If you have longed for fuller, shapelier breasts, you may be considering getting breast implants. Taking that step to choose a breast augmentation can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Understanding the procedure, who it’s best for, how safe it is, and other important factors can give you some peace of mind. In this post, I answer some of the most common questions about the procedure to help you better understand all that breast augmentation entails.
1. Why do women get breast augmentation, and who is a candidate?
People consider breast augmentation for several reasons:
- To increase breast volume or improve body proportions
- To restore fullness after pregnancy or weight loss
- To improve differences in breast size
A good candidate is generally in good health, understands the risks of surgery, and has realistic expectations. If sagging is also a concern, Dr. Roth may recommend a breast lift.
What could disqualify someone from breast augmentation? Breast implant surgery should not be performed during pregnancy or nursing, if you have an active infection, or when breast cancer or precancer has not been adequately treated. These circumstances do not necessarily rule out surgery permanently. Other medical concerns require an individual assessment, so Dr. Roth will review your health history and anatomy before determining whether breast augmentation is appropriate for you.
2. How much do breast implants cost in Las Vegas?
At Dr. Roth’s Las Vegas practice, breast augmentation pricing depends on the type of implant you choose and your surgical plan. The practice’s breast augmentation cost guide lists starting prices of $7,800 for saline implants and $8,800 for silicone implants.
Choosing a breast lift with implants or adding other surgeries to the procedure can increase the cost. After discussing your goals and options at your consultation, the practice can provide an estimate for your surgery.
3. Where will the scar be?
Incisions (and the resulting scar) may be placed in the axillae (armpit), inframammary fold (under the breast), or peri-areolar (around the nipple-areola complex). Incision placement will depend on multiple factors, including your particular anatomy, tissues, and goals.
4. How long does the procedure take, and what is the recovery time and pain involved?
Operating time is usually 1 to 1-1/2 hours, depending on multiple factors, including the surgical approach, amount of dissection, etc. You’ll wake up in the recovery room and typically go home after that. Recovery time depends on your specific operation and the work that you do. You can learn more about breast augmentation day-by-day recovery time after breast augmentation in our related blog post.
If you have stitches, they are usually removed a week after surgery. Most people are back to work within 7 to 10 days or so; although if your work is sedentary, you may return as you feel fit.
The discomfort is usually well tolerated. We sometimes offer the option of placing a “pain pump” during the procedure. The pump, which comes in a fanny pack, will drizzle out medicine into the pocket. It is simply removed in 2 to 3 days. Patients with the pump typically take less pain medicine and are more active earlier.
5. Can breast implants leak?
Implant failures are rare, reported to be 1% to 3% over many years. Some implants are filled with saline (basically sterile saltwater), which will be absorbed and then excreted in the urine. The implant is then replaced.
The current silicone implants are made of a more cohesive gel (think gummi-bear consistency). If there is a tear in the implant, the gel is designed not to leak out of the implant. If a leak occurs, though, the implant should still be replaced.
6. Do implants pose a problem for mammography?
Implants do not cause inaccurate mammography. The person doing the mammogram needs to know that you have breast implants, and then they can take the extra (displacement) views.
7. Do breast implants affect pregnancy or breastfeeding?
A 2019 study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that most women with breast implants can successfully breastfeed. Pregnancy can alter breast size in an unpredictable way and could affect the long-term results of breast augmentation, however.
8. What should I look for in a breast augmentation surgeon in Las Vegas?
Look for a surgeon who is board certified in plastic surgery, discusses the benefits and risks of your options, and takes time to understand the result you want. Review before-and-after photos of patients with goals similar to yours, and ask where your surgery will take place and what follow-up care includes.
During a consultation, you should feel comfortable asking why the surgeon recommends a particular implant, size, and placement for your anatomy. Dr. Roth is board certified in plastic surgery and reviews these choices with patients during their consultations.
9. How old do I have to be to have breast augmentation?
For cosmetic breast augmentation, FDA-approved saline implants are indicated for patients 18 or older, while silicone gel implants are indicated for patients 22 or older. The age indications differ for breast reconstruction. Meeting the minimum age does not, by itself, mean surgery is the right choice; Dr. Roth will also consider your health, anatomy, and goals during a consultation.
10. Are there systemic effects of breast implants?
Current evidence has not established that breast implants increase the risk of breast cancer or connective tissue disease. Some patients do report symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and joint or muscle pain after receiving implants. Often called breast implant illness (BII), these symptoms are still being studied, and their cause is not yet clear. Patients with persistent symptoms should discuss them with their healthcare provider.
Discuss Breast Augmentation With Dr. Roth
Choosing breast augmentation involves more than selecting an implant size. During a consultation, Dr. Roth can discuss your goals, examine your anatomy, and explain the options and risks relevant to you. Request a consultation using the online form or call us to learn whether breast augmentation is right for you.