Breast Augmentation Demystified
Breast augmentation is a bespoke procedure that surgically enhances breast size using breast implants. Rather than simply enlarging breast size, breast implants can also create more shapely breasts, with a firmer, perkier feel, improve breast symmetry, and highlight cleavage. The confidence boost many women experience after surgery can be profound.
Breast augmentation can also be performed in combination with a breast lift (mastopexy) for women who experience breast deflation as a result of pregnancy, breast feeding or ageing and seek a rejuvenated breast shape. The links provided below offer further information around breast augmentation surgery.
You may also contact our office to schedule an appointment with our experienced Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Esta Bovill.
Learn More About Breast Augmentation Procedures
Dr. Bovill’s practice philosophy combines a genuine and compassionate nature with extensive surgical experience.
1. Candidates for Breast Augmentation
For patients who would like larger, more shapely breasts, breast augmentation surgery offered by Dr. Bovill can be an excellent option. Often, women considering breast augmentation are interested in achieving one or more of the following objectives:
- Restored or enhanced breast shape and volume
- A better balanced and proportional figure
- Firmer, perkier breasts
- More cleavage and enhanced curves
- Better breast symmetry
- Improved fit in clothes and swimsuits
- A greater sense of body confidence
To determine whether you are a suitable candidate, Dr. Bovill will discuss your aesthetic concerns, review your objectives, perform a physical examination, and review your medical history. If you are a good candidate for surgery, she will explain the augmentation techniques and implant options that are available and propose a surgical plan to align with your goals.
2. Breast Implant Options
Dr. Bovill uses modern gel or saline breast implants backed by extensive history and research, in a variety of sizes, styles, and projections to create personalized, natural-looking results. Dr. Bovill will take the time to explain all of your options, discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each type, and help you choose the implants that suit your frame and best match your aesthetic preferences. Dr. Bovill uses sizing breast implants for you to try during the consultation to help you choose. This exercise will also give you the opportunity to experience what your results might look and feel like.
3. The Breast Augmentation Procedure
Dr. Bovill performs breast augmentation as a day surgery in a surgical centre, under general anaesthesia. The details of surgery will depend on the unique operative plan Dr. Bovill has created for you. The implants are positioned through small, well-camouflaged incisions within the fold under the breast. Through these incisions, Dr Bovill shapes a pocket for the implant either in front of the pectoral muscle (subfascial) or most commonly, partly behind the pectoral muscle (dual-plane). When the pocket has been formed, the breast implant is inserted using a ‘no-touch’ funnel technique. The pocket placement that is most suitable for you will depend upon the natural composition of your breasts, your preferred look and your level of activity. The incisions are then closed in multiple layers with dissolving sutures and patients are placed in a post-operative support bra provided by Dr. Bovill. No drains are required.
4. Composite Breast Augmentation: Combining Fat Grafting with Breast Implants
Dr. Bovill has extensive experience in fat grafting (transfer) techniques, and in suitable patients, offers an innovative approach to breast augmentation by combining liposuction / fat grafting to the breasts with implants in one procedure. The fat is removed by liposuction (from the preferred area eg flanks, or thighs), processed, and then grafted into the desired area in the breasts. The implants provide the main increase in breast volume, whereas the fat grafting is used to help achieve a more natural appearance by disguising the implant, and/or enhancing cleavage. Fat grafting can also be a good option for improving leaner breast tissue or enhancing the result of a previous breast surgery.
5. Recovery After Breast Augmentation
Most patients go home on the same day. Following breast augmentation, some discomfort and swelling is expected for about one to two weeks, depending on the technique. Pain medication and ice packs can help during this time. Closely adhering to postoperative instructions will minimize discomfort, facilitate healing, and reduce the likelihood of complications. Most patients require at least a week’s downtime. As an athlete herself, she understands many patients are keen to return to physical activity and the early follow-up appointments with Dr. Bovill will allow her to monitor your recovery, address any emerging complications early and get you going as soon as is safe.
6. Fears Around Breast Implants
Dr. Bovill understands many prospective patients may have some fears around surgery and breast implants in particular. For example,
- Surgical complications
- Breast implant leak
- Capsular contracture
- Aging-related changes
- Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
- Breast implant-associated illness
Breast augmentation remains the single most popular technique with the highest patient satisfaction of all cosmetic surgeries. However, it is important you have the utmost confidence in your surgeon and the proposed procedure. She will take the time and care to explain the issues around these fears prior to you making a final decision.
Get All Your Breast Augmentation Questions Answered
If you've been considering what a breast augmentation can do for your confidence and appearance, you can get all your questions answered by arranging a private personalized consultation with Dr. Bovill at her Vancouver clinic.
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