Breast Augmentation
Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles,
Newport Beach, & Orange County, California
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures today. By inserting breast implants inside the existing breast, not only is the size of your breast increased, but the breasts appear firmer and more youthful, and the proportions of your body can be improved as well, making the waist appear smaller, and the hips and buttocks appear in better proportion.
Breast augmentation is frequently performed in conjunction 
with other procedures such as the breast lift, to fill out sagging breasts. In some cases in which a patient's breasts have begun to sag as a result of pregnancy, nursing, or simple aging, a breast augmentation is sufficient to fill out and raise the breasts so that a breast lift isn't necessary.
Incision type
There are four types of incision used in breast augmentations today. The type of incision you choose may depend on the type of implant you choose, the implant placement, as well as your own unique goals and needs.
- Transaxillary incisions are made underneath the arm, and the breast implants are placed either directly, or using an endoscope.
- Periareolar incisions are made along the edge of the areola-the darkened area of skin surrounding the nipple-through which the implants are placed directly.
- TUBA (transumbilical augmentation) incisions are made inside the navel, through which the implants are placed using an endoscope.
- Inframammary incisions are made along the lower crease of the breast, through which implants are placed directly.
Type of Implant
There are a number of breast implant options available for breast augmentation. Most implants on the market today consist of one or more outer shells made of rubberized silicone, filled with either liquid silicone or a saline solution. Currently, silicone-filled implants are not available unless you are participating in a study.
Saline implants are available in the following types:
- Single lumen implant that the surgeon fills through a valve during the procedure with a premeasured volume of saline.
- Single lumen implant that the surgeon fills through a valve during the procedure with an adjustable volume of saline.
- Single lumen implant that is prefilled with a premeasured volume of saline at the manufacturer. This type of implant has no valves for adjustment.
Patients and their surgeons also have choices about the following:
- Implant texture. Many implants are available with either smooth or textured surfaces.
- Implant size. Implants are available in a wide range of sizes, to allow each patient to choose the size that is right for her frame and her desired breast size.
- Implant shape. Many implants are available in either round or teardrop shapes, allowing patients to choose which type gives her the results she is looking for.
With all the options available for implants today, most women find that it is helpful to consult with an experienced cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Bray, Jr. who can help her assess her own needs, as well as the pros and cons of each option. It may also be helpful during the consultation to ask your surgeon to show examples of completed breast augmentation procedures with various types of implants, to best assess what the end results will look like.
Implant Placement
There are three types of placement for breast implants, each with its unique benefits and drawbacks. Decisions about the placement of your implants should take into consideration the type of incision and implant style.
Available breast implant placement options are:
Submuscular is the deepest available implant type. Submuscular placement is beneath both the pectoral muscles and the underlying muscles, so that the implant is positioned beneath muscle on all sides. This option is frequently recommended for patients who are undergoing a drastic change in breast size and who have insufficient breast tissue to surround the implants.
Subpectoral implants are placed beneath the pectoral muscle on the upper half, but above the underlying chest muscles. This type of implant provides sufficient coverage of the implant in most cases, so that the outlines of the implant can't be easily seen or felt.
Subglandular implants are placed above the pectoral and other chest muscles, but beneath the breast tissue. In cases in which there is sufficient breast tissue to cover the implants completely, subglandular implants are frequently recommended as the least invasive placement option.
With the variety of options available for breast augmentation today, many women are at least initially overwhelmed by the process. For this reason, the first step in evaluating your options for breast augmentation should be to consult with an experienced, skilled plastic surgeon who can help you navigate the options, and can better explain how each option can help you achieve your personal goals.
Frequently Asked Breast Augmentation Questions
To learn more about breast augmentation procedures, your options for augmentation, or any of our other cosmetic surgery procedures, call or email our breast surgeon to schedule a consultation today.
