Breast Augmentation & Implants in Beverly Hills: What You Need to Know
Breasts have long been a symbol of femininity and sex appeal. Many patients seek breast surgery as a way to improve their self-confidence, restore breast appearance after pregnancy or weight loss, align their physical appearance to their gender identity, or correct asymmetry in their natural breasts.
Breast augmentation in Beverly Hills is an effective way to increase breast size and volume, alter the shape of breasts, and/or improve symmetry. Dr. Anita Patel is a board certified plastic surgeon that understands that each patient has a different goal in mind. She works closely with patients to understand their desired results and recommend the most appropriate implant type and shape to deliver beautiful, natural-looking results. Patients are able to “try on” a number of different implants prior to surgery in order to envision the final results.
Ready to learn more about a breast augmentation? Book an appointment with Dr. Anita Patel, considered one of the best plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills.
Quick Links
- Treatment Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
- What Are the Different Types of Breast Augmentation?
- What Are Breast Implants Made Of?
- What Are the Best Breast Implants?
- Where Are Breast Implants Placed?
- Are Breast Implants Safe?
- How Long is Breast Implant Surgery?
- How Much Does Breast Enlargement Cost?
- What Are Some Common Reasons to Get a Breast Augmentation?
- What Are My Treatment Options?
- Can I Get a Breast Lift in Addition to Augmentation?
- What is the Lifespan of Implants?
Treatment Overview
First, you will meet with Dr. Anita to share your concerns and discuss the results that you hope to achieve. This will be followed by a review of your medical history and a focused physical exam. Dr. Anita will then go over the risks and activity restrictions, and give you time to ask questions. Prior to the surgery, you will fill out consent forms.
Breast augmentation with implants involves a choice of implant types (silicone or saline), incision location (border of the areola, or along the inframammary fold), implant volume and profile, surface type (smooth or textured), implant shape (round or teardrop shaped), implant location (under the muscle or “dual plane”, or over the muscle). During your consultation, Dr. Anita will recommend the specific approach and implant specifications best suited to achieving your desired goals, based on her experience and expertise.
General anesthesia will be administered for this surgery and we recommend that you arrange to have someone drive you to and from the surgery appointment.
- Length of Surgery: 1-2 hours
- Anesthesia: General
- Post-Op Activity: May go out to dinner the same day if desired. Avoid strenuous activity for 6 weeks.
- Return to Work: 5 days
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation surgery involves inserting breast implants to enhance volume, shape, and/or symmetry. An alternative to implants is using your own fat, if you are a good candidate.
What Are the Different Types of Breast Augmentation?
The main types of breast augmentation are silicone or saline, under or over the muscle, and via an incision at the border of the areola or along the inframammary fold.
What Are Breast Implants Made Of?
Breast implants consist of an outer silicone shell and either silicone gel or saline (salt water) inside.
What Are the Best Breast Implants?
The best breast implant for one patient may not be the best for another. Generally speaking, patients prefer silicone implants more often than saline due to the more natural feel and look, and less chance of visible rippling. However, silicone implants also require more monitoring than saline implants. For a full discussion of the risks and benefits, and recommendation for which implant is best for you, a consultation with Dr. Anita is required.
Where Are Breast Implants Placed?
Breast implants are typically placed under or over the muscle. The term “under the muscle” is also often used when technically referring to a “dual plane” approach, which is where the majority of the implant is under the muscle, but the lowest part is under the breast tissue since the muscle is not present over the lowermost breast pocket.
Are Breast Implants Safe?
Breasts implants are generally safe. There are certain risks present with all surgery and all implants, and specifically breast implants, which are important to consider when making a decision regarding breast implant surgery.
How Long is Breast Implant Surgery?
1-2 hours
How Much Does Breast Enlargement Cost?
The cost for breast augmentation surgery will depend on many factors, including type of implants, and if you require additional procedures such as breast lift. To provide you with accurate pricing information, we invite you to book a complimentary Pre-Consult Phone Call with our Patient Care Coordinator by calling 310.205.0212. During that phone call, important information will be discussed and ballpark pricing will be provided.
What Are Some Common Reasons to Get a Breast Augmentation?
Breasts are a focal part of a women’s femininity and sexuality, and changes in breast size or shape can often affect a women’s self-esteem and confidence. Common reasons for having a Beverly Hills breast augmentation include:
- Preference for larger breasts
- Wanting to restoring volume lost with age, pregnancy, or weight loss
- Correcting asymmetry
- Reconstructing breasts after cancer or trauma (please see Breast Reconstruction section for more details)
There are many reasons why someone may want to alter their breasts, and the “perfect size” or “perfect shape” is in the eye of the beholder. Because of that, it is important to share your goals and expectations, so that Dr. Patel can help you achieve your goals.
What Are My Treatment Options?
Choosing to enhance your breasts through a Beverly Hills augmentation marks the start of a number of important considerations and decisions. There are different types of implants, incision locations, and surgical techniques that could be used, as well as locations for placement of the implant in your body.
Saline Versus Silicone
Breast implants are available in saline or silicone, which describes what material the implant is filled with. Silicone implants in the U.S. come from one of three main manufacturers: Allergan, Mentor, and Sientra. Saline implants come from Allergan, Mentor, or the brand name Ideal.
Both saline and silicone implants have an outer shell that is made of silicone. Saline implants from Allergan or Mentor consist of a single outer silicone bag filled with saline (salt water), whereas the Ideal brand saline implant consists of nested silicone shells filled with saline. Silicone implants are filled with silicone gel of varying degrees of firmness or softness. Both types are safe, and though silicone requires more monitoring, it is the more popular choice.
Reasons women choose saline include lower cost and more obvious rupture if it were to happen (and no need for MRI surveillance). Reasons women choose silicone include more natural feeling, more natural appearance, and less visible wrinkling or rippling.
Under Versus Over the Muscle
In general Dr. Patel prefers placing implants under the muscle (dual plane, more specifically) for two reasons: lower risk of capsular contracture than above the muscle, and it looks more natural since it adds an additional layer of tissue over the upper aspect of the implant. For any other questions about Beverly Hills placement of an implant for breast augmentation, contact our office.
Can I Get a Breast Lift in Addition to Augmentation?
Breast implants will increase the size of the breasts. The amount of lift provided by filling up the skin envelope with an implant is minimal, and for the majority of patients a breast augmentation does not take the place of a breast lift.
If your breasts are drooping now, with implants they will look larger and droopy, not lifted. In other words, if you need a lift, you need a lift.
Breast lifts in Beverly Hills can be done at the same time in addition to implant placement, using small incisions for a small lift, or larger incisions if you need a larger lift. In general, the nipple should sit at the fullest or most projected part of the breast. This tends to be approximately mid-way between the shoulder and elbow for most patients.
What is the Lifespan of Implants?
Implants are not a lifetime device, and will require an implant exchange. The longer they are in place, the greater the chance of rupture, capsular contracture, need for reoperation.
The general recommendation in Beverly Hills is to have implants changed out every 10 years. This is not an exact rule, and it is not mandatory to swap them out at 10 years.
However, if you are around the 10-year mark and do not have problems, changing the implants out is a straight-forward procedure. If you are having problems, want to change the implant size, or want a lift at the time, this can be addressed at the same time.
If you want to learn more about a breast augmentation in Beverly Hills, book a free appointment with Dr. Anita Patel today.
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