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Breast Augmentation

If you want to improve the size, shape or symmetry of your breasts, Breast Augmentation, also known as Breast Enhancement, can give you the results you desire. Breast Augmentation is performed for women who wish to enhance their breast size due to under-development, size difference or when breast size has decreased following weight loss or pregnancy, or for patients who simply want larger, fuller breasts.

Dr. Gartner has years of experience helping women achieve higher self confidence via Breast Augmentation.  Patient satisfaction with this procedure is extremely high. The procedure itself is fairly simple to perform, and it’s becoming more popular every year.

Ideal Candidates for Breast Enhancement

  • Have small breasts
  • Have extra skin with loss of breast volume
  • Are in good health
  • Have full breast development
  • Do not have breast disease

Breast Augmentation Procedure

Through a small, inconspicuous incision, breast implants are placed above or under the pectoralis muscle. In most cases, Dr. Gartner recommends that the implant be placed underneath the muscle, especially with saline implants. Under the muscle placement  provides a more natural look, appearance and feel.   Dr. Gartner will discuss placement options with prospective patients, as well as potential breast size, during the initial consultation.

Trans-Umbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA)

If you desire a truly scar-less Breast Augmentation that leaves virtually no scars on the chest, then you may wish to consider Trans-Umbilical-Breast-Augmentation (TUBA). The implant is placed via an incision hidden in the belly button. This leaves no visible scar anywhere near the breast. (Even the armpit incision can sometimes be very visible in a bathing suit or strapless top or dress.) Recent advances in instrumentation make it possible to perform the operation placing the implant either above or below the muscle. As there is no cutting of tissue over the ribs, patients experience much less pain and quicker recovery –  even with placement under the muscle. The TUBA procedure requires a higher level of skill and training, which is why most plastic surgeons do not perform it. Dr. Gartner is among the 4% of plastic surgeons in the country who specialize in this procedure, and trained with the inventor of this operation, Dr. Gerald Johnson, of Houston..

Try On Session

To find out what size is right for you, Dr. Gartner offers a Try On session. During this visit, we provide patients with a properly sized bra and t-shirt, as well as multiple saline filled implants of different sizes. By trying on various sizes it is easy for patients to zero in on the size that they like best and that looks best for them. We have found that the Try On session gives a very realistic idea of the final result of Breast Augmentation. Our patients agree that it is far superior to computer imaging of the breast and feel that it is a terrific help in their decision to have Breast Augmentation surgery.

Cohesive Gel Silicone Implants Now Available for Breast Augmentation

Now that silicone implants are FDA approved, patients have more options to get the results they desire. Since Dr. Gartner has participated in an investigational study on silicone breast implants, he has a great deal of experience with this medical device. Cohesive Gel is a tremendous improvement over traditional silicone, because it is more resistant to separation. Cohesive Gel silicone is a more solid material than the liquid silicone that filled implants years ago.  In addition, Cohesive Gel implants feel much more like a natural breast. During the consultation, Dr. Gartner will discuss the benefits and limitations of both saline and silicone implants.

Benefits of Cohesive Gel Silicone Breast Implants:

  • Feels much more natural, like a real breast
  • Much less rippling, wrinkling than saline
  • For the same size, silicone weighs slightly less than saline

Limitations of Cohesive Gel Silicone Breast Implants:

  • A larger incision is necessary, usually placed under the breast because the implants are prefilled.  Smaller sizes can be placed via a trans-axillary incision
  • Although it is a cohesive gel, there is a very small possibility the silicone could leak into the breast tissue, although long term population studies have shown this does not cause any heath risks. Incidence of leakage is approximately 1% per year or less
  • Slightly higher risk of Capsular Contracture than with saline

Benefits of Saline:

  • Can be inserted through smaller incisions, and incisions away from the breasts such as Transumbilically (belly button) or Transaxillary (armpit)
  • If it leaks, your body absorbs the saline. Incidence of leakage is approximately 1% per year or less
  • Can make adjustments for asymmetry by adding more fluid to one implant

Breast Augmentation Surgery and Recovery

The surgery itself usually takes less than one hour. Afterward you will need an adult to accompany you for the first 24 hours. Your breasts will appear larger as a result of swelling, but will decrease in size and drop into position over time. Individual recovery can vary; most patients resume an office job in one week with a gradual resumption of normal activity. Strenuous exercise can be resumed in four weeks. A soft cotton bra without an under wire is worn for the first two months to allow the implants to drop into position. During your pre-op consultation, Dr. Gartner and his staff will review all these details so you are fully prepared at the time of your surgery.

Patients report higher self esteem and an increase in body confidence following the surgery.  Take a look at some before and after images.