Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the U.S. and one of our most popular services here at Dr. Frederick Watkins’ office in Rockville, MD. Breast augmentation (also called enhancements) can give a fuller, firmer, better-proportioned, and natural appearance using FDA-approved saline or silicone implants.
We know every woman is unique in both her desires and her body shape, and that each seeks out breast augmentation for various medical and aesthetic reasons. That’s why our doctor will use your consultation session to help you choose the implant type, placement, and incisions for your ultimate personal satisfaction.
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Achieving Your Best Results
Breast surgery can be used for balancing breast size, compensating for reduced breast mass after pregnancy or surgery, and correcting a congenital breast defect. Depending on your needs, breast augmentation can achieve dramatic and beautiful results alone, or in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery or noninvasive procedures. Under Dr. Watkins’ expert care, patients enjoy great-looking, natural-feeling breasts that are one or more cup sizes larger after the operation. We may also make recommendations for other procedures, as applicable, such as a breast lift, to help you look your best.
Saline and Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Breast implants are silicone shells filled with either saline (sterile salt water) or silicone gel. Both implant types are safe and FDA approved. While silicone implants are softer, saline implants are still the most common material used in augmentation surgery. We’ll help you choose which is right for your ideal body
Incision and Placement Options for Breast Implants
During surgery under general anesthesia, placing the implants usually takes about one hour, beginning with a small incision in your preferred location in the armpit, under the breast, or around the areola. Implants are inserted behind each breast, underneath either breast tissue or the chest wall muscle. You’ll be able to choose the placement in consultation with our doctor, depending on post-surgical care and health risks. After the implants have been inserted and positioned beneath the nipples, the incisions are stitched closed, and then taped and bandaged. After a few days, the bandages can be replaced with a surgical bra.
- In the armpit (transaxillary)
- In the crease on the underside of the breast (inframammary), or
- Around the areola, the dark skin around the nipple (periareolar).
The breast is then lifted, creating a pocket into which the implant is inserted.
Post-Operative Recovery and Side Effects
Most patients feel tired and sore after breast augmentation surgery, but this usually passes in a day or two, and many patients return to work within the week. After about one week, the stitches are removed, and swelling will decrease naturally over a few weeks. Scarring can occur after several months, but our team can recommend at-home treatments to minimize final scars.
Complications following breast augmentation surgery are rare and usually minor, including capsular contracture, swelling and pain, infection around the implant, a change in nipple sensation, excess milk production (if you nursed a baby within a year prior to the procedure), and breakage or leakage of the implant (implant rupture) as a result of injury or the normal compression of your breast. In the event of any pain or complications, our office will continue to support you to achieve a healthy and confident body.
Before and After
