Breast augmentation surgery is one of Houston’s most common plastic surgery procedures. If you’re thinking about getting breast implants, it’s essential to know what this surgical procedure entails.
Once you know what to expect from your breast implant surgery, you’ll be able to decide if a breast augmentation procedure is right for you and what your goals will be with it.
What is Breast Augmentation?
A breast augmentation surgery may be used to increase the size of the breasts. A plastic surgeon will operate on the breast tissue to change its size or shape, typically with breast implants. The surgery may be used to increase breast volume or to correct sagging breasts.
What Types of Breast Implants Can I Choose?
Patients can choose between three types of breast implants: saline implants, gummy bear implants, or silicone gel implants. Saline breast implants are filled with salt water. In an implant rupture, the body can simply absorb the saline fluid.
Silicone breast implants better mimic the breast’s natural softness. However, a silicone breast implant that ruptures can pose more of a health hazard.
Gummy bear implants offer natural-looking results and longer-lasting shape due to cohesive silicone gel. Women prefer them for their durability, reduced risk of rupture, and aesthetic outcomes.
Breast implants also come in round or teardrop sizes. Round shapes can create a more prominent life in the breast. Teardrop shapes recreate a more natural look and are especially well-suited to thinner patients.
In addition to shape, you can choose between smooth and textured breast implants. Textured implants have a rough surface designed to adhere to surrounding tissue, reducing the risk of implant migration and lowering the chance of capsular contracture.
The type of breast implant you choose will be up to your personal preferences and what kind of surgery and physical demands afterward with the breast implants that your body can handle.
How Much Does a Breast Augmentation Cost in Houston, TX?
The price of a breast augmentation will depend on several factors, including the type of implant you choose and the size. Whether it is combined with a breast lift or other cosmetic surgery could be another factor affecting cost.
Your medical history, including if you have scar tissue from previous breast implants or are at risk of possible complications, can also raise the price. However, you can expect to pay over $5,000 for a relatively simple procedure.
How Safe is a Breast Augmentation Surgery?
As one of the most common plastic surgery procedures, breast augmentation is safe for most patients. However, there are some augmentation risks to be aware of if you’re going under the knife.
One of the known risks of breast implants is breast implant-associated-anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a cancer of the immune system that is different from breast cancer. Breast Implant Illness (BII), a body-wide condition with various symptoms, is also known to occur. Capsular contracture, or pinching scar tissue, is also a risk.
Breast Augmentation FAQs
It’s natural to have questions before any cosmetic surgery, especially before something transformative like a breast augmentation procedure. We have the answers to some of the most common breast surgery FAQs.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Breast Augmentation?
A surgeon can evaluate during an in-person breast augmentation consultation to see if you’re a good candidate for surgery. However, if you’re in good health and are 18 or older and want saline implants, or are 22 or older and want silicone implants, you are likely eligible for a breast implant procedure.
What Happens During Breast Augmentation?
During your breast augmentation, you will most likely be placed under some type of sedation.
The surgeon will then make an incision under each breast and will slide the breast implant over the pectoral muscle. After about two hours, the surgery will be complete.
You may have a drainage tube temporarily inserted in your breast tissue by your plastic surgeon to remove excess fluid during your recovery.
How Long Do Breast Implants Last?
Each patient can expect a different lifespan for their implants. Eventually, they must be replaced to void a ruptured implant or implant leakage.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to know how long your breast implants will last before your surgery. However, breast implants can last for years unless they are damaged or faulty.
What is Recovery From a Breast Implant Surgery Like?
Each breast augmentation patient will recover at different rates, but for most, the process takes four to six weeks. After the first week, you can expect significant improvement in your condition.
However, your breast tissue will take time to recover, so it’s best to avoid strenuous activities until your plastic surgeon clears you.
Can I go up 2 cup sizes with fat transfer breast augmentation?
Fat transfer breast augmentation typically leads to a minimum increase of 1 cup size in breast volume. In some cases, up to 2 cup sizes or more can be achieved, depending on available fat and potential weight gain afterward.
Contact Us for Your Initial Consultation
If you’re interested in breast augmentation surgery, contact Dr. Ashley Steinberg at Trouvaille Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery Houston today. Since 2019, she has been serving Houston as a leading plastic surgeon specializing in breast augmentations. As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, she has the skills and expertise to ensure your breast surgery is a success.
At your consultation, Dr. Steinberg can explain to you everything you need to know about your breast augentation surgery. She’ll walk you through the potential risks of breast implants and can evaluate you to determine your status as a candidate. With her kind and empathetic approach, you’ll have a caring doctor ready to help you love your body better!
References
1. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-know-about-breast-implants
2. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/important-things-to-know-about-breast-augmentation