Breast Enlargement
Procedure Details
Pittsburgh Breast Enhancement, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is an outpatient procedure that improves and increases the shape and size of your breast by inserting a Saline or Silicone implant.
Breast Augmentation Pittsburgh is performed by our Plastic Surgeon Dr. Anna Wooten and normally takes about one to two hours to complete. This procedure is done using a multitude of various incisions, depending on the patient and their concerns that are expressed during initial consultation.
Incision Types:
Inframammary incision is placed in the fold below the breast. This incision gives direct access for the future dissected pocket. This approach can leave slightly visible scars.
Periareolar incision placed along the border of the areola. Incision becomes practically invisible in the majority of patients since it folds in the junction between two different skin colors. It is also an optimal incision for adjustment of nipple asymmetry or to perform simultaneous breast lift.
Transaxillary incision is placed in the armpit. It is one of the ways to achieve scarless augmented breast. Revision surgeries most likely will require additional incision.
Transumbilical (TUBA) approach performed by placing the incision in the navel and tunneling towards the breast. This procedure is performed with the camera to assure placement of an implant and can be used exclusively for placement of saline implants.
Transabdominolasty incision can be used if patient is undergoing simultaneous abdominoplasty procedure.
Breast Implants Pittsburgh - Silicone or Saline:
Saline implant shells are made out of silicone elastomer that is filled with sterile salt water after it is placed in the correct position. This type of an implant was the only option for women who wanted to pursue breast augmentation in the nineties due to the moratorium on silicone implants. The biggest advantage of this implant is the placement of it through the small incision. The disadvantage is higher likelihood of visible rippling and wrinkling in a thinner patient.
Silicone implants that are used today are fifth generation of form-stable, high-cohesive, “gummy bear” type of implants. This type of implant minimizes the risk of silicone migration after rupture and rate of capsular contracture. Patients often prefer silicone implants because of the softer, more natural breast like tissue feeling. Another commonly performed procedure is breast lift plastic surgery in Pittsburgh PA.
Implant Pocket Placement:
Subglandular position (underneath the breast tissue) gives a more projected result per implanted volume and helps to correct breast deflation, but it more likely to show ripples and wrinkles in a thinner patient. There is also a higher likelihood of capsular contracture in high risk group augmentation patients (smokers, multiple surgeries).
Subpectoral position achieves maximal implant coverage with the muscle at the upper portion of the breast while allows expansion of a lower pole due to the minimal muscle coverage. This position will more likely give a more natural looking result in a thin, small chested patient. This position has less likelihood of capsular contracture and better breast visualization during mammography. It is not an optimal position in weightlifters, due to the pectoralis muscle animation that moves implant upward on the chest wall with exercise.
Subfascial position is underneath the fascia of pectoralis major muscle. While it is not a widely used technique it could be a perfect option in a woman who would like to have better implant coverage but unable to undergo subpectoral placement due to the lifestyles of being a weightlifter.
Submuscular position assumes maximal implant coverage with the muscle and it is more commonly used in breast reconstruction surgery.
At Beleza Breast Plastic Surgery Pittsburgh PA, breast augmentation is tailored to each individual patient in terms of the incision, type of implant, and the positioning, which yields a natural looking sculpted appearance to compliment the patient.