Breast augmentation surgery, also known as augmentation mammaplasty, is the surgical placement of breast implants to increase fullness and improve symmetry of the breasts, or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.
At the Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gregory Bland uses saline and silicone gel implants and the recently approved form – stable ‘Gummy Bear’ Silicone implant. When possible, Dr. Bland prefers placing saline implants partially under the pectoral muscle, as there are several advantages to this. Silicone implants can be placed partially submuscular, subfascial or subglandular depending on ones tissue characteristics.
While there are several possible incisions available, Dr. Bland prefers an incision in the natural crease below the breast (inframammary incision). However, the incision can also be placed in the areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple), or in the armpit (Axillary incision). Some discussion has been given on the belly button incision, however, this procedure has never been FDA approved and is not offered at the Center for Plastic Surgery in Colorado Springs.
The procedure is generally performed in the operating room of The Center for Plastic Surgery in about one and a half to tour hours with an IV sedation or General Anesthesia.
Before you decide to undergo breast augmentation, we suggest you do your homework and your research. A good source for information is the American Society For Plastic Surgeons.
The cost of breast augmentation will vary but a personal consultation will present you with options including finance options available with CareCredit.
It is important to remember that breast augmentation is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. The recovery period for breast augmentation is typically two weeks to resume aerobic type activities. As with all surgeries, there are risks, although rare, and may include a chance of infection, bleeding and breast asymmetry. Also, hardening of the breast, visible implants, and malpositioning have also been reported.
About the Center for Plastic Surgery: Dr. Bland holds two Doctorate degrees – a Doctorate in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) and Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.) from the prestigious University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). A prominent Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Bland is member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the prestigious American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.