Breast Augmentation in Orange County, CA
Feminine curves are a paragon of human beauty, consistently featured in art across the ages. Naturally, many people desire an enhanced breast shape and size in an effort to attain this aesthetic ideal.
Whether you’ve always had smaller breasts or you’ve lost breast volume due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, or the natural aging process, breast augmentation can help you achieve voluptuous curves and balanced proportions.
While breast augmentation is one of the most sought-after plastic surgery procedures among women, it can also be part of the process for people assigned male at birth who are transitioning to a female identity (MTF top surgery). The transformative power of this procedure contributes to high patient satisfaction rates year after year.
To learn more about how a breast augmentation can improve your appearance, contact UCI Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation at one of our three Orange County area locations: in Orange, Costa Mesa, or Tustin, CA. You can also view a list of our locations and appointment phone numbers here.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation surgery, or augmentation mammaplasty, uses implants to increase breast size, enhance shape, and improve symmetry.
Reasons Women Choose Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic breast surgeries in the world because it’s a safe and effective way to achieve feminine curves and a more proportionate body aesthetic.
Ask yourself these questions to determine whether you’d benefit from a breast augmentation:
- Do my breasts appear smaller or less full than I would like?
- Has pregnancy, weight loss, or aging caused my breasts to lose volume or firmness?
- Do my breasts feel out of proportion with the rest of my body?
- Do I have noticeable asymmetry between my breasts?
- Do I feel limited or self-conscious when wearing certain tops or swimsuits?
- Would restoring or enhancing my breast volume help me feel more confident in my appearance?
Breast augmentation can help you achieve the shape and balance you desire, enhancing your silhouette and unlocking your confidence.
View Our Gallery
What Are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation surgery offers patients a number of benefits, often including:
- Increased breast size and volume
- Improved symmetry, correcting mismatched breasts
- Enhanced breast shape
- Balanced body proportions
- A more feminine silhouette
- Expanded wardrobe options
- Boosted self-esteem, confidence, and self-image
- Highly customizable procedure
Am I a Candidate for a Breast Augmentation?
You may be a good candidate for a breast augmentation if you:
- Want bigger breasts, a more shapely bust, or to correct asymmetry
- Are in good health
- Are doing it for your own benefit
- Have realistic expectations
- Do not smoke
- Are over 18
If you smoke or use tobacco, you will be asked to quit a minimum of three weeks before your surgery and remain tobacco-free for at least three weeks after. Nicotine increases the chances of preventable issues, including tissue necrosis, blood clots, and more.
Start Your Journey Today!
UCI Plastic Surgery is a leader in the field of aesthetic surgery. Each of our specialists is highly knowledgeable, trained, and committed to bringing our patients the latest advancements in the field. Learn how our experts can help you obtain industry-leading results by scheduling a consultation today.
Schedule A ConsultationYour Consultation
The first step in your breast augmentation journey is to consult with one of our highly skilled and experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeons. During your consultation, you will discuss:
- Expectations: This is your chance to describe your goals, concerns, and vision for your procedure. Bring photos to help illustrate your desired aesthetic, so you and your surgeon are on the same page.
- Your medical history: Be prepared to discuss current and previous medical conditions and surgeries, family history of breast cancer, current medications, and allergies.
- Your lifestyle: This includes recent weight loss or gain, vitamins and supplements, smoking and drinking habits, and plans for future pregnancy. These help your provider make the best recommendations for you.
- Risks: Your surgeon will discuss the risks of surgery with you and answer any questions you have.
- Options: Based on your aesthetic goals, medical history, and lifestyle factors, your surgeon will discuss your options and make recommendations.
Your consultation will include a physical examination of your breasts, as well as taking “before” photos. Finally, your surgeon will create a surgical plan, discuss costs, and schedule a day for surgery.
We recommend that you come prepared with any questions or concerns you have, no matter how big or small. You’re always welcome to call our office with additional questions after your consultation appointment.
How Is Breast Augmentation Surgery Performed?
Breast augmentation surgery is an outpatient procedure, typically performed under general anesthesia. While you are comfortably asleep, your surgeon will make incisions according to the details in your surgical plan—in the breast fold, around the nipple, or through the armpit. Next, they’ll create a pocket, either under the breast tissue or muscle.
Breast augmentation surgery takes one to two hours on average. It takes another hour or two to wake up from anesthesia. You will need to make arrangements beforehand for a friend or family member to drive you home.
What Are My Breast Augmentation Options?
Implant Options: Material and Dimensions
Silicone
Silicone breast implants are a gel encased in a sterile outer shell. Because silicone implants give the breasts such a natural look and feel, they are the most popular implant type.
When a silicone implant shell ruptures, the gel is thick enough that it usually stays in place. When this happens, a routine mammogram typically detects the rupture, and you and your doctor make plans to surgically remove the implant.
“Gummy bear” implants are a special type of silicone implants made with a “form-stable” silicone gel that holds its shape even if the shell ruptures.
Saline
Saline breast implants also have a sterile silicone outer shell, but the filling is sterile saltwater. Your surgeon inserts saline implants as empty shells, then fills them with the saline solution to the desired level of fullness and firmness once they’re in position. Saline implants give your surgeon excellent control over breast size and shape during the procedure and allow for the use of a smaller incision to minimize visible scarring.
Some women find that saline implants don’t look and feel as natural as silicone implants, as they are slightly firmer to the touch than the surrounding breast tissue. But saline implants don’t have the risk of silicone leakage if they rupture. If a saline implant leaks or ruptures, there is a cosmetic effect as the implant deflates, but the body safely absorbs the saline solution.
Size & Shape
Breast implants come in different sizes and shapes. Your surgeon will help you choose the implant size that will look most attractive with your body size and proportions. The choice of shapes is between round and “teardrop” implants.
Incision Placement
Breast implant incision locations will depend on your anatomy and the type and size of your implants. Plastic surgeons make every effort to create small incisions and to place them where the resulting scars will not be noticeable.
The most common options are the inframammary fold incision (in the crease below the breast) and the periareolar incision (a half-circle incision along the lower edge of the areola). In some cases, your surgeon can place the implants through an incision in your armpit (transaxillary).
Implant Placement
Breast implant placement is another crucial choice. You’ll make your decision based on your anatomy and your lifestyle. A plastic surgeon can place breast implants either above (subglandular) or below (submuscular or subpectoral) the chest muscles.
The choice will factor in your breasts’ size and shape, your chest width, and the types of activities you enjoy. Your surgeon will carefully reposition your natural breast tissue, creating a breast pocket to place the implant in the optimal spot.
What Is Breast Augmentation Recovery Like?
In the first days after surgery, you’ll experience some bruising and swelling. You’ll need to wear a surgical bra to support your breasts as they heal. Heavy lifting is strictly prohibited for several weeks, as this can result in strain that shifts your implant out of its proper position.
We will provide detailed recovery instructions, including how to contact us with questions or concerns and a plan for follow-up appointments. Follow these closely for the optimal recovery and best results.
Exercise
While you can take brief walks to stimulate your circulation, you will need to refrain from exercise for at least two weeks after surgery. Exercising too soon can injure the implant pocket and cause your implants to sit in an undesired position. After a few weeks, you can gradually return to your exercise routine. Many patients can resume more strenuous activities after four to six weeks. Always wait until you are cleared by your surgeon before increasing your activity levels.
Return to Work
Most patients can return to light-duty or office-type work after about 48 hours.
Your Recovery Team at UCI
Our team will provide detailed breast augmentation recovery instructions, including how to contact us with questions or concerns and a plan for follow-up appointments.
What Results Can I Expect From My Breast Augmentation?
Your breasts will be visibly bigger immediately after surgery, but due to swelling, breasts tend to feel over-firm and sit quite high on the chest in the first few weeks. Over the next few months, the breasts undergo a period during which they get softer and settle into a more natural position.
Your breasts can still change over time, subject to the effects of aging and gravity. For best results, maintain regular breast checkups for monitoring and imaging. Report any abnormalities to your surgeon immediately. Breast augmentation results can last ten years or longer if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and regular check-up appointments.
How Much Does a Breast Augmentation Cost in Orange County?
The cost of breast augmentation in Orange County, CA, will vary from patient to patient. Several factors influence the cost of breast augmentation surgery, including patient health, implant type, and the complexity of your surgical plan, including any combination procedures. Other surgical fees will include anesthesia, medical tests, and compression garments.
Our team will provide additional pricing details about your breast augmentation procedure during your consultation and answer any questions you have.
Breast Augmentation FAQS
How long do breast implants last?
There is no fixed time limit for breast implants, but they aren’t permanent. Implants typically last for 10 to 15 years. Some breast augmentation patients need to have them removed or replaced (breast revision surgery) earlier if they rupture or if another problem occurs.
Can I combine breast augmentation with a breast lift?
Yes. Breast augmentation may reduce minor sagging, but if you have more significant sagging or downward-pointing nipples, you may want to combine the procedure with a breast lift.
Can I breastfeed after a breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation will not affect your ability to breastfeed, nor will the implants affect the quality of your breast milk. If this is a concern for you, be sure to bring it up in your consultation with the surgeon.
What type of breast implant looks and feel the most natural?
Many patients agree that silicone implants look and feel the most natural.
Will I need my breast implants replaced in the future?
Yes, at some point. Implants last an average of 10 to 15 years, although many patients keep their implants for much longer if no complications occur.
Will my nipples lose sensation?
Nipple sensitivity is typically temporary, if it occurs at all.
Will sutures need to be removed after breast augmentation?
No, all sutures will be absorbable.
Can an implant break? How would I know if it did?
With saline implants, the implant will collapse as the saline leaks out. With silicone implants, an MRI would be used to determine any leak.
What are the most common complications of breast augmentation?
The most common complications are capsular contracture, malposition, bleeding, infection, and prolonged soreness.
Interested in Breast Augmentation Surgery in Irvine, CA?
Contact UCI Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation and determine whether a breast augmentation is right for you. We’ll answer your questions and explain what you can expect from the procedure. We have offices in Orange, Costa Mesa, and Tustin and offer our services at six sites throughout Orange County. View a list of our locations and phone numbers here.
Contact Us
