, you will be provided with instructions and exercises to help you determine what breast size you feel most comfortable with. This is an individualized personal process for each patient.
This procedure takes approximately 2 hours under general anesthesia. A small incision is made on the lower edge of the areola. This is the most optimal area because the incision tends to heal extremely well and fade quickly. The breast implant is placed underneath the pectoralis major muscle. Depending on personal preference, a saline or silicone breast implant can be used.
On the day of your surgery, you will arrive at the surgery center one hour before to prepare for the procedure. Dr. Anton performs his surgeries at an accredited out-patient facility using only Board Certified Anesthesiologists.
Surgery generally takes two hours and is performed under general anesthesia. As an outpatient procedure, patients go home the same day of surgery to rest and recover. You will leave the surgery center wearing a breast wrap to help the implants settle into place. No bras of any kind are to be worn without doctor's approval.
Just like any plastic surgery, it is essential to respect the body's healing process and adhere to the post-operative instructions provided during the pre-operative appointment, which takes place one month prior to the surgery. During the initial two-week period, all patients are advised to avoid activities that raise heart rate or blood pressure, including:
*Mothers with small children will not be able to lift them for up to three weeks and will require assistance post-surgery.
Dr. Anton has performed hundreds of breast augmentation surgeries. His revision rate on native breast surgeries is very low, less than 1%. This is because of his technical surgical skills, and the surgical technique he implements during the procedure.
Dr. Anton will review the complications and risks associated with breast augmentation surgery which include:
Dr. Anton will also discuss the risks of breast augmentation and what he does surgically, pre and post operatively to mitigate those risks such as:
Breast Augmentation is a highly sought-after method for achieving your aesthetic goals for your figure and improve body image along with the appearance of your breasts. For patients desiring increased bust volume can consider a Breast Augmentation procedure to help achieve more flattering silhouette. At Aesthetics MD in Newport Beach, we provide comprehensive consultations, allowing patients to gain a deeper understanding of breast augmentation so they can determine whether it is the ideal choice for them. Don't hesitate to contact us today, either by phone or online, to initiate the process.
In June, the FDA recalled textured breast implants citing risk of BIA-ALCL. Any women considering a breast surgery needs to know all the facts about breast implant safety to make a responsible decision. To be clear, the FDA is saying that textured breast implant surfaces are associated with a 0.3%-2.6% current lifetime risk of developing lymphoma of the breast capsule, not breast cancer. When caught early, this type of lymphoma is usually treated by just removing the scar capsule.
Years before the recall, Dr. Anton expressed concerns over the use of textured breast implants to his patients and the implant manufacturing companies. Issues have been substantiated in the recent FDA findings about textured implants causing lymphoma.
For the past twenty years, Newport Beach plastic surgeonDr. Anton has primarily used smooth surfaced silicone gel implants and places them under the muscle in an appropriately large enough pocket for the implant to move freely and naturally. This is why his breast work reflects a very natural appearance and he has a less than 1% revision rate on native breast surgeries. He has not used textured implants except in a very small handful of patients, all of whom he discussed the risks with beforehand.
Women opting for a breast augmentation can rest assured that smooth gel implants are safe and can last many years. Despite a prevalent myth that implants need to be replaced every 10 years, Dr. Anton assures his patients that if they are happy with how their implants look and there are no complications with their implants, then there is no need to replace them.
At your first post-op visit, Dr. Anton will review the Breast Implant Exercises that you will do at home several times a day for the first few weeks post-op (see video) to help the implants drop into position. After 2-3 weeks, patients are instructed to wear a soft support bra for 24 hours a day for up to 6 weeks. Most of our Newport Beach breast augmentation patients return to work within 5-7 days if their job does not require a lot of physical labor or excessive stress. Gradually you may return to your regular exercise routine 4-6 weeks post-op with doctor's approval.
Gradually you may return to your regular exercise routine 4-6 weeks post-op with doctor's approval.
Feeling tired and mild soreness following breast augmentation surgery are common. Pain management medication and antibiotics are prescribed to help alleviate discomfort and reduce the risk of infection. Dr. Anton suggests Exparel, an intra-operative pain medication that numbs the treated area for up to 4 days post operatively, which dramatically reduces pain and discomfort.
After breast augmentation surgery you may feel a slight burning sensation in your nipples that will fade after about two weeks. It is advised that you remain in a support bra for approximately four to six weeks. Breast swelling may take up to five weeks to subside. Breast augmentation scars usually stay firm and pink for at least six weeks and will begin to fade after several months, taking on a flesh tone by 6 to 9 months post-operatively.
Typically, patients can resume light sedentary work within 4 to 5 days following the surgery. However, for a complete two-week period, certain activities will be restricted, including lifting, bending, and any form of straining. Detailed instructions regarding these restrictions will be provided during your post-operative appointments. The healing process varies from patient to patient and decisions regarding activity levels will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Patients go home after the surgery wearing a special surgical bra (not a sports bra) that is to be worn 4 to 6 weeks post-operatively. Pain is moderate but easily managed with prescribed medications. Antibiotics are also prescribed for the first four days after surgery.
Activities are limited for the first 2 weeks after surgery. Exercise typically resumes in 4-6 weeks with doctor approval. As the breasts heal it is not uncommon to experience nerve firings that will subside once healing is complete. Numbness in the breast area is common for up to 6 months following surgery. Most patients report full nipple and breast sensation returning between 4-6 months.
We suggest taking a week to two weeks off from work or other daily duties to rest and recover after breast augmentation surgery. Some of our Newport Beach breast augmentation patients, find that they can return to work within 5 days after surgery if their job doesn't entail a lot of physical activity or stress. You'll likely feel pain and soreness around the incisions, which will be red or pink for a few months. You may notice that you feel less sensation in the nipple and areola areas. Sensation loss is usually temporary and may take weeks, months or even more than a year to return to normal. Your breasts may also require some time to assume a more natural shape.
The success of your breast augmentation can only be maximized if you design and diligently follow a comprehensive recovery plan. The time to prepare for a successful recovery is before your plastic surgery. There are a lot of recovery issues to address, including:
Diet
A high-protein diet is essential to promote healing. Eggs, chicken, fish, beef, and pork are excellent protein sources, along with nuts, seeds, and legumes. And don't forget to load up on fruits and vegetables.
Medication
Fill all of your post-surgical prescriptions before your procedure, and organize and place them in easily accessible locations in your home. This will greatly reduce stress and anxiety.
Sleep and Rest
You'll be directed to sleep on your back for several weeks to promote optimal healing and protect your incision sites.
Bathing and Hygiene
You will likely be able to begin showering 48 hours after your surgery. But you will need to stay out of bathtubs, hot tubs, swimming pools, and steam rooms for at least two weeks or until you get the "green light" from your surgeon.
Support Garments and Bras
These garments maximize your post-surgical comfort and provide stability for your inserts and improve your circulation. Wear them exactly as directed.
Swelling
You will have significant breast swelling after your surgery, and your breasts may look asymmetrical for a while. This is normal. Your breasts will become more even as your swelling goes down.
Scarring
For about six weeks, your scars will be pink and firm. Be aware that it will take up to six months for scar tissue to flatten and fade. But remember that Dr. Anton is an expert in minimizing incisions and placing them discreetly. He will also let you know when it's ok to start using scar-reduction products.
Care of incision sites
Two days after your surgery, begin washing with anti-bacterial soap three times a day. Never fail to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your incision sites. Contact your doctor if you notice smelly drainage or excessive redness, warmth, or swelling.
Activity and Exercise
After two weeks, you will likely be cleared to resume light exercise—such as slow walking on a treadmill. Wait an additional month before advancing to more vigorous activity. Avoid push-ups or other pectoral exercises for nine months.
Driving
You may resume driving only after you have stopped taking any prescription pain management medication, are comfortable behind the wheel, and can perform any motion necessary to ensure safety.
Follow-up Visits
It is critically important that you keep all follow-up appointments and see your plastic surgeon regularly during your recovery period. Bring a list of questions or concerns. At any point in your recovery, call your doctor immediately if you:
Careful planning and diligent adherence to this detailed recovery plan will help you avoid complications and optimize your results.
The cost of breast augmentation can vary depending on several different factors, including the surgeon's experience and expertise, the type of implants used, the specific surgical techniques employed, and additional fees associated with the procedure. The surgeon's fee can vary based on their qualifications, reputation, and whether they have other overhead costs.
The implants themselves will vary in cost depending on factors such as the type (silicone or saline) as well as size, shape, and brand. Your surgeon will discuss pricing on various options with you. The cost of anesthesia will depend on the anesthesiologist as well as whether general or local anesthesia is used. It is important to remember also that breast augmentation costs can vary significantly based on geographic location.
Breast augmentation is a generic term that refers to any cosmetic surgery procedure that enlarges your breasts. Breast implants are the devices used to produce that enlargement. A technique known as fat transfer breast augmentation can also achieve breast enlargement. The procedure uses fat taken from another part of your body to enhance your breasts. Fat transfer breast augmentation usually does not produce as dramatic results as implants do, but some women prefer the subtle changes provided by using their own natural tissue.
Immediately after surgery, you will be recovering from the effects of anesthesia, so you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you to assist with basic needs for about 24 hours. Once the anesthesia wears off, the cognitive concerns will resolve, however, being physically comfortable enough to drive may take a full week or so for some patients. For one, time to rest and heal is important, so being in a comfortable environment is key. In addition, driving safely requires range of motion like twisting to check blind spots, turning the steering wheel, lifting your arms to adjust mirrors, and other movements that may seem second nature but can be challenging during post-surgery discomfort. It is best to avoid driving until you have had some time to allow your body to recover.
Sleeping positions after surgery can depend on several factors, including the recommendations of your plastic surgeon, the specific details of your cosmetic surgery, and your individual healing process. The recommended sleeping position after breast augmentation surgery may vary, but typically, in the early post-operative period, it is common for surgeons to advise patients to sleep on their backs, keeping the upper body elevated with pillows or a recliner chair. This position helps reduce swelling and minimizes pressure on the healing breasts and incisions. When you can comfortably sleep on your side may differ for each individual, and it’s important to listen to your body and gradually introduce side sleeping once your surgeon feels that you are healed enough to do so. Some individuals may be able to sleep on their side after a few weeks, while others may need to wait longer for complete healing and reduced sensitivity.
Breast implant illness refers to a constellation of symptoms reported by some individuals who have undergone breast augmentation or reconstruction surgery involving implants. Symptoms may include fatigue, joint and muscle pain, cognitive difficulties, and various autoimmune-like symptoms. While the exact cause is debated and not universally recognized by the medical community, some patients attribute their symptoms to their breast implants, leading to a growing interest in research and awareness of this condition.
Get a private and personalized consultation with Dr. Anton in his beautiful practice in Newport Beach, CA.
20331 Irvine Avenue Suite E6, Newport Beach, CA 92660
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