Breast Augmentation in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Is Breast Augmentation Surgery Right For Me?
Breast augmentation, known most commonly as a “boob job,” enhances the size and shape of your breasts with the use of saline or silicone implants. Women in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, who want natural looking breasts that complement their bodies, rely on the skill of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David J. Levens and the medical team at his Coral Springs office.
What is a Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a popular procedure in the Fort Lauderdale and Broward County area that uses breast implants to increase breast size and fullness. Breast implants are medical devices, manufactured to extremely high standards. Dr. Levens uses only those implants which have been thoroughly tested and with which he has experienced excellent results. There are two main types of implants used for breast augmentation:
What are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation?
Benefits of breast augmentation surgery include:
- Fuller, shapelier breasts
- A better-proportioned figure
- The ability to confidently wear a wider range of clothing styles
- Pre-pregnancy breast fullness
What Are The Types Of Breast Augmentation ?
Breast Augmentation with Saline Implants
Saline implants are made with an outer silicone shell that replicates natural breast tissue. Once implanted into the breasts, the silicone shell is filled with a saline solution (sterile saltwater). The benefit of saline implants is that they are smaller when placed into the breasts, requiring smaller incisions and providing more flexibility during the surgical process. However, the saline filling may not feel as natural as other breast implant materials. Furthermore, they are more susceptible to rippling and wrinkling as opposed to silicone implants.
Breast Augmentation with Silicone Implants
Silicone implants are also made with an outer silicone shell, but they’re filled with a silicone gel that mimics the natural breast tissue. This results in a breast implant that looks and feels much more natural than saline implants, and it’s the main reason why silicone implants are the preferred implant material for a majority of patients. However, silicone implants are pre-filled, which means they often require larger incisions during the surgical process.
Breast Augmentation Before and After Photos
Age: 24 • Height: 5′ 3″ • Weight: 105 lbs
Months Post-Op: 4
Implant Placement:Submuscular
Incision Site:Inframammary
Pre-Op Cup Size:A • Post-Op Cup Size:C
Implant Type:Silicone Gel Implant
Implant Profile:High Profile
Implant Shape:Rounded
Implant Surface:Smooth
Left & Right Implant Size:375cc
Age: 26 • Height: 5′ 4″ • Weight: 125 lbs
Months Post-Op: 24
Implant Placement:Submuscular
Incision Site:Periareolar
Pre-Op Cup Size:B • Post-Op Cup Size:C
Implant Type:Saline Implant
Implant Profile:Moderate Profile
Left Implant Size:300cc
Right Implant Size:325cc
Are You A Candidate For a Breast Augmentation?
The best candidates for breast augmentation are women who:
- Are in good health
- Desire larger, fuller breasts
- Want to restore fullness to the breasts after pregnancy
If you meet these criteria, you might be a good candidate for breast augmentation surgery. However, the best way to determine your candidacy for a breast augmentation is to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Levens. During your consultation, you can discuss your cosmetic goals as Dr. Levens helps you identify whether a breast augmentation is an appropriate solution. If it is, he’ll develop a personalized treatment plan and explain what you can expect leading up to, during and after your surgery.
What Breast Implant Size is Right for Me?
How much your breasts can be enlarged depends on your tissues. For example, if you have never been pregnant, and have small breasts (“A” cup or less), your skin may be very tight, which could somewhat limit the amount of fullness that can be achieved. On the other hand, during pregnancy, breast enlargement occurs, and this stretches the skin on the breasts. This can result in breasts with loose skin, and a lack of fullness in the upper portion, which can be augmented to its original size with an implant.
To achieve optimal sizing for your unique needs, Dr. Levens offers the Mentor Volume Sizing System. This system uses various sizers that can give you a better feel for how your breasts may look after a breast augmentation with Dr. Levens. These shaped sizers have added a new ‘dimension’ to the breast consultation. Women can achieve a more accurate idea of their own appearance using various size and shape implant sizers well before surgery to help with decision making.
How Can I Pay For Breast Reduction?
How Much is a Breast Augmentation?
The cost of breast augmentation with saline implants starts at $6,700, while breast augmentation with silicone implants starts at $7,500. However, prices may vary due to specials and/or the facility used. An individual treatment plan will be developed during your consultation with Dr. Levens. After the appointment, we will provide you with a total cost and explain your payment options, including cash, personal check, Visa®, MasterCard® and American Express®. If you are interested in financing your breast augmentation surgery, our patient coordinators will explain how to apply for CareCredit®, Alphaeon Credit, or Prosper® Healthcare Lending.
Why Choose Dr. David J. Levens?
Dr. David J. Levens, FACS, is an exceptional plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Coral Springs since 1989. With a career spanning over three decades, he has established himself as a highly respected and experienced professional in the field. Dr. Levens is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and he is a member of prestigious organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
When it comes to breast augmentation surgery, Dr. Levens is known for his surgical skill and expertise. He offers a comprehensive range of sophisticated plastic surgery procedures and treatments for the face and body. However, what sets him apart is his patient-centric approach. Dr. Levens takes the time to understand each patient's unique situation and helps them choose the most suitable procedure or treatment to achieve their desired outcome. His expertise, combined with his compassionate and meticulous approach, make him an excellent choice for those looking to undergo breast augmentation surgery. Learn more about Dr. Levens or read his reviews.
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What Happens During Breast Augmentation Surgery?
The approach for breast augmentation surgery will vary depending on the type and size of implants used, as well as the patient's cosmetic goals and preferences. The most common incision locations include:
- Inframammary incision: an incision placed beneath the breast, along the natural crease
- Periareolar incision: an incision placed around the circumference of the areola
In some cases, both incisions may be used. Once made, the incisions will enable Dr. Levens to place the implants into the breasts. For most patients, the implants are placed behind the chest muscle. In some, the implants may be placed above the chest muscle, but beneath the breast tissue. Dr. Levens will discuss the best option for your specific breast type and chest wall anatomy. Following implant placement and positioning, Dr. Levens will spend time precisely closing your incisions to achieve the best possible result with as minimal a scar as your healing process will allow. You’ll be able to shower or bathe in just a few days.
What are the Risks of Breast Augmentation Surgery?
There are a few important risks to consider before pursuing breast augmentation surgery.
Mammogram Risks
Breast implants may make a mammogram somewhat more difficult to read. This does not mean that a mammogram can’t be adequately read, simply that the mammograms must be performed and interpreted by someone experienced in the proper techniques. When an implant is present, special views are performed to better visualize the entire breast. To be clear, breast implants do not cause breast cancer. Studies indicate breast cancer occurs in about 10% of women, whether or not they’ve had breast augmentation. For this reason, women with or without implants would all abide by the recommended cancer screening guidelines of annual mammograms.
Breast Symmetry Risks
You should remember that there are always slight differences in size, shape and/or nipple location between your two breasts. Breast augmentation may reduce these differences but not entirely eliminate them.
Implant Lifespan Risks
No one can guarantee or predict the life of a breast implant. Some patients have had the same implants in place for 25 years while others have needed to replace them sooner. It is a common misconception that implants need to be replaced every 10 years. Although they’re not lifetime devices, they often last well beyond 10 years.
Capsular Contracture Risks
When any implant is placed in your body, the body forms a lining or capsule around it. This capsule is similar in some ways to scar tissue and can shrink or contract. If it contracts markedly and squeezes on your implant, it can distort the implant or make the breast feel too firm. This risk cannot be totally eliminated, and mild firmness is relatively common. However, it is rare that firmness and distortion will be severe enough to require re-operation.
Implant Rupture Risks
Very rarely, the shell of a breast implant can leak. Usually, this is due to folds occurring with abrasion of the shell, and can follow the development of firmness due to capsular contracture. Very rarely the valve mechanism in a saline-filled implant can leak with the loss of harmless salt water into the surrounding tissues. Your body then absorbs this fluid. If implant rupture can be confirmed, or is strongly suspected, the implant can be inspected, removed, if necessary, and replaced with a new implant.
Surgical Risks
In a small percentage of cases, risks common to all surgical procedures can occur, such as bleeding, infection, and scar tissue formation. Bleeding or infection may occur in 1% to 3% of cases, and may require another procedure for correction. Infection may require temporary implant removal and subsequent replacement. Dr. Levens will give you detailed information about these and other rare risks during his discussion with you and in written information about breast augmentation.
What is Breast Augmentation Recovery Like?
What to Buy for Breast Augmentation Recovery?
When preparing for breast augmentation surgery and the recovery period, it's essential to have certain items on hand to ensure a smooth and comfortable healing process. Some of the items you may want to consider having available include:
- Surgical bras
- Comfortable clothing
- Extra pillows
- Ice packs
- Medications
- Scar care products
- Loose and supportive undergarments
- Entertainment and self-care items
How Painful is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Most patients have moderate discomfort immediately after the procedure. This is handled well with pain medication. Most also experience nuisances such as tightness or fullness, both of which are temporary and resolve within the first 2 weeks. There may be slight bruising under the breasts a day or two after surgery, but it will fade in about a week. A moderate feeling of soreness may persist for a week or two for which Dr. Levens will prescribe medication although most women only require the pain medication for the first few days.
How Long is Breast Augmentation Recovery?
Breast augmentation is done on an outpatient basis, with most patients making a full recovery within three months. The typical schedule of recovery is:
- You’ll be able to bathe or shower in a few days.
- Bruising and swelling for 3 to 10 days
- Return to work and social activities within 2 to 3 days
- Return to mild aerobic activity within 14 days
- Partake in strenuous activities within 3-4 weeks
Dr. Levens will encourage you to return to normal activity as soon as you can but avoid strenuous or jarring exercises.
Post Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
When Can I Lift Weights After Breast Implants?
Although you may be able to resume light exercise and other activities within a few weeks of surgery, it is generally recommended to abstain from lifting weights and performing other strenuous activities for at least 6 weeks after surgery. This gives the chest enough time to heal from the surgical trauma. Furthermore, you should check with Dr. Levens during your follow-up visit to confirm that your healing has progressed enough to resume weightlifting.
When Sleep on My Side After Breast Augmentation?
Patients are advised to sleep on their back and/or in an elevated position for the first few weeks following breast augmentation surgery. This is done to minimize pressure on the incisions, promote proper healing, and reduce the risk of complications. Sleeping on your side too soon could potentially put pressure on the surgical area, disrupt the healing process, and cause discomfort. You may resume sleeping on your side after the initial healing phase, which is typically about 4-8 weeks after surgery, although the exact timeline will be different for each patient.
When Can I Wear a Normal Bra After Breast Augmentation?
You will be provided with a comfortable cotton sports bra which you will wear most of the time for the first two to three weeks following your procedure. As your healing progresses, most patients are able to transition to a regular bra. During this time, we recommend using a supportive sports bra or a soft, non-underwire bra. Patients who want to sleep without a bra or go braless after their breast augmentation should wait at least 6-8 weeks, as doing so any earlier could place unhealthy stress on the breast tissue and interfere with your recovery process.
Are Breast Implants Permanent?
Breast implants are designed to be long-lasting devices, and many of them will last upwards of 20 years. However, all implants come with the risk of rupture, deflation or other complications that may require them to be removed or replaced earlier than this. Regular monitoring of breast implants through routine check-ups with a plastic surgeon is essential to assess their condition and identify any potential complications. Most patients enjoy many years with their breast implants without any complications.
Dr. Levens has been providing breast augmentation surgery for women in Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, and throughout Broward County since 1989. To learn more about the breast augmentation procedure or to schedule your complimentary consultation, contact us today.
