Hi, my name is Dr. Lynn Chung. I’m a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic plastic surgery. I frequently see patients who come into the office in consultation for breast augmentation, and I just wanted to go over some of the most commonly asked questions with you.
What Is a Breast Augmentation?
A breast augmentation is a surgical procedure where a breast implant, either saline or silicone, is placed within the breast to help augment the volume and help improve symmetry.
How Long Is the Procedure?
The procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis in a surgery center and would take anywhere from two to three hours to perform.
How do You Perform a Breast Augmentation?
A breast augmentation is typically done through either of two commonly used incisions: around the nipple or in the inframammary fold. I tend to place the implants in what is called a dual plane, where the superior half of the implant is covered by the muscle and the inferior lower part of the implant is covered by the breast tissue, to give you the most natural results.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
A good candidate for a breast augmentation procedure is someone who is healthy, has no contraindications to surgery, and has realistic expectations.
What Are Some Realistic Expectations for Patients Who Are Having This Procedure?
During the consultation, we go over the risks, benefits, and alternatives of the surgery. A patient with realistic expectations is someone who completely understands and can weigh the pros and cons of proceeding with the surgery and is accepting of all of those risks.
What Are the Common Reasons for Patients Choosing this Procedure?
Common reasons include those patients who have a decreased development of breast tissue and want to have an augmentation to feel more natural and more proportionate in clothing. Patients come in with asymmetry, whether or not that’s congenital – something that the patient’s born with – or asymmetry that’s a result of breast cancer, so augmentation can be used as a form of breast reconstruction. Patients also come in after childbirth and breastfeeding or after weight loss, where there is a decrease and loss of volume.
How Long Does It Take to Recover?
It takes from a week to two weeks to recover from the procedure. Most patients are off of pain medicine after three to five days. A majority of the patients can go back to work after about five to seven days.
You are not able to do any strenuous exercises for about six weeks, and that includes jogging, Zumba, mountain biking, any activity where there’s a lot of bouncing. You can, however, go back to gentle exercise after about two to three weeks, and that includes walking, stationary bicycle, Pilates, and yoga.
If you would like to schedule a consultation, please call us at 415-771-7710.
