Breast Augmentation
Breast implants have come a long way since they were first designed about 40 years ago, and breast augmentation is now one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the United States. In 2013 alone, around 300,000 women opted for breast augmentation surgery to attain a fuller bust and a more shapely figure. With recent advancements in materials, technology, and technique, Dr. Kevin Cook is able to achieve more natural-looking beautiful results than ever before in his Midland, TX plastic surgery facility.
What Is a Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. The procedure is highly customizable, with a wide variety of breast implant options, incision techniques, and implant placement methods. Our patients at Midland Plastic Surgery Center choose breast augmentation for a wide variety of reasons. In addition to the cosmetic benefits, most of these women also experience a boost of confidence in their personal and professional lives.
Breast Augmentation Benefits
Women have a number of goals when choosing breast augmentation, including:
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Increasing volume for a fuller shape
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Restoring volume after pregnancy for a more youthful look
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Improving symmetry for a more harmonious appearance
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Feel more comfortable in a range of clothing types
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Improving overall self-esteem
Dr. Cook can design a custom-tailored breast augmentation procedure to specifically address your unique concerns and meet your expectations. If you would like to discuss your individual aesthetic goals with Dr. Cook, please schedule a consultation today.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Cook will talk with you about your goals and determine your candidacy for breast augmentation. Dr. Cook uses these one-on-one consultations as a time to carefully listen to and understand your individual concerns and desires. He will walk you through the important decisions to be made about your procedure, including the breast implant type and size, potential surgical techniques that can be utilized, ideal incision locations, and other issues. Dr. Cook can also help you decide if a breast lift is right for you. He aims to fully educate you about these choices, enabling you to make well-informed decisions about your body and your health.
Breast Implant Options
There are two main breast implant types to choose from: saline and silicone. Each type of implant is approved by the FDA and offers unique benefits for the patient.
Saline Breast Implants
This type of breast implant is filled with a sterile saline solution after being placed inside the breast pocket, allowing Dr. Cook to precisely customize the final size of the breasts. In addition, the incision required to place the implant is typically smaller, which may result in less post-operative scarring. Patients 18 years of age and older may be candidates for saline breast implants, and this type of breast implant is the most commonly used for breast augmentation. Any rupture in the shell of the implant can be easily detected and promptly addressed—in addition, saline is safely absorbed by the body. Saline breast implants may be more prone to rippling or capsular contracture compared to other types of implants.
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Silicone Breast Implants
This type of implant is filled with a fixed amount of silicone gel prior to being placed in the breast pocket. As a result, the incision required to place the implant may need to be larger compared to a breast augmentation performed with saline implants. The risk of rippling or capsular contracture may be reduced with silicone implants, and some patients choose these implants for their more natural look and feel. Some silicone breast implants are form-stable and closely mimic the slope and shape of a natural breast. Often called “gummy bear” breast implants, this advanced option can often achieve the best overall proportions for women of a certain body and breast type. Candidates for silicone breast implants must be at least 22 years of age. In cases of rupture, a silicone breast implant will be less obvious than a saline implant, and patients with silicone breast implants should routinely have their breasts examined to detect any leakage from the outer silicone shell.
Breast Augmentation Procedure
Breast augmentation surgery usually lasts approximately one hour, depending on the breast implant type and surgical technique you have chosen. The procedure can be performed as an outpatient. Incisions can be made along the crease of the breast, around the areola, or through the armpit. Dr. Cook will help you choose an incision type that is most appropriate for your needs. He is very experienced with breast surgery procedures and will work diligently to ensure any residual scarring is as light as possible.
Recovery and Results
After breast augmentation surgery, many of our patients experience some soreness and swelling. Any post-operative discomfort can be alleviated with medication. The techniques employed by Dr. Cook during your procedure are intended to both abbreviate your recovery time as well as minimize the appearance of any scars. Most of our patients return to their daily activities within five to seven days after the procedure.
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Breast augmentation surgery has a very high patient satisfaction rate and a low complication rate. Incisions tend to heal quickly and scars can be treated with topical medication to significantly reduce their appearance.
Breast Lift and Augmentation
Although breast augmentation can give the breasts a slight lift by restoring lost volume, the procedure is not designed to significantly change the position of the breasts. Women who have sagging or drooping breasts due to stretched skin can have the breasts elevated on the chest wall to a more youthful position with a breast lift. A breast lift can also be used to relocate and/or resize the nipple/areola complex. Some women choose to combine a breast lift with augmentation, which adds fullness for more complete rejuvenation. Dr. Cook can help you choose which option is best suited for your needs.
Breast Augmentation Cost
Dr. Cook customizes each breast augmentation according to the patient’s unique needs and goals. During the consultation process, he will review your choices, design your custom-tailored surgical plan, and provide you with the total cost for your breast augmentation procedure. Factors that can impact the price of breast augmentation include the implant type, incision type, implant location, and the overall complexity of the procedure. When comparing the cost of different breast implant surgeons, patients should keep in mind that the experience of the surgeon and the geographic location of the practice can often influence the price.
For patients who are interested in using loans to help with the cost of elective procedures, we accept payment with popular plastic surgery financing options.
