What is Breast Augmentation?
You may hear breast augmentation referred to by a variety of terms, such as breast enhancement or augmentation mammaplasty. All of these phrases refer to the same procedure, which aims to enhance a woman’s natural breast shape and size with the addition of either silicone or saline implants. Many women feel that their breast size is not in balance with their overall body or may simply not be the volume or contour that they desire. For these women, cosmetic breast enhancement can be the answer. Breast enhancement can balance a woman’s upper body with her waistline and hips to provide a wonderful feminine silhouette and profile.
Breast Augmentation in Seattle
Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the U.S. and one of our most popular procedures here in our Seattle office. Most of our patients are looking to achieve a certain “look” and balance with the rest of their body, and not necessarily a particular bra cup size. Most of our patients desire youthful, natural results, not an augmented or “fake” look, so no one knows for sure if they have had surgery.
Breast augmentation can give women with small or unevenly sized breasts a fuller, firmer, better-proportioned look through the placement of saline or silicone implants in the breasts.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Breast Implants?
The best candidates for breast implants are women who are in good health and have realistic expectations for what surgery can achieve. If you’re looking for improved shape, increased volume or additional cleavage, you are likely a good candidate for breast augmentation.
For saline implants, patients must be at least 18 years old and in good physical and mental health. To receive silicone implants, you must be healthy and at least 22 years old.
Our patients elect to undergo breast augmentation for many different medical and aesthetic reasons, including balancing breast size, compensating for reduced breast volume after pregnancy or surgery, and correcting a congenital breast defect. Under Dr. Salemy’s care, patients can enjoy natural-looking breast enhancements that can help them meet their aesthetic goals.
Dr. Shahram Salemy discusses the difference between the breast augmentation and the breast augmentation with lift procedures.
Breast Augmentation vs Breast Lift
It’s easy to confuse a breast lift with breast augmentation, but the two procedures are quite different. Each surgery has contrasting goals and outcomes, which is why it’s so important to understand the difference.
Breast lifts do not increase the size of your breasts. Instead, the goal of this surgery is to reposition droopy or sagging breasts into a perkier position. This can involve removing excess skin around the breasts, lifting and reshaping the tissue and then tightening the remaining skin around the breast so that you get a better, fuller shape.
After a breast lift, you can enjoy perky, natural-looking breasts with enhanced cleavage, but they will not be any larger than before.
Breast augmentation is intended to add volume and size to your natural breasts. When you opt for implants, the intended results are larger, firmer breasts with an improved shape.
When you meet with Dr. Salemy, being open and honest about your aesthetic goals can best help him determine the correct procedure or combination of procedures for you.
Fast Facts: Breast Implant Surgery
Add volume, shape
and cleavage
Patients can see results immediately,
but it can take several weeks to
a month to see final results
Procedure typically takes
60 - 90 minutes
Incision length is typically
quite short from 2 to 2.5
inches in length
Breast Augmentation Reviews
Patient Reviews
Fully Customized
Breast Enhancement
We know that every woman is unique in both her desires and her body shape. With that in mind, when Dr. Salemy meets with you to discuss your desired goals he will take the time during the pre-operative consultations in our Seattle office to learn what you hope to gain from breast augmentation surgery. He will then recommend the most effective technique to achieve the breast enhancement that you desire. This will include selecting the appropriate implant type, implant size, and implant placement, as well as any other procedures which may help create a nice result. In this way, every one of his patients enjoys a completely customized treatment designed with their specific goals in mind.
Breast Implant Types: Saline and Silicone Gel
Breast implants are silicone shells filled with either saline (salt water) or silicone gel. Many patients opt for silicone implants as they are very durable and can offer a natural look and feel, but we also offer saline implants as well to patients who prefer it. Both implant types are very safe, and each offers its own advantages. Dr. Salemy will help you decide which is right for you. You will have the chance to see and feel different breast implants during your consultation. Dr. Salemy will also help you decide on the appropriate size breast implant to achieve your desired result.
We are proud to offer patients the option of silicone gel-filled breast implants, since they are softer and feel more natural than saline-filled breast implants. There are several outstanding silicone implant options for women, including round implants, anatomic or “teardrop” implants, implants with a softer gel and implants with a firmer “gummy bear” feel.
For silicone breast implants, we use Motiva® and Sientra silicone gel breast implants because not only are they FDA-approved but only sold to board-certified plastic surgeons. They have unrivaled safety profiles, with some of the lowest complication rates. Motiva® implants can be placed in front or behind the pectoral muscle offering wonderful cosmetic results and excellent safety rates. Results of a 4-year study showed a strong profile of safety and durability <1% complication rate, capsular contracture (the formation of hard scar tissue around the implant), implant rupture, and infection.
All of these implant types will be available at your consultation so that together with Dr. Salemy you can choose the option that can give you the look and feel you want.
Read More
Motiva’s® commitment to next-level innovation, safety, and advanced technology is transforming breast aesthetics in remarkable ways. Boasting 14+ years of safety above industry standards and industry-high surgeon and patient satisfaction rates, Motiva® has transformed breast enhancement in 86 countries around the world and counting. Backed by comprehensive coverage for added peace of mind, Motiva® offers both a Lifetime and 10-year warranty on implant replacements. Patients the world over are asking for Motiva’s® premium, next-generation, and signature “Ballet Body Implants”. Motiva SmoothSilk® Round implants keep their round, full form regardless of whether you’re standing up or lying down and maintain a stable soft feel, while the breakthrough Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix® implants uniquely adapt shape as your body changes positions, showcasing a round shape when lying down and a teardrop shape when standing up. Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix® implants are also designed to be inserted through a small incision and minimize scarring. Both implant styles are available in 3 projection levels: Mini, Demi, and Full. Dr. Salemy is the first surgeon in the Pacific Northwest to perform Breast Enhancement using Motiva® implants.
Sientra silicone gel breast implants too have some of the lowest complication rates clinically shown through a robust 10-year study*. Not only are Sientra implants safe, but they are also backed by their Platinum 20™ year warranty which provides lengthy coverage, the most financial assistance, and the least restrictions in the industry.
Reasons to get a Breast Augmentation
What Can You Achieve With Breast Implants
Enhancing the natural
projection of your breasts
Enhancing the overall shape
of the breasts
Creating additional
cleavage
Correcting asymmetry
Restoring breast volume following
pregnancy or weight loss
Balancing your body shape
How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon for Breast Augmentation
Choosing a plastic surgeon can be very personal. It’s important to choose a surgeon who understands your goals, answers your questions, and makes you feel comfortable and valued. It’s also very important to choose someone who is board-certified so you can feel confident he or she has the proper training and expertise, and meets stringent requirements.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
When you first meet with Seattle cosmetic breast surgeon and breast augmentation surgeon Dr. Salemy, you should be prepared to discuss your expectations and goals for surgery as well as details about your medical history. You should have a list of any allergies, medical conditions, current prescriptions and supplements.
During your consultation, Dr. Salemy will take photographs and detailed measurements of your breasts, discuss possible treatment options and recommend the best course of action for you.
Dr. Salemy also discusses what patients can typically expect during breast augmentation procedures and his office is also happy to provide an outline of breast augmentation costs, based on your unique treatment plan. It is always our Mission to tailor our treatments based on your unique anatomy, individual aesthetic goals and the safest techniques available.
Breast Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions
What is breast augmentation recovery like?
Most patients feel tired and sore during the recovery after breast augmentation surgery, but this usually passes in a day or two. Many patients return to work within the week.
Any post-operative pain, swelling and sensitivity will diminish over the first few weeks. All of the stitches are dissolvable and Dr. Salemy will see you in a week to check your progress.
Scars from breast augmentation incisions will begin to fade in a few months and will continue to fade for months or years.
What are the breast augmentation incision techniques?
The breast augmentation procedure typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes and is typically performed with either general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation. Incisions are made in inconspicuous places on the breast to minimize scar visibility. Your surgeon will help determine the best incision for breast augmentation based on a variety of additional factors. Breast augmentation incision options include:
- In the crease on the underside of the breast (inframammary), or
- Around the areola, the dark skin around the nipple (periareolar).
The breast is then lifted, creating a pocket into which the implant is inserted.
What breast augmentation complications might exist?
How do combined procedures enhance results?
Breast augmentation can achieve dramatic and beautiful results on its own as well as in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery or non-invasive procedures. Dr. Salemy sometimes recommends combining breast augmentation with other procedures such as a breast lift for more satisfying results. In fact, it’s become more common to combine a breast lift with augmentation. In addition to achieving the aesthetic goals you want, combining the two can be practical from a logistical perspective.
There are additional reasons to consider a breast augmentation with lift. Sometimes opting for a smaller implant size can help you achieve the same or better results than just receiving larger implants. Second, lifting and shaping your natural breast tissue before receiving implants can help improve the overall positioning and perkiness of your breasts.
Dr. Salemy regularly sees patients from all across the region. His Seattle, West Seattle, Tri-Cities, Issaquah, and Bellevue breast augmentation patients, as well as his patients from all across Washington, Oregon and Idaho state, are accommodated in his world-class, state of the art, AAAASF-certified ambulatory surgical center in Seattle, where he can deliver high standards of patient safety and care.
What are the breast implant placement options?
Will insurance cover my breast augmentation?
How long will the results last?
Why is choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon so important?
Which is the best type of breast implant to get?
Are silicone implants safe?
How long is the recovery period?
Will scars be visible?
Will I feel any pain or discomfort during my surgery?
Patients are under general or local anesthesia for the entire procedure, so patients don’t feel any pain or discomfort at all during the surgery, but post-op discomfort is variable and typically lasts a few days.
