Breast Augmentation

Throughout the ages, beauty has been defined by the values of each society and popular trends often evolve. In western culture during the 1890’s, large breasted women with small waists were envied. The “flapper” era of the 1920’s popularized slim bodies and very small breasts.

Because body type is often determined by genetics, many women cannot achieve the look they want through diet and exercise alone. Today, modern technology has given women the ability to alter their body shapes to be more pleasing. Some with small, underdeveloped breasts may choose to undergo breast augmentation, a safe and effective surgical procedure designed to improve the contour of a woman’s body by inserting breast implants beneath the breast tissue.

Prior to breast augmentation surgery, a complete medical history is taken to evaluate the patient’s health. A thorough examination of the breasts is done to evaluate the most effective surgical approach. Your surgeon will describe your anesthesia, details of the operation, realistic results that can be expected and the possible risks and complications.

Mammograms or x-rays may be taken as well as photographs. Avoid medications that can cause excess bleeding like aspirin and ibuprofen. Birth control and other estrogen containing hormones may be discontinued temporarily for the same reason. Antibiotics designed to prevent infection will be prescribed for a few days after your surgery.

Breast augmentation performed in our WA State licensed surgery center. Your surgeon will choose your procedure(s), based on your consultation and desired results. Prior to surgery, premedication to relax the patient is administered and breasts are carefully marked to indicate where incisions are to be made.

Several approaches can be used including incision under the breast in the crease, through the nipple/areola at the dark skin/light skin border, or through a natural wrinkle in the arm pit. If you choose saline implants, they can even be inserted through your belly button! A pocket either under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle.

A breast implant made of a cohesive semi-solid silicone gel or filled with saline solution, is inserted into the pocket and your final result is refined to achieve the best symmetry. In some cases of breast asymmetry, inflatable breast implants may be used so that your surgeon can adjust the amount of inflation. After your breast implants are safely in place, small sutures are used to close the incisions. Our breast augmentation procedures typically take about an hour to perform safely.

Following breast augmentation surgery, you will wear a special bra to support you. Pain is usually mild to moderate and is controlled with oral medication.

Antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent infection. Instructions for the day of surgery limited activities but you are encouraged to get up and walk. Strenuous exercises and overhead lifting must be avoided for 4 weeks. Sutures will dissolve by themselves and do not need to be removed. Your surgeon may recommend massage to keep the breast supple. Numbness around the treated area may occur, but this condition is usually temporary. Swelling and discoloration disappear in a few days, and scars from the incisions, although permanent, fade significantly with time.

Complications of bleeding, scarring and infection are uncommon and typically less than 2%. The most common complication is called capsular contracture (where the breast becomes firm due to the formation of scar tissue) occurs approximately 9% of the time and cannot be predicted. In some cases a revision breast augmentation procedure may be necessary to treat capsular contracture. Patients can minimize complications by carefully following your postoperative instructions.

Our surgeons have a combined experience of over 35 years so call La Belle Vie Cosmetic Surgery Center to schedule your complimentary consultation and to meet our caring staff.