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Breast Augmentation

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Breast Augmentation Phoenix AZ

Breast Implants and Augmentation in Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Chandler, Gilbert, and Scottsdale, Arizona

There are countless reasons why women choose to have breast augmentation. This cosmetic treatment can bring balance to your proportions, correct breast asymmetry, restore shape and volume lost during pregnancy, and give you the freedom to wear the clothing you like. During a breast augmentation, plastic surgeons use artificial implants or fat tissue to improve the size and shape of your breasts. Many women who undergo this treatment report increased levels of self-confidence and a higher quality of life.

The first breast augmentation was performed in 1962 when Timmie Jean Lindsey – a volunteer mother of six – received silicone implants and enlarged her breasts from a B to a C cup. Over the next half-decade, this transforming procedure grew to become the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States and worldwide. In 2018, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that more than 313,000 American women received breast augmentation. Even more interesting is the fact that more than 96% of these women were happy with the outcome of the procedure.

Phoenix plastic surgeon Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin perform breast augmentation to help women to meet their aesthetic goals. Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin have helped numerous patients from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and surrounding AZ cities boost their self-confidence and self-esteem with this procedure. The surgeon understands that the needs of different women are unique and works to create a highly customized treatment plan to suit the needs of each patient.

Who is a Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation plastic surgery entails placing implants under the chest muscle or breast tissue in order to improve the size and contour of female breasts. You may be a good candidate for this cosmetic treatment if:

  • You are in excellent physical and emotional health
  • You have breasts that are asymmetrical, too small for your frame or lacking proper volume and cleavage
  • You comprehend and understand the risks and rewards of this treatment
  • You are above the age of 18 (in order to receive saline implants), and above the age of 22 (in order to receive silicone implants)

Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin will reserve your first visit at their Phoenix office to understand your needs and goals. The surgeon will listen to your concerns, ask questions, and learn about your medical history before letting you know whether this treatment is for you. If you have small breasts that are also sagging or elongated, the surgeon may recommend that you have a combined breast augmentation and lift procedure in order to achieve an increase in size while also giving a perkier, lifted appearance. Breast augmentation is a highly individualized procedure. For this reason, Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin emphasize that each patient ensures they are having this surgery out of their own volition, not because someone else asked this of them.

TYPES

Different Types of Implants

 

The first breast implant was developed in 1961 by American plastic surgeons Frank Gerow and Thomas Cronin, in collaboration with the Dow Corning Corporation. It was referred to as the Cronin-Gerow implant and was used to perform the first breast augmentation surgery in 1962. It wasn’t until the late 80s when the FDA conducted an investigation of breast implants and approved them as Class III medical devices.

Today, plastic surgeons and patients have a varied choice of implants to choose from depending on the needs at hand. There are three main types of implants that are used in breast augmentation procedures:

 

SALINE IMPLANTS

These are made up of a silicone shell that is filled with a sterile salt water solution. Saline breast implants are FDA-approved for women over the age of 18. These are typically inserted when empty during the augmentation procedure and then later filled with the saline solution to suit the patient’s goals. Saline implants are sometimes a more affordable option for women who are looking to receive a breast enlargement.

Pros and Cons of Saline Implants

Advantages

  • Safe for the body. In the case of implant rupture, the saline solution will be naturally absorbed by the body
  • Ruptures are very easy to detect because the breast assumes a deflated appearance
  • Offer the best upper pole breast fullness and projection
  • Since these are filled after the surgery, they are a great option that provides size flexibility for women who have breasts of unequal size
  • Typically require a smaller incision because the implant shell is inserted first (during surgery) then filled later
  • Most affordable breast implant option

Disadvantages

  • May not feel as natural as silicone implants
  • There is s a higher risk of implant rupture, leading to a deflated breast appearance
  • Rippling under the skin tends to be more visible
  • Saline implants are typically heavier. For this reason, they may cause the breast to become bottom-heavy over time

SILICONE IMPLANTS

Silicone implants are by far the most popular, accounting for the majority of breast augmentation procedures. These are made up of a silicone shell that comes pre-filled with a silicone gel solution. Silicone implants are FDA approved for women over the age of 22. They tend to result in a more natural outcome and feeling.

Pros and Cons of Silicone Implants

Advantages

  • Give the most natural and soft to the touch feeling
  • It doesn’t matter if there is rotation since the implants are rounded in shape
  • There’s a lower risk of rippling under the skin
  • In the case of implant leakage, the breast will still maintain its shape

Disadvantages

  • Require a bigger incision – compared to saline implants – because they come pre-filled
  • Only available in the rounded shape, thus locking out women who are looking for a tear-drop appearance
  • Risk of ‘silent rupture’. Implant rupture is more difficult to detect because the breast retains its shape. It is necessary to undergo periodic MRI imaging tests to ensure that silicone implants are intact.

COHESIVE GEL IMPLANTS

Also referred to as ‘gummy bear’ or ‘form stable’ implants, these are a special type of silicone implants that contain a more cohesive gel – giving them a thicker and firmer appearance compared to traditional silicone implants. Many of these come in a ‘tear drop’ shape that gives the bottom of the breast a fuller and raised appearance.

Pros and Cons of Gummy Bear Implants

Advantages

  • Offer better long-term performance due to their gel, with a lower incidence of rupture, capsular contracture, rippling, malpositioning, and other breast implant complications
  • Available in either rounded on teardrop shape to suit the patient’s needs
  • The teardrop shape is particularly a great option for women who are looking for a full and raised breast bottom appearance.

Disadvantages

  • May not feel as natural as regular silicone implants because they are firmer to the touch
  • Typically require a longer incision compared to regular silicone implants
  • There’s a minimal risk of the teardrop shape rotating, necessitating a breast revision procedure
  • Generally more expensive than other types of breast implants

Selecting the Right Breast Implants

Choosing the perfect implant for your breast augmentation needs is a key step towards a successful breast enlargement surgery. There are several factors that Dr. Tessler will consider and discuss to help you find the best implant for your augmentation goals.

PROFILE

This refers to the thickness of the implant (or amount of implant that sticks out from the chest). Breast implants come in low, moderate, high, and ultra-high profiles.

SHAPE

Implants may assume a ’rounded’ shape that is great for enhancing the cleavage as well as fullness of the upper breast, or a ‘teardrop’ shape that gives a wider and fuller breast bottom with a tapering top.

TEXTURE

The outer covering of breast implants may be smooth or textured. Smooth implants are able to move naturally within the body, while textured implants tend to be better oriented. Some safety concerns have been linked to certain types of textured breast implants. Dr. Tessler takes great care to only use implants whose safety is above board.
When making the decision on which implant to use during your Phoenix augmentation surgery, Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin will also consider other factors such as the amount of breast tissue you have, laxity of your skin, your body frame, as well as the measurements of your chest. You will be able to go through all these options and decide on the best implant during one of your pre-op visits at Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin’s office.

APPROACH

Breast Augmentation Procedure and Incision Options

In 2014, Dr. Tessler co-authored one of the most cited papers in the US for assessing incision types and outcomes for implant breast reconstruction. DDr. Tessler and Dr. Turin adapts each breast augmentation procedure to the requirements of the patient and the goals of the surgery. During surgery, an anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia in order to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. Our surgeon will then make an incision in one of three locations depending on the specifics of your breast augmentation.

Inframammary Incision

The surgeon will make an incision on the underside of your breast, within the natural skin crease. The selected implant will then be inserted through this opening. Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin take great care to minimize the visibility of scarring during surgery.

Transaxillary Incision

The surgeon will make a cut under your arm and use it to insert the implant using a special endoscope device. This type of breast augmentation incision results in a scar that is well concealed under the armpit and is very commonly used with unfilled saline implants.

Periareolar Incision

The surgeon may place your incision around the edge of your areola (the darkened patch of skin surrounding your nipple). A suitable implant will then be inserted through this opening. There may be concerns over loss of sensation and breastfeeding with this type of incision.

Once the surgeon has the implant in place, he will close the incision and cover your breasts with gauze and bandage. You will then be monitored by Dr. Tessler’s team before you are allowed to go home – usually on the same day as the procedure.

Natural Breast Augmentation/Fat Transfer

In 2019, Dr. Tessler co-authored the largest series of fat-only-transfer breast lift augmentation in the world. This type of breast augmentation may be possible for some women. This autologous fat transfer technique is popular with qualified candidates who wish to avoid artificial implants and their associated risks and maintenance. The procedure is completed in two steps. The surgeon will start by using liposuction to extract fat from other parts of the body. This fat will then be carefully grafted to sculpt and enlarge the breasts to achieve the desired enlarged appearance. The surgeon will typically graft more fat than the desired size because up to 25% of it will be absorbed after surgery. This procedure option is usually available for women who have enough excess fat in other parts of the body, and who are looking for a small to moderate increase in breast size.

Pros and Cons of
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Advantages

  • No ‘foreign’ objects (artificial implants) are used in the procedure. Natural breast augmentation utilizes excess fat from the patient’s own body.
  • Typically requires very small incisions – thus reducing the risk of scarring
  • There’s a lower risk of complications
  • Results in a natural look and feel
  • High satisfaction rates among patients

Disadvantages

  • Breast tissue needs to be expanded for at least 3 months before the fat transfer augmentation procedure is performed
  • It can only enlarge one cup size. Natural tissue breast augmentation is not available for women who are only looking for a substantial increase in breast size, and who have enough spare fat.
  • Up to 25% of the fat grafted to enlarge the breast will be reabsorbed after surgery. Achieving the desired size increase is a delicate balancing act for the surgeon.
  • There’s a concern that calcifications may interfere with breast cancer imaging
  • A breast lift may still need to be performed

Recovery

Recovery After Your Breast Augmentation

Recovery after breast augmentation surgery may vary from one patient to the other, depending on the extensiveness of the treatment and one’s unique healing ability. Immediately after the surgery, the surgeon’s team will monitor your progress before you are allowed to go home. Keep in mind that you will need someone to drive you home and help out with chores over the first few days after breast surgery. Your breasts will be wrapped with a special bra or elastic band. Keep this dressing in place because it helps support your breasts during recovery. The most discomfort is experienced within the first 3-5 days after surgery. The surgeon will prescribe appropriate pain medication to help with the discomfort. The surgeon will also provide precise post-op instructions on how to care for your incision sites. You will be asked to refrain from any heavy lifting and strenuous activities until you get the go-ahead from your surgeon. The majority of Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin’s patients are able to resume non-physically demanding work after 3 weeks. Full recovery, however, will take place within 8-12 weeks depending on how well your body heals. If you would like to ask any questions during the recovery process, Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin’s office will be available on call.

Expected Cost of Breast Augmentation Surgery in Phoenix, AZ

The cost of breast augmentation surgery varies greatly depending on the extensiveness of the treatment, facility and medication fees, and the surgeon’s fees. On average, most of Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin’s breast enlargement patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and nearby AZ areas can expect to pay between $6,000 and $9,000 for this treatment. Breast augmentation is considered to be an elective cosmetic procedure. For this reason, health insurers do not pay for this procedure. During your initial breast augmentation consultation at Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin’s office, the surgeon’s team will provide an initial cost estimate so you can make arrangements for financing.

Average Cost

$6,000 – $9,000

Recovery Time

8 – 12 weeks

Procedure Time

Same Day

Insurance

Does Not Cover

F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions

Breast Augmentation FAQ

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Will I need to replace my implants?

Modern high-performance breast implants are designed to last for 15 years or more. This means you won’t need to be thinking about replacing these any time soon. However, keep in mind that there’s a small risk of complications such as implant rupture, rippling, or capsular contracture that can make a revision procedure necessary. Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin take great care during surgery to perform a clean procedure in order to minimize the risk of these complications.
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Will I have scars?

Scars are an inevitable consequence of any surgical procedure where the skin is cut. The location of your breast augmentation will be influenced by the incision pattern that the surgeon uses. It is important to point out that Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin aim to offer the breast augmentation Phoenix, AZ can provide. The surgeon uses advanced surgical methods and makes a great effort to minimize scarring so that you are happy with the outcome of your surgery.

Candidacy for Breast Augmentation

This cosmetic surgery can be performed on most adult women who are in great physical and emotional health. However, you may not be an ideal candidate for this treatment if you:

  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have unrealistic expectations about what can be achieved
  • Are ill or have an ongoing infection
  • Have abnormal mammograms or breast cancer

Following your consultation with Dr. Tessler and Dr. Turin, the surgeon will examine your breasts and listen to your concerns. He will then let you know how best to move forward. In some cases, the surgeon may ask that you wait until the perfect time before you can have breast enlargement surgery. If you are looking for breast augmentation in Phoenix, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Paradise Valley or nearby AZ areas, our office is here to help answer all of your questions and concerns.