Breast Augmentation in San Diego
Starting in their teenage years, young women go to great lengths to enhance the look and size of their breasts. While some women eventually fill out naturally, not all do, leaving them feeling less confident about their appearance.
Breast augmentation surgery uses implants to help women enhance the fullness and shape of their breasts. As one of the most common cosmetic surgeries in San Diego, breast augmentation can correct breast asymmetry, positioning issues, size concerns, and shape discrepancies. Some women desire breast augmentation surgery to boost self-confidence, while others see it as a solution to recapture femininity.
Dr. Batra of Coastal Plastic Surgeons understands the complex motivations and needs associated with breast augmentation and how the procedure can impact each patient differently. Every breast augmentation Dr. Batra performs is as unique as the client and incorporates customized techniques to achieve natural proportions and beautiful results.
Who Can Benefit From Breast Augmentation?
Women With Naturally Small Breasts
Women with naturally small breasts can use breast implants to increase their breast size. Implants of all types can produce natural-looking results that enhance breast size in a beautifying way. This may also provide women with breasts that are more in proportion with their figure and overall silhouette.
- Larger, fuller breasts
- Natural-looking results
- Better body proportions
- A more balanced appearance
Women Who Experience Undesirable Breast Changes
Many women experience undesirable changes to their breasts over time, such as a loss of volume and skin firmness that is common after pregnancy or significant weight loss. Breast augmentation can correct these changes to restore a more youthful breast shape. Breast augmentation can also be combined with breast lift surgery to provide patients with a higher sitting bustline.
- Improved breast volume
- Perkier breasts
- Firmer, fuller breasts
- A more youthful appearance
Women With Asymmetry & Shape Concerns
Some women have natural breast asymmetry or breasts that are pendulous, flat, or otherwise lacking in shape. Breast implants can be used to improve symmetry and restore a naturally round breast shape. Unshapeliness can vary from patient to patient and may require liposuction to provide additional body contouring.
- Rounder shape
- Softer feminine curves
- Even & symmetrical breasts
- A balanced appearance
How Can I Customize My San Diego Breast Augmentation?
What Types of Breast Implants Are There?
Your implants can either be saline-filled or silicone gel-filled. Neither saline nor silicone implants are inherently better than the other. Still, one option will likely be better for your individual needs and what you hope to accomplish aesthetically with your breast enhancement.
Dr. Batra will work with you closely during your consultation to determine the perfect fit for your cosmetic transformation.
Saline
A saline breast implant consists of saltwater encased in a silicone shell and produces a full, firm feel. Saline implants come in relative sizes, shapes, and textures, which offers patients of all backgrounds a solution. Saline implants most often have a smooth surface. Smooth implants do not have a porous texture; therefore, they mimic the movement of natural breasts. Saline implants can also come in textured implants that are slightly rougher than smooth implants. This rough texture causes the shell of the implant to adhere to the natural breast tissue, reducing the change of rotation in the breast pocket.
A significant feature of saline implants is the fact that they are filled after they are placed in the created breast pocket. This allows the incision to be much smaller than those made for silicone implants.
Silicone
A silicone breast implant has a silicone shell filled with cohesive silicone gel. Silicone implants are comparable to your real breasts as they mimic the natural feel of the breast tissue. Silicone implants come in relative sizes, shapes, and textures to accommodate different silhouettes and body types. Silicone implants offer textured and smooth implants. The textured surface ensures that the implants cling more closely to the breast tissue and offer a more natural feel. The textured surface is also ideal for anatomical implants as it can help restrict the implant’s movement. Silicone implants can be round or anatomical, meaning they can either create more cleavage (round) or a more natural shape (teardrop).
Where Are Breast Implants Placed?
The placement of your implants will depend on the natural breast shape, the degree of ptosis (sagging), and the desired positioning of your breasts.
Submammary
Submammary breast implants are also known as subglandular implants because they are inserted beneath the fatty tissue and mammary glands but over the pectoral muscles. These “over-the-muscle” implants can significantly change the breasts’ shape and are often recommended for women with smaller breasts and minimal skin laxity. One of the advantages of submammary implant placement is the lack of interference with the function and movement of the pectoral (chest) muscles, affording athletic or physically active patients the ability to be active in labor-intensive tasks without cause for temporary breast distortion.
Submuscular
Submuscular breast implant placement inserts the implants beneath the chest muscle. Often recommended for women with excess sagging to add additional support, submuscular breast implant placement is known to have some advantages over submammary breast implant placement. For example, submuscular placement provides a more natural appearance than the submammary option. Your cosmetic or functional needs for your breasts and chest muscles play a key role in deciding where to place your breast implants.
What Are My Incision Choices for Breast Implants?
At our San Diego location, patients can receive one of the following three incisions for breast augmentation. The best incision option for you is predominantly based on the type and size of implants you choose.
Periareolar
The periareolar incision encircles the areola and minimizes breast scarring. Periareolar incisions are recommended for women looking to reduce the size of the areolas.
Inframammary
Inframammary incisions are made under the breast along the breast fold. The inframammary option is the most common incision technique and heals very well. This allows scarring to be hidden in the fold of the skin (inframammary fold). Inframammary incisions provide no restrictions on implant type.
Transaxillary
Transaxillary incisions are made within the crease of the armpit, which hides the incision and provides no scarring to occur on any part of the breast. This unique feature is why the technique is coined the “scarless breast augmentation.” You may be more limited in your implant choices with this technique. While not a requirement, this technique works best for smaller saline implants.
What Are the Concerns of Breast Augmentation?
Recovery
How Long Is Breast Augmentation Recovery?
The customized nature of breast augmentation requires a recovery plan that is unique to each patient. Your surgeon will create a custom recovery plan for you. Patients are often outfitted for a delicate and supportive compression bra to minimize swelling and assist with movement during recovery. Minimal swelling and discomfort should subside after a couple of weeks. Any activity should be reduced for a time, and patients must wait until they are approved before returning to work or resuming exercise.
Pain
Is Breast Augmentation Painful?
Breast augmentation will not cause pain during the procedure due to the anesthesia. It is common for patients to experience numbness in their breast area after treatment, although this resolves itself over a short period of time. Should you experience any discomfort during recovery, pain medication will be provided to manage any further discomfort. Most irritation or pain from breast augmentation will dissipate after two to three weeks.
Scars
Does Breast Augmentation Leave Scars
Because breast enlargement surgery requires incisions, scars will develop. Fortunately, these incisions are made in areas concealed within the natural creases and coloring of the skin and can be covered with regular bras and bathing suits. The degree of scarring can vary greatly depending on individual healing capabilities and the quality of the patient’s skin. Patients can reduce scarring by using silicone scar sheets and minimizing sun exposure, tension, and tugging on the incision sites. Breast implant scars typically fade over time.
Cost
How Much Is Breast Augmentation in San Diego, CA?
Due to the personalized nature of breast enlargement surgery using implants, breast augmentation cost varies between patients and their aesthetic choices. The most significant cost factor is the implant you choose. Silicone implants are more expensive than saline; however, they are often preferred given their natural look and feel. The more customized your implant, the more it will be expected to cost.
The cost of breast augmentation in San Diego includes many factors, such as implant type, surgical fees, physician’s fees, anesthesia fees, and the like. You will be provided with a detailed price quote during your personal consultation.
Coastal Plastic Surgeons is pleased to offer their patients financing options, including ALPHAEON® and CareCredit®. These companies offer a variety of repayment options.
Breast Augmentation Results
View our gallery page for the procedures and treatments at Coastal Plastic Surgeons. At Coastal Plastic Surgeons, we believe in our methods and techniques for lasting results that can change your life. We offer procedures on everything from breast augmentation and body contouring, to facial aesthetics, hair restoration, and skin resurfacing. Every treatment is displayed here in our gallery.
Patient Testimonials
Breast Augmentation FAQ
- Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
- Named Top Plastic Surgeon by the San Diego County Medical Society
- Awarded Black Diamond status by Allergan for his impressive number of yearly breast augmentations