Achieve Fuller, Shapelier Breasts

Breast augmentation with implants offers women a chance to achieve the fuller, shapelier breasts they’ve always wanted, and that’s one reason it is such an incredibly popular cosmetic surgery procedure. Today’s breast augmentation procedures are vastly different and greatly improved over those of the past. There are newer techniques for implant insertion that lower the risks of complications and allow faster healing, often without the need for narcotics.

At West Michigan Plastic Surgery, Dr. Scott Holley, board-certified plastic surgeon, routinely performs “rapid recovery” breast augmentation, allowing women from Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Grand Rapids to return to normal activity within 24 hours.

Breast Augmentation
 Before & After Photos

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What are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that increases the size of the breasts through the use of breast implants. The reasons for choosing breast augmentation are highly personal and may differ between patients, but most seek breast enhancement to achieve one or more of the following:

  • Increase breast size
  • Enhance cleavage
  • Restore volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
  • Improve uneven or asymmetrical breasts
  • Restore balance and proportion with the lower body

How Do I Customize My Procedure?

Breast augmentation involves many options, that when chosen carefully, will help you attain fuller breasts that complement your body and your lifestyle.

Dr. Holley will review your options and help you determine the following important decisions: implant size and style, incision placement, and implant pocket choice. Each of these decisions will be thoroughly discussed during your consultation.

Want to see your results before surgery? Now you can with Vectra 3D imaging. This incredibly important consultation tool has revolutionized the process of implant decision-making by showing you the change different implant choices will make.

Vectra 3D Imaging of woman's breasts

Am I a Candidate?

Women that think their breasts are too small or have breasts that have lost volume due to pregnancy, aging, or weight loss are good candidates for breast augmentation. Breast augmentation may also be indicated for women with asymmetrical, uneven breasts. Implants alone, however, will not lift sagging breasts. For this, Dr. Holley may recommend a combined breast augmentation and mastopexy procedure. The best candidates for breast augmentation live a healthy lifestyle, are non-smokers, and have realistic expectations regarding surgery.

How Does Breast Augmentation Work?

Breast augmentation is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you are able to return home within a few hours after surgery. You are placed under general anesthesia by a board-certified anesthesiologist, and surgery typically takes 1-2 hours to complete.

Dr. Holley will perform the procedure to your custom specifications. Incision placement, implant type, pocket placement will all be performed to fit your specific body proportions to deliver optimal, natural results.

Results

The increase in breast size will be evident immediately after surgery, but implants often take a bit of time to settle into position so final results may take several weeks to show.

Recovery

Recovery time after breast augmentation varies for each patient but Dr Holley’s “rapid recovery” protocol will typically have you back to normal, light activity in 24 hours. Patients generally return to work within 3-7 days. You can expect to experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising. Pain is easily controlled with oral medication and generally resolves within a few days, but swelling may persist for several weeks. A compression garment is worn for 2-3 weeks during recovery to help minimize swelling and prevent implant displacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of breast implants are available?

Saline, silicone, and cohesive silicone gel implants (gummy bear implants) are the most common types of breast implants.

  • Saline breast implants are filled with a sterile saline solution but have an outer shell of silicone.
  • Silicone breast implants also have an outer silicone shell, but they are filled with silicone gel.
  • Gummy bear breast implants are teardrop-shaped implants that are filled with a cohesive, form-stable silicone gel.

Which size breast implant is right for me?

Several factors determine the ideal breast implant size for you, including the following:

  • Height and weight
  • Chest and breast dimensions
  • Skin elasticity
  • Lifestyle and level of physical activity

What are the breast implant incision locations?

  • Inframammary Incisions are made along the lower fold of the breasts.
  • Periareolar Incisions are made on the outer limit of the areola. The areola is the area of pigmented skin around the nipple.
  • Transaxillary

What are the breast implant placement options?

Subglandular and submuscular are the two options for breast implant placement. Subglandular placement refers to the placement of the breast implants below the breast tissue but above the pectoral muscle.

For submuscular placement, the breast implants are positioned under the pectoral muscle. Dr. Holley will discuss the pros and cons of each approach during your consultation.

Can a breast lift be combined with breast augmentation?

Yes! Dr. Holley often recommends a breast lift with breast augmentation for women that want to improve their breast size, but also have sagging, droopy breasts.

Will I need to replace my breast implants?

Breast implants generally last up to 15 years, so you may need to replace them after that time. Breast implant revision surgery is also done to correct complications related to breast implants or replace worn-out implants. All implant manufacturers now provide a comprehensive warranty to defray costs related to revision surgery in the rare event of implant failure.

Can I breastfeed after breast augmentation?

Getting breast implants does not affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed. However, breast augmentation is not recommended for women that are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do breast implants interfere with mammograms?

Adjustments have to be made during screening to ensure that the breast implants do not interfere with the results. It’s therefore important to tell your mammogram technician that you have breast implants.

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