TOPS | The Oaks Plastic Surgery

Breast Augmentation can enhance the size and shape of your breasts. Breast augmentation is among one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the United States and in Houston, Texas. The plastic surgeons at The Oaks Plastic Surgery (TOPS), Dr. Danielle Andry, Dr. Courtney El-Zokm, and Dr. Nandi Wijay are committed to individualizing breast augmentation to fit your particular desires and goals.

What is Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that involves placing a saline or silicone implant to enhance breast size. Although breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States and Houston, Texas, the procedure should be very individualized for each patient. Decisions regarding the type of implant (saline or silicone), size of implant, structure of implant (the surface of the implant and the shape of the implant), breast incision used, placement of the breast implant, and creation of the breast pocket for the implant are all key decisions that a patient makes along with our plastic surgeons to create their ideal look.

It is important to note that while breast augmentation can enhance the size and shape of your breast, it cannot significantly lift your breast or relieve breast pain. If you have significant sagging of your breast due to age, pregnancy, nursing, or weight loss, you may require a breast lift with or without breast augmentation to achieve your desired look.

Why do you want breast augmentation in Houston, Texas

Size

Most women in Houston, Texas choose to have breast augmentation to increase breast size. Whether you want to fill out clothing better, look better in dresses, tops, or swim suits, or feel more confident unclothed, breast augmentation can help you achieve the figure you want.

Breast implants are typically measured in cubic centimeters or cc’s. In general, 100-200 cc will enhance your breast by approximately one cup size. However, not all bra cup sizes are created equal. A bra size at Victoria Secret may be different than a bra size found at Nordstrom, Target or other department stores. When determining breast implant size during breast augmentation consultation, you should give your TOPS plastic surgeon an idea of the before and after look you are trying to achieve so that they can help guide you to find the best breast augmentation size for you. During your consultation plastic surgeons and staff at The Oaks Plastic Surgery work with you to choose a breast implant size that achieves your breast enhancement goals and best fits your anatomy. Our Houston plastic surgeons encourage you to bring swim suit tops, nice dresses or tops, and T-shirts to try on different breast implant sizes during your consultation to find the best size for you.

Asymmetry

If your breasts are asymmetric, you are not alone. Most patients have some form of breast asymmetry. If you find that your breast asymmetry causes you to constant need to pad your bra, feel self conscious in dresses or bathing suits, or makes it difficult to fit in clothes, breast augmentation can help.

After Weight Loss

The Oaks Plastic Surgery is a huge advocate of healthy lifestyles in Houston, Texas and are incredibly proud of our patients who undergo and sustain significant weight loss. Unfortunately, one area that women often don’t want to lose, but tend to lose first is in the breast area. Weight loss can lead smaller, deflated breasts. Breast augmentation can help improve the shape and size of your breasts for a more aesthetic appearance that is in proportion to your new body. It is important to note that after significant weight loss, it is very common to experience more significant breast sagging, which you make you a better candidate for a breast lift (mastopexy) with or without breast augmentation. Your TOPS plastic surgeon will personally discuss these options with you and provide a breast procedure that will fit your specific goals.

Breast Cancer

If you have undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy for breast cancer, you may have breast asymmetry or malformation that causes your clothes or bras to fit uncomfortably, makes you self-conscious, or reminds you of the trauma of breast cancer. If you have undergoing surgery for breast cancer or have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer or are planning to undergo surgery, our TOPS plastic surgeons are committed to helping you through this difficult time in your life and restoring your body to make you whole again. Please visit our breast reconstruction page for more information.

After Pregnancy

Breast augmentation is a common part of a Mommy Makeover. Many women who have had children, especially those who nursed, experience significant deflation of their breast tissue. This can lead healthy, beautiful, active women to feel embarrassed and self-conscious in clothing or with their partners. Breast augmentation can help restore the volume lost after pregnancy or breastfeeding and help give a subtle lift to the breast. It is important to note that if your breasts experienced more significant sagging after pregnancy, which is very common, you may be a better candidate for a breast lift (mastopexy) with or without breast augmentation. Our TOPS plastic surgeons will personally discuss these options with you and provide a procedure that will fit your specific goals.

Breast Shape

Some patients suffer from a condition called tuberous breast syndrome, in which patients have a very narrowed, small, sagging breasts that appear misshapen. The TOPS plastic surgeons are specifically trained to deal with these types of breasts in a different manner to fully treat the malformed breast(s) and create a rounder, fuller, more aesthetic appearance with a specialized breast augmentation and lift procedure.

What do you want from Breast Augmentation in Houston, Texas

Breast augmentation procedure should be performed by a plastic surgeon you feel comfortable with who understands your goals and your anatomy. Subtle nuances in this procedure can really make a huge difference. You want a plastic surgeon who will not compromise on safety to lower costs and will treat each patient individually, not simply use a cookie cutter approach for every patient.

Procedures that are often performed with breast augmentation

Patients who have undergone significant weight loss or had children may require a breast lift or mastopexy to achieve their desired result. Breast augmentation is often performed as part of a Mommy Makeover, which can include liposuction, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), vaginal rejuvenation (labiaplasty or vaginoplasty), and/or facial rejuvenation procedures. Breast augmentation can often add curves that are complemented by liposuction and Brazilian Butt Lift.

What can you expect at your initial consultation at The Oaks Plastic Surgery in Houston, Texas

If you are interested in breast augmentation in Houston, Texas, an appointment can be made with one of our TOPS plastic surgeons: Dr. Danielle Andry, Dr. Courtney El-Zokm, or Dr. Nandi Wijay. You can expect the initial consultation to last an hour or more. In your consultation, your TOPS plastic surgeon will:

Listen to your specific complaints and goals
Perform a thorough examination, focusing on your individual anatomy. Careful measurements and photographs will be taken.
If breast augmentation is the right option for you, your TOPS plastic surgeon will discuss details of the surgical procedures that are offered and which approach is right for you. Details regarding implant options including saline or silicone, textured or smooth implants, round or anatomical implants, implant size, implant position (over the muscle or under the muscle), and incision site (under the breast fold or inframammary fold incision, around the nipple or periareolar incision, or through the axilla or transaxillary incision) will be thoroughly discussed. You will be given an opportunity to feel the different types of implants and try on sizes.
The risks and benefits of breast augmentation will be thoroughly outlined and particular emphasis will be placed on the the risks and benefits regarding each of the implant types, incisions, and approaches.
You will be given ample opportunity to ask questions from both our TOPS plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgery staff regarding breast augmentation surgery
You will be sent home with a packet of information regarding the breast augmentation including a detailed consent form and instructions for before and after your breast augmentation in Houston, Texas.

What you can expect on the day of your breast augmentation in Houston, Texas

The morning of your breast augmentation surgery, your TOPS plastic surgeon will meet you in the preoperative area to go over any last minute questions or concerns you may have. Your plastic surgeon may make some preoperative markings and will perform extensive checks and attention to detail ensuring high quality care and safety. You will meet the anesthesiologist and their team, as well as the members of our plastic surgery operative team.

During the procedure, our plastic surgeons pay meticulous attention to detail and work as a team to ensure a great result with a focus on safety and quality. Your plastic surgeon will sit you up after implants are placed to ensure you have the best result they can achieve and will continue to adjust the placement of the implants until they are fully satisfied with your cosmetic result. Your family will be updated of your status periodically and will be able to talk with the plastic surgeon one-on-one after the procedure is completed. Breast Augmentation procedure typically takes the TOPS plastic surgeons between 1-2 hours.

What can you expect for recovery after breast augmentation at The Oaks Plastic Surgery in Houston, Texas

After your breast augmentation, you will be placed in a surgical wrap or surgical bra. You will have a light dressing covering the incision. Mild swelling is typical after surgery. You may shower 24 hrs after the procedure. The TOPS plastic surgeons employ a multimodal pain regimen to decrease or eliminate your need for narcotic pain medication, which allows are patients to recover quickly and feel more like themselves soon after surgery. Most of our patients are ready to go back to work within a week. Our plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgery staff in Houston will see you or communicate with you daily to ensure proper healing. Most of the swelling begins to subside over the first week or two and typically resolves by 4-6 weeks. We advise that you refrain from strenuous activity or heavy lifting greater than 10 lbs for 4-6 weeks during the healing process.

Breast Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get saline or silicone?

The question of saline vs silicone really comes down to patient and surgeon preference. There is no solid data indicating one type of implant is superior to the other. Your surgeon can discuss the upsides and downsides to each implant and their particular preferences.