A breast augmentation is a surgical procedure performed to enhance the size, shape and or positioning of one’s breasts. This procedure involves inserting an implant behind each breast to increase the bust size by one or more bra cup sizes. Prospective patients should know not to expect perfection, per se, but to most definitely expect improvement.

Dr. BYUN’s Compression Test For Breast Augmentation

What Makes Leading Plastic Surgeon Dr. BYUN’s Incision and Implant Placement Technique Different?

Dr. BYUN wants the outcome of breast augmentation surgery to look natural, not artificial. He uses three sites for incisions: the axillary, the areola, and the inframammary fold. All three incisions sites are chosen in order to result in minimal scarring. Between the breast tissue and the skin is a pocket where the implant will be placed. The implant itself will be inserted either behind the breast tissue or the muscle of the chest wall, though Dr. BYUN often opts to inserts the implants beneath the muscle because he believes it makes the look breasts more youthful and natural. The implants are then centered beneath the nipples to conclude the surgical procedure.

Breast Augmentation Procedure

We have provided a sample copy of an Operative Report. The procedure is subject to change per the patients needs.

ANESTHESIA: GENERAL

OPERATIVE PROCEDURE

After induction of general anesthesia the patient will be prepped and draped in the usual sterile fashion. Often an incision of less than one inch is made underneath the breast, just above the crease, where it is usually inconspicuous. Another possible location for the incision is around the lower edge of the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple). A third alternative is to make a small incision within the armpit. Once the incision is made, Dr. BYUN will create a pocket into which the implant will be inserted. This pocket is made underneath the pectoral muscle which is located between the breast tissue and chest wall.

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Breast Augmentation Recovery

Right after surgery you will need to refrain from heavy lifting and straining your chest or arms by pushing or pulling heavy objects. You should not lift your arms above your shoulders prior to your first per-operative visit. At your first visit, Dr. BYUN will determine which activities you will be allowed to resume. Everyone heals at a different pace, and asymmetry and swelling are part of the healing process.

Keep all bandages, dressings, and tapes intact for 48 hours. This time is crucial in creating the desired results. After 48 hours you may take your first shower. Remove and discard external bandages not applied directly to the skin (ace wraps and gauze) and do not replace. Do not remove the Micro-foam sponge tape that supports the breasts. You must wait until your first follow-up appointment with Dr. Byun where he will further instruct you. Also, as stated before, do not remove any bandages/tapes that are applied directly to the skin to cover incisions. If any tape or part of the tape loses adhesiveness, it is acceptable to trim the edges. Do not remove tape completely. Cleanse any uncovered incisions 3-4 times a day using clean gauze soaked in saline water (found at your local pharmacy) and follow the instructions from the first page about showering and cleansing incisions.

It is not uncommon if you experience discomfort for several weeks after surgery, especially while you open doors and pull or push objects. This is all normal. Expect asymmetry, size differences, and folds at different levels. All of these concerns will be addressed by Dr. BYUN at the follow up appointments in the weeks to come. 

You must take a shower prior to and on the same day as each follow up appointment to clean the incisions and prepare them for suture removal.

How To Maintain Best Breast Implant Results

Most patients feel soreness and pain for several days following surgery. 48 hours after surgery, gauze dressings may be removed, and and you may shower. Ten days after the conclusion of surgery, Dr. Byun will conduct a follow-up appointment, where he will remove sutures and inform you of massage techniques to perform at home to expedite the recovery process. Dr. BYUN recommends purchasing a sports bra with a zipper in front to wear for the weeks of healing. Swelling may need three to five weeks in order to fully dissipate. Though you may return to work in about three to four weeks, excessive work or lifting should be avoided for a few months.

Breast Augmentation FAQs

How Do I Decide Which Implant Is Right For Me?

Hundreds of thousands of women in America choose breast augmentation surgery each year, and its popularity continues to steadily increase. Plastic surgeons have responded to the demand with a variety of new options and innovations, including new choices for implants. It is important to remember that implants are not one-size-fits-all. There is a wide range of sizes and shapes to match your individual body type and your own expectations. The key to choosing the right material, shape, and size for your procedure is to share your goals with your surgeon. Ask plenty of questions, review your surgeon’s before-and-after albums to help visualize in your mind, or practice with bras to see how you would like to look after your breast augmentation.

How Will The Feel And Firmness Of My Breasts Change?

Silicone gel implants provide the most natural feel. However, Dr. BYUN may achieve a similar consistency with saline implants by inserting them behind the chest muscle and stretching the implant shell by filling it with additional saline. Implants will add strength and firmness to your breasts, which may actually help them resist sagging. But, the extra weight of a large implant can increase the likelihood of sagging as the body ages and skin loses elasticity.

What Is The Difference Between Breast Augmentation And Breast Lift?

Breast lift focuses on restoring a youthful profile to the upper body by raising the breasts and reversing sagging. By elevating the position of the breasts on the chest, the procedure can create the appearance of larger volume, even though a small amount of tissue is normally removed during the surgery. In addition, by improving symmetry and restoring a “perky” look by returning low or downward-pointing nipples to a natural appearance, breast lifts create a profile that is more dramatic in its projection, shape, and proportion.

Can Breast Augmentation Be Performed In Conjunction With Other Procedures?

Yes, this is commonly done, especially as an element of a suite of surgical procedures known as a mommy makeover. These procedures target the changes the body often undergoes as a result of pregnancy. A mommy makeover may also include liposuction to shrink specific areas of stubborn fat, a tummy tuck to repair the abdominal wall and remove excess folds of skin, and a breast lift, as described above.

What Should I Expect With Swelling?

Pain, soreness and swelling are the natural result when an implant is inserted into a sensitive area of your body, especially if it has been placed beneath chest muscles. Swelling crests within 48 hours, but won’t completely subside for months. Because of swelling, your breasts will appear elevated on your chest; it will take time for them to drop into their final position.

One of the best ways to manage swelling is to give your body time and space to recover fully and efficiently. Avoid physical stresses that tax the muscles, ligaments, and skin that are attempting to heal. Walking, however, is recommended as a practical way to reduce your risk of developing a blood clot. Walking and increasing fluid consumption help reduce swelling of the breasts, as well.