Breast Augmentation in Dallas and Plano

What are the Different Types of Breast Implants?

There are 3 different types of breast implants you could get in Dallas, Southlake, or Plano:

1. Silicone Breast Implants – Our plastic surgeons use silicone “gummy bear” breast implants to give the most natural look and feel to your breast implants. The term “gummy bear” refers to the new technology that cross-links the silicone molecules of the implants. This technology causes the internal structure of the implant to hold its shape and not leak in the event of rupture. This is a critical safety feature that sets today’s silicone implants apart from the silicone implants of the past.
2. Saline Breast Implants – Saline breast implants are filled with salt water (aka “saline”). The saltwater inside is a safety feature. It means that in the unlikely event of rupture, the body will absorb the saltwater and the patient will pee it out. An additional bonus to saline implants is that they are less expensive. The downside to saline implants is that they do tend to feel more firm and less like natural breast tissue.

1. Structured Breast Implants – The structured breast implant is an implant produced by Ideal that is filled with saline but has multiple shells instead of just the one in a traditional saline breast implant. This allows it to have a softer feel than the traditional saline breast implant. The implant also has two separate saline chambers, allowing for some maintenance of shape if one were to rupture.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BREAST IMPLANTS

What are the Different Shapes of Breast Implants

When getting breast implant surgery, you have two primary options for shape:

1. Round Implants – Round implants are by far the most popular breast implants as their round shape creates fullness in the top of the breast. This allows for very attractive cleavage and also helps patients who have lost volume in this area from pregnancy or weight loss to regain this youthful look to the breast.
2. Teardrop Shaped Implants – Teardrop shaped implants are designed to give less fullness at the top and more fullness at the bottom of the breast, just as a natural breast would have. Shaped implants are most beneficial for patients that don’t have much shape to their breasts to begin with who want to minimize the fullness of their breasts at the top.

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(Actual Patient)

What is Breast Implant Cohesivity?

Breast implant cohesivity refers to how much the silicone molecules are cross linked in a breast implant. The higher the cohesivity of the breast implant, the more the implant will want to maintain it’s shape. This means that for highly cohesive breast implants that when a patient stands up and gravity wants to pull the weight of the implant down, the breast implant will retain more of it’s shape, causing the appearance of more fullness at the top of the breast.

Highly cohesive silicone breast implants will have a more firm feel than regular silicone breast implants, and typically will cost a little bit more. During your consultation with our plastic surgeons, you will have the opportunity to see and feel silicone implants of different cohesivity so that you can pick the perfect implant for you.

Will the Breast Implants be Placed Over or Under the Muscle?

Breast implants can be placed either above or under the pectoralis muscle. The advantages to placing the implants under the pectoralis muscle are as follows:

1. The pectoralis muscle camouflages the edges of the implants. This causes the breasts to look more natural.
2. The pectoralis muscle provides an additional layer of padding over the implant which means that the implants will feel softer, and you will be less likely to be able to feel the edges of the implants.
3. The additional covering also means that the implants are less likely to ripple. This can be very important in patients with very little natural breast tissue.
4. The pectoralis muscle provides a protective benefit against scar tissue build up around the implant, a process known as capsular contracture, which means that the implants are more likely to stay soft over the long term.
5. The pectoralis muscle also helps take some of the weight off the skin of the implants, which means that the breasts will stay higher, longer.

In select cases, the implants can be placed in front of the pectoralis muscle. This is a great option for patients who are body builders or power weight lifters who want to maintain 100% natural integrity to the pectoralis muscle. It is also beneficial in breast revision patients who have complications of excessive movement of the pectoralis after a prior boob job.

What If I Don’t Want Implants? Is Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer an Option?

For patients who do not want implants, breast augmentation with fat can be a great option. Our plastic surgeons can liposuction unwanted fat from another part of the body and transfer it to the breast to increase the breast size. This method has the advantage of creating a permanent increase in size without the worry of having to change the implants down the line and without the worry of implant rupture.

There are some limitations to a fat transfer.

1. The patient must have enough extra donor fat to contribute to the augmentation. As a result, patients who are very thin or struggle gaining weight may not be ideal candidates.
2. In order to survive, the fat that is transferred is dependent on the fat that is already existing in the breast to provide it with oxygen and nutrients. As a result, the amount of fat that can be transferred is dependent upon the amount of fat that is already present in the breast. Thus, patients with larger breasts can receive a larger increase in size, while patients who have very little breast tissue to start with should expect a much more modest size increase.

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Can a Breast Lift be Performed at the Same Time as Breast Augmentation?

Our plastic surgeons can often combine a breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, with your implants or fat. This combination is commonly performed in patients who have loose skin in the breast after pregnancy or weight loss.

Patients who require a breast lift as part of their boob job typically have their nipples sitting at or below their natural breast fold or have significant breast volume below their natural breast fold. At your consultation, our plastic surgeons will examine you and determine if a lift is required or if a implant surgery can be performed without a lift.

How Do I Know What Size Breast Implant to Choose?

Breast implant size is a critical decision in a Dallas breast augmentation surgery. While many surgeons insist on choosing the breast implant size for patients, It is our belief that patients should have the right to choose their breast implant size. The plastic surgeons at North Texas Plastic Surgery have developed a multi-step sizing system that empowers women to take control of the breast implant sizing process. The system is as follows:

1. Patients are encouraged to bring wish pictures of breasts that they find attractive. Taste in breasts is like taste in every other aspect of our lives, it is very individual. Some patients prefer round high breasts, some prefer a more natural slope. Some prefer a large size relative to the rib cage or waist, while some prefer to keep people guessing about whether their breasts have implants or are 100% natural. Sharing photos with your plastic surgeon is critical to help convey your vision.
2. After reviewing wish pictures, patients will try on breast implant sizers so that they can visualize what a certain size implant will look like on them in a bra or in their clothing or choice. Trying on the sizers also gives patients a chance to feel the weight of the breast implant size that they are selecting as well.
3. 3-dimensional simulations will then be created of what a patient will look like after the augmentation with various implant sizes using our Crisalix 3-dimensional imager. This is a great way for you to see how others will see you after the breast augmentation.
4. Our plastic surgeons will email you these 3-dimensional images so that you can share them with your significant other so that you have time to think about it and can solicit the input of loved ones or trusted advisors.
5. At your pre-operative visit, you will have the opportunity to try the sizes on again, so that you can feel 100% confident in your selection prior to surgery.

Using our proven breast implant sizing method, you should be confident that you will have the perfect size after your Dallas breast augmentation.

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Can I See What I Will Look Like Before My Implant Surgery?

Using the 3-Dimensional Crisalix imaging system, our plastic surgeons can show you what you will look like with various breast implant sizes, so that you can feel confident in the implant that you choose. For patients that are having a Virtual Consultation, our 3-dimensional imaging system can actually scan your breasts from home so you can see the new you without ever leaving the house!

(Actual Patient)

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Preparing For Your Breast Augmentation Procedure

Prior to your breast implant surgery, you will need to be smoke-free, nicotine-free, vape-free, marijuana-free, and recreational drug-free for 4 weeks. At your consultation, our team will review all of your medicines and any supplements that you are taking for potential interactions with anesthesia or wound healing. Any that might cause a problem will be discontinued.

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The Breast Enlargement Procedure

On the day of your procedure, you’ll meet with your surgeon again to review the process and discuss any questions you might have.  Your surgery will be performed in our fully accredited AAAASF office-based surgical facility.

Breast augmentations in Dallas are performed under general anesthesia, which means you will be totally asleep and will not feel a thing during the surgery. North Texas Plastic Surgery has a fantastic anesthesia team that works full time with aesthetic surgery patients, so they know exactly what to do to keep you comfortable throughout.  Once the surgery is complete, your breasts will be placed in a surgical support bra. Finally, you’ll be moved to a recovery room while you awaken from the anesthesia.

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After Your Breast Augmentation Surgery

The surgery is an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home on the same day, after a short recovery period. You’ll need to have someone drive you home, and you may need help doing certain things for the first 24 hours. Most people experience only minimal discomfort afterward, and while you may need some pain medication—and plenty of rest—for the first day or two, you’ll likely be back to normal the day after the boob job. Many patients find they are comfortable enough to go to dinner the same night as their breast enhancement. Most patients are able to return to non-physical jobs within 2 days of surgery, and can return to the gym for certain cardiovascular workouts 3 weeks post surgery. Return to weight lifting and yoga is recommended at 6 weeks post-surgery.

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How Often Do I Have to Change My Breast Implants?

(Actual Patient)

While breast implants should not be considered lifetime devices, there is no regular interval at which they must be changed.  If you are happy with the results of your augmentation there is no need to change your breast implants.

Oftentimes, though breast implants themselves may be functioning perfectly, pregnancies, weight fluctuations, or the aging process can cause aesthetic changes in the breasts that may lead a patient to desire a change in implants. In fact, these life changes are a more common reason for breast implant exchange than is breast implant rupture.

Breast implants are very durable. In fact, two of the leading breast implant manufacturers, Allergan and Mentor provide 10-year warranties on their breast implants. Sientra takes it a step further and backs its implants with an industry-leading 20-year warranty!

Safety and Longevity After Breast Augmentation Surgery

However, it’s important to note that silicone implants in particular are one of the best-studied medical devices. Wide-ranging studies have shown that these implants are safe and effective, with a low risk of complications. There are no known long-term health effects. Augmentation comes with breast implant warranties from each manufacturer, which includes at least a 10-year limited warranty, and in some cases a 20-year warranty.

Breast implants do not need to be changed over any specific time period.  If you are happy with the results and feeling well, there is no need to change the implants.  Often people will change their breast implants over time as pregnancy, weight fluctuations or the natural aging process cause the appearance of the breasts to change.

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Our Breast Augmentation Surgeons in Dallas Can Help You Look and Feel Your Best

Our team at North Texas Plastic Surgery performs thousands of breast augmentations in Dallas a year using the most advanced technology and techniques. Our surgeons empower women to choose the implant that is best fits their unique vision for their bodies and ensure that they will make the perfect decision using advanced 3-dimensional imaging technology.

Are you ready to see how breast augmentation can enhance your look and help you feel your best? If you’re in the Dallas area, contact us now for a consultation in either our Dallas, Southlake, Fort Worth, or Plano, TX offices.

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