Is a Breast Augmentation Right for Me?

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Posted on April 11, 2019 under Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation surgery, clinically called augmentation mammoplasty, is primarily a cosmetic procedure designed to create more voluptuous breasts, add volume to disproportionately small breasts, or restore symmetry to unevenly sized breasts. In some cases, breast augmentation may be performed as a part of a breast reconstruction surgery.

Patients should ideally choose an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with a strong track record of performing breast surgeries successfully.

High Satisfaction Rates

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons released the results of a survey in 2008, which revealed that 99 percent of the respondents would go breast augmentation again. Overall, the respondents gave a satisfaction rating of 9.2 out of 10 following breast augmentation.

More recently, the May 2013 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery published the results of a five-year study, which revealed that 98 percent of the respondents reported that the results of breast augmentation met or exceeded their expectations. Only one percent expressed dissatisfaction with their post-op scarring, while 92 percent reported an improvement in self-esteem.

Customizable Procedure

Breast augmentation currently ranks as the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US after liposuction. One of the key reasons for this popularity is that it is possible to customize this surgery to meet the unique aesthetic needs of a patient. The options available to a woman who seeks breast augmentation surgery will include:

Implant Types

Women in the US will usually have a choice between FDA approved saline-filled breast implants and silicone gel-filled breast implants. Even among silicone gel implants, a new advanced quality called form stable or gummy bear implants with an ultra-cohesive silicone gel, is becoming a fantastic option for many women.

Implant Placement

Breast implants can be placed submuscularly, which means in a breast pocket created below the pectoral muscle, or subglandularly, which means in front of the pectoral muscle, right behind the breast tissue. The invasiveness of the procedure is likely to differ in both cases.

Incision Location

To insert the implants, the options for the location of incisions may include an inframammary incision below the breast crease, a periareolar incision along the border of the lower half of areola, a transaxillary incision in the armpit, or in a few cases, a transumbilical incision where the implant is placed through the navel.

Procedure

Breast augmentation surgery may be performed using general anesthesia or IV sedation. The surgeon will begin the procedure by placing an incision in the pre-determined discreet location as per the surgical plan prepared in consultation with the patient.

Through the incision, the surgeon will create a breast pocket to accommodate the implant. Implant placement will be done submuscularly or subglandularly as pre-planned. Once the implants are placed and adjusted into the desired position, the surgeon will close the incisions carefully with sutures.

Recovery

The breasts will be wrapped with bandages immediately after the surgery. A surgical bra will be provided to the patient, which must be worn for several weeks. A majority of patients will be able to return to their normal routine or go back to work in about 10 to 14 days following the surgery.

If you would like to learn more about plastic surgery procedures performed by Plastic Surgeons Franklin D. Richards, M.D. and A. Dean Jabs, M.D. please visit https://cosmeticplastics.com/ or http://breastaugmentationmd.com/ Serving patients in and around Northern Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, McLean, Bethesda, Fairfax County, Rockville, Alexandria, Chevy Chase and Potomac.

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Our Plastic Surgery Associates team includes Dr. Franklin Richards, Dr. A. Dean Jabs, and Dr. Keshav Magge. Each of our plastic surgeons is board-certified, and together they have over 60 years of combined experience. Drs. Richards, Jabs, and Magge are all highly qualified in procedures for the face, breast, and body, and pride themselves in providing excellent results through our state-of-the-art, Quad A certified operating centers