If you are unhappy with the size and/or shape of your breasts, you are not alone. As one of the most popular procedures performed at McCormack Plastic Surgery, we can offer you many options when it comes to breast enhancement surgery. Through the placement of saline or silicone implants, breast augmentation can enhance the shape and increase the size of your breasts, as well as correct asymmetry. Our female plastic surgeon, Tiffany McCormack, MD, believes in providing a natural result that will help you feel more confident with your body without the outcome appearing “fake” or artificial.

There are many reasons why women undergo breast augmentation, including to reshape breasts that have lost their size/shape due to breastfeeding or weight loss; to make the breasts larger and more proportional to their overall body shape; or to balance breasts that are different sizes. That being said, your reasons are personal and unique. Your decision to undergo breast augmentation should be based on your own needs and expectations.

Breast Augmentation Benefits
Types of Breast Implants
Breast Augmentation Incisions
Breast Implant Placement
Breast Augmentation Procedure
Breast Augmentation Recovery
Breast Augmentation Results
Breast Augmentation Cost
Breast Augmentation Scars
Breast Implant And Breastfeeding
Breast Augmentation Plus Lift
3D Breast Implant Imaging
Breast Augmentation FAQs

What are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation offers a number of benefits to women who wish to enhance the appearance of their breasts. Depending on your specific needs and goals, implants can help:

Increase breast size and fullness
Restore lost volume caused by pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or simply aging
Enhance the curvature, contour, and symmetry of the breasts
Make the breasts more proportionate to your frame
Improve the look and fit of certain tops, swimsuits, and bras
Boost your self-confidence in social and intimate settings

Breast Augmentation Patient Results

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Types of Breast Implants

Breast implants come in many styles and sizes. Choosing the size that is right for you is based on specific measurements, as well as the look that you are hoping to achieve. Dr. McCormack will spend time discussing your desired breast augmentation outcome and measuring you to help choose an implant that fits your body type while giving you the individual appearance you want to obtain. Please visit our breast implants page to learn about your implant options in greater detail.

Saline Implants

Saline breast implants are FDA-approved for patients who are 18 and older. They are filled with a saline (saltwater) solution and typically provide a soft, round breast shape. When compared to silicone, saline implants offer visible indications of a tear or leak. Implant rupture is rare, but the saline solution is typically safely absorbed by the body should it occur.

Form-Stable Implants

Form-stable, or “gummy bear,” implants typically provide a teardrop-shaped breast contour. They are made of a thicker silicone gel when compared to silicone implants and can be especially natural-looking for patients who lack fullness in the upper poles of the breasts. Form-stable implants may also minimize the risk of implant rippling and implant rupture.

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants are made of a silicone gel fill material, and FDA-approved for patients who are at least 22 years old. These implants are known to be firmer and more realistic to the touch than saline prostheses. Silicone implants are also favored for producing a very natural-looking breast contour. Unlike saline, silicone implants typically keep their shape in the rare event of rupture.

IDEAL IMPLANT^®

An IDEAL IMPLANT^® is often referred to as “structured saline,” meaning the implant is composed of saline solution encased in multiple layers of a silicone shell. With a reputation for providing very natural-looking results, an IDEAL IMPLANT^® can offer the realistic feel characteristic of silicone implants while retaining the predictability of saline. These implants should visibly deflate in cases of a leak or rupture, typically canceling the need for periodic MRIs.

In addition to size and shape, breast implants are available in different profiles each of which offer a different projection. Breast implants come in a low profile, moderate profile or high profile. High profile implants provide the greatest forward projection and tend to be designed for a narrower chest. Dr. McCormack will show you the differences between implants and guide you toward the best option for your body type.

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Where are Breast Augmentation Incisions Located?

Depending on your body type and the size of the breast augmentation desired, breast implants can be placed through an incision made around the areola, underneath the arms, or in the lower fold of the breasts. Dr. McCormack will discuss the pros and cons of the incision site specifically recommended for you. Keep in mind, the incision for silicone gel breast augmentation will be slightly larger than when compared to saline breast augmentation.

Breast Implant Placement

During breast augmentation, implants can be placed either above the pectoral muscle (subglandular) or below the pectoral muscle (submuscular/subpectoral). Generally speaking, subglandular placement can provide excellent results for individuals who have an ample amount of skin and breast tissue to cover the implant, as insufficient skin and tissue coverage may cause the implant itself to be noticeable and/or lead to visible rippling. For patients who do not have enough skin and tissue coverage, submuscular placement will often provide a better outcome. In addition to improved soft tissue coverage, this location provides good support for the weight of the implants and has proved to help decrease the chance of noticeable rippling.

Ultimately, there are advantages and disadvantages to both subglandular and subpectoral implant placement, all of which can be thoroughly reviewed during your consultation with Dr. McCormack to determine the most appropriate technique for you.

How is the Breast Augmentation Procedure Performed?

To begin the breast augmentation procedure, Dr. McCormack will carefully make incisions in the location that was agreed upon during the consultation. The chosen breast implants are then gently inserted through these incisions and placed either underneath or on top of the pectoralis muscle, depending on what was previously determined. When each implant is situated properly and an ideal breast shape is attained, Dr. McCormack will use tiny surgical sutures to meticulously close the incisions.

The total treatment time is usually about one to two hours, though this may vary based on whether the breast augmentation is combined with a breast lift and/or other procedures as part of a Mommy Makeover. Performed on an outpatient basis, patients are typically able to return home the same day with the assistance of a close friend, spouse, or relative.

What is Recovery From Breast Augmentation Like?

Breast augmentation surgery is commonly performed as an outpatient procedure, and most patients are able to return to work in one to two weeks. It is normal to feel somewhat tired and sore for several days following breast augmentation. You may also feel tightness in the chest area for some time. To minimize your risk of complications such as hematoma (bleeding around the implant), we recommend that you limit your activity for the first two weeks. Strenuous activity should be avoided for six to eight weeks following breast augmentation. You will be given antibiotics to minimize your infection risk, and we will instruct you to use specific breast massaging techniques following your surgery to help keep your breasts mobile, soft and natural-looking, and to help prevent capsular contracture (excess scarring around the implant from the inside).

It is normal for your breasts to appear high and swollen for several weeks following your surgery until they “drop” into a normal position. One breast may drop before the other and this is not a cause for concern. You may experience numbness in the nipple/areola that is often due to swelling, and usually resolves naturally. In a small number of patients, the numbness or lack of sensation will remain permanent.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

While breast implants are not designed to be lifetime devices, they can provide long-lasting results for decades. Breast implants usually do not have to be replaced unless you desire a different size/type of implant in the future, or unless a complication arises. These may include the development of scar tissue around an implant (capsular contracture) or implant rippling—the ability to see or feel an implant’s edges. In either case, a breast revision procedure can be pursued if necessary to address any issues with breast implants or to fulfill a change in your preferences. Dr. McCormack recommends regular breast screenings and wellness exams to help ensure your implants are still in good condition.

How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?

The average cost of breast augmentation typically ranges from $7000 – $8500, which includes associated surgical fees for the anesthesia, operating facility, and other related expenses. However, breast augmentation is priced according to the unique details of your treatment plan, including the type of implants chosen, the surgical technique utilized, and the overall complexity of your procedure. For this reason, an accurate cost estimate cannot be determined until you have a consultation with Dr. McCormack.

In addition to the major methods of payment, McCormack Plastic Surgery accepts financing plans from qualified patients who prefer to pay for their procedure in a series of manageable installments. This is offered through highly reputable healthcare lending institutions like CareCredit^®, ALPHAEON^™ Credit, and Prosper^® Healthcare Lending. Each financing company offers low- to no-interest payment plans that can be chosen based on a patient’s budgetary concerns. We would be happy to assist you with any other questions or concerns related to the cost of breast augmentation. Please call our office at (775) 284-2020 to speak to a friendly member of our team.

Will I Have Visible Breast Augmentation Scars?

Although scarring after any surgical procedure is inevitable, breast augmentation scars can be discreet depending on the incision technique utilized for your surgery. If your implants were inserted through an incision made around the areolas, scars are often camouflaged by the natural change in pigmentation between the skin and nipples. Similarly, incisions made along the breast crease can generally blend into the natural contour underneath the breasts. For incisions placed along a fold of the underarm, your scar should only be visible when the arms are raised. The breasts themselves should be left unblemished. Dr. McCormack is very diligent about placing incisions inconspicuously whenever possible, thereby minimizing the extent of post-surgical scarring.

Is Breastfeeding Still Possible After Breast Augmentation?

If you are able to breastfeed prior to breast augmentation, you should be capable of doing so after treatment—assuming the procedure is performed safely and correctly by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Unfortunately, some women are unable to produce enough milk for breastfeeding in the first place, so if they have not attempted to breastfeed before breast augmentation and find they cannot do so afterwards, they may wrongly attribute this inability to the presence of implants.

Breast Augmentation Plus Lift

Implants are placed to make the breasts larger—it is important to understand that implants alone may not adequately lift the breasts, or correct the effects of pregnancy, weight loss, or skin stretching. Dr. McCormack may suggest additional procedures at the time of breast augmentation, such as a breast lift (mastopexy), to optimize your results. Referred to as a breast lift with implants or a breast augmentation with a lift, this combination procedure can increase the size of your breasts while also raising them to a more youthful location on the chest wall. To learn about this joint surgery, please visit our page dedicated to a breast lift with implants.

3D Computer Breast Implant Imaging

With VECTRA^® 3D Imaging, Dr. McCormack will be able to accurately answer the number one patient question: “What will I look like after surgery?” Using the revolutionary VECTRA^® computer imaging system, she can accurately give you an idea of how your breasts may look after breast augmentation. This can help you make decisions about the ideal implant size, shape, and profile to achieve your desired look. View the “new you” from any angle and easily compare pre-op and post-op photos for a better understanding!

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Breast Augmentation FAQs

Am I too old for breast augmentation?
There is no definitive upper age restriction for breast augmentation. In fact, Dr. McCormack has treated patients who were in their 50s, 60s, and older. More important than age is one’s overall health and an understanding of what can and cannot be realistically achieved with implants. Though every case is different, many patients who are seeking breast augmentation later in life will also require a breast lift to attain their desired results. This is particularly true for those who have had children and/or have undergone a significant weight reduction at some point in time.
Is breast augmentation or a breast lift better for me?
Breast augmentation is designed to increase the volume and/or improve the contour of the breasts; it will not significantly elevate sagging tissues or address loose, excess skin. As a result, if you are happy with the position of your breasts and are solely interested in enhancing size and shape, breast augmentation will likely be the most appropriate option for you.

In contrast, breast lift surgery is performed to eliminate extra skin and raise drooping breasts to a more youthful position on the chest—it will not add volume. With this in mind, mastopexy may be the best option for you if you are happy with the current size of your breasts but wish to correct excess skin and tissue sagging.

Fortunately, if you want to address breast sag while also enlarging your breasts, a combination of breast augmentation and breast lift surgery can usually be performed to achieve your goals. All of these details can be discussed more thoroughly at the time of your consultation.
Can I see examples of the results achieved with breast augmentation?
Yes! Dr. McCormack will be able to show you the contents of our patient gallery during your consultation so you can obtain a better understanding of what can potentially be achieved with breast enlargement. Our online portfolio, as well as 3D imaging technology prior to surgery, should also give you more insight into the possible outcome of the procedure. Through breast augmentation with or without a lift, you can achieve a more shapely and feminine figure. View our breast augmentation before-and-after photos to explore results of previous patients who have received treatment at our practice.

If you would like more information about the breast enhancement procedures we offer, please contact McCormack Plastic Surgery today.