Breast Augmentation

Aging, childbearing, or simply Mother Nature may cause some women to feel dissatisfied with their breast size. Women in the local area have a reputation for being beautiful, feminine, and always well put together. The Southern woman likes to look good, and part of that look is a fit, proportional physique. Breast augmentation has helped women from Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, Southlake, and Grapevine, TX, enhance their self-confidence and their lives by creating the curves they have always wanted.

If you would like to learn more about breast augmentation, request a consultation with Dr. Michael Bogdan or Dr. Roger Cason, fellowship-trained plastic surgeons specializing in breast enhancement.”.

Breast Augmentation
 Before & After Photos

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How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost in the Fort Worth Area?

The cost of breast augmentation generally ranges from $6,300 to $7,800. The price depends on multiple factors, including your choice of breast implants, the complexity of the surgery, and whether it will be combined with other procedures such as a breast lift or tummy tuck. Although cost is a necessary consideration, it’s important to choose a well trained plastic surgeon who has extensive experience performing breast enhancement surgery. You will receive a personalized price quote at the end of your consultation.

Performing Breast Enlargement

Vectra logo

Choosing breast augmentation is a very personal decision, and your breast augmentation procedure also will be highly personalized. In order for your procedure to be specifically tailored to your unique needs and desires, many subsequent decisions must be addressed. One of the most common concerns that patients want to be answered is “What will I look like with a certain size implant?” Although photo galleries are useful for assessing a surgeon’s skill and aesthetics, it may be difficult to find a patient that exactly matches your body type and desires. To address this issue, in our Grapevine office, our physicians utilizes 3-D imaging to simulate operative outcomes on your own body.

Breast Implant Options

Both saline and silicone implants are approved for use in primary breast augmentation. As with any surgical operation, you must weigh the pros and cons of specific choices and decide which option is best for you. Here are some points to consider:

Similarities

  • Both implants add volume to the breast
  • Both are available in a number of shapes, sizes, and textures
  • Both implants have a silicone elastomer shell. Since the shell is flexible, it has the possibility of developing fatigue cracks and leaking during the life of the implant
  • Surgical risks (such as bleeding, infection, scar, deflation, capsular contracture, etc) are present with both implants

Differences

  • Saline implants generally cost less than silicone implants
  • Silicone implants are thought to feel more like breast tissue
  • Silicone implants have less visible rippling than saline implants
  • Implant tears are easier to identify with saline implants
  • FDA restricts the use of silicone implants for women who are 22 or older; saline implants are approved for women who are at least 18 years old
  • FDA recommends MRIs to check for wall ruptures starting 5 to 6 years after surgery

Incision Placement Options

Another decision to be made is where to place the incisions. There are many factors to be weighed when considering incision types, such as the degree of enlargement desired, your existing breast anatomy, your personal preference, and your breast implant type. Dr. Bogdan and Dr. Cason both strive to minimize scarring and will work with you to determine which incision method is right for your personal needs.

  • The inframammary approach is the most commonly utilized at 2301 Plastic Surgery. Both of our well trained physicians agree that this small incision (made along the underside of the breast where it meets the chest wall) is well-concealed in the fold beneath the breast. This incision method allows for the best access to the interior breast anatomy for optimal implant placement and adjustment.
  • For extremely discreet scars, the endoscopic approach utilizes a small incision in the armpit. This is a newer technique and requires a highly skilled surgeon to place the implant with the assistance of an endoscope.
  • The periareolar incision is made around the bottom half of the areola, which is the dark circle of skin surrounding the nipple. This incision allows very direct access to the interior chest wall, and if performed properly, leaves little noticeable scarring. This incision site also may be utilized for subsequent breast surgeries if needed.

Meet the Doctors

Our fellowship trained plastic surgeons are both passionate about their craft, and work closely with patients to get excellent results.

Doctor Bogdan and Doctor Cason

Meet the Doctors

Our fellowship trained plastic surgeons are both passionate about their craft, and work closely with patients to get excellent results.

Implant Placement Options

After choosing the incision site, you and your physician will select the appropriate implant placement. Breast implants can be placed either beneath the pectoral muscle (submuscular) or over the pectoral muscle (subglandular). The choice of where to place the implant depends on a variety of factors, including the degree of augmentation desired, the type of implant selected, and your particular anatomy.

  • Submuscular placement is the more commonly used of the two methods for women undergoing breast enlargement in Dallas. Both saline and silicone gel implants are regularly inserted using this method, which tends to produce a more natural appearance for most body types. In addition, recent studies suggest that submuscular placement decreases the risk of capsular contracture, a complication in which excess scar tissue tightens around the implants. Due to the incision of the muscle tissue, this method may result in a longer recovery period with slightly more discomfort.
  • The subglandular method places the implant behind the breast tissue but above the pectoral muscle. This method results in a more comfortable recovery but may be more likely to interfere with mammograms. However, less tissue over the implant means that the implants are more visible and may look less natural. Women with thin skin or very small breasts are not good candidates for this option.

In addition to deciding on incision location and implant placement, patients will need to select the type and size of implant that best suits their goals. Click here to learn more about choosing the right breast implants for your preferred outcome.

App for iPhone® & iPad®

If you have an iPhone or iPad, Dr. Bogdan encourages you to download his enhanced photo gallery application. This FREE app is available for download from the App Store℠.

Download from the App Store
Dr. Bogdan's iPhone app

Breast Augmentation vs. Lift

For some women, it is perfectly obvious whether breast augmentation or a breast lift will achieve the result they desire, but for others, the situation is not so clear. If your breasts sag (“ptosis”)—whether from weight fluctuations, breastfeeding, aging, or genetics—breast implants alone may not give you the results you want. You may need to combine breast augmentation with breast lift surgery to create both fuller and perkier breasts.

This video helps patients understand what plastic surgeons consider ptosis and the effect it has on whether a breast lift is necessary.

Screenshot of 2301 Plastic Surgery "Breast Augmentation vs Breast Lift" video.

Can Breast Augmentation Surgery Be Combined With Other Procedures?

Yes. Many women have multiple areas they’d like to improve, so we often combine breast augmentation with other procedures, including:

Combination breast and body procedures are often called Mommy Makeovers because they are popular with women after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Breast Augmentation?

Recovery rates vary between breast augmentation patients, but they generally follow this timeline:

Day After Surgery

It is normal to feel tired the first day or so after surgery. We recommend having an adult at home to help you out with cooking, self-care, children, and pets during the early stages of recovery. It is helpful to sleep in a recliner or propped up with pillows.

Two Days After Surgery

Most women experience discomfort during the first day or 2 after breast augmentation and manage it with prescription pain medication.

One Week After Surgery

Most patients stop taking pain medication 2 to 3 days after surgery and feel ready to return to non-strenuous jobs or school.

Two Weeks After Surgery

Avoid all exercise except gentle walking for the first 2 weeks after surgery. It is common to gain or lose sensitivity in one or both nipples for the first 1 to 2 weeks as the associated nerves adjust. Silicone nipple shields can ease hypersensitivity. After 2 weeks, you can resume lower body exercises.

Three Weeks After Surgery

It is usually safe to gradually resume upper body exercises at 3 weeks.

Two Months After Surgery

Fit, active women usually feel back to normal about 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. At this time, the breasts soften and implants “drop” into their final, natural-looking position as tissues relax and swelling fades.

Three Months After Surgery

Patients usually have achieved their final results at this point and enjoy being able to fill out bras, swimsuits, and other fitted clothing.

Making the decision to have breast augmentation is the beginning of a journey to a new and improved you. Along the way, you will be faced with numerous choices, and our physicians will help you carefully weigh all of your options. His extensive training and experience performing breast augmentation allow him to customize each procedure to the needs of the individual patient.

After breast augmentation, we may have you perform breast implant exercises to maintain soft and natural-feeling breasts. Please review the Breast Implant Exercises page so you will have an understanding of the exercises before your consultation.

Breast Augmentation FAQs

Q: How long is the surgery?

With the inframammary fold approach, breast augmentation surgery takes between 30 to 60 minutes. The time variations arise due to differences in anatomy. The transaxillary approach is technically more demanding, so it takes up to 30 minutes longer.

Q: Can I combine a tummy tuck with my breast augmentation?

Yes. It is actually fairly common to combine a tummy tuck with breast enhancement during a Mommy Makeover. Having children predictably affects both the breasts and abdomen, so many women who consider breast enhancement after childbearing also want to improve their abdomen. Typical surgical times for a tummy tuck plus breast augmentation range from 3 to 4 hours.

Q: What type of anesthesia is used?

Both Dr. Bogdan and Dr. Cason recommend a general anesthetic for breast augmentation surgery. While it is true that breast augmentation can be performed with a different anesthetic, it is not ideal. General anesthesia allows the surgeon to perform more extensive and intricate dissection than is possible with sedation surgery and it is safer for the patient. When you’re under general anesthesia, you have an anesthesiologist fully concentrating only on your comfort and vital functions, while the surgeon is free to fully concentrate on obtaining the desired surgical result.

Q: How long is the recovery time?

About 80% of patients should be able to return to desk work 2 days after surgery. Recovery after breast augmentation surgery depends a lot on how much you expect from your body. As with any surgery, there is always a risk of bleeding after the operation, so we recommend that you abstain from any activity that would raise your blood pressure or heart rate for 2 weeks after surgery. This includes working out, strenuous activities, or lifting more than 15 lbs.

Q: How painful is breast augmentation surgery?

The amount of discomfort an individual patient experiences depends on a number of factors, including overall pain tolerance, the size of the implant chosen (larger implants create more stretch and thus hurt more), and how easily the breast accepts the implant. In general, most women feel noticeable discomfort requiring medications for the first 2 days after surgery and then will have tolerable discomfort during the daytime, reserving pain medications for nighttime use to help with sleep.

Q: How soon will I be able to return to a full-body workout?

For the first 2 weeks after surgery, our physicians recommend avoiding all exercise to reduce the chance of post-operative bleeding. You can walk as far as you like—but at a sightseeing pace rather than an aerobic pace. After 2 weeks, you can start lower body exercise and resume upper body exercise at 3 weeks. Regular athletic women will feel back to normal about 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Extreme athletes who demand more from their pectoral muscles will take longer to recover (3 to 6 months).

Q: How will surgery affect nipple sensation?

It is very normal to have an altered nipple sensation for a period of time after breast augmentation. The implant adds volume to the breast, stretching the skin as well as the nerves that run through the skin. The nerves tend to fire off more easily or sometimes don’t transmit signals very well after surgery. For these reasons, the nipple may become temporarily hypersensitive or less sensitive after surgery—this typically lasts 1 or 2 months. During this time, slight contact on the nipple (such as clothing brushing lightly across it) may make it feel like it is on fire. Silicone nipple shields can make this more tolerable. Aside from the nerves being stretched, there is a possibility that the nerves important for nipple sensation may pass right through where the implant needs to be. If this is the case, the nipple sensation may be permanently lost, but this does not happen often.

Q: How soon can I have breast implants after childbirth?

The timing for breast augmentation depends more on when you stop breastfeeding than when you give birth. It is reasonable to consider augmentation somewhere between 3 to 6 months after finishing breastfeeding. When you stop breastfeeding, it will take some time for your breasts to finish involuting (shrinking). You want to be sure that your breasts have stopped shrinking before considering augmentation; otherwise, your breasts will not be as full as desired after surgery.

Q: Do I need to have a mammogram before surgery?

Dr. Bogdan recommends a screening mammogram within the last year for all women over 40 (or 30 for those with a strong family history of breast cancer). Breast enhancement surgery significantly changes the breast in a number of ways, elevating the breast tissue off the chest and reducing the amount of breast tissue that can be seen in mammograms.

Q: How will smoking affect my surgery and recovery?

For breast augmentation, we recommend stopping both smoking and nicotine products for 3 weeks before and after surgery. Everyone knows smoking is bad for your health and increases the risk of getting cancer. From a cosmetic surgery standpoint, smoking increases both short-term and long-term risks. Nicotine use has a vasoconstrictive effect, slowing blood flow. Peripheral tissues like the skin really see this effect. Chronic smoking accelerates skin aging by reducing the ability of the skin to heal from the constant damaging forces of everyday life (such as sun exposure). This means that skin wrinkles faster in smokers than non-smokers and will also stretch out faster as the youthful elastic properties of skin are lost. For implants, this means “perky” breasts will drop faster and the chance of implants “bottoming out” is higher. In the short term, smoking around the time of the operation increases all surgical risks due to the reduction of blood flow and the delay in healing. Scars will tend to be wider and more visible, and infection rates are higher.

Q: What is capsular contracture and how can I prevent it?

Capsular contracture is the hardening of the breasts caused by the aggressive shrinking of the scar capsule around the breast implant. Any time an implant is placed in the body, it will be encased in a layer of scar tissue. For most types of implants (such as chin implants lying on the jaw bone), it does not matter if the scar capsule shrinks tightly. Breast implants are a different matter—in this setting, we do not want the scar capsule to shrink. If the scar capsule around the implant is soft and wider than the implant, it won’t be noticed at all. If the scar is thick, aggressive, and shrinks tightly around the implant, it will feel like a rock in the breast.

There are several theories why a patient might form this type of aggressive scar, the two most relevant being a genetic predisposition to aggressive scars or an irritant such as a low-grade infection hiding on the implant wall. There is no way to test to see if you have a genetic predisposition for aggressive scarring–and luckily this does not happen often. We can take steps to reduce other possible causes of capsular contracture, including using current-generation implants and antibiotics. With smooth implants, Dr. Bogdan recommends performing displacement exercises to decrease the chance of capsular contracture.

Q: What are BII and BIA-ALCL?

Patients who are considering breast enhancement or currently have implants should be aware of “BII” and BIA-ALCL, both of which are receiving media attention. Knowledge of the current scientific understanding of implants and associated risks should help alleviate stress caused by social media and news coverage.

Q: I’m under 18 and am very self-conscious about my breasts. Can I get implants?

If breast augmentation is being performed for reconstructive reasons (such as significant breast asymmetry), it can be performed for people under 18 with parental consent. If augmentation is desired for strictly cosmetic enhancement, the FDA approves saline implants for women 18 and older and silicone for ages 22 and up.

If you would like further information about breast augmentation, please click here to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bogdan or Dr. Cason, fellowship-trained plastic surgeons in Grapevine, Texas. Our surgeons look forward to meeting with you to discuss your personal goals and establish a treatment plan to achieve them. If you prefer, you can call us at (817) 442-1236 to schedule your appointment.

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