San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Cosmetic Surgery

Breast Augmentation Services in San Francisco, California

For more than four decades, breast augmentation has been one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures performed.  It provides women the opportunity to safely enlarge and reshape their breasts to allow for more dramatic results. Breast augmentation is the insertion of implants to increase the size of the breasts.  Most women desiring implants are doing so because they find that their breasts are proportionately smaller than the rest of their bodies.  Breast enlargement can restore self-esteem and confidence.
Patient satisfaction with this cosmetic procedure tends to be very high.
 
Breast augmentation can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. San Francisco cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Salomon prefers general anesthesia for most breast procedures.  The incision can be placed in one of three locations.  The medical names for those locations are: Periareolar, Inframammary, and Axillary. The periareolar incision is placed just at the boundary of the colored area around your nipple, and the lighter colored breast skin. This incision tends to heal almost invisibly but in some patients, a thin line may be seen. The placement of this incision can affect nipple sensation. The inframammary incision is just under the breast, about where the fold of the breast is. This incision may be visible in some women, especially with arms elevated, but usually doesn’t affect nipple sensation.  The axillary incision is in the underarm. While there is a scar in the “armpit”, the scar generally becomes imperceptible with time.

The implant is placed behind or under the breast tissue.  It may be placed on top of the pectoralis muscle or underneath it. Dr. Salomon will discuss the placement with you.  The decision to place it in one location or another will depend upon your particular body type and the size of the implant desired.  Dr. Salomon will also discuss the type of implant you may choose.  Implants that are available today are made of a silicone shell with an interior composition of either silicone gel or saline.  There are advantages and disadvantages to saline or silicone gel implants.  There is not a single implant that is right for every patient.  At your consultation, Dr. Salomon will discuss the different options and help you decide which one is right for you. We will also discuss the size  and shape of the implant, keeping in mind that the right size should be the safest size for you and should allow you to have the appearance that you desire.  At the consultation, we will also discuss the full range of potential complications that may occur and answer any questions you might have.

Things you should know about breast augmentation include the fact that breast augmentation may affect the ability to breast feed, although there is little data that exists on this subject.  Mammography can be more difficult with implants and should be done at centers that are accustomed to working with patients with implants.  Recent studies suggest that implants have not been shown to delay the diagnosis of breast cancer in women who undergo appropriate breast cancer screening (i.e. breast examination and screening mammography).  Mammography is a little more sensitive if implants are below the chest muscle or the pectoralis.  Health insurance premiums may also increase in women with breast implants.

Recovery time is variable and depends upon the placement of the implant.  You will go home on the day of surgery and may feel able to return to work in as little as 3-4 days. Patients who do a lot of lifting with their arms as part of their work, are encouraged to take more time off.  Generally, Dr. Salomon recommends one week off with limited activity for two to three weeks.

Contact San Francisco breast enlargement surgeon Dr. Gary Salomon today!