Are you dissatisfied with your breasts?

Perhaps they are not as firm as they once were? Do you wish they were larger, fuller, or more symmetrical? Or maybe you need to replace your implants?

Breast size, shape and proportion play a unique role in every woman’s self-perception, sense of physical balance, femininity, and confidence. Breast augmentation is so much more than simply “enlarging” the breasts—it is realized through the profound consideration of each individual’s desires, inherent anatomical forms, and meticulous attention to the techniques and safety of their union.

Each woman has a beautiful shape all her own, and breast surgery can help enhance one’s figure in many ways. With the skill and guidance of Dr. Chad Wu, you can improve the size, shape, symmetry, and proportion of your breasts subtly, dramatically, or somewhere in between, as determined by your needs and goals.

GOOD CANDIDATES FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION PROCEDURE:

  • You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
  • Clothes that fit well around your hips are often too large at the bustline
  • A feeling of self-conscious wearing a swimsuit or form-fitting top
  • You have lost weight or had children and the breasts have lost their volume
  • There is significant asymmetry between the breasts (difference in size)

Dr. Wu provides in-depth information during the initial consultation, as well as takes the time to answer any questionsregarding the procedure.

Solutions

Breast augmentation is a solution that can improve breast fullness, projection, shape, and balance to restore a more attractive figure and positive self-image. Dr. Chad Wu offers the latest technologies in breast augmentation. These procedures leave minimal scarring and provide the fastest recovery times.

The two main types of implants are those filled with saline, and those filled with silicone.

SALINE BREAST IMPLANTS

The silicone casing contains salt water and is filled as desired. It gives breasts a natural appearance and feel.

SILICONE GEL IMPLANTS

This type of implant is a silicone casing filled with silicone gel. The newer models are of better quality and much more durable than the old models.

Both implants have their advantages and disadvantages, which Dr. Wu can go over with you in greater detail during your consultation.

Your breast implant profile is based on the base width and forward projection of the implant.

HIGH PROFILE

  • Narrow base width
  • High forward projection
  • Better for individuals with a narrow chest wall and a lot of natural breast tissue
  • May produce more of a “push-up bra” look

MODERATE PROFILE

  • Moderate profile
  • Moderate base width
  • Moderate forward projection

LOW PROFILE

  • Widest base width
  • Lowest forward projection
  • Better for individuals with a wide chest wall, wide breast placement, or thin breast tissue
  • May produce more natural-looking results

Your breast implants may be uniformly round or anatomically shaped (sometimes called “teardrop implants”).

ROUND

  • Uniform roundness throughout the implant
  • No cosmetic issue if the implant rotates after insertion
  • Best for most breast augmentation procedures

ANATOMICAL

  • Fuller at the bottom and flatter at the top, like the natural breast shape
  • May create a more naturalappearance
  • May correct breast shape for those in need of shaping

Your breast implant size will be measured in cubic centimeters (cc’s). If your breasts have noticeable asymmetry, implants of different sizes can be used to achieve breast symmetry.

DR. WU WILL HELP PATIENTS ACCURATELY CHOOSE THEIR IMPLANT SIZE.

Before & After

The Procedure

TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

  • Do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications.
  • Tell your surgeon what medications you are taking.
  • Tell your surgeon about any allergies.
  • Inform your surgeon if you smoke.

THE DAY OF THE OPERATION

  • Wash with disinfectant soap.
  • Choose loose clothing that is easy to put on.
  • Do not put on make-up.
  • Do not wear jewelry.

Breast augmentation is performed under general, local or mixed anesthesia and lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Your surgeon will insert the implant through an incision beneath the fold of the breast, under the armpit or on the lower periphery of the nipple.

Your hospital stay will last from a few hours to a few days. Plan for a close friend or family member to take you home.

  • No alcohol
  • No tobacco
  • No intense physical activity

THE MAIN SHORT-TERM COMPLICATIONS

  • Hematoma
  • Infection
  • Re-opening of the incision
  • Ulceration of the skin and exposure of the implant

THE MAIN LONG-TERM COMPLICATIONS

  • A change in nipple sensitivity
  • Breast hardening
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Rupture of prosthesis

FAQ

ARE SILICONE GEL BREAST IMPLANTS SAFE?

Yes. Patients assume they’re relatively new. But silicone breast implants have been in use since the 1960s. In fact, they were the original breast implants – long before saline breast implants arrived in the 1990s. A news story incorrectly made a link between silicone breast implants and connective tissue diseases, lupus and autoimmune disease. The products were removed from the market for two months. Then from 1992 to 2005, thousands of women with silicone gel breast implants went through an extensive study. Over the course of study, no correlation was found between the implants and health issues. In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration closed the book on this issue. So silicone gel breast implants are safe. In fact, they’re as safe as saline – and have lower overall complication rates than saline.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SILICONE GEL AND SALINE BREAST IMPLANTS?

Both use implant shells made of silicone. The difference is in the contents. The saline used to fill the breast implants is a sterile saltwater solution. Saline implants come from the manufacturer empty with a one-way valve allowing the implant to be filled at time of surgery. Therefore, the surgeon determines the final fill volume during surgery.Silicone gel breast implants are sealed at the manufacturer, coming in a variety of sizes and profiles.For these reasons, a silicone gel breast implant requires a slightly larger incision for insertion. Also, the plastic surgeon might use a “sizer” or temporary implant filled with saline to approximate the resulting breast size once the silicone gel implant is inserted.Patients like silicone gel breast implants because their shape, appearance, consistency and feel are more natural and similar to natural breast tissue than those of saline breast implants. Patients can see and feel the edge of a saline implant, especially in thin patients. As always, discuss the pros and cons of any implant option with your plastic surgeon.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND PROS AND CONS FOR BREAST IMPLANT POSITION?

Breast implant placement often boils down to two locations: above or below the pectoralis major muscle. By Dr. Wu the majority of breast implants – whether silicone gel or saline – are placed beneath or under the muscle. This provides a more stable position for the implant. With more skin, natural breast and muscle tissue above the implant, the implant is better hidden and pushes natural tissue to the forefront.Sub-muscular placement also reduces the chances of the patient developing capsular contracture (see below).

What is capsular contracture with a breast implant?

A capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue capsule around the implant shrinks and tightens, causing a deformation of the implant and discomfort (regardless of whether it’s a silicone gel or saline breast implant).Every breast implant has a thin layer of soft layer of scar tissue around it called a capsule. It only becomes noticeable or problematic if it shrinks or tightens around the implant. Capsular contracture is an inherent risk of getting breast implants. In about 5% of cases, the capsule shrinks, tightens up and causes a deformity. This could require corrective surgery. Sub-muscular implantation has helped reduce the rate of capsular contracture.The capsule naturally forms about six to eight weeks after surgery; if a problem were to occur, most patients see it within the first year, though it can occur years later. Corrective surgery becomes more difficult as the plastic surgeon must remove scar tissue; the breast implant might also need to be changed.The goal is the prevent the capsular contracture from occurring in the first place.

ARE MASSAGES REQUIRED AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION?

Possibly, depending on the patient. In the post-operative visit about a week after surgery, Dr. Wu will examine the patient and may instruct specific patients to start breast massages. Some don’t require massages, and there’s no scientific, proven benefit for random prophylactic breast massage. Yet, for certain patients who may get a benefit, massages may loosen tight muscles or improve asymmetry where one breast is higher than the other.

WHAT CUP SIZE ARE THE IMPLANTS?

This varies and is determined by patient’s desire and physique. But implant volume is not measured in cup size, and different implants can deliver a different cup size. Sizers are used for the consultation to demonstrate and simulate how certain sized implants will look after implantation.

WHEN CAN I WEAR AN UNDERWIRE BRA?

For the first six weeks after breast augmentation with silicone gel or saline breast implantation, patients must wear a special surgical bra or a sports bra. From six to 12 weeks, they can wear a bra without wire. After three months, patients can wear any bra.

IS IT SAFE TO BREASTFEED WITH IMPLANTS IN PLACE?

The real question should be, can breast augmentation affect one’s ability to breastfeed? In most cases, the answer is no. But the real answer exists in the statistics. Some 75% of all women who have never had breast surgery can successfully breastfeed, meaning 25% of all women who never have had breast implants will experience some difficulty. For those who may seek to breastfeed in the future, this Miami plastic surgery practice recommends the implant go inframammary, or where the breast and chest meet. This may decrease the likelihood of breastfeeding issues, by avoiding the need to cut through any breast tissue while creating the sub-muscular space for the implant.

Moreover, a simple breast augmentation won’t change these numbers. But a breast reduction or lift tends to reduce the number of women who can successfully breast feed to around 50%. Regardless of whether the implants are silicone gel or saline, the numbers are the same.