Breast Augmentation in Miami, FL
As one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the country, breast augmentation attracts hundreds of thousands of women each year who are looking to enhance the shape and size of their breasts. This breast enlargement surgery has proven to provide women everywhere with incredible results that can be completely personalized to their individual goals and desired aesthetic.
What benefits can be expected with breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery that is designed to enhance the natural shape and size of the breasts. However, there are so many other benefits that can be experienced from this surgery alone depending on your goals, including:
- Enlarging naturally small breasts to create a well-balanced feminine silhouette
- Improving overall symmetry between both breasts
- Replenishing breast volume that may have been lost due to age or weight loss
- Renewing a mother’s breasts following changes that occur following pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding
- In this case, you may also benefit from combining your breast augmentation with a breast lift in order to address any drooping or sagging of the breasts.
- Restoring the appearance of one or both breasts after breast cancer surgery
No matter your reasons for undergoing breast augmentation, one of the most impactful benefits to this surgery is how it can improve your overall self-image and instill an empowering sense of confidence. That first look on our patients’ faces when they see their results for the first time says it all.
Am I a good candidate for breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a highly personalized cosmetic surgery that can be a great choice for most women looking to achieve any of the above benefits. Before considering this surgery, it is important that you are in good overall health and do not smoke. Dr. Karlinsky-Bellini will answer any questions you may have about breast enhancement and breast implants to ensure you have a solid understanding and realistic expectations for your surgery.
There are also a few age guidelines to keep in mind. Women who are wanting silicone breast implants for their augmentation must be over 22 years of age, whereas saline breast implants require an age minimum of 18.
Breast Cancer: Women over the age of 35 or who have a family history of breast cancer may be asked to undergo a preliminary mammogram and or ultrasound when considering breast augmentation.
Personalizing your breast surgery: What are your options?
When it comes to your personal breast augmentation surgery, there are several different procedure elements that you will discuss during your consultation with Dr. Karlinsky-Bellini.
Choosing the right implant: Silicone or Saline? That is the question…
Ah, the great implant debate. One of the more common questions we get about breast augmentation is “which implant is better – silicone or saline?” The correct answer is: it depends.
Truthfully, there is no one right answer – and there shouldn’t be. Cosmetic surgery should never be handled with a “cookie-cutter” type approach. Each woman is different and choosing to undergo breast augmentation for her own unique reasons. Therefore, the right implant would also be different based on your age, body, and desired outcome. Dr. Karlinsky-Bellini will make implant recommendations based on what is discussed during your consultation, but primarily, the choice of silicone vs. saline will depend on your personal preferences.
Silicone implants are often chosen for their more natural appearance and feel. They are constructed from a silicone outer shell that is filled with a thick, cohesive silicone gel closely resembling the texture of a gummy bear – hence their nickname “gummy bear breast implants.” Because of this cohesive structure, silicone implants produced today have very low risk of complications such as rippling, rupture, or leaks.
Saline implants are available for women who simply feel more comfortable with the fact that the implant is filled with “saltwater”, or for younger women who do not qualify for silicone implants. These implants also feature a silicone outer shell. During surgery, saline implants are placed empty within the created space under the breast, then filled to their desired size.
A third type of breast enhancement with fat grafting
In addition to silicone and saline breast implants, there is a third option Dr. Karlinsky-Bellini offers at her Miami cosmetic surgery practice that requires no implant at all. Known as fat grafting, this breast enhancement option takes some of your body’s own excess fat – say from the abdomen, hips, or back – and transfers it to the breasts to replenish volume and improve shape. While fat grafting cannot achieve the same level of volume increase as implants, many women are attracted to this more natural option for breast enhancement. Plus, there’s the double benefit of slimming down an area of unwanted fat while putting it to good use.
Breast implant shape options: Round vs. Anatomical
Round breast implants are sphere-shaped and provide equal fullness at the top and bottom of the breast. This shape of implant will result in a fuller, more augmented appearance and is a great choice for women looking for a more dramatic breast enhancement.
Anatomical implants are designed to closely resemble the natural shape of a woman’s breasts. They are tear-drop or pear-shaped and will create less fullness on the upper part of the breast providing a more natural-looking breast enhancement result.
Breast implant texture options: Smooth vs. Textured
Smooth implants allow the implant to rotate within the breast pocket. This is recommended only for round-shaped breast implants.
Textured implants feature a rougher surface of the outer shell that attaches to the breast tissue and helps prevent any movement or rotation within the pocket. This is recommended for shaped implants in order to maintain a natural-looking position. NOTE: Textured implants are currently unavailable at this time for breast augmentation surgery.
Breast implant profiles (projection)
There are four different options for the profile (or projection) of your breast implants. This refers to how the implant will project from your chest.
- Low Profile: Feature a broad base with little projection. Great for women with broader or wider chest walls.
- Moderate Profile: Feature a more narrow base and moderate projection. Great for women with average-width chest walls.
- High Profile: Feature a smaller base with high projection. Great for women with smaller chest walls.
- Ultra High Profile: Feature the most narrow base and highest projection available. Ideal for very petite women.
Breast implant placement: Submuscular vs. Subglandular
During your surgery, your breast implants will be placed either above (subglandular) or below (submuscular) the chest muscle.
Submuscular placement is the prefered method of implant positioning due to better implant coverage with the muscle, less risk of capsular contracture and in many cases a more natural feel.
Subglandular placement is a great option for women who are bodybuilders, women who have mild to moderately ptotic (droopy) breasts and who do not want to have a lift. This type of placement has higher risks for capsular contracture and rippling. It is associated with easier recovery since the pectoralis muscle is not involved.
Incision locations and types
- Inframammary: Implants are inserted through an incision made along the inframammary fold (the crease along the underside of the breast). This is Dr. Karlinsky-Bellini’s preferred incision type because it reduces any chance of post-surgical infection and capsular contracture, and keeps any post-surgical scars well-hidden within the breast’s natural contours and has a higher likelihood of being able to breastfeed since the milk ducts are not involved at all.
- Periareolar: Implants are inserted through a crescent-shaped incision made along the upper portion of the areola.
- Transaxillary: Implants are inserted through an incision made within the armpit, keeping any surgical scars well hidden.
- Don’t worry – we don’t expect you to make these decisions on your own!
Following a thorough physical examination, and conversation about your goals and desired outcome, she will be able to provide you with personalized recommendations that will help give you the outcome you are imagining for yourself. Contact us today to start personalizing your own breast augmentation with Dr. Karlinsky-Bellini.
What to expect during your breast augmentation recovery?
Like every breast augmentation is different, so is every woman’s recovery period. Your personal recovery will depend on the specific elements of your surgery (implant type, placement, incision type, etc.) as well as your own personal situation.
Once your surgery is complete, Dr. Karlinsky-Bellini will provide you with a light surgical bra to be worn for your comfort and support. Remember to take it easy for the first few days. Have a loved one assist you with day-to-day activities such as cooking and cleaning. Depending on the work you do, you may return to normal daily activities in 2 to 3 days. The only restrictions are: no heavy lifting or running for 7 to10 days after surgery. Get plenty of rest, pay attention to how your body is healing, and if at any point you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, please do not hesitate to give us a call. Dr. Karlinsky-Bellini will provide you with her own personal cell number to help make your breast augmentation recovery as safe and speedy as possible.
Ready for your breast augmentation consultation?
Breast augmentation is an exciting and rewarding cosmetic surgery. If you are considering breast enhancement for yourself, we would love to talk with you about the procedure and answer any questions you may have regarding surgery. Give us a call at 305.939.4532 to schedule a private breast augmentation consultation with board certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Victoria Karlinsky-Bellini. VK Cosmetic Surgical Arts is located in the Bay Harbor Islands in beautiful Miami-Dade County, Florida.
