Breast Augmentation Surgery Will Change Your Looks

Haute Beauty sat down with Dr. Paul F. Fortes to talk about Breast Augmentation Surgery and its benefits to your health and looks.

Haute Beauty: What is a Breast Augmentation

Dr. Fortes: A breast augmentation is a surgical operation that utilizes saline or silicone to add volume to the breasts. The patient’s desired breast size, as well as the patient’s existing breast tissue volume and shape, determine the goal size and shape for the augmentation surgery. 

The most popular placement of breast implants are in a sub-pectoral (under the muscle) plain, using a through incision in the breast fold. This placement results in a better tissue coverage of the implants, and has less risk of breast implant hardening or capsular contracture. 

HB: How is the procedure performed?

Dr. Fortes: Breast augmentation is most commonly performed under general anesthesia. The process generally takes between an hour and an hour and a half.

HB: Who is a good candidate for this procedure?

Dr. Fortes: Any healthy woman who wants fuller breasts is a solid candidate for a breast augmentation procedure. Additionally, women with asymmetries in their breasts, either in shape or volume, are good candidates in order to provide symmetry correction. Finally, women who desire more youthful breast shape and are planning on also undergoing breast lift surgery can combine a breast augmentation for improved results.

HB: How does this procedure compare to other breast enhancement procedures?

Dr. Fortes: The alternative to breast augmentation using breast implants is breast augmentation using fat grafting of the breasts. This involves harvesting fat through liposuction of another area of the body, processing the fat, and injecting the fat back into the breasts using grafting syringes and cannulas. 

Fat grafting results can often appear more natural than augmentation with implants, but there are limits to the volume that can be added with fat.

HB: What does the recovery process for breast augmentation look like?

Dr. Fortes: Breast augmentation recovery is fairly quick. Patients will use a type of sports bra for approximately six weeks, and perform self breast massages during that time. After about 5-7 days, patients can return to both driving and stationary jobs. 

Patients can begin light cardio workouts after 2-3 weeks, and full workouts after around 6-8 weeks. However, those with subpectoral breast implants should never partake in chest building exercises, as they can result in long term damage. After 6 weeks, patients can get fitted for new bras.