Breast Augmentation– So you’re ready to have the sexy, bikini body and breasts you’ve been dreaming of, but you’re afraid of the entire cosmetic surgery process. We understand that there are a lot of decisions to make and questions you want to be answered. Will the boob job look good? How bad will it hurt? Is there going to be a scar? What will surgery day be like? We’re here to provide the guidance and knowledge you need to make the best possible decision for your individual, plastic surgery goals.
When your breast augmentation surgery at the Aesthetics Center begins, you will be given anesthesia to help reduce pain and discomfort. Click Here to view our Breast Augmentation Gallery. Your plastic surgeon will then make the necessary incisions necessary to place your implants. The exact location of the incisions depends largely on your body type and your unique needs.
Breast implants can be placed beneath the breast tissue, subglandular, or may be placed even deeper, beneath the muscle of the chest wall, submuscular.
Also, there is a subpectoral (or partially submuscular) placement that some surgeons prefer. This implant is placed beneath the pectoralis major muscle only, leaving the outer, lower 1/3 of the implant not covered by muscle tissue. The decision is a very individual one determined by the natural shape of your breasts and chest wall muscles. Our doctors will discuss which approach will be used during your surgery at the time of your consultation.
Cross-sectional diagram of subglandular (left) and submuscular (right) augmentation
Whenever possible, our Orange County plastic surgeons prefer to place the implants in a totally submuscular position. Breast implants placed beneath the muscle tend to look and feel more natural. Because there is more of your own tissue covering the implant, it is less likely that you will be able to see or feel the implant. The entire submuscular placement will improve your long-term results and minimize your potential complications.
There is also a lower incidence of capsular contracture when the implants are placed totally beneath the muscle. Capsular contracture occurs when the body produces scar tissue around the implant. This may change the shape of the implant and make the breasts asymmetric.
Furthermore, submuscular placement of breast implants allows direct insertion of the implants within the created pocket, limiting dissection of the normal breast tissues. This approach is less disruptive to the sensory nerves that supply sensation to the nipples and surrounding breast skin.
Finally, submuscular implant placement avoids interference with future mammography. Mammographic examinations are easier and the quality is better when the breast implant is separated from the breast tissue by the additional layer of muscle. Unlike subglandular placement, should you lose weight due to diet or pregnancy, the muscle will support the implant, which reduces the possibility of sagging.
Submuscular implant placement is a bit more uncomfortable, but it is the procedure of choice for most patients and surgeons.
Our surgeons will place an implant of your choosing under the breast tissue or muscular plane. Their philosophy is to minimize the size of any given incision. Our Newport Beach doctors are trained in endoscopic plastic surgery enabling them to complete surgical procedures through well-hidden, minimal access incisions. Most patients with symmetrical breasts are ideal candidates for a transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA).
Dr. Agha is one of the few Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons in the nation who has extensive experience performing TUBA. However, when it is necessary to change the shape of the breast, an inframammary incision enables him to apply the necessary sutures to enhance breast cleavage and/or to correct for breast asymmetries.
Unless specifically requested, Dr. Agha usually performs peri-areolar incisions only in combined breast augmentation and breast lift procedures.
Inframammary Breast Augmentation
Many surgeons often choose the inframammary, or under the breast fold, approach to optimize the visual appeal of the cleavage. Of the thousands of breast enhancement surgeries performed each year, 70-80% of them are inframammary.
The inframammary approach is commonly used for women who are older or have had children since the natural shape and contours of their breasts can often conceal the scars in the lower breast area. Younger women, thinner women, or women who have not yet had children may have a noticeable scar under their breasts. Dr. Agha prefers to use the inframammary approach to perform corrections of breast asymmetry or to enhance the breast cleavage. Another pro for this type of incision is that should any complications arise, the surgeon may use the initial incision to correct any problems.
Transumbilical Breast Augmentation
Transumbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA) is a relatively new approach for breast augmentation that combines a virtually unnoticeable scar with similar complication rates.
During this approach, our plastic surgeons make a small incision within the belly button, or navel, and create tunnels all the way to the breasts. They gently enter the plane under the chest muscles and perform appropriate dissection of this plane. A small fiber-optic camera called an endoscope is then used to confirm the plane of dissection. Next, an empty expander is inserted into the dissected plane under the muscle. Saline solution is then pumped into the expander, while the shape of the breast is molded. The expander is then replaced with the final implant.
The advantage of this technique is that there is no incision on or near the breast. Our Los Angeles area plastic surgeons have extensive experience in TUBA surgery and typically perform submuscular implant placement.
Peri-Areolar Breast Augmentation
Some patients are interested in the Peri-Areolar approach. By making an incision at the junction of the breast skin and the pink areola, the scar can be well disguised.
Many women have found that this type of surgery gives them the breast enlargement they desire but without the telltale scaring commonly caused by inframammary approaches. Implants can be placed above or below the muscle. If revisions are required, the same incision can be used. This approach is particularly suitable for those who need a small breast lift through a crescent mastopexy.
Transaxillary Breast Augmentation
Women seeking less visible indications of breast implants often elect to receive transaxillary breast enhancement. This involves a small incision directly in the armpit, or the axilla, through which the implant is inserted.
This type of procedure allows for both submuscular and subglandular placement of the implant, giving both a more natural appearance and causing fewer complications with nursing.
Southern California plastic surgeon Dr. Agha sometimes use a small fiber-optic camera called an endoscope to allow more direct placement of a submuscular implant. Furthermore, younger and thinner women with little breast sag often choose this procedure because it produces a much less noticeable scar than inframammary breast implant procedures.
Where Will Your Breast Enlargement Surgery be Performed?
Dr. Agha has been granted staff privileges at several local hospitals and outpatient surgery centers. In the interest of the safety of his patients, he only performs surgery in fully accredited facilities with the proper services and staff.
More about Dr. Siamak Agha
Dr. Siamak Agha is a renowned breast surgeon who is pleased to perform breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction and more at his Newport Beach practice in California. In addition, he is a top Newport Beach body contouring surgeon who performs procedures such as abdominoplasty, liposuction and mommy makeover. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, contact his practice at 949-537-2177.