Breast Augmentation

Why Women Pursue Breast Augmentation Surgery

Dr. Bohley’s breast augmentation patients have various reasons for pursuing cosmetic breast surgery. Although many women simply wish to enhance the overall volume of their breasts, others desire a more dramatic degree of cleavage throughout the upper breast area. Still, other patients seek to correct breast asymmetry. Breast augmentation surgery with saline or silicone breast implants can also provide a slight lift throughout the breasts.

Natural Breast Augmentation

Dr. Bohley also offers natural breast augmentation in Portland for women who desire a subtle degree of breast enhancement (as well as contouring throughout another area of the body). With natural breast enhancement, Dr. Bohley uses liposuction techniques to remove excess fat from an area of the body that typically has ample fat cells, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, or buttocks. He then purifies the fat cells before re-injecting them into the area requiring enhancement, in this case, the breasts. Techniques are then used to ensure an even distribution of the donor fat cells.

Thanks to advancements in fat purification and transfer techniques, most of the donor fat cells should survive in the treatment area after surgery. Some women may choose to undergo the procedure again later on for optimal aesthetic results.

Types of Breast Implants

During a consultation, Dr. Bohley evaluates each patient’s physique and listens to their aesthetic goals for breast augmentation surgery. Based on each person’s unique anatomy and surgical objectives, he recommends an appropriate treatment protocol including the type of breast implants, implant placement option, and incision pattern that will best meet the patient’s comprehensive needs.

The two main types of breast implants available are saline and silicone implants. Saline implants have an outer silicone shell and are filled with a saline, or sterile saltwater, solution. The principal benefit of saline implants is that the body is able to absorb the filling material safely in case the implant leaks or ruptures. Another advantage of saline implants is that Dr. Bohley can use a slightly smaller incision than he would with silicone implants because he fills the saline implants after insertion.

However, saline implants are often not a suitable treatment option for women with thin skin and/or little natural breast tissue, as they are prone to folding and rippling within the implant pocket and may be visible underneath the skin.

Silicone implants have both a silicone outer shell and a silicone-gel filling material. They more closely resemble the look and feel of natural breasts than their saline counterparts. Silicone gel implants are also less likely to fold, wrinkle, or ripple within the implant pocket. Newer technology has allowed for the development of form-stable, or so-called “gummy bear” implants, which are named for the filling material’s consistency that does not leak out as silicone gel does.

One of the main drawbacks to silicone implants is that they require a slightly larger incision than saline implants because they arrive prefilled from the manufacturer. Also, if the implant’s outer shell suffers any damage, the silicone-gel filling material stays intact either within the implant pocket or very close to it, making it more difficult to detect an issue with the implant. For this reason, the U.S. FDA recommends that women with silicone implants undergo a breast imaging exam (i.e., a mammogram or MRI of the breasts) every three years, starting the third year after the initial augmentation surgery.

Implant Placement Options

Dr. Bohley can place the breast implants either over the chest muscle (subglandular placement) or under the chest muscle (subpectoral placement). Again, the decision regarding where to place the breast implants depends on the patient’s unique anatomy and surgical objectives. For instance, placing the implants over the chest muscle may not be an appropriate option for lean women with a lot of muscle mass and too little breast tissue to cover and support the implants properly.

Incision Patterns

A Portland breast augmentation surgeon offers three main types of incision patterns for breast implant surgery: the transaxillary, periareolar, and inframammary incision approaches.

With the transaxillary approach, Dr. Bohley inserts the implant through an incision located under the arm, in the armpit area. This incision pattern is most appropriate for placing saline implants that are filled after insertion.

With the periareolar incision pattern, Dr. Bohley makes an incision around the outer circumference of the areola (the darkly pigmented skin surrounding the nipple). Although some women prefer this incision approach because the incision scar is usually well concealed within the darker skin of the areola, it is not the most appropriate option for women who are concerned with the slight risk of experiencing a change in nipple sensation or difficulty breastfeeding after surgery.

The inframammary approach involves making a horizontal incision underneath the natural fold of the breast. This incision pattern offers minimal risk of experiencing a change in nipple or breast sensation following the procedure. However, the inframammary incision may be more visible than the other incision patterns. Nonetheless, with proper care, the scar from breast augmentation incisions often eventually fades so they closely match the color of the surrounding skin, becoming nearly imperceptible over time.

The Breast Implant Procedure

Breast augmentation surgery with breast implants is an outpatient procedure, performed under general anesthesia. After Dr. Bohley makes the chosen incision pattern, he creates an implant pocket either under or over the chest muscle, as mentioned earlier. He inserts the breast implant through the incision, carefully positioning it in the implant pocket. Once he is satisfied with the size, shape, and symmetrical nature of the breast implants, he closes the incisions with sutures.

Dr. Bohley dresses the treatment area in soft bandages and an overlying surgical bra, which patients must keep in place for several weeks as directed, to provide additional support and minimize swelling while the area heals.

Recovering From Breast Augmentation

Following breast augmentation surgery in Portland, patients should expect to take one to two weeks off from work or their normal routine. Patients will be instructed to wear a surgical bra to help with recovery and reduce any swelling. During the initial phase of the recovery period, patients should get plenty of rest and avoid any strenuous activity, including heavy lifting, lifting the arms higher than shoulder height, or exercising.

Patients may experience a tightness in the implant area as their body conforms to the new implants. Often, discomfort can be controlled with prescribed pain medication. During a follow-up appointment, Dr. Bohley will let patients know when it is safe to stop wearing the surgical bra and when they can return to their usual activities, including their fitness regimens.

It is important to understand that although results from breast implants are long-lasting, implants need to be replaced if they rupture or leak. Routine follow-ups with Dr. Bohley are imperative to ensure that your breast implants are intact.

Learn More About Breast Augmentation

Many women who undergo breast augmentation greatly improve their self-esteem and feel more confident in their figure. Dr. Bohley takes great pride in helping patients improve not only their appearance but also their quality of life. To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Bohley to learn more about this procedure, please contact his office at (503) 213-9914 or visit the contact page online.