Last year nearly 300,000 breast augmentation surgeries were performed in the U.S., according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. That made it the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure nationwide, topping liposuction, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty and facelift.
Its enduring popularity is based on its proven record of opening new dimensions in size, shape and fullness for women seeking breast enhancement, with a safe and convenient technique that has been refined over many decades. Below, experienced Virginia Beach plastic surgeon Dr. Kevin Bounds reviews the benefits, choices and procedural details of breast augmentation.
An Array of Choices
Patients have an abundance of options when selecting implants, with various sizes and shapes. Extra high profile gel implants provide the greatest fullness and projection per unit of volume. At the time of your consultation you will see why these implants are becoming more popular.
Silicone and saline are the basic types of implants. Saline is essentially salt water, and the silicone variety uses a gel that many patients report has a more natural feel. Silicone gel implants today are cohesive; that is, they are held in their shape by forces that were not utilized years ago when the silicone gel was in liquid form. Both saline and silicone implants are constructed with a vulcanized (heat strengthened) silicone shell which is thin but strong. Each type of filling is contained within this silicone shell. Saline implants are slightly less expensive than the silicone varieties.
The final choice patients make is size. Practice bras and Dr. Bounds’ album of before-and-after photos can help you select a size that will provide the ideal enhancement for your particular frame.
Surgery and Recovery
Your breast augmentation will be performed in our on-site surgical suite in Virginia Beach, under general anesthesia with a board certified anesthesiologist. For most breast augmentation procedures, Dr. Bounds makes an incision near the crease of the natural fold under the breast, and inserts the implant under the chest muscle. The length of time for the surgery averages around two hours.
Pain, soreness and swelling are the natural result when an implant is inserted into a sensitive area of your body, such as beneath chest muscles. Swelling crests within 48 hours, but won’t completely subside for months.
During the first week of recovery, you will be wearing a surgical bra which may be holding in place tubes to drain any accumulation of fluid for the first night after surgery. The bra provides support your breasts need to heal and settle. Because of swelling, your breasts will appear elevated on your chest; it will take time for them to drop into their final position. You should be able to cautiously return to your normal routine, along with work or school, in about a week.
To learn more about breast augmentation, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Bounds in his Virginia Beach office by calling or emailing today.
