Breast Augmentation Surgery
The Austin-Weston Center for Cosmetic Surgery located in Reston, Virginia, specializes in breast enhancement surgery, including breast implants, breast augmentation, and breast implant exchange, for the Northern Virginia, Maryland & Washington DC Metropolitan Area.
Breast Implants
Breast implants used for breast enlargement come in a variety of shapes, styles and profiles and are filled with either saline or silicone gel. Both are FDA approved. Each offers a level of security and patients can choose the best for them. Based on your measurements, we will work with you to select the best profile to fit your body type and shape to achieve the most natural look. Whether you live in Reston, Virginia or an any of the surrounding areas in Northern Virginia, Maryland or Washington, DC, ultimately, you make the decision and choose the implant best for you!
Saline Breast Implants
Saline breast implants are an excellent choice for patients who are ready to have breast enlargement surgery, but unsure if they want gel breast implants. During the breast augmentation surgery, the breast implants are filled once they have been placed in the pocket. There are several choices for your incision site and the doctor may recommend one based on your body type. The incisions are small and gradually fade with time. Saline breast implants are filled with salt water. If the breast implant shell ruptures, the saline will be absorbed by your body. Breast implant failure rates vary from each manufacturer, but a yearly average rate is less than 1%.
When having breast augmentation surgery, if patients select a saline breast implant, they are invited to participate in a Breast Implant Follow-up Study. Patients will be reimbursed by the manufacturer a total of $100 over a 10-year period. Patients will also receive a yearly questionnaire and will receive a $10 check for completing it.
Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Silicone gel breast implants are now available to patients who are 22 years old or older and desire breast augmentation surgery. Gel breast implants offer a lot of benefits and may be recommended by your physician. This is a personal decision and the physicians at the Austin-Weston Center for Cosmetic Surgery will work with you to help you select the best breast implants for you. Benefits of gel breast implants include:
- Gel breast implants can look and feel more natural
- Gel breast implants have a less chance of wrinkling over saline breat implants
- Gel breast implants are an excellent choice for patients who are very thin or smaller in frame
Gel breast implants come pre-filled and incisions are typically made at your breast-fold. There are some cases where breast implants may be inserted through an incision at your areola. The physicians at the Austin-Weston Center serving Northern Virginia, Maryland and the Washington, DC Area have more than 20 years of experience using gel breast implants . They were chosen to participate in studies leading to their FDA approval. Patients are very excited to have the option of gel breast implants!
If patients select a gel breast implant for their breast enlargement surgery, they are invited to participate in a Breast Implant Follow-up Study. Patients will be reimbursed by the manufacturer a total of $400 over a 10-year period. There will be three office visits at 1-year, 4-year and 10-year. After the visit, the patient will eligible for a $100 coupon towards any aesthetic procedure at the Austin-Westin Center for Cosmetic Surgery. Patients will also receive a yearly questionnaire and will receive a $10 check for completing it. All coupons and checks come directly from the breast implant manufacturer.
Breast Implant Warranty
When patients have breast enhancement surgery at the Austin-Weston Center for Cosmetic Surgery, they will receive breast implants that come with warranties. In addition some breast implant manufacturers also offer extended warranties. Detailed information will be given to you during your consultation or your pre-operative appointment.
Breast Implants: Over or Under the Muscle?
During breast augmentation surgery, your breast implants can be placed over or under the muscle. Typically, our physicians prefer to place them under your muscle for the most natural look.
By placing the breast implants over the muscle, there is the possibility that you could see the outline of the breast implants. Patients who benefit placing the breast implants over the muscle include athletes who do a tremendous amount of chest exercises or women who simply want smaller breast implants. Regular exercise and weight-lifting is acceptable and should not cause any damage to your implant or pocket.
Breast Augmentation Incision Sites
Our physicians at the Austin-Weston Center for Cosmetic Surgery provide the option of many different incision sites when have breast enhancement surgery. Incisions can be made in a number of places. For example, incisions made at the crease are usually easily hidden, and allows for easy access for the physician to create a pocket. Another incision site includes your areola. This site is recommended for patients who have little or no breast tissue and there is the possibility you would see the incision at your breast fold. The third incision site is located at your arm-pit. This method is an option, but not everyone is a candidate. It will require additional surgery time and the use of additional surgical equipment including a scope. Because of the special equipment and increased surgery time, there is an increased fee for this incision site.
Breast Enhancement Surgery
All breast enhancement surgery is performed at our fully accredited surgery center, located within our facility serving the Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC Area. The Austin-Weston Center's Surgery Center is staffed with licensed specialists and work as a team to enhance your surgical experience.
Breast enlargement surgery itself usually takes about an hour and patients are able to recover in post-op before going home. Patients are cared for by our skilled staff and they will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable. After anesthesia is administered, the physician will give you a local anesthetic in your breast area to control bleeding and also help you in your initial recovery process. Pain pumps are an option to patients having breast augmentation surgery and the pumps will help you with your pain management for several days. The physicians at the Austin-Weston Center for Cosmetic Surgery take great care to place the breast implants as symmetrically as possible to give you the best possible result.
After breast augmentation surgery patients are then wrapped in a surgical bra, which helps to keep the breast implants in place. Occasionally, some patients will also have a strap, which is placed near the top of your breast implants to help with the settling process. It adds subtle pressure to your breast implants, pushing them down in place. Patients are released to go home with their support person(s) when the staff feels they can safely do so.
Patients return to the Austin-Weston Center for Cosmetic Surgery the following day after their breast augmentation surgery and checked to insure the recovery is going appropriately. They will return after a week and the sutures are taken out and the pain pumps are removed. Our staff will work with you to understand the recovery process, explain how breast implants settle and how the breast shape adjusts.
Anesthesia for Breast Enhancement Surgery
Our full-time anesthesia staff provides a range of options for anesthesia, including General and IV-Sedation used during breast augmentation surgery. All of your anesthesia options will be reviewed with you before your surgery and will be selected based on prior surgical experience and also based on your current health.
Pain Pump for Breast Enhancement Surgery
Pain pumps are an option with breast augmentation surgery and patients rave about them. The pumps automatically administer a numbing solution to your breast area, helping with the recovery process. The pump sits inside a small fanny pack, which you wear around your waist during the recovery process.
Recovery from Breast Enhancement Surgery
Recovery after breast augmentation surgery differs from patient to patient. Most patients do report pain during the first few days following breast augmentation surgery and feel much better by the end of the first week. Patients are asked to take off a minimum of one week of work and most return to work after that. Most patients are back to normal before one month. Most patients report a tightness feeling in their chest area and some may also experience different tingling sensations as their nerves heal.
Exercise after Breast Enhancement Surgery
Exercise and strenuous activity is to be avoided for three weeks following breast augmentation surgery. Patients can gradually start to do simple exercises before that time. We do ask to refrain from chest work for a minimum of one month following breast augmentation surgery (for example, bench presses & push-ups). We encourage patients to listen to their body and not over do it. It is also important that patients understand that your heart rate and blood pressure can increase significantly during exercise, which can cause bleeding.
Breast Implant Settling
Patients are typically swollen after their breast augmentation surgery and breast implants can sometimes appear higher in your chest area. The swelling will go down and we will work with you to help your breast implants settle faster. Our staff will show you simple massaging exercises which you will do to help keep the pocket open and your breast implants in place. On occasion, medications are prescribed.
Breast Augmentation Surgery Costs
The approximate cost of breast augmentation surgery is listed below. It includes surgeon’s fees, breast implants, anesthesia, operating room, supplies and all visits before/after your surgery. Because each breast enhancement surgery can be different, an accurate quote will be given to you at your consultation. There is a small additional fee for pain pumps.
- Saline Breast Implants - $5,900
- Gel Breast Implants - $6,900
Risk Associated with Breast Augmentation Surgery
Though breast enlargement surgery is a relatively safe procedure, there are complications and risks associated with any surgical procedure. The list below is not comprehensive and the risks will be discussed fully at your consultation and pre-operative visit at the Austin-Weston Center for Cosmetic Surgery. Some of the risks include:
- Infection can happen after any breast enhancement surgery and all patients receive a prescription for antibiotics.
- Feeling in the breast and nipple can intensify or decrease after surgery but should return to normal.
- Capsular contracture is a complication that can occur as a result of breast augmentation surgery. Scar tissue can form around the breast implant and then tighten and shrink down. This can cause the breast implant to feel hard. Capsular contracture can sometimes be corrected with medicine. But other times, surgery will be required to remove the capsule tissue and to possibly replace the breast implant.
- Breast implant deflation is another possible complication of breast augmentation surgery. Saline-filled breast implants can deflate when the solution leaks through an unsealed or damaged valve or through a rupture in the breast implant itself. Gel breast implants can also rupture and the silicone gel will most likely remain within the shell, remaining undetected. It can also pool next to the breast implant. The only way to detect gel breast implant ruptures may be to have an MRI.
Mammogram after Breast Enhancement Surgery
Following breast augmentation surgery, patients with breast implants are still able to get yearly mammograms. The technician performing the mammograms will need to be told that you have breast implants. They will perform the mammogram using different views and they may take additional pictures. Some degree of breast tissue may be hidden by the breast implant. Some patients elect to get a mammogram prior to their breast augmentation surgery and this is advisable for some patients depending on age and family history.
Breast Implant Wrinkling
Saline breast implants have a higher chance of visible wrinkling under the skin that can be noticeable. Occasionally, the edge of the breast implant can be felt. Breast implants can be removed and replaced with gel breast implants, which have a less chance of wrinkling. Many patients are able to detect this wrinkling, but it does not bother them.
Breast Feeding after Breast Enhancement Surgery
Many patients with breast implants have nursed their babies successfully. However, any breast enhancement surgery can theoretically interfere with your ability to breastfeed.
Breast Enhancement Surgery Consultation
Scheduling a consultation with one of our physicians at the Austin-Weston Center for Cosmetic Surgery is your first step to enhancing breasts. During the consultation, your physician will spend time with you and will answer your questions regarding your goals. During your examination, your physician will be able to tell you if you are a candidate for breast enlargement. Based on your measurements, you will be able to understand how breast implants are sized and you will be able to choose the breast implant that best suits you. Your Patient Coordinator is your liaison and will work with you to make this a smooth process. She will spend time with you and explain the complete process. You will be able to try on the breast implants and get an idea of what is proportionate to you.
Insurance
Insurance coverage may be an option for some patients. Some insurance companies will provide coverage for certain procedures, however, many factors can influence your eligibility. Each insurance company will have different criteria for coverage. We are an out-of-network provider, but we will be happy to assist you in this process by handling all necessary paperwork to help you obtain any reimbursement that you are entitled to.
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The Austin-Weston Center for Cosmetic Surgery specializes in breast enhancement procedures including: breast augmentation surgery, breast lift surgery and breast reduction surgery. We also offer breast implant exchange.
The Center serves Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington,DC, including the following areas:
Annandale, Alexandria, Annapolis, Arlington, Ashburn, Baltimore, Bethesda, Burke, Chantilly, Charlottesville, Chevy Chase, Columbia, Dulles, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredricksburg, Front Royal, Germantown, Great Falls, Haymarket, Herndon, Landsdowne, Lanham, Leesburg, Loudoun, McLean, Manassas, Middleburg, Oakton, Potomac, Purcellville, Reston, Richmond, Rockville,Rosslyn, Silver Spring, Springfield, Sterling, Tysons Corner, Vienna, Warrenton, West Virginia, Waldorf
