Breast Augmentation in Orange County

Breast Implant Type

• Silicone implants simulate the look and feel of natural breast tissue. They come in a variety of shapes and textures to match a patient’s goals. With silicone implants, ruptures are harder to detect and may require an MRI to diagnose. Patients with silicone breast implants should receive periodic checkups to ensure the implant is intact.

• Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution and provide a more firm and consistent breast appearance. Saline implants provide greater volume but cannot be customized as easily. A ruptured implant is easily detectable and will result in an obvious deflation of the implant. In patients with thin natural breast tissue, saline wrinkling and rippling may be more apparent.

Breast Implant Shape

• Round implants are the “original” breast implant shape and are chosen by many patients because of the amount of fullness and cleavage they offer. They are available in both silicone and saline and provide a fuller upper pole (upper part of the breast). Because they are a uniform shape, it is unnoticeable if they shift in the breast pocket, and they are less likely to require revision.
• Teardrop (Anatomical) implants are fuller at the bottom and taper towards the top, offering a look that is closer to the natural appearance of your breasts. They are only available in silicone and are filled with a thick silicone gel that gives them the shape and softness of natural breasts. While teardrop implants should stay in place within the breast pocket, if they shift or turn, they can cause a visible deformity that will need

Breast Implant Placement

• Subglandular placement of breast implants is when the breast implant is placed into a pocket created under the glandular breast tissue but over the pectoral muscles. This placement is a good choice for women with a good amount of natural breast tissue versus those with very little. If you don’t have much natural breast tissue, subglandular placement may not be ideal, as occasionally, the edges of the implant are visible, or you can see rippling of the implant under your skin. Subglandular placement also has disadvantages. It may make it more challenging to get an accurate mammogram, as the implant can obstruct the view of the breast tissue. Patients with subglandular placement also often have a higher occurrence of capsular contracture.
• Submuscular placement of breast implants means that the surgeon creates a pocket for the implant under the pectoral muscle. It is an ideal placement option for patients with only a small amount of natural breast tissue, as the additional tissue covering the implant softens its shape. Submuscular placement can also help reduce the risk of capsular contracture and allow for better visualization during mammograms.  However, submuscular placement can also cause what is known as animation deformity, where the shape of the implant is distorted when the pectoral muscles are flexed. Another potential downside to submuscular placement is a slightly extended recovery period, as the manipulation of the chest muscle takes longer to heal.

Breast Implant Incisions

• Periareolar incisions are placed around the outside of the areola, just at the edge of the darker color. This incision placement has several advantages, including:
  • Incision scarring is hidden within the natural color and landscape of the nipple and areola area
  • Allowing your surgeon more accurate implant placement
  • Allowing for the same incision site to be used in case of revision
• The downside to periareolar incisions is the proximity to nerves and milk ducts around the nipple. Patients may experience reduced sensation in the area as well as difficulty breastfeeding.
• Inframammary incisions are placed in the breast crease, which is the space under the breast where it connects to the chest wall. This is the most commonly used incision for breast augmentation, as it allows for precise positioning of the implant and an easily hidden scar. There is less risk of issues with milk ducts or nerves, and the incision site can be reused if revision is necessary.