Breast Augmentation

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that Dr. Sasaki performs for women who would like to increase the size of their breasts.

You might want to increase the size of naturally small breasts or balance uneven breast size and shape. Restoring volume after giving birth, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss are also common motivations.

You could be a suitable candidate if you're in good health and have realistic expectations about how breast augmentation will affect your life.

What happens at my breast augmentation consultation?

At your breast augmentation consultation, Dr. Sasaki begins by having an in-depth conversation about your aims and expectations. He reviews your medical history and the results of any mammograms to assess your breast volume and other characteristics that may influence your procedure.

Dr. Sasaki has fellowship training in breast cancer and reviews any possible risks with you. During your physical examination, he takes precise anatomical measurements to guide the selection of a breast implant size and shape that ensures your enhanced breasts complements your figure. 

Dr. Sasaki will inform you about large cell anaplastic lymphoma that may occur after the use of textured surface implants after breast augmentation or reconstruction. He will take you through the current findings from benchwork, clinical research, world-wide reporting, and the recommendations from our Plastic Surgery Society and the FDA study group.  

Dr. Sasaki only uses FDA-approved implants, which are made of biocompatible, medical-grade silicone shells. The implants may need filling with a sterile saline solution during surgery or come prefilled with a silicone gel. They also come in various sizes and textures.

How is breast augmentation performed?

Breast augmentation involves the surgical placement of the implants you've chosen into precisely tailored pockets behind your breast tissue. Dr. Sasaki usually selects submuscular placement under the pectoralis muscle, which provides a more natural feel and appearance and is less likely to cause complications.

Dr. Sasaki offers several choices for incision placement. You could have the incision around the lower half of your areola, within a natural fold of your armpit, or near the crease under your breast. The choice depends on the type of implant you're having, the degree of enlargement, your anatomy, and the resulting scar.

The improved appearance of your breast augmentation is immediately noticeable, but your breasts continue to soften and settle into their natural position up to three months after surgery. You should avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for up to six weeks after your breast augmentation.

Do I need a breast lift as well as breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation doesn't correct sagginess. Therefore, if your breasts exhibit moderate to significant sagging, you might want to consider a breast lift to elevate and reshape your breasts.

Dr. Sasaki also offers breast reduction surgery for women who have large, heavy breasts. Breast reduction removes and contours excess breast and fatty tissue, adjusting the remaining skin to match the new breast shape and elevating the nipple-areola complex to a height proportionate to your body.

Men who develop a condition called gynecomastia can also benefit from male breast reduction surgery. Gynecomastia — a female-like enlargement of the male breast — is a common condition that can cause social anxiety and self-consciousness.

How is Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting Performed?

Patients may wish to enhance their breasts, other than by implants, by utilizing their own fat that is transferred from other body sites into the breast. The donor sites for fat may be the abdomen, back rolls, and thighs. Under tumescent fluid anesthesia, the fat is gently suctioned into a sterile cannister and purified to remove debris and blood cells. After the fat is cleanse and concentrated, the tissue is processed through mechanical devices to obtain small particles of fat tissue and their regenerative cells.

The amount of retained fat after transfer varies from patient to patient and is dependent on the volume of enhancement that is desired. The purified fat and regenerative cells are introduced above and below the breast tissue to obtain symmetry and consistency of grafting. Generally, the amount of fat survival after fat processing and transfer is in the range of 50% retention over time. In special cases, a combined technique may be considered for patients who do not have the requisite amount of fat for grafting. This involves the insertion of a silicone implant under the pectoralis muscle and the simultaneous grafting of fat above the muscle.

Dr. Sasaki will discuss these options in detail and answer all your concerns on the use of silicone implants and fat grafting. Dr. Sasaki has been involved in the study of silicone implants, tissue expanders and fat grafting for over 25 years with publications and teaching at international societal meetings.

Schedule your breast augmentation consultation now by calling Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center or book an appointment online today.