For women who are unhappy with the size, shape, or asymmetry of their chest, breast augmentation may be the perfect solution. Dr. Hopkins is one of the area’s most-respected plastic surgeons and can offer an artistic and detail-oriented hand for every procedure.
What Are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure that can not only enhance your physical appearance but also give you a boost in confidence and femininity. This breast surgery involves adding volume to your breasts, giving them more shape and definition for an improved overall appearance. With the help of breast augmentation, you can gain a newfound sense of self-assurance and pride in your body.
For most patients, breast augmentation is a way to achieve:
Increased breast size.
Improved breast shape.
Symmetry between the breasts.
Because breast augmentation is an entirely personalized procedure, you can choose the breast size and shape you desire to achieve natural-looking, proportional curves.
Breast Augmentation: Before and After
If you’re considering breast augmentation, it’s crucial that you read up on the procedure. Before your surgery, you should do independent research into estimated recovery times, risks, etc. Most crucially, consult with your physician about any questions that you may have. There are several things you can expect for the post-surgery period, and it’s always best not to be surprised by any of them. Of course, one thing everyone can expect post-surgery is a body they can take pride in!
Who Is a Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Many women who are unhappy with their breasts qualify as a candidate for breast augmentation. Because it is an invasive procedure, patients will need to be healthy enough for surgery. Additionally, patients should:
Be realistic about what the procedure can and cannot do.
Not smoke, as this can make the surgery and recovery more dangerous.
Have good overall mental health.
Patients should know that augmentation doesn’t lift the breasts, so if they’re seeking to boost sagging or drooping breasts, a breast lift might be the better choice.
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Breast Augmentation Options
In addition to discussing your breast augmentation type choice and the cost of the procedure, you and Dr. Hopkins will discuss a variety of other items related to the surgery, including:
Your Desired Breast Size.
Plastic surgeons like Dr. Hopkins typically like to avoid agreeing upon cup size, as cup size can vary from bra manufacturer to bra manufacturer and has become a subjective measurement. Instead, Dr. Hopkins encourages you to bring in photos or magazine clippings of women with your desired breast size and shape, so he can more accurately visualize your desired goals.
Breast Implant Type.
If you’ve decided to forgo a fat transfer breast augmentation and instead get breast implants, you’ll need to choose between silicone and saline options. Each offers its own set of benefits. Silicone breast implants tend to feel more natural to the touch, while saline options are often more desired by Dallas women concerned about implant rupture, as you’ll immediately know if a saline breast implant ruptures because your affected breast(s) will deflate.
Silicone
Silicone implants are made entirely of silicone, an artificial material that is made to look and feel like human breasts. These implants have a silicone shell filled with silicone gel.
Pros:
- They come in a variety of shapes and firmness levels.
- Many patients think that they look and feel more realistic.
Cons:
- They require periodic evaluation with an ultrasound or MRI study.
- They often require more significant incisions.
Saline
These implants are inserted as empty shells, into which a sterilized saline water solution can then be added. This method means that saline implants can be placed with much smaller incisions as compared with silicone implants.
Pros:
- Smaller incisions are possible.
- They are less risky than silicone implants.
Cons:
- Some patients may not like the look or feel as much as silicone.
- There is a greater risk of “rippling” visible under the skin.
- If the implant develops a leak, it deflates.
Breast Implant Shape
If you’ve chosen a breast augmentation via breast implants, you’ll need to decide whether or not you want teardrop shaped implants, which tend to appear more natural, or rounded implants, which often allows Dr. Hopkins to create more cleavage, if desired.* This is a very personal decision, and the choice is entirely up to you.
Round
Round implants are the most popular option, as many patients believe that they move and feel just like real breasts.
Pros:
- The round shape allows these implants to move freely within the breast shell.
- They tend to make breasts appear larger on top.
- There is no concern about implant rotation.
Cons:
- Round implants are not always as durable as teardrop ones.
Teardrop
Teardrop-shaped breast implants are actually the more anatomical solution, as they roughly mimic the shape and slope of your natural breasts.
Pros:
- They tend to make breasts appear fuller on the lower pole.
- Teardrop implants are more durable and have a lower risk of rupture.
Cons:
- There is some risk of rotation, which can impact the appearance of your breasts.
- Teardrop implants are often the more expensive of the two options.
Breast Implant Profile
If you’re going with breast implants for your breast augmentation, you’ll need to decide on a breast implant profile, which refers to how far out the breast implant protrudes. The higher the breast implant profile, the more your newly augmented breasts will stick out.
Low Profile
Low-profile breast implants offer the least amount of “projection” from the chest with the most natural-looking results.
Pros:
- Low-profile implants are ideal for those with a wide chest wall that are not looking to add significant volume to their breast size.
- These implants will provide better overall balance and look more flattering for patients with a wider chest.
Cons:
- They may not satisfy patients who are hoping for a more dramatic before-and-after.
Moderate Profile
For patients who seek subtle yet substantial results, the moderate-profile breast implant option may provide the best middle-ground.
Pros:
- These implants offer more projection than the low-profile option while still retaining a lifelike and natural look.
Cons:
- These implants may be uncomfortable for patients with a natural base, as the implants will be too narrow, and the base may not fill out properly.
High Profile
High-profile breast implants may be the best option for patients who desire a truly stunning before-and-after contrast.
Pros:
- These are the implants that offer the greatest projection from the chest and thus the most eye-catching transformation.
- Ideal for those with significant tissue deflation caused by aging, breastfeeding, or weight loss.
Cons:
- These implants may cause overall body disproportion if your frame is too small.
- High-profile implants are not suitable for those looking for a natural-hanging breast look.
Incision Type
Women who are having a breast augmentation via breast implants will need to decide which incision type to choose from: periareolar (an incision made around the areola), inframammary (an incision made underneath the breast crease, where the breast meets the rib cage), transaxillary (an incision made underneath the arm) and transumbilical (an incision made in the belly button).
Transaxillary
Transaxillary incisions are placed in the armpit. Working through one of these incisions, the plastic surgeon can insert a saline or silicone implant, enhancing the overall volume of the breasts.
Pros:
- The incision is almost completely hidden from view, except when you wear sleeveless tops.
- There is no scarring along the breasts themselves.
Cons:
- Transaxillary incisions may not be large enough to fit large silicone implants.
- Working through a transaxillary incision gives the surgeon a bit less control over the positioning of the implant.
Inframammary
Inframammary incisions are made on the underside of the breast. They are not very prominent or visible, yet they create more room for the surgeon to work than a transaxillary incision does.
Pros:
- These incisions work with either saline or silicone implants.
- Their positioning is very easy to conceal.
- These incisions are easy to re-open for further surgeries.
Cons:
- This incision “gives away” that you have had implants placed.
Areolar
Areolar incisions are made along the periphery of the areolas.
Pros:
- There is no real advantage to this incision type.
Cons:
- There are increased risks for infection or loss of nipple sensation.
- This is not a good option for patients who do not wish to have any scarring on their breasts.
- This incision type can interfere with milk ducts.
Trans-umbilical
Trans-umbilical incisions are made on the upper, inside edge of the belly button. Rolled-up saline implants are then inserted, positioned, and inflated.
Pros:
- The scar is hidden inside the navel.
Cons:
- Positioning the implants is more challenging, and surgeons have less control.
- Silicone implants are not an option with this incision type.
Which incision type will be right for you will vary greatly depending on the type of breast implants you have chosen, and other important factors, such as whether or not you may want to breastfeed children in the future, in which case the periareolar incision isn’t recommended because it may cut through milk ducts and make breastfeeding difficult or impossible.*
What Does Breast Augmentation Cost?
Because every patient is different and several variables are involved, it is challenging to estimate your specific breast augmentation costs. To get an individualized quote and ask any questions about financing, schedule a consultation with J. Hopkins Plastic Surgery at your convenience.
What Is the Recovery After Breast Augmentation?
Recovery varies from patient to patient, but you can anticipate at least a week of rest and healing. After a week, most patients feel ready to resume their normal day-to-day activities, though it is important to abstain from strenuous exercise for a full six weeks.
Some physical discomfort can be expected during your recovery, but this discomfort can be mediated with prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Be aware that the final results of the procedure take four to six weeks to reveal themselves, as the implants need time to settle. Your breasts may look slightly asymmetrical during this time, but they will even out as healing progresses.
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Breast Augmentation FAQs
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Is Breast Augmentation Safe?
As with any cosmetic procedure or surgery, there are some risks associated with breast augmentation. However, these are minimal at best. Most patients do not experience any major side effects whatsoever. That being said, you should always feel free to consult with your physician about the potential risks associated with breast augmentation.
Here are a few of the possible breast augmentation surgery risks:
- Bleeding or a hematoma
- Scarring, either slight or major
- Infection and/or swelling
- Formation of tight scar tissue
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What are the possible side effects?
All medical procedures (even minor cosmetic surgeries) come with certain side effects. Some of the most common side effects commonly associated with breast augmentation include:
- Minor to major swelling (most patients experience temporary swelling that subsides within days)
- Some minor pain and discomfort
- Numbness in the breast and nipple area
These side effects are normal, but there are also some rare complications associated with this surgery. These include:
- Infection
- Scar tissue
- Major or chronic breast pain
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Should I choose high-profile or moderate-profile breast implants if my breasts are sagging, or should I have a breast lift instead?
Breast implants are meant to provide volume, regardless of the profile chosen for surgery. While the breast implant profile does determine how far out the breasts protrude from the chest wall, no degree of profile will lift your breasts to a more natural position.
If Dr. Hopkins determines you are suffering from true breast ptosis, or sagging breasts, he will recommend including a breast lift during your breast augmentation. This is the only way to achieve a “perkier” look, while also obtaining increased fullness with breast implants.
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Does Dr. Hopkins need to know my desired bra size?
The short answer is no. While many patients believe they need to decide on a bra size when preparing for a breast augmentation, the truth is that bra sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and do not provide a consistent baseline for sizing. Therefore, Dr. Hopkins recommends that his patients bring in pictures of women with the look they ultimately want so he can make the best recommendations for their body type.
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I want to have more cleavage. Should I choose round or teardrop shaped breast implants?
For women looking to turn a few more heads and have more cleavage from their breast augmentation, round implants are the way to go. These breast implants provide more fullness at the top of the breast, as well as the bottom, resulting in more cleavage.
Excellence in Breast Augmentation in Dallas
Breast augmentation allows you to gain new confidence and the natural curves you have always wanted. Take the first steps toward a new silhouette by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Hopkins in Dallas at (972) 298-6641.
*Individual results may vary.
“Our daughter is a patient of Dr. Hopkins. He is probably THE best physician we have ever encountered. He is meticulous, very knowledgeable and so very, very kind. I would go so far as to say he is OCD with his abilities and how he treats patients which is awesome. He also does not have the typical doctor ego, which we hate. He explains things and always asks if you have questions. He also is judgement free which is also greatly appreciated. If you are looking for a solid plastic surgeon for cosmetic or wound issues, we highly recommend him.”
- Cliff M.“Dr Hopkins is an excellent surgeon. I’ve worked with him for years. He is very meticulous in his work. He spends a lot of time with his patients and family members. He gives high quality care to his patients whether they are cash pay, insured, or uninsured. His office staff give the same quality care. They are quick to respond and efficient. Dr Hopkins and his staff are true blessings to the community they serve.”
- Holly C.“I was very nervous coming in as a patient but
- Janai M.Dr. Hopkins and his office staff made me feel very comfortable and at ease. They were very polite and made me feel at home and answered every question that I had. I loveeee my results and if I need anything done in the future he will be the person I go too. From beginning to end the service was amazing.”