Breast Augmentation in Orange County
Breast Implants
Breast augmentation surgically enhances the size and shape of a woman’s breast. At UC Irvine department of plastic surgery, we offer this procedure for women who want to increase their breast size.
Breast augmentation works by placing a saline or silicone implant underneath your breast tissue. It's one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the U.S., with nearly 300,000 procedures performed in 2010.
Reasons for Choosing Breast Augmentation
Women choose to undergo breast augmentation when they feel their breasts are too small or if their breast volume has changed after pregnancy. The surgery can:
- Provide larger, fuller breasts
- Enhance overall body proportions
- Improve breast symmetry
Choosing breast augmentation is a personal decision. The best candidates are women who want to enlarge their breasts to meet their own, personal cosmetic goals. They are also realistic in their expectations and capable of understanding the risks involved.
FAQ About Breast Augmentation in Orange County
The following are common questions about breast implantation in Orange County. If you have a question that isn't covered here, please email or call the UC Irvine department of plastic surgery.
How is breast augmentation performed?
Breast augmentation can be done as either an inpatient or outpatient procedure, using either general or local anesthesia. The method of inserting your implants will depend on your anatomy. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest, around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple) or in the armpit. Working through the incision, the surgeon will lift your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath your chest wall muscle. The implants are then centered beneath your nipples.
The surgery usually takes 2 to 3 hours to complete. Stitches are used to close the incisions, which may also be taped for greater support. A bandage may also be applied to help with healing.
Which breast implants are available?
Breast augmentation can be performed with FDA approved saline or silicone filled implants. There are pros and cons with each type of implant. Saline is less expensive and allows for a shorter incision, while silicone can produce results that look and feel more natural.
Can breast augmentation correct sagging breasts?
Breast augmentation is not intended to correct breast droop, i.e. sagging. A breast lift can be performed, at the same time or in a separate procedure, to address this issue.
How long is recovery after breast augmentation?
While you’re likely to feel tired and sore for a few days after your surgery, you should be up and around within 48 hours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by doctor-prescribed pain medication.
Within several days, the bandages will be removed, and you may be given a surgical bra. You may experience a burning sensation in your nipples for about two weeks, which will subside as the bruising fades. Stitches should come out in a week to 10 days, but it may take several months for the swelling in your breasts to disappear.
What other options are there for breast augmentation at UC Irvine?
Breast augmentation is a surgery with many options. During your consultation in Orange County, you can discuss the various options such as: implant size, implant type, incision location, implant placement (above or below the muscle), implant shape, implant texture and more.
What are the risks of breast augmentation?
The most common problem is capsular contracture, which occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This squeezing of the soft implant can cause the breast to feel hard. A small percentage of women develop an infection around the implant, most often seen within a week after surgery. In some cases, the implant may need to be removed for several months until the infection clears. A new implant can then be inserted.
Occasionally, breast implants may break or leak. Breast implants are silicone shells filled with either silicone gel or a salt-water solution (saline). Rupture can occur as the result of injury or even from the normal compression and movement of your breast, causing the man-made shell to leak. If a saline-filled implant breaks, the implant will deflate in a few hours, and the body will harmlessly absorb the salt water. In gel-filled implants, however, the silicone may move into surrounding tissues or change the shape or firmness of the breast.
If you'd like to learn more about breast augmentation in Orange County, we encourage you to contact UC Irvine plastic surgery in the city of Orange, CA. We are conveniently located for residents of Los Angeles, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and other communities of southern California. Call 714-456-3077 to reach our friendly staff at University of California Irvine.