Tag Archives: Breast Augmentation

Can Breast Augmentation Improve Sagging Breasts?

Breast Augmentation in San Diego, CA Breast augmentation is one of the first choices for patients looking to enhance the breasts. However, it is important to note that the breast augmentation procedure can’t improve sagging breasts. In fact, in some cases, breast augmentation may actually worsen breast sagging! Below, we’ll explain why breast augmentation doesn’t work for sagging breasts, and what the best solution might be.

Why Breast Augmentation Won’t Work

Many patients assume that by adding volume to the breasts via breast augmentation that the breast implants will fill out the volume in the breasts and eliminate any sagging. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. This is because breast sagging is primarily a result of stretching skin and a loss of skin elasticity – not so much a loss of breast volume. When breast implants are placed in the breast, it may slightly disguise the appearance of sagging breasts, but it will not correct the issues with skin elasticity that cause breast sagging in the first place. In fact, the extra weight of breast implants may actually cause the breasts to sag more as gravity pulls the skin downward.

An Exception: Minor Breast Sagging

For patients with a very minor amount of sagging in the breasts, breast implants may be sufficient in correcting the sagging and restoring a youthful look to the breasts. The key indicator here is the position of the nipple in relation to the breast crease. If, when the breast is resting naturally, the nipple is positioned parallel or above the breast crease, you are experiencing minor breast sagging (ptosis) and it can be corrected with breast implants. If your nipple is positioned below the breast crease, the sagging is too severe to be corrected with breast implants.

An Effective Solution: Breast Lift Surgery

Fortunately, there is an effective solution for patients with any level of breast sagging. The breast lift procedure corrects breast sagging by trimming and tightening excess skin on the breasts, lifting them to a more youthful position and giving them a firmer, shapelier look. This enables patients to correct the issues that are responsible for sagging breasts, without the risk of worsening skin laxity. Additionally, patients who receive a breast lift also enjoy the benefits of perkier breasts, which may give the appearance of a fuller bust without requiring implants.

If you desire enhanced breast size in addition to these benefits, you can also combine your breast lift procedure with a traditional breast augmentation for comprehensive breast enhancement. In these cases, a breast lift can be combined in unison with a breast augmentation to deliver your desired results in a single procedure. If you are considering a breast lift, breast augmentation or a combination of the two, contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Pollack and get started with treatment.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

Breast Augmentation in San Diego, CA Many patients are drawn to the breast augmentation procedure because of the appeal of life-long breast enhancements. However, the belief that these procedures can produce life-long results may be incorrect. Although breast implants are designed to last a lifetime, the truth is, many of them are replaced at some point. In reality, breast implants are replaced after about 15 years. Don’t worry, this isn’t a firm rule because of the breast implants themselves – it’s more a preference of the patient who has them. Below, we’ll break down what you need to know about how long breast implants last.

10 to 20+ Years

There’s a false belief that breast implants last only 10 years, which is an estimate made with outdated information and a breast implant manufacturing process that is no longer accurate. Today, breast implants are carefully engineered to last decades, even in the event of a rupture. This means that today’s breast implants are much safer than they used to be, and patients don’t necessarily need to worry about replacing their implants during their lifetime.

… Until They Get Removed or Replaced

That being said, many patients choose to replace or remove their implants at some point in their life. This can happen for a number of reasons. For starters, patients may choose to remove their breast implants if they’re no longer happy with the size of their implants. These patients may choose to go back to their natural breast size, or they may choose to replace them with new implants that are better aligned with their cosmetic goals. In either case, the implants are simply removed as a matter of personal preference, but not due to any sort of expiration of the implants themselves.

In some cases, though, there may be an issue with the breast implant that requires them to be removed and/or replaced. For example, if there is some sort of complication with the implant, such as a rupture, hardening or a shift in positioning, the implant will need to be removed for both cosmetic and health reasons. In these cases, the patient then has the option to permanently remove the implants or replace them with new ones.

Breast Implant Removal/Replacement

For patients who require breast implant removal or replacement, the procedure is not unlike the initial breast augmentation surgery. An incision will be made in the breasts in order to access and remove the implants, and in many cases, the incision location that was used for your initial surgery can be used again to prevent any additional scarring. Keep in mind that breast implant replacement will require a slightly longer surgery, and may lengthen the recovery process following your treatment.

If you are seeking breast implant removal or replacement, contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Pollack.

How Soon After Pregnancy Can I Get a Breast Augmentation?

Breast Augmentation in San Diego, CA Breast surgery is a popular option for women who have completed pregnancy, as it is one of the most beneficial times to receive these procedures. The benefits of these treatments are so great that patients are often quite eager to get started once they complete their pregnancy. If you are considering a breast augmentation after pregnancy, consider the following questions to determine if it’s the right time for you to get started!

Are You Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding offers many benefits to both newborn and mother. For all parties involved, this process is so important that you don’t want a breast surgery to interfere. We recommend that patients wait between three and six months after they finish breastfeeding to pursue a breast augmentation. This is because the breasts are regularly lactating during the breastfeeding period, and even for a few months after breastfeeding is completed. Waiting three to six months allows the lactation activity to settle before surgery.

If you’re not breastfeeding, you will still want to wait at least three months after your pregnancy. There are two reasons for this. First, just like breastfeeding mothers, your breasts will undergo a natural lactating process. If you do not breastfeed, this process will stop and allow the breasts to return to normal within a few months. The second reason is that childbirth is incredibly taxing – taking three months after childbirth will allow your body to recover to a point where it is safe to receive a surgery.

Are You At Your Ideal Weight?

It is common for women to experience significant changes in weight immediately before and after their pregnancy. If your weight is still changing, you don’t want to schedule a breast augmentation just yet. This is because a large part of the breast augmentation process is selecting a breast size that best complements your proportions. If you are not at your ideal weight, and you continue to lose weight after receiving breast implants, you may no longer be satisfied with the breast implants you’ve chosen. Getting as close as possible to your ideal weight will ensure that your results are as predictable and rewarding as possible.

By answering these questions, you should be able to tell pretty quickly if it is an appropriate time for you to be considering a breast augmentation. If you’d like to learn more about the procedure or begin planning your treatment, contact us today at Pollack Plastic Surgery.

Everything You Asked About Breast Augmentation

Your breasts aren’t just another part of your body. They symbolize fertility, youth, sensuality and confidence. Many women who were born with a smaller chest consider getting breast implants to enhance their natural features. When it comes to any plastic surgery, our patients are bound to have questions. We wanted to answer some of our patients’ most pressing questions about breast augmentation, so you don’t have to.

What are all the benefits of breast augmentation?

The biggest and most obvious benefit of breast augmentation is the enhancement of the overall size of the breast. However, we like to emphasize that you get to choose your preferred size and shape breast implants for the breasts you’ve always dreamed of. With the help of Dr. Pollack, you can choose the size, projection and shape of your breast implants to produce your ultimate results.

Is it true breast augmentation can cause cancer?

According to the most up-to-date research done by the Mayo Clinic, women who get textured implants have a minimally heightened risk of developing a very rare lymphatic cancer, however, researchers aren’t sure why or how. This type of rare cancer is extremely difficult to develop in the body, and risks associated with breast augmentation are minimal, if any at all. It’s important to keep in mind that there are risks associated with all types of surgeries, not just cosmetic and elective procedures.

What is the right age for breast augmentation?

While there is no right age for breast augmentation, the FDA does not approve patients under the age of 18 to get saline breast implants or patients under the age of 22 to receive silicone breast implants. Dr. Pollack and his team strongly recommend waiting until your body is fully developed before considering breast augmentation to ensure your results stay consistent post-surgery.

Is breast augmentation very painful?

Realistically, no, breast augmentation isn’t very painful. While there will be some swelling, bruising and general discomfort around your breasts following surgery, Dr. Pollack will provide you with prescription medications to help you manage your pain and detailed post-care instructions to ensure you have a swift and easy recovery.

Is breast augmentation a one-time procedure?

While breast implants do last for years in the body, it’s important to check in with Dr. Pollack after about 10 years to check the status of your breast implants and ensure they are still holding strong within your system. After about 10 years following surgery, risk of a leak or rupture increases. We encourage you to consider replacing your breast implants with brand new ones at Dr. Pollack’s discretion.

If you still have questions about your breast augmentation, feel free to contact us at your convenience and schedule a private consultation with Dr. Pollack. He’ll sit down with you, listen to your concerns, educate you about your procedure and develop a fully personalized treatment plan for you to help you reach your aesthetic goals.

Contact Us

Pollack Plastic Surgery

3720 Fourth Avenue
San Diego CA 92103

Tel: (619)639-7999