Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Skin & Laser Center
Breast augmentation has steadily increased in popularity over the past 50 years and is now regarded as an extremely safe procedure offering excellent, natural-looking results. While breast augmentation surgery was controversial nearly 20 years ago, the safety of breast implants is now well-established. Patients interested in breast augmentation surgery with implants can contact our practice today to schedule a private consultation with our plastic surgeon, Dr. Richard Zeff. His goal is to remove the mysteries surrounding the procedure, so you can make your decision with a much better understanding of your choices.
Breast augmentation, or enlargement, is a cosmetic procedure designed to increase the size and restore the youthfulness of the breasts. Year after year this plastic surgery procedure remains the most popular enhancement option across the nation, and one can choose between silicone and saline implants in a wide array of sizes and shapes to achieve a natural-looking result that suits your body and your goals.
Designed primarily to enhance the size of the breasts, breast augmentation can also:
Additionally, many women find that their confidence increases with their new breast size, so they feel more comfortable in their own skin. Some women find that their clothing fits better, giving them a more feminine silhouette overall.
Ideal candidates for breast augmentation will want to improve their appearance by enlarging their breasts. One should also have reasonable expectations for the result and be in good general health. Our experienced medical team will review all the details of your treatment plan, so you are well-informed about what to expect and what can be accomplished. Dr. Zeff is committed to patient safety and care, and he will complete a thorough evaluation and discuss your preferences to develop a customized program with your anatomical needs, cosmetic goals, and personal preferences in mind.
Breast implants provide increase in size as well as a very minor lift of the breast, but in some cases the breast tissue hangs too low for implants to provide complete correction. In those cases, patients may require a breast lift—which is also referred to as a mastopexy. Not all surgeons will perform lift and augmentation at the same time. Dr. Zeff can evaluate your individual needs and explain the pros and cons of augmentation, lift, or both.
With the many advances in the design of breast implants over the years, patients have almost too many options when it comes to type, size, and shape. We offer both silicone gel and saline implants, and we personalize each breast augmentation consultation to help you determine the right choice for your specific needs and goals.
Our surgeon uses the most advanced augmentation methods so that patients can benefit from the most natural-looking results possible after breast surgery. An important influence on just how natural the results of breast augmentation will be is a phenomenon known as “capsular contracture.” It’s normal for the body to form a delicate fabric of scar tissue around breast implants. It’s much like the film of tissue one finds just inside an eggshell. However, in rare cases, this scar shrinks, making the breast augmentation more obvious. For some women this can be a desirable side effect, simulating the “wonderbra” lift.
Two types of breast implant materials are available: silicone and saline. Silicone breast implants have a silicone shell filled with a cohesive silicone gel. Saline implants also have a silicone shell, but they are filled with saline—a harmless saltwater substance. Although uncommon, wrinkling or rippling is a risk of breast implant surgery. Silicone gel-filled implants have a lower risk of rippling. The right choice for you will depend on many factors, particularly personal preference.
Breast implant size does not, as many people may think, correspond with cup sizes in bras. That said, we can help you determine how large your breast implants should be to achieve the look you’re after. It can also help to “stuff” a bra with a bag of rice to see how a certain size will look on you. Dr. Zeff feels that the absolute best way to determine the size you want is by trying on a wide variety of implant sizers, so you can have a more realistic visual of how each size will look on you. This is done at a preoperative appointment. The ultimate shape of your result is far more related to the inherent shape of your breast, enhanced from behind by the implant. We will provide additional details at your initial consultation.
Implants now come in a broad array of shapes designed to provide a more natural-looking result on women of all body types. Saline implants typically come in round, and they are also available in different profiles or projections. Silicone implants are available in round and teardrop, with a variety of profile options to suit your anatomy.
During the breast augmentation procedure, Dr. Zeff will make small incisions and insert either a saline implant or silicone gel implant into the desired location. While there are several possible incisions through which breast implants can be inserted, Dr. Zeff prefers the inframammary crease (beneath the breast). These incisions are very small and relatively subtle.
The implant is placed most often beneath the pectoralis (chest) muscles. Our surgeon and the patient decide together which location will ensure optimal breast augmentation results. At our practice, we work with each patient to provide personalized treatment and exceptional care.
Breast augmentation is performed as an outpatient procedure. There is post-operative discomfort for several days, but we have developed a protocol that has greatly reduced pain and allows for a much faster return to normal activities. Depending on the demands of your job, we usually recommend a week off for recuperation, potentially longer if your breast implant surgery is combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction or a tummy tuck.
While there are several options, Dr. Zeff feels that a small incision under the breast is best. Over time the scars are usually barely visible except on close examination. This also varies somewhat by individual.
When making the decision to undergo breast augmentation, choosing your surgeon is one of the most important keys to achieving a successful outcome. Dr. Zeff always recommends finding a board-certified plastic surgeon who is qualified and experienced in performing breast augmentation and other cosmetic breast surgeries. Memberships in prominent plastic surgery organizations, such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and The Aesthetic Society (formerly known as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or ASAPS), can be further indicators of surgical excellence and elite professional standing. For many patients, the final stage of choosing a surgeon comes down to meeting face-to-face. Dr. Zeff encourages patients to get to know the surgeons they are considering by asking a lot of questions, paying attention to the surgeon’s approach and demeanor, looking at before-and-after images of other breast augmentation patients, and evaluating their own personal level of comfort with the practice as a whole.
Dr. Zeff is among the leading plastic surgeons in the region and offers decades of experience in breast augmentation. Every surgery is fully customized to the unique needs of each patient, using a variety of techniques and breast implant types to achieve optimal results. When you choose Dr. Zeff for your procedure, you can expect artistry combined with compassion, transparency, and skill—his goal is to ensure your safety, comfort, and satisfaction at every stage of the process.
The cost of saline breast enlargement (breast augmentation) with saline implants is $7,500 at our practice. The cost using silicone implants is $8,000. These fees include surgeon, facility, anesthesia, and implant expenses. In unusual cases customization of the treatment plan may be necessary. Ptosis (droopiness of the breasts) for example, might require an entirely different procedure. Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure and therefore is not covered by insurance. If you would like to consider plastic surgery financing options, we work with several reputable agencies who offer appealing terms for qualified candidates.
We understand that you want to know as much as possible about a procedure before beginning. To help you in your research, Dr. Zeff has answered some of the most common questions about breast augmentation below. For additional details, please reach out to our office.
Dr. Zeff has performed plastic surgery, including breast augmentation, for over 30 years. He has performed well over a thousand breast implant surgeries. He uses his experience to help others better understand their options, and as part of that goal he routinely answers patient questions online at RealSelf.com. To see his responses about breast augmentation, follow the link below.
We look forward to hearing from you. Feel free to contact our plastic surgery center today if you are interested in learning more about breast augmentation surgery with breast implants. Our New Hampshire practice serves residents throughout Maine, Vermont, and the entire New England region.