A Breast augmentation remains one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures. There are many reasons it is so common, one being a boost in self-esteem and self-confidence. Women often report fitting better into clothes and feeling more comfortable with their bodies. A breast augmentation involves the use of breast implants or fat grafting to increase breast size and improve symmetry. The breast is left appearing fuller, more symmetric and in some cases, slightly perkier. A breast augmentation can be performed in women who have very little breast tissue naturally and to replace volume lost after having children or losing weight. Patients often return to work after a few days and are asked to refrain from heavy lifting for about 3-4 weeks. During the consultation, Dr. Lopez will discuss breast augmentation with implants vs fat transfer and a plan is formulated based on patient appearance, history, goals and lifestyle.
Implant Breast Augmentation
A silicone or saline breast implant can be used to augment the size of the breasts. The implant is often placed below the muscle but can be placed over the muscle as well. The most common type of implant placed is a silicone implant because it looks and feels more natural. While there are several options for incision placement, Dr. Lopez’s preferred method is through a small incision hidden in the natural breast fold. The procedure often takes one hour to perform and is performed as an outpatient procedure.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Because Dr. Lopez is specifically trained in breast reconstruction, she feels very comfortable using fat transfer techniques to perform a breast augmentation. This technique involves liposuction of fat from other areas of the body, often times the abdomen and waist area. The fat that is removed is then specially prepared using cutting edge techniques for transfer. The fat is then injected into the breast in specific amounts and tissue levels creating a larger, yet very natural breast. This is a great option for patients who do not desire a breast implant and would have otherwise desired liposuction. The procedure often takes 2-4 hours to perform and is performed as an outpatient procedure.
