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Breast Augmentation

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Breast Augmentation Phoenix Arizona

Breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in our practice. Breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona is designed to create beautiful breasts, a true breast enhancement. Breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona is performed using saline breast implants or silicone breast implants. A "true" breast enhancement entails more than just a breast enlargement. When performing breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona, we make a conscious effort to establish the most beautiful breast shape possible.

Breast Augmentation Phoenix ArizonaBreast Augmentation Phoenix Arizona

Many women choose to have breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona for various reasons; the most common are listed below:

  • Women who wish to have fuller breasts because their breasts are too small.
  • Women who wish to correct a loss of breast volume after pregnancy.
  • Women who wish to have perkier breasts and a better shape after pregnancy.
  • Women who wish to correct asymmetry of the breasts.
  • Women who wish to replace a previously placed breast implant.

Our Philosophy

To be successful with breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona you must fulfill, as best as possible, the patient’s desires and wishes. In order to accomplish this, we have a liberal philosophy with regards to using different breast implant sizes and breast implant shapes. We also have made silicone breast implants available at our offices, for patients that qualify for certain breast implant studies. Depending on the patient’s desires, we have in our office, high profile breast implants, moderate profile breast implants, low profile breast implants, anatomic breast implants, textured breast implants, and breast implants starting at a size of 120 cc and up to 880 cc.

Another component of our philosophy for breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona includes a belief that a breast enlargement should be proportional to the rest of the body. Patients should know that proportional breast enlargement usually gives the best long-term results and happiest patients. Breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona can be performed anytime during a woman’s lifetime. Women with children often undergo breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona through our office. There is no need to wait until after pregnancy to have breast enlargement. Breast implants support the breast better and, in general, in future pregnancy patients experience less sagging.

Many patients choose to have other plastic surgery procedures during a breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona. Tummy tuck and liposuction are the most popular additional plastic surgery procedures. The breasts can also be lifted at the same time as a breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona. Rhinoplasty, facelift, eyelid and other plastic surgery procedures can also be performed along with a breast enhancement procedure.

Breast Augmentation

Incisions

Incisions are made to be as inconspicuous as possible, usually under the breast, around the lower part of the nipple, the armpit or belly button. All skin incisions are noticeable, although some are less noticeable than others. Some patients are better candidates for one type of incision versus another, because of skin composition, texture and color.


Breast Augmentation

Under The Breast Incisions

When the incision is made below the breast, in the crease, there are several advantages; 1) Incisions placed in creases, when fully healed, will look like part of the crease, becoming almost invisible to the human eye. This principle is used in almost every plastic surgery procedure to camouflage incisions as best as possible, 2) this incision allows immediate access to the pectoral muscle. The surgeon can choose to place the implant either below or above the muscle creating minimal swelling and disturbance to the tissues. This translates into a smoother and more comfortable recovery, 3) normal breast tissue begins above the lower breast crease. An incision placed here allows for the best anatomical placement of the implant. The risks of the implant ending up too high in the chest, which gives patients an unnatural, operated-on look, are minimized, 4) because the surgeon is closest to the breast using this incision, the surgeon has greater control and command over the breast tissue. When the surgeon has greater control, results are much more predictable.

Breast Augmentation

The Nipple Incision

The nipple incision is used in patients with a very distinct border between the nipple and the rest of the breast. In these patients, carefully placed incisions become almost invisible after healing is complete. After the incision is made, a tunnel is created down to the level of the breast muscle. At this point, your surgeon can choose to create a pocket either above or below the muscle to place the implant. Because the procedure involves surgery through the breast tissues, there is often more swelling when using this incision.


Breast Augmentation

The Armpit Incision

The armpit incision starts high on the lateral chest wall and extends through the tissues to reach the inferior breast crease. While some patients believe that this procedure results in augmentation without scars, in reality, this incision can be quite noticeable after surgery. In some patients, the incisions can prevent the individual from shaving the armpit area when the incision becomes tender. Additionally, because surgery takes places through the tissues and starts so far away from the ultimate location of the implant, there is usually more swelling and discomfort after surgery.


The Belly Button Incision

The belly button incision can be used to place implants under the breast gland. Placement under the muscle is usually not possible with this approach. The incision is made in the belly button and surgery is carried towards the breasts. Through a long, specially designed tube, the surgeon works to create a space under the breast gland. Once the pocket is completed, an implant is placed under each breast, using the same tube. This approach can be an option for some patients; however, the procedure requires such specialized equipment that the overall costs of the procedure are increased.


Breast Augmentation

Under the Muscle Implant Placement

In small-breasted individuals, implants can be seen under the tissues and in some situations, wrinkling and rippling can be seen at the breast surface when implants are placed under the breast gland. Therefore, placement of implants under the pectoral muscles is recommended in patients with under developed breast tissue to avoid these situations. In general, implants placed under the pectoral muscle are supported better and experience less sagging with weight changes, pregnancy, and aging. In our experience, recovery from sub-pectoral breast augmentation is not any more uncomfortable than sub-glandular breast augmentation. There are several advantages of placing breast implants under the pectoral muscle:

  • More tissue coverage, resulting in less implant visibility.
  • A more natural breast profile.
  • Reduced rate of capsular or scar contracture.
  • Improved mammogram visualization.

Breast Augmentation

Above the Muscle Implant Placement

Implants can also be placed under the breast gland alone. Patients with adequate breast tissue can be candidates for this procedure. Possible advantages of sub-glandular breast augmentation may include:

  • Creation of an unnaturally high, rounded and bubbly-looking breast.
  • For patients with mild sagginess, sub-glandular breast augmentation can naturally lift the breast.

Sub-glandular breast enhancement can create bubbly-looking breasts that resemble those of many models, Hollywood personalities and other celebrities. For patients who desire to have this look, this is the recommended procedure. After surgery, these patients are at greater risk of having scar contracture around the implant and may experience more sagging with aging.

Implant Type, Size and Shape

Multiple implant options exist for our patients. All implants currently available have a silicone shell on the outside. Saline-filled implants hold salt water (saline) within the shell. Silicone-filled implants hold silicone gel within the shell. Implants come in various shapes, sizes, and shell types. In our office, we use implants from the two major manufacturers of implants in the United States.

Breast Augmentation

Implants can be round, high profile, medium profile, low profile, elliptical, anatomic, and tear-drop shape. The size range for implants begins as low as 120 milliliters and goes up to 800 milliliters. The average size used in our practice is about 360 milliliters, but this varies from year to year. The outer shells come in two varieties, smooth and textured. All of these different possibilities must be taken into consideration and it takes considerable experience to make the proper choice for each patient.

For implants to feel as natural as possible, they must be relatively soft. Silicone gel implants are much softer than saline implants, but saline implants are used more commonly and have no FDA restrictions. Silicone gel implants are restricted by the FDA and can only be used in certain patient groups.

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Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Phoenix Arizona Dr. Aldo Guerra