What Is Breast Augmentation?

Every year, over 300,000 women in the United States undergo breast augmentation surgery. This elective plastic surgery procedure involves inserting saline or silicone breast implants either under or in front of the chest muscle in order to increase the breast to a larger, more desired size. William Bruno Plastic Surgery recommends breast augmentation to patients in West Hollywood and Hollywood who are not satisfied with their current breast size, who have lost breast volume as a result of pregnancy or nursing, or who want a fuller look both in and out of clothing.

| william bruno plastic surgery

Breast augmentation can be a very satisfying procedure for women of all ages. Please call our office at (310) 879-0937 to arrange a consultation in West Hollywood with William Bruno Plastic Surgery for more in-depth information and complete evaluation.


What Are The Key Benefits Of Getting A Breast Augmentation?

Some of the key benefits of breast augmentation surgery include:


Am I A Candidate To Receive A Breast Augmentation?

Wanting to be a breast augmentation patient of Dr. Bruno doesn’t automatically qualify you for the surgery. Your overall health and well-being is Dr. Bruno’s primary concern, which is why he carefully screens every one of his potential plastic surgery patients to confirm:

  • Patient is in good overall health.
  • Patient has realistic expectations for their surgery.
  • Patient is prepared to follow Dr. Bruno’s post-operative instructions.
  • Patient is a non-smoker, or will quit smoking 3 weeks before and after their surgery.

| william bruno plastic surgery

*Individual results may vary


Breast Augmentation Procedure Process Explained

Dr. Bruno understands that some women may feel uncomfortable discussing their breasts and desired goals with someone they just met, even if they are a renowned plastic surgeon. For that reason, Dr. Bruno works diligently to form an instant doctor-patient rapport with each of his potential breast augmentation candidates so women can feel more comfortable having a breast examination and discussing their goals for elective plastic surgery.

The Consultation

During your initial meeting with Dr. Bruno, several things will occur, including:

  • A complete breast examination to determine the current state of your breasts.
  • A discussion of your problem areas and desires for your breast size. For this conversation, it’s helpful for you to bring in photos or magazine clippings of what you want your breasts to look like, as terms such as cup size can be subjective due to different cup size measurements from bra manufacturer to bra manufacturer.
  • If you are of childbearing age, Dr. Bruno will inquire if you think you may want to breastfeed future children so he can determine which incision type to use so as not to negatively impact your possibility of breastfeeding.
  • A full discussion of your medical history, including any current health conditions or medications you take and previous surgical procedures you may have had performed.
  • A discussion of the different types of breast implant options and which selections are right for your unique case.
  • Bruno will explain the breast augmentation procedure to you so you understand every part of your procedure.

What Should I Do In Preparation For A Breast Augmentation?

When the day of your breast augmentation finally arrives, you’ll come to the surgical center having fasted since midnight the night before, or at least 12 hours, whichever is longer. Fasting before elective surgery is important, as having a full stomach may cause undesired complications with general anesthesia.

Initially, you’ll be called back to a preoperative room, where you’ll be prepared for surgery. When the time comes, you’ll go to the OR, where Dr. Bruno will use his technical skill and artistic eye to help give you your desired breasts.*

What Is A Breast Augmentation Like During Surgery?

| william bruno plastic surgery

Breast augmentation is usually performed at an outpatient surgery center under general anesthesia. The procedure is typically completed in one hour*. There are several options for the incision to insert the implant. One technique uses an incision in the lower portion of the breast crease, also known as the inframammary fold. This incision can improve your ability to breastfeed in the future and has a slightly lower incidence of capsular contracture, which is the formation of hard scar tissue that can make your breasts feel hard to the touch and become visually distorted.

A less popular technique for breast augmentation involves making an incision in the armpit; this approach (transaxillary) can occasionally give the appearance that the implants are too far apart. Another approach requires that the incision be made around the areola (periareolar), which is the darker skin surrounding the nipple. Dr. Bruno will review the advantages and disadvantages of each incision and make recommendations based on your unique anatomy.


| william bruno plastic surgery

Keller Funnel™ Certified Surgeon. Learn more about the benefits of using the Keller Funnel™.


What Should I Expect During Recovery After Augmentation?

After your procedure, you’ll awaken in a recovery room where you’ll be cared for by a team of postoperative nurses and medical technicians and monitored as you come off general anesthesia. Once you are given the clear to leave, you’ll be released for rest and relaxation in the comfort of your own home. You won’t be able to drive yourself home due to the strong general anesthesia you received for your surgery, and you will need a family member or friend to perform that task for you.

How Long Will The Results Last? Will I Need To Replace My Breast Implants In The Future?

A common myth about breast implants is that you absolutely need to have them replaced every decade. The answer is no. You don’t have to replace your breast implants unless you want to change the size to either bigger or smaller or develop a complication such as deflation or capsular contracture. If you don’t have any problems with your implants, you do not have to replace them.


Other Things To Consider Before Getting A Breast Augmentation

Implant Types For Breast Augmentation. Which Is Suited For Me: Saline Or Silicone?

During the breast augmentation Dr. Bruno performs in West Hollywood, he carefully dissects the breast tissue in order to create a space under the breast tissue (subglandular) or beneath the chest wall muscle (subpectoral). Most breast implants are placed under or behind the pectoral muscle to avoid visible rippling that may be seen through the skin in some severe cases*. Through the insertion of an implant behind each breast, a woman’s breast size can be increased by one or several bra cup sizes.

| william bruno plastic surgery

There are two general categories of breast implants – saline and silicone. Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution. Silicone implants are made of a cohesive, thick gel and have been re-approved by the FDA in 2006. Many patients who undergo breast augmentation prefer silicone implants due to their very natural feel. The FDA now requires patients to be at least 22 years of age to be eligible for silicone breast implants.

Are There Any Risks Involved In Getting Breast Implants?

Years ago, silicone breast implants were banned by the FDA because of health concerns. However, today’s newer silicone breast implants are nothing like those that caused health problems in years past. Today, both saline and silicone breast implants are safe and FDA-approved. There have been thousands of studies performed on breast implants, especially today’s modern new silicone breast implants, and there are no health risks associated with either implant.

Learn more about silicone breast implant for breast augmentation from Dr. Bruno himself.


Additional Facts And Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Augmentation

| william bruno plastic surgery

One of the natural effects of getting breast implants is having sagging breasts at some point. Women in Hollywood often try to figure out how to prevent it from happening, but the added weight and strain placed on the connective tissue can potentially create some sagging.

While there aren’t necessarily any home remedies to fix or prevent sagging from occurring, one solution to enhance the appearance of the breasts is to get a breast augmentation. Breast augmentation doesn’t fix the tissue problems, but the procedure can place the breasts in a different position to enhance their appearance.

Sagging breasts are nothing to be concerned about since they’re completely normal if you’ve had breast implant surgery. Dr. Bruno is always available to help enhance and restore your natural beauty, and he can easily do so with breast augmentation. He has helped many women in Hollywood completely transform their bodies and routinely enhances sagging breasts.

When you work with Dr. Bruno, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your breast implants will be successful and can easily be enhanced as needed when your body changes over time.

When women get breast implants for the right reasons, they can enhance their self-image by feeling much more confident with their own bodies.

Women should get breast augmentation because they want to enhance their bodies, not because societal pressures force them to. When women get breast implants for their own reasons, they tend to feel more satisfied with the results and have an increased sense of self-confidence.

One of the ways to ensure patients make the right decision is to talk about breast implants with family members, trusted friends, and their doctors. The additional support and conversation can help patients discover the real reason why they want breast implants and move forward with the procedure accordingly.

Dr. Bruno uses his experience and skill as a plastic surgeon to transform your body into the perfection you desire. Whether you need a boost of confidence or an enhancement of your self-image, Dr. Bruno can help.

There are two types of incisions patients must decide between when getting a breast augmentation: the inframammary incision and the areola incision. Both incisions provide great results, so the decision ultimately comes down to the patient’s personal preference regarding the incision’s location.

The inframammary incision can be completely hidden if the breasts have deep folds, which isn’t the case for every breast augmentation procedure. The areola incision is hidden more easily since the location allows the areolar tissue to make it less visible.

Both incisions are common, and neither one is necessarily better than the other. The incision location depends largely on the patient’s lifestyle. When discussing the options with Dr. Bruno, he will ask questions to determine which incision is ideal and to ensure you have the proper expectations.

The incision location is an important decision to make, but it’s also not a decision you need to overthink. When you work with Dr. Bruno, you can rest easy knowing he will make the recommendation suited for you and follow through with great techniques and results.

Proportionality

Having proportional breasts can boost a woman’s self-esteem and help her be happy with her body in general. The breast size should match the size of the body closely for optimal results.

Select the Right Size

The choice of breast size is completely personal. However, bringing along a family member or trusted friend can ensure the right size is chosen by listening to their opinions.

Think About the Incision Location

The incision location is important because it determines how visible it will be following the procedure. Dr. Bruno thoroughly discusses incision locations with his patients.

Consider the Recovery

No two women recover the same way following breast augmentation. Dr. Bruno will set a specific recovery plan, so be sure to follow it completely.

When a patient gets breast implants, they typically want them to look natural and appear as if no work has been done. One thing that can affect the appearance of breast implants is something called rippling. Rippling occurs when the implant shows through the skin and will appear as ripples near the bottom of the breast implant.

The type of implant, the placement, and the size all can cause rippling. Saline implants usually create a rippling effect more than silicone implants. When the implants are placed on top of the chest muscle, the ripples could show more since there is less tissue to cover them. Also, the larger the implant size, the greater the chances are of rippling.

During a breast augmentation with Dr. Bruno, patients can feel confident knowing he takes the time to ensure full satisfaction from start to finish. Working with Dr. Bruno and his surgical background is the way to reduce the risk of rippling.

Hundreds of patients have gone through a successful breast augmentation with Dr. Bruno, so don’t delay transforming your body and appearance.

Many patients often know they want a breast augmentation, but they don’t know what size their implants should be. The reality is the size of the implants is completely dependent upon the patient’s preference.

For comparison purposes, the average size of breast implants is between about 350 cc to 400 cc. This is equivalent to a small-to-large C cup. Of course, since every woman has a different body type, the average implant size may or may not be proportionate to the body. This is where the skill of Dr. Bruno enters the picture.

Dr. Bruno will discuss every aspect of a breast augmentation with his patients before performing the procedure. He wants his patients to have an image in mind for their body, so he can work to achieve it. He also takes the time to ensure his patients are comfortable and confident with the appearance of their implants so that the results will match the expectations.

When working with Dr. Bruno in Hollywood, you’ll feel confident knowing the breast implants you receive are the perfect size for you.

West Hollywood patients who are looking for breast implants often have concerns about the scar shape and size. It is simply a natural consequence of having surgery that there will be scars wherever the skin is cut. However, patients should know that there is a relationship between the size and shape of the incision and the type of breast implant desired. Dr. Bruno can discuss with patients during a consultation all options available to them and show directly what a certain scar will look like, but a few of the options will be discussed here.

Saline Implants generally come deflated and are filled later. Patients may not necessarily realize this or the importance of it. Still, this fact means that the incision can be made relatively small as the implant can be inflated with saline solution afterward.

Silicone gel implants come pre-filled and require a larger incision than saline implants, but a device called the Keller Funnel allows them to be compressed and inserted using the smallest possible incision. These are a middle-ground.

Cohesive gel implants require the largest incision of the three types. They feel natural and are a popular choice, but they cannot be easily compressed like silicone gel implants, so they require a larger incision.

Dr. Bruno wishes to inform his patients about their breast augmentation options. If more information is needed, schedule a consultation today.

Breast augmentation is not just to increase the size of a woman’s breasts but the aesthetics of having larger breasts. Dr. Bruno frequently receives questions from his patients about cleavage and how it can be emphasized through breast augmentation. Obviously, breast implants increase breast size, but cleavage doesn’t always follow, and cleavage is important in the aesthetics of the breasts. Modern technology and the skill of plastic surgeons such as Dr. Bruno can help alleviate patient concerns and achieve the desired results. This article will discuss a few conditions that should be considered in achieving the desired cleavage.

The natural placement of breasts is important in achieving good cleavage. If a woman’s body places her breasts close together, then noticeable cleavage is as simple as wearing the correct bra. Breast augmentation doesn’t need much help here, and a larger size will do most of the work.

Breast hang or sag may necessitate a breast lift operation to achieve proper cleavage.

The implant shape can make a woman’s breasts look different and carry a different profile, which can help achieve proper cleavage.

Women looking to achieve a more aesthetic or better-looking bust are well served by knowing their options and being aware of their situation. Dr. Bruno wants to help women at his practice look and feel their best, and in a comprehensive consultation, he can discuss all options available for amazing breast augmentation surgery.

The answer is simply “yes.”

Saline implants are the oldest type of implant, and standard saline implants received FDA approval in 2000. They come manufactured in a deflated state and are inflated once implanted.

The silicone implants used today had their approval in 2006. They use a silicone shell and come pre-filled with a thicker silicone gel. They are perfectly safe for use, and the implant provides a more natural feel that is similar to normal breast tissue.

Cohesive gel implants come with a thicker shell and are quickly becoming the most popular type of implant available. They received their FDA approval in 2013 and are popular for their natural feel.

Women who visit Dr. Bruno for breast augmentation should not be concerned with the health risks of their implants. Everything is tested and approved, and Dr. Bruno takes the utmost care to ensure his patient’s livelihood.

Many women seeking breast augmentation focus almost entirely on the physical gains of breast implants. However, the psychological effects are inextricably linked to the physical gains.

The confidence of looking amazing through good breast augmentation can absolutely give significant psychological gains, especially to those women who struggle with certain issues that affect their breasts.

Micromastia is a condition that derives from underdeveloped breasts. Simply, the tissue doesn’t grow, and women can feel less feminine because of that. Augmentation can give these women their female identity and help them feel like they have a ‘normal’ body.

Asymmetry occurs when one breast develops differently than the other. Some women have significant differences. Breast augmentation can give these women are more natural and normal look, allowing women to feel confident in their bodies.

Post-pregnancy, a woman’s body can change drastically, and breasts can become misshapen after nursing. These patients want their bodies back, and breast augmentation can give them that.

Good mental health and body image can boost every aspect of a woman’s life, and the breasts are an important part of a woman’s self-image. Women who seek breast augmentation from Dr. Bruno can be assured that their surgery will give them exactly the look that they desire.

Capsular contracture is the term for hard scar tissue that can form around breast implants. This occurs in about 10% of all patients who undergo breast augmentation. The implants can feel hard to the touch and may look asymmetrical or distorted in severe cases. It happens more often with implants inserted through the areola and implants placed in front of the pectoral muscle. In addition to massaging your implants after surgery, there are some medications Dr. Bruno can recommend to you to help reduce capsular contracture.

Yes. There is a special mammography protocol for women with breast implants. Rest assured, even if you have silicone or saline breast implants placed, you will still undergo yearly mammography screenings for breast cancer once you reach the appropriate age.

Most patients can still breastfeed after having breast implants, depending on the incision and the location of the implant. Just remember, you’ll want to avoid that incision around the areola if you plan to breastfeed in the future. Dr. Bruno will discuss this in more detail during your consultation.

The only definitive way to know if a silicone breast implant is ruptured is by way of a specialized imaging study called an MRI. The FDA recommends getting an MRI three years after breast augmentation surgery in order to evaluate the state of the breast implant. Deflation or rupture with a saline implant is much easier to detect as you’ll instantly notice that the breast has deflated.

There are different shapes and surface textures of breast implants used during breast augmentation. The most commonly used implants have a smooth surface and a round shape. The anatomic or “teardrop” shaped implants tend to rotate out of position, which may require surgery to correct. Especially since most breast implants are placed in a subpectoral (under the muscle) location during a breast augmentation, round, smooth implants are preferred. There are also different “profiles” of implants such as high profile and moderate profile breast implants. The profile refers to how far the breast implant sticks out. Dr. Bruno will review these options in more detail during your consultation and help you pick the exact breast implants ideal for your unique desires and situation.

A surgical bra is provided after surgery, which is similar to a sports bra, and is worn for four weeks. This type of bra has no underwire and is much more comfortable during the immediate postoperative period. Pain medication and occasionally muscle relaxants are taken for a few days after surgery to keep you as comfortable as possible. Most patients can return to work and drive a car in about three days. There is typically one stitch that is removed one week after surgery. Patients are instructed to avoid heavy lifting (including small children) or strenuous activity with their upper body for approximately four to six weeks after breast augmentation.

Patients are instructed to massage their implants after breast augmentation, as this helps reduce the formation of hard scar tissue (capsular contracture). Breast massages should be performed several times a day by moving the breasts up, down, in, and out. The breast implants may at first appear high and firm to the touch for the first few weeks. By around the second or third month after a breast augmentation, the implants will look and feel very natural.*

The two most common approaches to breast augmentation incisions are through the lower border of the areola or in the breast crease, called inframammary fold. It’s difficult to determine if one incision is better than another for breast augmentation since each patient’s anatomy and needs are slightly different. Both scars tend to heal quite well, especially with the help of silicone gels and silicone tape used after surgery. However, women who think they may want to breastfeed in the future should avoid the incision around the areola as it can cut through milk ducts, making it difficult or impossible for them to breastfeed future children. Don’t worry. Dr. Bruno will evaluate you and determine which incision is suited for you based on your unique case and future breastfeeding plans.


Let Dr. Bruno Of West Hollywood And Hollywood Help You Achieve Your Ideal Breast Size

If you’re unhappy with the current state of your breasts, that feeling doesn’t have to be permanent. Breast augmentation with Dr. Bruno is an excellent way to get the shape and silhouette you’ve always desired, and our office is conveniently located near West Hollywood and Hollywood. To schedule an initial consultation, use our online form or call (310) 879-0937 today.