Procedure
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. Women seek this procedure to increase natural breast size or to improve breast shape after pregnancy or weight lose*. If you are interested in enhancing the size and shape of your breasts, please contact us at either our Downtown or Northside Indianapolis, Indiana locations and a member of our staff will gladly help you schedule a private consultation with Dr. Kimberly Short*.
About Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, clinically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that uses implants to provide enhancement to bust size and contour. At The Gillian Institute, we offer a variety of implant types to choose from, and upon evaluation, Dr. Short can help recommend which implant will best meet your aesthetic goals*. This procedure includes a myriad of surgical options regarding the type of implant, placement in reference to the muscle, shape, and size, and incision technique.
For many women, undergoing a breast augmentation has led to an improvement in their self-confidence and a stronger sense of pride in their overall appearance*. If you are interested in obtaining more information about the breast augmentation procedure, please contact our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Short. She brings her feminine touch to every procedure. You will receive a link to view a video explaining your options regarding breast augmentation.
Quick Facts
Implant Type: Silicone or Saline
Implant Placement: Subpectoral (Variation-Subfascial or Dual Plane) OR Subglandular
Implant Incision: Inframammary Breast Crease (IMC) OR Periareolar (PA) OR Transaxillary (TAX)
Implant Size: A/B/C/D/D+ Ranges (At the preoperative appointment, you will have the opportunity to view a selection of pictures to help you determine the size you prefer.
Breast Measurements
To ensure that you receive very natural results, Dr. Short will take breast measurements during the consultation to help determine the appropriate implant profile to fit your particular figure*. The breast measurements and examination of the breast anatomy in combination with visual examples of your desired outcome will aid Dr. Short in surgery.
There are many options in implant profile in either saline or silicone. For example, Moderate Profile (MP), Moderate Profile Plus (M+), High Profile (HP), Ultrahigh Profile (UHP), Moderate Plus Profile Xtra and High Profile Xtra. Each profile has pre-determined standard measurements for the implant width and projection. The MP implant has the most width, and least amount of projection and the UHP implant has the most narrow width and the highest projection. For example, a patient who has a very narrow chest diameter is able to achieve a Full C or Low D cup appearance by using a HP or UHP profile implant. An appropriately selected implant will achieve optimal cleavage, an increase in breast volume and projection without excessive lateral (side) fullness or artificial and exaggerated upper pole fullness*.
Implant Shape and Texture
For some patients with minimal breast tissue, a textured tear drop shaped implant may reflect a more natural slope of the breast, especially in the upper pole*. These implants require texturing which stabilizes the implant to maintain the position in the breast pocket. The texture component makes the shell thicker which makes the implant feel slightly more firm after surgery*.
The smooth, round surface makes the implant feel softer when placed*. Both silicone and saline implants can still achieve a natural contour, especially when placed under the muscle*. However, the silicone FEELS more natural*.
Breast Implant Placement
For the placement of each implant, a small incision may be made under the breast crease (inframammary crease or IMC), around the edge of the areola (periareolar or PA), or in the axilla/armpit (transaxillary). Dr. Short usually prefers to insert the implants through an incision in the inframammary crease for the best visual access and most sterile to make the implant pocket. This decreases the risk of contracture, which is higher with the other two incisions.
Once the incisions are made, Dr. Short can place the implant in a few different positions within the breast. These include under the muscle (subpectoral), under the fascia (subfascial), partially under the muscle (dual plane), or above the muscle (subglandular). During the initial consultation, the doctor will determine the proper placement of the implant based on your pre-existing breast tissue, breast skin envelope characteristics, and anatomy.
Dr. Short will recommend the best implant size for your body by taking breast measurements, in addition to performing a physical examination. Dr. Short also reviews visual pictures selected by you to determine the desired shape, volume, cleavage, and other breast characteristics desired after surgery.Dr. Short utilizes a special sizing technique during the surgical procedure that is based on the information gathered during the consultation. She uses implant “sizers” to simulate what the implant will look like and evaluates the implant size and appearance while you are placed in an upright sitting position to make sure the size and placement are perfect. Based on the aesthetic that is provided from the implant sizer, the doctor will select the final implant choice for the procedure.
We are fortunate to have so many implant types today. This allows Dr. Short to find the very best implant for each patient without limitations in implant availability.
Candidates
Ideal candidates for a breast augmentation are women who are looking to enhance the size and shape of their breasts with implants*. You may be seeking this procedure for cosmetic enhancement or to correct volume loss after pregnancy or weight loss*. Regardless of the reason, a breast augmentation may be right for you if you are in good health and have realistic expectations. It is vital that you do not have any underlying health conditions that can pose a risk to successful recovery. Patients with more natural breast tissue have less chance for visible wrinkling*. Patients must stop smoking two weeks before the procedure to minimize the risk of poor healing of the incisions which can lead to infection and loss of the implant*. Breastfeeding must be completed several months before surgery and it should no longer be possible to express milk. This can increase the possibility for contracture*.
Patients with loose or stretched breast skin may need to consider a breastlift with the augmentation to get a ‘perky” uplifted look*.
When Should I Consider Breast Enlargement?
- Smaller than desired breasts
- Improvement with breast asymmetry
- Correction of Poland’s Syndrome (underdevelopment of one breast)
- Loss of fullness following pregnancy or breastfeeding or weight loss
- Loss of volume in the upper portion of the breast
What Can I Expect?*
- Larger, more shapely breasts
- More full, youthful appearance of the breasts
- Breast symmetry improvements
- Clothes fit better
Our different breast implants options can not only enhance your breast size but also improve the shape*. Whether you prefer a more round and firm look to the breast or a relaxed and more natural look, Dr. Short can help you achieve your goals*. Placing the implant under your pectoralis major muscle (a subpectoral approach) will decrease the upper breast fullness giving a more natural slope*. Depending on the particular look and contour that you are looking to achieve, one type of implant may be better suited than another. This is why the measurements are such a crucial part of the breast augmentation process. Any additional expectations will be discussed with you by the doctor during your first visit.
*results may vary
Is Breast Augmentation with Implants Safe?
Silicone and saline implants are FDA approved. Silicone or cohesive gel implants, in particular, are the most “studied device” in the history of the FDA. Silicone gel-filled implants are advantageous to some patients because they offer a softer feeling implant and can provide a more natural appearance*. For patients who do not have ample breast tissue for good coverage of an implant, silicone implants achieve a more natural upper pole appearance and offer a softer “feel,” resembling the feel of natural breast tissue*. Silicone gel implants feature a cohesive silicone gel, not a liquid or semi-liquid, allowing the substance to hold together uniformly. This physical property allows the silicone to remain intact even after an event that might cause a rupture to the shell of the implant.
The silicone gel does not leak out even when the implant is cut to simulate a rupture and squeezed to force the gel out. The interior gel actually “snaps” back into the shell when you stop squeezing. In comparison, saline implants are filled with salt water. Therefore, in the event of a ruptured implant, the body will safely absorb the saline solution into the body. One implant type is not better than the other; it merely depends on your particular anatomy and goals. Dr. Short will help you to choose the best implant.
The Day of Surgery
The breast augmentation procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. The procedure takes approximately 1-2 hours. After Dr. Short places your “marks”, you will walk to the surgery room where one of our Board-certified anesthesiologist will administer the general anesthetic to ensure your utmost comfort throughout the procedure*. Our small group of anesthesiologists at the Gillian Institute have been chosen for their excellent ability with outpatient surgeries*. Patients rarely experience nausea and typically wake up smoothly and comfortable*. Our anesthesiologists belong to a large group that works at St. Vincent Hospital. Dr. Short uses the Keller Funnel to place the implants in the pocket. This is a no-touch technique that decreases trauma to the skin edges compared to trying to push the implant inside as in the past*. This also decreases the chance of any kind of contamination which lowers the risk of contracture*. Finally, the Keller funnel allows a smaller incision to be made for placement of the breast implant.
After Dr. Short sits you up to evaluate the implants in an upright position and makes final adjustments to achieve the desired aesthetic result, she will close the incisions and place steri-strips*.
During every breast augmentation Dr. Short performs, she skillfully dissects the breast muscle in a way that maintains function for the breast after surgery*. Naturally, in the sub pectoral approach, when the muscle that lies over the implant is flexed, there is visible movement of the implant. Slightly releasing a portion of the muscle does not affect its function, but instead allows the muscles to move without pulling so much on the breast implants*. Through her technique, Dr. Short can provide less movement of the implant with flexion of the muscle allowing an even more natural looking result*. In addition, Dr. Short carefully locates the nerve that provides sensation to the nipple to maintain its integrity and preserve sensation*.
After Surgery
You will return home a few hours after your procedure. Dr. Short recommends that you wait 72 hours to shower thoroughly. The compression garment should be worn for several weeks following your procedure to help reduce swelling and bruising. Although scarring is minimal and will fade over the next 6-12 months, scar treatment options are available to you at your two-week post-op appointment*. This procedure does not eliminate the ability to breastfeed in the future*. You can resume light activities after about two weeks. However, higher impact activities should be avoided for 4-6 weeks.
At The Gillian Institute, we recommend that you begin to massage the breasts three days after surgery. Massaging the breasts will aid in the settling of the implants, decrease the swelling, and increase the softness of the implants*. It will also reduce the risk of a breast capsular contracture (scar tissue formation around the breast implant)*. Our technique and postoperative instructions yield a low risk of a capsular contracture*.
You will be encouraged to continue the breast massage techniques continuously for six weeks. Although it will take several months for your implants to completely “settle” in the breast pocket and achieve the final appearance, most patients love their results right away*. Even if the look is, at first, more tight and round, the skin and muscle relax to accommodate the new implant and this allow patients to feel comfortable and “like it is part of me”*.
Note: It is important to address any concerns with The Gillian Institute at the time of your consultation. There is some risk, as with any surgical procedure. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual. Our goal is to explain the procedure, limitations, and potential complications in detail, and exceed your expectations!
Cost
The cost of your breast augmentation will vary depending on the type of implant used and if any additional procedures are performed, such as a breast lift. During your initial consultation with Dr. Short, she will work with you to build a treatment plan tailored to your exact needs and expectations. Through this plan, she will be able to provide you with an accurate price quote for your breast augmentation procedure. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!