Breast Augmentation
Augmentation Mammoplasty
Breast Augmentation with Cho Plastic Surgery Quick Facts:
- Typical recovery time: 1-2 weeks, final results can take up to 3 months
- Price range: $7k-11k
- Dr. Cho specializes in submuscular, dual place, subfascial, subglandular, and minimally invasive breast augmentation
- Procedures performed at Spring Ridge SurgiCenter, Reading Surgery Center, and Surgical Institute of Reading
Overview
Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, typically involves using breast implants to increase the size of your breasts, restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy, and/or achieve a more rounded breast shape. Breast augmentation can also be used to improve natural breast size asymmetry and as a part of treating tuberous breast deformity.
Breast augmentation does not correct severely drooping breasts. A breast lift (mastopexy) may be required along with a breast augmentation for sagging breasts to look fuller and lifted. Breast lifting can often be done at the same time as your augmentation.
Breasts can achieve a mild enhancement with fat grafting alone, using your own fat after liposuction and transferring to your breasts.
Types of Breast Implants
Saline Breast Implants
- Provide a uniform shape and feel
- FDA-approved
- Filled with sterile salt water
Smooth Silicone Gel Implants
- All-area, high quality gummy bear cohesive gel for natural look and feel
- Dr. Cho trusts Mentor™ implants for their dependability and well-established line of implants with great firmness and profile versatility (MemoryGel™, MemoryGel™ Xtra, and MemoryGel BOOST™)
- Durable outer silicone shell to reduce rupture risk
- Long term safety backed by decades of clinical data
Smooth Silk Microtextured Silicone Implants
- Superior natural feel and look due to ergonomic gel
- Dr. Cho trusts Motiva® 6th generation implants for their versatile firmness and profiles (Motiva SmoothSilk® Round and Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix® in mini/low, demi/moderate, and full/high projection profiles)
- Enhanced safety and lower complications due to microtextured surface
Implant Placement
Implant placement refers to where the breast implant is positioned in relation to the chest muscle and breast tissue. The right placement depends on your anatomy, lifestyle, goals, and Dr. Cho’s recommendation.
Submuscular Placement
- With submuscular placement, the implant is positioned beneath the pectoral muscle
- This approach may be recommended for patients who would benefit from additional tissue coverage over the implant
Dual Plane Placement
- Dual plane placement positions the upper portion of the implant beneath the chest muscle while the lower portion sits beneath the breast tissue
- This approach can allow the implant to settle more naturally, help fill out the lower portion of the breast and create a natural-looking breast shape
Subfascial Placement
- With subfascial placement, the implant is placed above the muscle but beneath the fascia, a thin layer of connective tissue over the muscle
- This approach may help preserve muscle function and, for some patients, can involve less discomfort and downtime than placement fully beneath the muscle
Subglandular Placement
- Subglandular placement positions the implant above the chest muscle and beneath the breast tissue
- It is typically the least invasive placement option and may involve minimal downtime
- Dr. Cho may recommend this approach for select patients, often with smooth Motiva implants, depending on anatomy, tissue coverage, and aesthetic goals
Dr. Cho will review implant placement options during your consultation and recommend the approach that best supports your anatomy, goals and desired result.
Preservé™ by Motiva®
We now offer Preservé™ by Motiva®, an innovative new technique for breast augmentation for faster recovery and minimal scarring.
- 2-3cm incisions
- Preserve muscle and ligaments that support the breast
- Reduced downtime (return to daily activities faster)
Breast Augmentation After Significant Weight Loss
Significant weight loss is a major accomplishment, but it often changes the composition of breast tissue. For many patients, this results in upper pole deflation (a loss of volume and perkiness in the top half of the breast) along with changes in collagen and skin quality. Because the skin has lost its natural elasticity and structural strength, it can no longer support a breast implant on its own.
To achieve a natural, long-lasting result, most patients who have lost significant weight require a specialized approach:
- Simultaneous Breast Lift: In many cases, an implant alone cannot fix sagging skin. Dr. Cho often performs a lift at the same time as the augmentation to remove excess skin and reposition the breast tissue higher on the chest wall.
- Internal Mesh Bra: For tissues that need extra reinforcement, we can utilize an innovative internal mesh. This acts as a supportive internal bra that provides a permanent scaffold that helps the weakened skin hold the weight of the implant and maintains your new shape over time.
By addressing both the volume loss and the underlying tissue structure, we can restore the firm, youthful contour that weight loss may have diminished.
Benefits
- Increase fullness and projection of your breasts
- Improve balance of breast and hip contours
- Enhance your self-image and self-confidence
All surgery involves some level of risk, and breast augmentation is no exception. During your consultation, Dr. Cho will review potential risks, answer your questions and explain the steps taken to help reduce complications based on your anatomy, health history and surgical plan.
Risks
- Changes in nipple sensation
- Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) or breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC)
- Implant rupture or leakage
- Possibility of revision surgery
- Wrong or faulty position of the implant
- Seroma (fluid accumulation)
- Capsular contracture (scar tissue formed around the implant)
- Scarring
- Hematoma
- Infection
- Anesthesia
Ideal Candidate
- You are physically healthy, and at a stable weight and close to ideal body weight
- You have realistic expectations
- You are a nonsmoker
- Your breasts are fully developed
- You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
- You are dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging
- You are unhappy with the upper part of your breast appearing "empty"
- Your breasts are asymmetric
- One or both breasts failed to develop normally or have an elongated shape such as tuberous breast deformity
Breast Augmentation Consultation
- During your breast augmentation consultation, Dr. Cho will assess your current medical history, including medications, vitamins and herbal supplements you take, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
- She will also ask about family history of breast cancer, previous mammograms, and if you’ve had any breast biopsies
- Examine and measure your breasts, including detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality and placement of your nipples and areolas; she will also examine your breasts for any masses or lesions
- Take photographs
- Discuss the different types of breast implants with recommendations based on your goals and the look you are trying to achieve (you will have the opportunity to try on different size implants, as they come in different projection profiles from low to extra high depending on the look you are trying to achieve)
- The two main types of breast implants are silicone- and saline-filled; both of these implant types have a silicone shell
- Important: A patient must be at least 22 years old to have silicone implants placed
- Discuss with you the options for placement of the implant above or below the muscle and what her recommendations are
- Dr. Cho will carefully listen to your aesthetic goals and come up with a customized plan to meet those goals
- Discuss likely outcomes of breast augmentation and any risks or potential complications
Procedure Preparation
- Do not take any blood thinning medications for 1 week before surgery, including aspirin, NSAIDs, ibuprofen/Motrin, naproxen (also, avoid any herbal supplements or vitamins which can prolong bleeding)
- Do not smoke, vape, or take nicotine-containing products before or after your surgery as they can impair the healing process
What to Expect During Surgery
- Breast augmentation is typically performed using general anesthesia or light sedation
- Dr. Cho will recommend the safest and most appropriate option based on your procedure plan
- Incision placement varies by patient, but is commonly made within the breast fold, also called the inframammary fold
- In some cases, an incision around the areola may be recommended
- Dr. Cho uses careful incision planning to help keep scars as small and discreet as possible
- Implant placement depends on your anatomy, lifestyle, goals, and Dr. Cho’s recommendation
- Options may include submuscular, dual plane, subfascial, or subglandular placement
- Dr. Cho uses meticulous suturing techniques to support proper healing and minimize visible scarring
- In most cases, sutures are placed beneath the skin and do not require external stitch removal
Recovery
- 1-2 weeks, final results can take up to 3 months to allow for tissues and implants to settle
- During recovery, you will have a support bra that will minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal - wear this at all times if possible
- You will be given specific instructions on how to care for the surgical sites after surgery, and how to take the prescribed medications to reduce pain and risks of infection
- It's important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion or motion during the time of healing
- To help avoid postoperative complications and facilitate healing, you will not be able to lift more than 15 lbs or do any strenuous activities particularly if it involves pushing or pulling for a few weeks
- Do not smoke, vape, or take nicotine-containing products before or after your surgery as they can impair the healing process
- You will typically be allowed to sponge bathe, but do not shower until cleared by Dr. Cho
- Follow-up visits are typically scheduled around one week, six weeks and three months after surgery to monitor healing, evaluate implant position and make sure your results are settling appropriately
- Once healed, annual follow-up visits may be recommended to continue monitoring your implants and long-term results
- Come to all post-operative visits as scheduled
FAQs
1-2 hours under general anesthesia or sedation.
Every surgical procedure involves creating a scar. For breast augmentation, we try to conceal scars in the breast fold or around the areola, and use meticulous suturing techniques for the finest appearing scars. Scars will fade and become less noticeable over time.
Longevity can vary based on the individual patient as well as type of implant. Breast implants are not meant to last a lifetime. Most patients can go 10-20 years before they need to either exchange or remove the implant.
This is a decision best made during your consultation, where you will be able to try on implant sizers under a non-padded sports bra to help select implant size. Providing inspiration photos can also help with this decision. Dr. Cho will customize the look you are trying to achieve while considering your baseline anatomic features and lifestyle.
It varies between individuals, but typically 1-2 weeks. Regular exercise and strenuous activities can resume in 4-6 weeks. You will be given specific instructions based on your individual needs.
Breast augmentation complications can vary. Dr. Cho is available 24/7 for any questions or concerns during the recovery process.
Yes, most women can breast feed after - it depends on factors such as surgical tech and the patient's anatomy. It's important to discuss your future goals for breast feeding during your consultation so we can plan the procedure accordingly.
It's best to sleep on your back, with a few pillows for the first 2 weeks. Avoid sleeping on your stomach for 4-6 weeks. You can try to sleep on your side after 2 weeks by hugging a pillow across your chest.
Patient Review
I could not be happier with my breast augmentation by Dr. Cho. This is something I had wanted to do for years but never had the courage to do. I had my consultation with Dr. Cho and she listened to what I wanted my results to be. There was no pressure and I felt very comfortable and knew I wanted to proceed. The entire office staff was kind and professional. The whole process was explained thoroughly and all my questions were answered. I knew what to expect postoperatively and could not be happier with my results. See review
Brenda / Breast Surgery Patient
Surgery is a Big Decision
We are here to answer any questions you have and help you determine the right choice for you. If you are considering surgery, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Cho today. She would be honored to discuss your goals and help you achieve the look you desire.
Financing Available
We believe your aesthetic goals should always be within reach. To make your journey more accessible, we offer payment options through Care Credit and Cherry by Alle, with financing available for same-day treatment. We will be happy to assist you in the application process at the time of your consultation. For more information, contact our office.