Decide carefully if you want to have breast augmentation surgery, as it will affect the rest of your life. There are a lot of things to think about before making a final choice. Your first step should be to talk to your surgeon and get an honest assessment of the situation and your prospects. If you want to make a good choice, you should ask all the questions that come to mind about Breast Augmentation in USA.

Once you’ve made up your mind to move forward with the surgery, it’s time to research the various medical centers in the country where you’d like the procedure performed. Before making a choice, it’s important to think about things like price, after-treatment requirements, recovery time, and so on.

It’s easy to find a clinic in the United States that performs breast augmentation using either saline or silicone implants, or even a breast reconstruction procedure. In addition, many doctors provide initial consultations at no cost to patients so that they can learn more about their condition and treatment options before making a final decision.

Breast Augmentation in USA

Breast augmentation is a common type of cosmetic surgery that uses breast implants or fat transfer to increase the size and shape of your breasts. There are several types of breast implants and surgical procedures, so it’s important to talk to your surgeon about what will work best for you.

OVERVIEW

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a common surgical procedure that increases the size and shape of your breasts. Your breasts can be augmented using breast implants or fat transfer.

What are the different kinds of breast augmentation?

Breast implants and fat transfer augmentation are the two most common methods of breast enlargement. There are a wide variety of options within these two broad classes depending on your aesthetic and functional goals for your breasts. The Food and Drug Administration does not approve of breast implants for everyone. Before deciding on breast augmentation, a person should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon, do extensive research into the procedure, and weigh the benefits and risks of the procedure.

Implants are the most widely used method of augmentation in the world of cosmetic surgery. Options for breast implants include:

• Saline breast implants: These implants are filled with sterile saline (salt water). If the implant were to break inside your breast, your body will absorb the saline and naturally get rid of it.
• Structured saline breast implants: These implants are filled with sterile saline (salt water) and have an inner structure that helps the implant feel more natural.
• Silicone breast implants: These implants are made of silicone gel. If the implant were to break, the gel could stay within its shell or leak into your breast. If you get silicone implants, you may have to see your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure your implants are working properly.
• Form-stable breast implants: These implants are often called gummy bear breast implants because they keep their shape even in the implant shell breaks. They are made of a thicker silicone gel and are firmer than traditional implants. Form-stable breast implants require a longer surgery incision in your skin.
• Round breast implants: These implants usually make breasts look fuller. Since the implants are round all over, they don’t typically change the look of your breast if they rotate out of place.
• Smooth breast implants: These implants feel the softest of all the different kinds of implants. Smooth breast implants usually make breast movement look more natural than other implants.
• Textured breast implants: These implants create scar tissue to adhere to the implant, which makes them less likely to move around inside of your breast. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), though rare, occurs most frequently in people who have breast implants with textured surfaces.

Fat transfer breast augmentation: Liposuction is used to remove fat from one area of the body, and the fat is then injected into the breasts during a fat transfer breast augmentation. This procedure is typically chosen by patients who only want a modest increase in breast size. Typically, your surgeon will harvest fat from one of the following areas:

• Your belly.
• Your flanks (the sides and lower back of your abdomen).
• Your back.
• Your thighs.

Why do people get breast augmentations?

There are many reasons you may want or choose to undergo breast augmentation surgery, including:

• To change the appearance of your breasts if you think they are small.
• To change the symmetry of your breasts if one is smaller than the other.
• To account for a decrease in your breast size after pregnancy or significant weight loss.
• To correct any unevenness or issues with your breasts after breast surgery for other conditions.
• To improve your confidence and self-esteem.

How common are breast augmentations?

Most women opt for breast augmentation when seeking cosmetic surgery. The number of women in the United States who undergo breast augmentation surgery annually is close to 300,000.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

What happens at a consultation for breast augmentation?

You will consult with your surgeon before deciding to go through with breast augmentation. Think about what you’d like to alter about your breasts in advance of this consultation. Keep in mind that you’re not shooting for flawlessness, but rather growth. Make sure you have reasonable expectations and are in good mental and physical health.

Your surgeon will ask you detailed questions about your medical history, including:

• What medications you are taking.
• What allergies you may have.
• Your smoking history.
• Prior surgeries.
• Any previous issues you’ve had with your breasts, including lumps, previous mammograms and any family history of breast issues.

It may be helpful to ask your surgeon the following questions during your breast augmentation consultation:

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• How many years have you been a plastic surgeon?
• How often do you perform breast augmentations?
• Can I see some of the before-and-after pictures from the augmentation surgeries you’ve performed?
• Should I get breast implants or have a fat transfer?
• What are the pros and cons of the different types of breast implants?
• Will I be able to breastfeed after breast augmentation?
• What are the risks of my type of augmentation surgery?
• What will happen if I’m not satisfied with the results of my augmentation?

How do I prepare for breast augmentation surgery?

In preparation for your breast augmentation surgery, your surgeon may have you:

• Get a blood test.
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid certain foods or beverages.
• Avoid taking aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs, since they can increase bleeding.
• Stop using recreational drugs.

Pre-operative instructions from your surgeon should be strictly adhered to. If you follow their orders, you’ll have a more successful surgery and a faster recovery.

After surgery, you should have someone take you home and spend at least the first night there with you. Remember that you’ll need to take at least three days off of work to accommodate this. In most cases, you’ll want to schedule at least three weeks of vacation time off if you work a job that requires a lot of physical labor.

Establishing a home recovery area

Before you undergo breast augmentation surgery, you should set up an area in your home for recovery. Make sure you have:

• Pain medication prescribed by your surgeon and/or acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
• Ointment or cream for incision sites (if recommended by your surgeon).
• Clean gauze to cover the incision sites.
• Plenty of loose, comfortable, button-down blouses or shirts.

What happens during breast augmentation surgery?

There are many steps involved in breast augmentation surgery. Here’s an explanation of the steps.

Anesthesia

If your surgeon recommends putting you to sleep for the procedure, that is what he or she will do. This is something you and your surgeon will decide together.

The incision

Breast augmentation can be performed in one of several ways. Your surgeon can perform the procedure:

• Via the crease under your breast (known as the inframammary fold).
• Along the edge of your areola (known as the periareolar incision).
• Via your armpit (known as a transaxillary approach).

Your surgeon will discuss these possible methods with you before your surgery, and together you will determine which approach best suits your needs.

Implant insertion

Your doctor can place the implant either in front of or behind the breast muscle (pectoral muscle). Breast implant placement is determined by several factors, such as the implant type and the desired increase in cup size. Your surgeon and you can jointly weigh the merits of each approach and make a decision.

Closing the incision

After your surgeon places your implants, they will stitch the incision sites together to close them. Your surgeon may also use drainage tubes. You must follow your surgeon’s follow-up care instructions for the incision site. Your breasts will be covered with a gauze bandage and you may be sent home wearing a surgical bra.

What happens after breast augmentation?

As soon as your breast augmentation procedure is complete, a medical professional will take you to a recovery room to observe you as you come to. When your condition has stabilized, you can go home from the hospital. A typical time frame for this is one hour.

Your breast augmentation surgeon will give you post-operative care instructions and set up a follow-up appointment before you leave. When necessary, your surgeon will write you a prescription for pain medication. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on when to return to have any drainage tubes and bandages removed.

After a week, your surgeon will likely remove your stitches. For at least four weeks, you should refrain from lifting heavy objects. You could be out of commission for up to six weeks if you’re a physically active athlete.

RISKS / BENEFITS

What are the benefits of breast augmentation?

People typically undergo breast augmentation to change the appearance of their breasts. This may help increase confidence and self-esteem.

What are the possible complications and side effects of breast augmentation?

As with any surgery, there are side effects, and you do risk certain complications. Side effects of breast augmentation surgery can include:

• Soreness and increased sensitivity in the nipple region.
• Bruising.
• Bleeding.
• Swelling.

Immediate complications of breast augmentation surgery, though rare, can include:

• Infection.
• Wound healing issues.
• Hematoma (blood collection in the surgical area).

Complications from breast augmentation surgery that might happen over time can include:

• Formation of scar tissues: This is also known as capsule contracture.
• Sagging of the implants: This can cause your breasts to droop.
• Symmastia: Symmastia happens when your breast implants trend toward the middle of your chest and can give the appearance of one continuous breast.
• Fluid around the implant: This is also known as seroma.
• Implant rupture or deflation: Implants are not designed to be life-long. You might need another procedure later on.
• Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL): This immune system cancer is very rare, but has happened in patients who have received breast implants that have rough or textured surfaces. Symptoms, such as changes in the size or shape of breasts, swelling, or lumps, may show up two to eight years after the implant surgery.

Other important considerations to take into account include:

• Breast implants are not guaranteed to last your entire life. You may need surgery in the future to replace one or both implants.
• Pregnancy, weight loss and menopause may affect the appearance of your augmented breasts.
• Breast augmentation surgery could potentially affect your ability to breastfeed.
• If you have breast augmentation you will need to perform regular examinations of your breasts to assess your health. You will also have to see your plastic surgeon regularly so they can evaluate the condition of your breast implants.

It’s very important to do your research before choosing a plastic surgeon. Only get a breast augmentation from a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Can breast implants affect cancer screenings?

A self-examination may not be as accurate if you have a breast implant, even though your natural breast tissue is in front of it. You’ll have to get used to looking at your breast (or breasts) with the implant in.

A mammogram may not be as effective in detecting cancer if the patient has an implant. However, as screening methods improve, the problem of implants preventing cancer detection will become less of a concern.

The American College of Radiology, the American Cancer Society, the American Society of Breast Imaging, and the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons have all issued statements recently recommending that women with breast implants have their annual mammograms performed at a facility accredited by the ACR. Compared to screening clinics, which typically only use two basic views of the breast, these facilities will be better equipped to make a proper evaluation because of their ability to take multiple, specialized views of the breast.

RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK

What is the recovery time for breast augmentation?

Everyone heals differently, so recovery time for breast augmentation surgery can vary depending on the type of breast augmentation you had and your overall health. On average, full recovery takes about six to eight weeks.

When can I return to work or other activities after breast augmentation?

If you’re having plastic surgery, your surgeon will give you detailed post-op care and activity guidelines to follow. Keep to the rules. After the first week following surgery, your surgeon will likely advise you to gradually resume your regular daily activities and light exercise. Physical activities like running, horseback riding, and heavy lifting should be avoided until you have fully recovered. Surgeons typically advise patients with physically demanding jobs to take three weeks off after surgery.

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR

When should I see my healthcare provider after a breast augmentation?

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Fever.
• Abnormal discharge, such as pus, from your incision site.
• Rupture of your stitches.
• Increasing enlargement, or firmness, of one or both of your breasts that’s associated with pain and pressure.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Does insurance cover breast augmentation?

Insurance companies typically won’t pay for breast augmentation because it’s considered cosmetic surgery that patients can choose to forego. Future insurance coverage may come with higher premiums. Furthermore, if you decide you want your implants removed in the future, your insurance company might not pay for the operation. As a result, it’s crucial that you get a written estimate of your medical bills from your doctor.

However, your insurance company may pay for your implants if they are a necessary part of your reconstructive surgery. You should inquire about your insurance’s potential surgical coverage well in advance of the procedure.

Is breast augmentation reversible?

Yes, a plastic surgeon can remove your implants through breast implant removal surgery. Since breast implants aren’t guaranteed to last a lifetime, many people who’ve had breast implant surgery will need another breast implant procedure in the future. These procedures include:

• Removing the original breast implants and replacing them with new implants.
• Repositioning the existing breast implants.
• Removing the breast implants without replacing them.

Can I breastfeed with breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation surgery can affect the nerves and ducts within your breast, which could affect lactation. Breast implants that are placed below your muscle usually affect milk production less than implants that are above your muscle. Surgical incisions around your areola are more likely to cause reductions in milk production. It’s important to talk to your plastic surgeon if you’re planning on breastfeeding in the future before you get a breast augmentation.

What is the difference between breast augmentation and breast implants?

Breast implants are a type of breast augmentation, which is a surgery that increases the size and shape of your breasts. The other type of breast augmentation is fat transfer breast augmentation.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Breast augmentations are a common cosmetic surgery and usually have high satisfaction rates. However, it’s important to consider all the risks and possible side effects of having breast augmentation surgery. Be sure to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon and discuss all of your wants, needs and concerns. Together you’ll decide on the type of augmentation and surgery that works best for you.

What types of breast implants are available?

Saline breast implants

Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. Should the implant shell leak, a saline implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body.

Saline breast implants provide a uniform shape, firmness and feel, and are FDA-approved for augmentation in women age 18 or older.

Structured saline breast implants

Structured implants are filled with sterile salt water, and contain an inner structure which aims to make the implant feel more natural.

Silicone breast implants

Silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel. The gel feels a bit more like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket. A leaking implant filled with silicone gel will not collapse.

If you choose silicone implants, you may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly. An ultrasound or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants.

Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women age 22 or older.

Gummy bear breast implants

Because they keep their form even if the implant shell is broken, form-stable implants are sometimes referred to as gummy bear breast implants.

The internal silicone gel is of a thicker consistency than that of standard silicone gel implants. Moreover, the implants are more sturdy than those previously used.

Gummy bear shaped breast implants are fuller at the base and narrow at the top. A shaped implant that rotates can cause the breast to look unnatural, necessitating additional surgery to fix.

An extended skin incision is needed for gummy bear implant placement.

Round breast implants

Round breast implants have a tendency to make breasts appear fuller than form-stable implants. Higher profile options can achieve even more projection.

Because round implants are the same shape all over, there is less concern about them rotating out of place.

Smooth breast implants

Smooth breast implants are the softest feeling. They can move with the breast implant pocket, which may give more natural movement.

Smooth implants may have some palpable or visible rippling under the skin.

Textured breast implants

Textured breast implants develop scar tissue to stick to the implant, making them less likely to move around inside of the breast and become repositioned.

Texturing offers some advantage in diminishing the risk of a tight scar capsule.

How much does breast augmentation cost?

The average cost of breast augmentation surgery is $4,516, according to 2020 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This average cost is only part of the total price – it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses. Please consult with your plastic surgeon’s office to determine your final fee.

A surgeon’s fee for breast augmentation will be based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic office location.

Many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans for breast augmentation, so be sure to ask.

Breast augmentation costs may include:

• Anesthesia fees
• Hospital or surgical facility costs
• Medical tests
• Post-surgery garments
• Prescriptions for medication
• Surgeon’s fee

When choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for breast augmentation, remember that the surgeon’s experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery.

Breast augmentation and health insurance

Most health insurance plans will not cover cosmetic breast augmentation costs, related complications or another surgery to revise the appearance of your breasts.

Some carriers even exclude breast diseases in patients who have breast implants.

Carefully review your health insurance policy before having your breast augmentation