Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Skip to main content

Breast Augmentation

Over 300,000 women undergo breast augmentation every year, making it the leading cosmetic surgery in the U.S. Breast augmentation can restore fullness to your breasts after pregnancy or weight loss and enhance proportionality between your breasts and other features. Depending on your unique goals, there are numerous choices regarding implant type and placement. During your consultation, Dr. Scott Green will discuss what options are available to help you achieve the sensual, personalized curves you desire.

Sacramento & Roseville (916) 929-1833

What Breast Augmentation Can Enhance

Post-Pregnancy Breasts

Small Breasts

Breasts After Weight Loss

Breast Augmentation Options

When it comes to breast augmentation, there is no one-size-fits-all system. Everyone’s body is different, which is why there are so many options, from implant type to incision location. Dr. Green will use his artistic eye to evaluate your specific needs during your consultation and determine which implant options will give you the personalized, stunning results you want.

Implant Type

While all breast implants utilize a silicone shell, there are two main substances that can fill that shell: silicone and saline. Dr. Green will thoroughly explain the differences so patients can make an informed decision.

Silicone

The denser texture in silicone allows silicone breast implants to feel more like human tissue and fat when touched. The implants also have a reputation for creating breasts that look more natural.

The FDA has approved silicone implant use in women 22 years and older. Silicone implants are less likely to wrinkle or break than saline implants. Despite the rupture rate of silicone implants being very low in the first 10 years, it is advised that patients screen silicone implants 5 years after initial placement, and then every 3 years with an MRI, mammogram or ultrasound since a silicone implant rupture is hard to detect.

Saline

On average, saline breast implants are less expensive than silicone options. After putting the empty shell into the body, Dr. Green will fill the implant with sterile salt water to the size specified by the patient. Because saline implants can enter the body in a smaller size than silicone implants, breast augmentation with saline implants can require smaller incisions and more choice in where those smaller incisions are placed.

The FDA approved saline implant use in women 18 years and older. Although ruptured implants are rare, the breast will start to look deflated, which should alert the patient that a rupture has occurred.


Round

Round implants augment the breasts more fully, adding density to the top of the breasts as well as the bottom. This style is best at creating a more appealing cleavage. They are less expensive on average and can be filled with either saline or silicone.


Implant Placement

Submuscular

• The implant is placed under the pectoral muscle
• Lower risk of capsular contracture, visible rippling, and bottoming out
• Less interference with mammographic studies

Subglandular

• The implant is placed below the breast tissue but above the pectoral muscle
• Less pain and a shorter recovery
• Ideal for patients with sufficient breast tissue to cover the implant

Incision Location

Inframammary Incision for Breast Augmentation

Inframammary

• The incision is placed under the breast fold
• Allows the surgeon to have greater control over implant placement
• Scar can be easily hidden by clothing
• Can be used with saline or silicone implants
Periareolar Incision for Breast Augmentation

Periareolar

• The incision is placed around the areola
• Allows the surgeon to have moderate control over implant placement
• Minimal scar visibility
• Usually only performed using saline implants

Transaxillary Incision for Breast Augmentation

Transaxillary

• The incision is placed in the armpit
• No visible scarring on the breasts
• Usually only performed using saline implants

Combinations

Breast augmentation may be combined with liposuction, tummy tuck, and other enhancement procedures to achieve the most pleasing body contouring results. To correct droopy breasts that lack volume, you may opt to pair breast augmentation with breast lift surgery. Combining the two procedures results in more symmetrical, youthful, and supple breasts. To correct post-pregnancy breast volume loss and sagging skin around the midsection, you may choose to pair breast augmentation with a tummy tuck. Some patients seeking more than one body enhancement procedure will combine them for added convenience.

Breast Augmentation Concerns

Recovery

Patients can expect some soreness, swelling, and bruising following breast augmentation. Most discomfort dissipates after a few days, and patients may return to work within a few days to a week after surgery. Strenuous physical activity should be avoided for three weeks, and exercises engaging the chest muscles should be avoided for longer. Women are advised to wear a surgical bra for several months following surgery, both day and night.

Results

Breasts will be noticeably larger and firmer immediately after surgery, but the long-term results of breast augmentation become more pronounced in three to four months. It can take about six months for the breasts to soften to a natural texture. Although breast augmentation has no expiration date, most breast implants can safely remain in the body for 10 to 20 years before removal and/or replacement is warranted. Patients should speak to a doctor if they notice an implant deflate, ripple, stiffen, shift out of place or rupture.

Scars

Because incisions are placed in discreet locations, any scars usually go unnoticed. Over time, any visible scarring is likely to fade.

Incisions can be placed along the natural crease where the bottom of the breast meets the chest, around the areola or even inside the armpit, giving patients some say in where the scars will be.

Cost

The cost of breast augmentation depends greatly on several factors including (but not limited to) technique, implant type, and anesthesia fees. At your consultation appointment, Dr. Green’s financial coordinator will be able to calculate the costs for your unique procedure.

Pain

To manage any pain-related discomfort, patients may take oral pain relievers as recommended by Dr. Green.

Plastic Surgeon Dr. Scott Green in Sacramento & Granite Bay

The Art of Plastic Surgery

Surgical skill can be learned, but surgical artistry is something a person must be born with. Dr. Scott Green has the inherent aesthetic and anatomical understanding necessary to deliver results of utmost transcendence to all of his patients. By applying his irrefutable grasp of beauty and state-of-the-art surgical techniques, Dr. Green sculpts his patients’ contours for the most dazzling and customized outcome.

“Every block of stone has a statue inside it, and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” – Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni

Breast Augmentation Videos

Our Patients Love Their Results

“Despite my own research and various consultations, it wasn’t until I met with Dr. Scott Green, that I felt hopeful and secure about the idea of cosmetic plastic surgery in Sacramento. He was very clear and informative without being overwhelming. Additionally, Dr. Green was very sensitive, as was I, when discussing the option of a breast lift and/or breast augmentation.”

“During the entire process I have really appreciated your kindness and sensitivity to my body issues. You were careful to advise me on what was the best treatment strategy to achieve the best results, and I am thrilled with the outcome. You and your staff were warm and patient with me, explaining what to expect clearly and were very supportive with any concerns I had.”

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long is breast augmentation surgery?

    Breast augmentation takes about one to two hours.

  • Will I be able to breastfeed with implants?

    Yes; implants do not generally interfere with the ability to breastfeed. Discuss your concerns with Dr. Green, and he will help you determine the best approaches to ensure that you can breastfeed after breast augmentation.

  • Should I quit smoking before undergoing breast augmentation?

    Yes. Smoking interferes with the healing process and should be avoided for three weeks before and three weeks after surgery.

  • Can breast implants harden?

    The implants themselves do not harden, but hard scar tissue can form around the implant and squeeze it. This is called capsular contracture and can occur with both saline and silicone implants. This is one of the risks of breast augmentation that will be discussed with you at your consult.