Beauty Valet BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT
Blog
The MAAS Clinic Website Logo
Give The MAAS Clinic a phone call at (415) 567-7000 Contact Us

Table of Contents

Breast Enhancement

Just like breasts themselves, breast enhancement surgeries come in many different shapes and sizes. Lifts, reductions, and reconstructions can be great options for some clients, but the most popular breast procedure — in fact, the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States — is breast augmentation. The goal of breast augmentation in San Francisco is to enhance the size and shape of the breasts, usually using synthetic implants to increase breast volume and create symmetry. Many women who feel that the size of their breasts are disproportionate to the rest of their bodies may consider breast augmentation as a way to bring out the best in their curves and balance to their profiles. Some women also choose the procedure due to changes that have taken place in their breasts because of pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or the aging process.

Woman in white bikini

More About Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation in San Francisco can also meet aesthetic goals other than simply adding size and fullness to the breasts. Some women opt for this procedure if their breasts are noticeably different in size or shape, which can make them feel self-conscious in bathing suits or different types of clothing.

Women may also choose breast augmentation as part of the reconstruction process after breast cancer treatment.

Since there are so many different reasons for seeking a breast augmentation, the procedure itself is always highly individualized. After a consultation to help determine your goals and evaluate your possible outcomes, our plastic surgeon in San Francisco and the Bay Area will put together a plan for your breast augmentation surgery that will help you achieve the results that you want.

Choices in Breast Augmentation

Your breast augmentation in San Francisco will include details about your body type, goals, and lifestyle, but it will also involve choosing your implants and understanding how they will make your new breasts look. When it comes to deciding on your implants, there are many factors to consider, including type, size, shape, profile, and texture.

Breast Implant Sizing

Breast implants use cubic centimeters, or “cc”s, as a measure of volume. The higher the cc number of an implant, the bigger the implant will be. This method is customizable to accommodate every woman’s body shape and aesthetic goals—for example, you can choose differently sized implants for each breast if you have natural unevenness that you want to correct. It is important to remember that implant sizes do not necessarily translate into bra “cup sizes” like C, D, or DD. Cup sizes are relative based on the band size of the bra, and it is very difficult to judge how cup sizes will work on different body shapes.

Breast Implant Types

Breast implants are synthetic devices comprised of a silicone shell and filled with either a sterile saline solution or silicone material. Some silicone implants today, known as cohesive gel implants, feature a slightly different variation of a silicone material that tends to hold its shape better, even if the implant is damaged. Most surgeons offer all three of these options in their practices and will help women choose the best implant based on their specific needs and desired results.

Breast Implant Shape

Implants are available in both a round shape and a teardrop shape. The teardrop shape more closely mimics the look of the natural breast, but not all women like having less fullness at the top of the breast. In addition, if the teardrop implant turns in the breast, it will affect the outward appearance of the breast. Round implants, on the other hand, can provide a more full, lifted look that many women who are seeking breast enhancement prefer.

Breast Implant Profile

Profile refers to the way in which the implant projects from the breast and includes a low, moderate, and high profile. The choice will depend on the width of the patient’s chest, overall body proportions, and personal preference as far as the desired result. Moderate or high-profile implants can be a good option for women who want a more lifted appearance with a fuller, perkier aesthetic.

Breast Implant Texture

Breast implants can also be smooth or textured, offering patients yet another way to customize their procedure to their specific needs. There are pros and cons to both of these options; the choice mostly has to do with breast softness, how much existing breast tissue you have, and the size and shape of your implants.

You will also need to talk to your surgeon about the technique they will be using during your breast augmentation. There are different ways to place incisions to reduce scarring, and you can choose to place your implant differently to achieve different looks or to accommodate different needs.

Background media

Incision and Placement Options

There are three basic choices for incision placement during breast augmentation; inframammary (in the breast crease), transaxillary (in the armpit), and periareolar (around the areola). The choice of incision placement will depend on the personal preference of the patient, the type of implant used, and the advice of the plastic surgeon.

No matter where the incision is placed, care will be taken to ensure visible scarring after the procedure is minimal. 

Implant placement refers to whether you choose to have your implant inserted above or below the pectoral muscle of the chest.

A submuscular placement refers to placement below the muscle, and subglandular placement refers to placement above the muscle but below the mammary gland. Factors like lifestyle, available recovery time, and existing breast tissue will help your surgeon determine which of these might be a better fit for you.

Welcome to Excellence Providing a luxury experience & beautiful results.

Schedule a Consultation
Background media

Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation is generally performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. The entire procedure typically takes one to two hours to complete, depending on the technique used and whether other procedures—like liposuction or a breast lift—will be performed at the same time. Once the implants are in the proper place in the breast tissue, the incisions are carefully closed using tiny sutures to ensure that any scarring after the procedure is kept to a minimum.

You will need to spend an hour or so in your surgeon’s recovery room before you are cleared to leave. You will also need to secure a trusted friend or family member to drive you home, since you will be woozy from your anesthesia and will not be able to transport yourself alone. It is not uncommon to choose to have a breast lift performed at the same time as the breast augmentation. This procedure involves the removal of excess skin and repositioning the breast to a higher, more youthful location on the chest.

This procedure may involve different incisions and may take a bit longer than standard breast augmentation.

However, some patients—particularly those who were experiencing noticeable breast sagging prior to their surgery—find the addition of the lift procedure provides them with even better results than augmentation alone.

Post Operative Care

Following breast augmentation surgery, patients are given a post-surgical compression bra that helps to manage swelling and hold the breasts in the proper position as they heal. Patients can still expect a degree of swelling and bruising, which can usually be managed with ice and oral pain medication. Some patients may also leave the surgical center with small drains placed in the incisions to prevent fluid buildup and infection in the surgical sites. These drains are generally removed by the surgeon at the first follow-up appointment a few days after the procedure.

Patients can usually return to work within two weeks after their breast augmentation, as long as their job does not involve any strenuous moving, stretching, or lifting. Physical activity like exercise will be restricted for a number of weeks to give the breasts ample time to fully heal. The closer patients follow the recovery instructions from their plastic surgeon, the quicker and easier the recovery process will be.

Preliminary results of breast augmentation can be seen right away, but full results will not become evident until a few months later after the swelling has completely subsided and the breasts have healed. It is important to care for incisions properly during the healing process and to avoid exposing them to direct sunlight during the first few months after surgery. This will ensure they fade as much as possible.

Hero Background Media

Breast Augmentation at the Maas Clinic™

Once the results are seen, they will be long-lasting and even permanent for some patients. Although most breast implants are only approved for 10 years of use, many last much longer than that. Most plastic surgeons advise patients not to worry about changing their implants unless they have problems with them or decide to have them removed or changed to a different size at some point in the future. For your best results, you should seek a breast augmentation with a surgeon who specializes in breast procedures. If you are interested in learning more about a breast augmentation in San Francisco, the Bay Area, or the surrounding cities, Dr. Maas has an extensive network of plastic surgeons specializing in breast augmentation. For a referral to a surgeon in your area, please contact us today.

The information about breast augmentation was reviewed by Corey S. Maas MD™. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.

Welcome to Excellence Providing a luxury experience & beautiful results.

Schedule a Consultation
Contact us media
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at (415) 567-7000.
Contact Us