Breast Augmentation
Breast Augmentation in Kirkland, WA
At Remington Plastic Surgery in Kirkland, WA, we have helped countless women achieve a beautifully balanced and feminine physique with personalized breast augmentation procedures. Our surgeons, Dr. Austin Remington and Dr. Brad Remington, are extensively trained and experienced providers of breast augmentation surgery who aim to deliver natural-looking results.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the size, shape, and symmetry of the breasts. This highly customizable procedure involves the surgical placement of saline or silicone breast implants, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, to achieve the patient’s desired breast contours.
Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation candidates include women who never had full breasts or who have experienced a loss of volume associated with aging, breastfeeding, or weight loss. Patients concerned about asymmetry and congenital deformities of the breasts can also be good candidates for breast implant surgery. In some cases, a breast augmentation may need to be combined with a breast lift (mastopexy) to appropriately position the nipple on the breast mound.
The best way to find out if breast augmentation is right for you is to schedule a consultation at Remington Plastic Surgery.
Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
Dr. Austin Remington and Dr. Brad Remington are thoughtful and experienced plastic surgeons who work closely with their patients to ensure they can make informed decisions about breast augmentation. There is a lot to learn if you are considering breast implant surgery! Your consultation will be very educational.
During your consultation, a personalized treatment plan will be developed, you will go through a sizing process, and we will review important details regarding what you can expect following surgery.
Customizing Your Breast Augmentation Procedure
From choosing the type, surface, and shape of your implants, to determining the optimal placement of your implants, your breast augmentation procedure will be tailored to your unique needs and aesthetic goals.
Types of Implants
The first differentiation between breast implants is the fill material, which can either be saline or silicone gel. Both options have a silastic, silicone shell, but saline implants are filled with salt water (the same substance in IV fluids), while silicone implants are filled with a cohesive gel.
Silicone implants, by the numbers, are much more popular due to their more natural feel and less detectable rippling. They also tend to hold a more consistent shape over time.
One advantage of saline implants is that detecting a rupture is easier, and in case of a leak, there is no risk to the body, as it can safely reabsorb the fluid. Another advantage is that saline implants can often be placed via a smaller, more discreet incision.
Implant Surface
The shell of a breast implant can either be smooth or textured. At one time, textured implants were favored because the slightly rough, irregular shell helped the implant stay in place and reduced the incidence of capsular contracture. However, certain rare complications have been associated with textured implants, and plastic surgeons have mostly shifted to using smooth implants.
Implant Shape
The shape of the implant can be round or “anatomic” – meaning that it is teardrop-shaped and provides more projection at the lower pole of the breast. The downside of teardrop-shaped implants is that they must be textured, in order to prevent rotation within the pocket.
Implant Position
Breast implants can be placed below the pectoralis major muscle (subpectoral or “dual plane”) or above the muscle (prepectoral, subglandular, or subfascial). There are distinct advantages and disadvantages to both options.
Subpectoral placement makes it more difficult to feel the implant, provides a smoother transition at the upper pole, reduces the chance of visible rippling and capsular contracture, and can facilitate mammography. The disadvantage is that the recovery may be more uncomfortable, and “animation” may occur, where a slight distortion of the breast results when the pectoralis major muscle is contracted. Prepectoral placement has the advantage in that recovery can be more comfortable; however, the implants may be more visible or able to be felt.
Incision Location
An incision is necessary to allow for implant placement. The location of the incision will depend on your anatomy, previous procedures, and whether or not a breast lift (mastopexy) is recommended.
A common approach is with a short, inframammary incision, located where the natural breast crease meets the chest wall. This type of incision heals well and gives excellent visualization of the implant pocket. Another choice is a peri-areolar incision, located along the bottom half of the areola.
What to Expect During Breast Augmentation Surgery
Dr. Austin Remington and Dr. Brad Remington typically do breast augmentation surgery in our state-of-the-art outpatient surgery suite. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes one to two hours to complete.
Based on your unique surgical plan, Dr. Remington will make an incision at the inframammary fold or along the underside of the areola. The implant is then placed using a minimal-touch technique to reduce the chance of infection and capsular contracture. Absorbable sutures (which do not need to be removed) are used to close the incision.
Breast Augmentation Recovery and Results
Recovery following breast implant surgery is relatively straightforward. There is a lot of marketing about “rapid recovery,” but what matters most for optimal healing and results are precise pocket dissection, long-acting local anesthesia, and appropriate post-operative care.
In general, patients can resume light activity on the day after surgery. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity usually can be started after three to four weeks. You will need to wear a surgical support bra, as directed by Dr. Remington, to minimize swelling. Final breast augmentation results may take several months to fully realize, particularly if the muscle needs time to relax.
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?
The cost of breast augmentation can vary based on several factors, including the type of implants chosen, the complexity of the procedure, and whether additional surgeries, such as a breast lift, are required to achieve your desired results. At Remington Plastic Surgery, we believe in transparent pricing and will provide you with a detailed estimate during your consultation.
Recovery and Results
Recovery following breast augmentation is relatively straightforward. There is a lot of marketing about “rapid recovery” – what matters is precise pocket dissection, long-acting local anesthesia, and appropriate postoperative guidelines. You can resume light activity on the day after surgery. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity usually can be started after two to three weeks. A surgical support bra will be important to minimize swelling. The final result may take several months to fully appreciate, particularly if the muscle needs time to relax.
Breast Augmentation Gallery
Schedule a Consultation
Whether the goal is to restore volume lost due to aging, pregnancy, or weight changes, or to create a fuller, more proportionate silhouette, breast augmentation surgery can be tailored to your needs and desired outcome.
Take the first step toward achieving your ideal look by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Austin Remington or Dr. Brad Remington. During this initial appointment, we’ll discuss your cosmetic goals, answer your questions, and create a customized treatment plan.
FAQs about Breast Augmentation
How long do breast implants last?
Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices, and although they do not have an “expiration date,” they may need to be replaced after 10 to 20 years. However, many patients enjoy their implants for longer periods without complications.
What is the recovery time for breast augmentation?
Are breast augmentation results permanent?
“I wish I could give Dr Remington and his staff 10 stars“
"I wish I could give Dr Remington and his staff 10 stars. The entire process from consult to pre/post surgery was comfortable and informative and the results were exactly what I was looking for. Highly recommend!!"
- J.P.