Breast Augmentation

During your consultation, Dr. Peña will closely listen to your concerns and personal cosmetic goals. You will be expected to share medical history information and tell him what specifically you hope to achieve through your breast augmentation. Then he will thoroughly examine your body and skin to determine whether you are a good candidate for a breast enlargement, or if a different procedure, like a breast lift, might be a better option.

View Julie’s breast augmentation testimonial

WHAT IS BREAST AUGMENTATION?

Dr. Peña specializes in breast augmentation cosmetic surgery and offers a range of breast implant options. As most breast augmentation patients are aware breast implants come in two types of materials: saline and silicone. Selecting the type, size and feel of the breast implant is an important decision. Dr. Manuel Peña offers a range of breast implant options to suit each woman’s aesthetic desires and anatomical needs. During your initial consultation Dr. Peña will listen and evaluate your goals to help you make an informed decision.

Reviewing before and after photos of patients with the different breast augmentation procedures can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of implant type, size, and placement. It is our goal to meet our patients’ breast augmentation goals and to create natural-looking results.

STEP 1 – SELECTION OF IMPLANT TYPE AND SIZE

At the cosmetic surgery practice of Manuel Peña, M.D., we help you select the type of implant and we offer various tools to help you choose your breast implant size. The type and your implant size are important because it will create the breasts you have always wanted. 3D imaging by Vectra allows you to see different cup sizes, as well as how you might look with a breast lift or other breast procedure both before and after.

Review the information below to gain a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the types of implants Dr. Peña offers. Breast implants have a long and varied history and have come a long way since the earliest days of silicone implants introduced in 1961. (To learn more about the FDA findings on Breast implants click here.)

Difference between saline and silicone

What Are Saline Breast Implants?

Saline breast implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution after they have been placed. This allows Dr. Peña to adjust volume accordingly and change breast implant size even after their insertion. Because they are flat when inserted, saline breast implants may also allow for a smaller incision. A disadvantage is that saline is not very viscous and may be more prone to ripple, wrinkle, and distort than silicone. This is especially true if you have very little or very thin tissues to cover the implant. The rippling is usually felt laterally or inferiorly.

When breast implant placement is above the muscles in the chest, saline implants may also look and feel less natural than other options. However, many of these issues are reduced by placing the implants sub-muscularly or sub-fascially.

What Are Silicone Breast Implants?

Silicone breast implants tend to produce a more natural feel, even when placed in the sub-glandular position. There are different thicknesses of the silicone gel found inside the implants. The most common is the 4th generation gel that mimics real breast tissue closely. A thicker gel is somewhere between the first gel and the so called “gummy bear” gel which are the thickest. These last two options are often chosen by patient’s preference but sometimes offer a benefit with certain breast shapes such as “constricted breasts” to get a better shape.

Silicone breast implants are filled prior to placement, which may require a larger incision. In order to minimize scar size, the Keller Funnel 2 is used with all silicone implant augmentations. Dr. Peña takes great care to ensure all breast implant incisions are hidden in the darker skin or natural folds of the breasts to help minimize post-operative scarring. In fact, when cared for properly, most scars will fade significantly within the first year.

What Are Form Stable Breast Implants?

Form stable breast implants, more commonly referred to as “Gummy Bear Implants,” offer a firmer breast contour. There are several ‘levels’ of cohesiveness offering different choices for the patients.
The advantages of form stable breast implants are:

• Less likely to ripple or wrinkle
• Long-lasting (in theory)
• Can be used to “reshape” constricted breasts

How long do breast implants last?

---

What Are Structured Breast Implants?

One of the newer implants that Dr. Peña offers is the FDA-approved IDEAL IMPLANT®. These next generation saline filled implants are called “Structured Breast Implants” which offers women breast augmentation results that look and feel natural without relying on silicone.

The IDEAL IMPLANT® has an internal structure comprised of a series of nested shells along with two chambers that hold saline. This unique structure allows for optimal regulation of saline movement, enabling better control of implant edges for a significantly reduced risk of wrinkling and folding – issues that may be common with other saline implants.

STEP 2 – SELECTION OF TYPE OF INCISION AND PLACEMENT

Dr. Peña advises his patients that the location of the incision is based on the type of implant you select, and your current breast condition. These are just some of the factors that will go into choosing the incision site.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your breasts, it may be time to contact board-certified Naples plastic surgeon Dr. Manuel Peña to discuss your surgical options. With over 30

After a thorough physical evaluation and discussion of your needs, Dr. Peña will present your options and let you know which type of incision he feels will give you optimal results. Remember that different plastic surgeons may have their personal preferences regarding the incision, but, ultimately, it is up to you to choose the incision type.

There are three primary incision sites used in breast enlargement:

• Periareolar incision is placed around the edges of the breast’s areola.
• Inframammary incision is placed in the crease directly below each breast.
• Transaxillary incision is placed in the armpit area.

While Dr. Peña performed thousands of augmentations using the periareolar approach (for 25 years) and the trans axillary approach for 3 years, he now recommends the inframammary incision since it has been shown have the lowest capsular contracture rate in a landmark scientific study, especially since capsular contracture or hardening is the most common and most frustrating problem after implant breast augmentation.

It is important to note that form stable breast implants do not compress and must be placed through a larger incision, often in the inframammary location.

Reviewing before and after photos of patients with the different breast augmentation incision types can help you understand the differences and see the varying degrees of scarring. It is our job to create results that look natural, and our incision recommendations will reflect the option we feel will be best for you.

STEP 3 – IMPLANT PLACEMENT

The next step is to decide upon the placement of the implants – above or below the muscles in the chest. These options allow Dr. Peña to fully personalize your breast augmentation procedure, helping ensure results that ideally complement your entire frame.

BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY AND RECOVERY

In most cases, breast augmentation takes one to two hours. Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and pain control medications may be prescribed for post-surgical pain. A sports bra will be worn for support during recovery. Your stitches will be removed in about a week, and swelling should subside within a few weeks. Most non-lifting jobs can be resumed within four to five days following the surgery. Dr. Peña will let you know when you can resume regular activities and exercise. The incision site scars will minimize substantially during the healing process. Remember to follow Dr. Peña’s post-operative instructions carefully to ensure a rapid and healthy recovery.

Have additional questions about breast augmentation? Review some of the typically asked questions and Dr. Peña’s answers in our breast augmentation blogs.

Dr. Peña offers open and honest information about what you can expect before, during, and after breast augmentation to make sure your procedure and recovery are as simple as possible.

To schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Peña, please call 239-348-7362 or contact us online today.