Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, sometimes also called a "boob job" or an "aug", is a cosmetic surgical enhancement procedure to increase the size and improve the shape of a woman's breasts.
Breast augmentation can be done with implants (most common) or, for patients wanting a smaller change, with fat transfer. Breast augmentation can also be coupled with a breast lift as well as an areola reduction if that is desired.
Board-certified San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Williams provides individualized breast augmentation consultations and can help you decide if it's the right breast surgery for you.
Is Breast Augmentation Right for You?
Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical enhancement procedure to increase the size and improve the shape of a woman's breasts.
Breast augmentation can be done with implants (most common) or, for patients wanting a smaller change, with fat transfer.
Breast augmentation can also be coupled with a breast lift and areola reduction if that is desired.
During the procedure, your physician will place a saline or a silicone implant behind the natural breast tissue and usually under the muscle to enhance breast size and shape.
What to Expect
Breast Augmentation Procedure
- also called "boob job" or "aug"
Goal: Increase breast fullness and projection and shape
2-3 hours
Outpatient
Usually General
Long lasting. Weight loss/gain, pregnancy, and age may reduce surgical results over time
Choosing an Implant Size
Doctors Speak in Volume
The first thing you should know when choosing an implant size is that doctors don't speak in cup size, they speak in volume. You may imagine that you are interested in a "full C" size cup, but depending on the measurements of your chest and the skin available, you and your doctor will need to decide how many cc's of implant volume you see need to accomplish.
Keep Your Lifestyle in Mind
If you are an athlete, having larger breasts might make exercising more difficult for you. Make sure you keep your lifestyle in mind when conversing with your physician regarding size.
Bring in a Image
The best way to show your doctor what you want is by bringing in a photo. An even better way is to bring in a picture of one of your physicians past patients.
To see Tri Valley Plastic Surgery previous patients, visit our Before & After gallery.
Types of Implants
Silicone or Saline?
Silicone implants are filled with silicone gel while saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. They feel slightly different and typically, patients have a preference for which one they prefer.
Smooth or Textured?
Smooth implants are designed to be slightly mobile in the breast pocket allowing for more natural movement while textured implants are designed to develop scar tissue which keeps the implant in place.
Teardrop or Round?
Teardrop implants are designed to look more like a natural breast while round implants can be made to look natural or less-natural depending on profile. It should be noted that teardrop implants aren't used as frequently due to their tendency to rotate in the breast pocket.
Which profile?
By profile, we mean the projection of the implant. You might hear your physician talk about high profile, moderate profile and low profile implants. We have examples of all types in the office and are happy to help you make your decision.
Fat Grafting
Fat Grafting is a Modern Technique
Breast augmentation using fat grafting is a modern technique in which a plastic surgeon harvests unwanted fat from a part of your body and then uses it to replenish fullness in the breasts.
This method can be used in cases where the patient is striving for a less dramatic change in the shape and size of the breasts. If a more dramatic change is preferred, breast augmentation with implants may be a more effective option.