Breast Augmentation Houston
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the United States. Breast augmentation in Houston is a popular option and can give women a more proportionate figure, helping them to feel more confident about their appearance.
There are two methods of breast augmentation: implant-based and fat-grafting. Choosing which method depends solely on the desired outcome of the patient, as each method has its advantages.
Patients elect to undergo breast enlargement for many different reasons, including but not limited to breast asymmetry, reduced breast size after pregnancy, or to correct a congenital defect.
Breast Augmentation Considerations
During your breast augmentation consultation with acclaimed board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Erika Sato, you will start with discussing your desired volume change, shape, and feel. With these goals in mind, you will choose either implant-based breast enhancement or fat-grafting augmentation. During this consultation, you will also be able to view before and after photos and ask questions.
View Breast Augmentation Gallery
Breast Implants
Many patients come in with a desire for large breast implants or small breast implants, but implant-based breast augmentation actually allows the patient a wide variety of choices. It is ideal for patients who desire significant volume change (greater than 1 cup size or more than 150 cc) and patients who do not have enough body fat to transfer.
The following are considerations when choosing the right breast implant for you:
- Implant material (silicone gel or saline breast implants)
- Implant size
- Implant shape (round or teardrop breast implants)
- Implant texture (smooth or textured implants)Implant projection (moderate plus profile, high profile, or ultra high profile)
- Implant position (above or below the pectoralis muscle)
- Implant incision method
Fat-Grafting to the Breast
Fat transfer to the breast is a process in which fat is removed from other areas of the body via liposuction and injected into the breasts. This form of natural breast enlargement is ideal for patients who desire a small volume change and only want enhancement using natural tissue. The maximum final volume increase from fat grafting is approximately one cup size (150 cc in each breast).
At your consultation, Dr. Sato will help you understand all of your options and will make recommendations that take your body type into consideration.
Breast Augmentation May Be Combined with a Breast Lift
Over time, the effects of gravity in combination with the loss of the skin’s natural elasticity take a toll on the appearance of a woman’s breast. Weight loss, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can also cause the breasts to lose their youthful shape and firmness.
A mastopexy (breast lift) is performed to return youthful shape and lift (including reduction in the size of the areola) to the sagging breast. A breast lift without implants creates perkier breasts without any sagging.
A breast lift can also be performed in combination with breast augmentation (implants or fat grafting) for more satisfying results. This procedure is called a breast augmentation with lift, or augmentation mastopexy.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
You may be a candidate for breast implants if you are healthy and over the age of 18. If you are pregnant or a new mother, you should not have a breast enlargement procedure until after you are no longer breastfeeding.
What Are the Different Types of Breast Implants?
Breast implants are silicone shells filled with either saline (salt water) or silicone gel. Both silicone breast implants and saline implants are safe, and each offers its own advantages.
Gummy bear implants are a newer type of silicone implant and are quite popular because of the advantages they offer over traditional silicone implants. They are also known as form-stable implants. When gummy bear implants experience a rupture, they maintain their shape quite well, and there is no leaking of the material, because they are filled with a denser gel.
We provide implants from a number of trusted manufacturers, including MENTOR® breast implants and Allergan® breast implants. Allergan’s NATRELLE® breast implants are form-stable gummy bear implants. We will help you decide which breast implant type is right for you as part of your consultation.
What Happens During Breast Augmentation?
Implant-Based
There is more than one technique for inserting breast implants. The incisions may be made under the fold of the breast, around the areola that surrounds the nipple, or under the arm. In all of these locations the scars are largely hidden.
The implants are placed under the tissue of the breast, either behind or in front of the chest muscles. As with the other features of a breast augmentation, the choice of technique is patient-specific.
The procedure takes 1-2 hours and can be performed under a local anesthetic and IV sedation in our in-office operating room or under general anesthesia in an ambulatory surgery center.
Fat Grafting
Standard liposuction is performed on body areas with excess fat (abdomen, love handles, etc.) The fat is processed and injected into the breasts via 2 small incisions along the infra-mammary fold. Approximately 30-50% of original injected fat volume is lost in the first 6 post-operative months. Results remain stable after this time point.
We are proud to be on the top recommended breast surgeons in Houston list by BreastHow.
What Can I Expect While Recovering from Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Patients will experience soreness for the first 24-48 hours following the surgery. Most women return to work 2-3 days after a breast augmentation.
There are no bandages after surgery. A soft bra will be worn for several weeks of breast augmentation recovery until the incisions have healed, which can take 4-6 weeks. Strenuous activities should be avoided until the incisions have healed.
The results of a breast augmentation are immediate, but the implants will continue to “settle” for a few months into their final position.
Breast Augmentation Cost
The price of a breast augmentation is dependent on breast implant cost, the length of the surgical session, and more. At our office, we offer financing through CareCredit, Alphaeon, and United Medical and will be happy to work with you regarding breast augmentation cost. Find out more during a consultation with Dr. Sato.
Learn More
Are you interested in breast augmentation in Houston? Contact Dr. Erika Sato today for a consultation so you can find the best breast implants for you.
