Breast Augmentation Surgery in Manhattan Beach, CA

Considering Breast Augmentation in Torrance?

Women consider breast augmentation for a variety of reasons. Some wish to rejuvenate their breasts and restore breast volume following pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss. Others have just always wanted larger, fuller breasts. Breast augmentation is also sometimes used to correct natural breast asymmetry.

Breast Augmentation – Saline Implants 3D Animation

Breast Augmentation – Silicone Implants 3D Animation

Before and After Breast Augmentation

It is important to maintain realistic expectations when considering breast augmentation. As a general rule, the best candidates are healthy, non-smoking and have a good understanding of the risks associated with breast augmentation.

Breast Implant Choices

Dr. Sherif Khattab Torrance, CA Picture of Breast Saline Implant Torrance, CA When it comes to breast implants, you have the choice of saline or silicone breast gummy bear implants. Saline and silicone implants both have an outer silicone shell. The main difference lies the material used within the shell. Saline implants contain saline — a non-toxic, saltwater solution. While silicone implants come pre-filled with a cohesive silicone gel that mimics human fat.

Both types provide a uniform shape and feel. Saline implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women age 18 and older, while patients have to be at least 22 to have silicone implants Advantages and disadvantages to both will be discussed during your consultation. For instance, saline implants are often filled after placement and thus may require a smaller incision line. And while silicone/gel implants are somewhat more expensive, the gel feels a bit more like natural breast tissue. We like to use smooth round implants, as their softness make it possible to move with the breast pocket, giving it more natural movement and the roundness makes breasts appear fuller and there is less worry about them ever rotating out of place. Saline or gel, it is important for you to monitor your breast implants and not miss your checkups.

Different Breast Surgery Techniques

There are many different techniques to consider when planning your breast augmentation, including incision location.

Incisions are made in least visible areas to minimize scarring and their location is decided based on the type and size of implant, patient particular anatomy and patient and surgeon preference.

A widely used incision is made along the border of the areola (periareolar). This incision location provides easy access to the interior breast and results in very little scarring. The other incision patterns, like inframammary fold or axillary will be discussed in depth during your consultation with Torrance plastic surgeon Dr. Khattab.

Breast implants can be placed behind the breast tissue (subglandular) or behind both the breast tissue and the pectoral muscle (submuscular).Combination of both approaches often called dual plane can also be performed.

Dr Khattab is wonderful. He is very knowledgeable, as well as professional, kind and honest He is experienced in many cosmetic surgeries. Beyond Beautiful office is nice and clean and the staff is caring and excellent – Anonymous

What to Expect During Your Breast Augmentation in Torrance, CA

Your breast augmentation consult: In order to determine if you are good candidate for breast augmentation, you will need to be upfront about every aspect of your health. Your consultation will include a physical examination, as well as a discussion of your medical history and cosmetic goals. This information will help Dr. Khattab determine what type of breast augmentation is the best and safest choice for you.

How the surgery works: Breast augmentation is most commonly performed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Once you are comfortable, Dr. Khattab will make the appropriate incision pattern. He will then create a pocket for your implant, which will be carefully inserted. Incisions will be secured and your chest wrapped in dressings and a surgical bra.

Recovering from breast augmentation: Helping you achieve a safe and speedy recovery is one of Dr. Khattab’s primary goals. You will notice some swelling and bruising but most patients report minimal discomfort. This can usually be controlled comfortably through a combination of pain medication and ice packs. Your stitches will be removed in about a week, allowing you to resume work and other non-strenuous activities. Exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least a month.

Expected Results: Your results won’t be apparent for several weeks. It will take time for swelling to resolve and for your breasts to settle into a natural looking position. It is important to note that you will have permanent scars following surgery. They will gradually fade and flatten over 12-18 months. Following a full recovery, you can anticipate fuller, shapelier breasts. Most women report experiencing increased self-esteem and body confidence.

FAQs

• Why do I need a surgical bra?

  As with most surgeries, protection of the site is important for the patient’s comfort and to avoid injury to the fresh operative site. A surgical bra is preferred to avoid the patient’s breast movement in the early phase where this can cause more bruising and discomfort. After the early phase of healing, which varies from patient to patient, a bra is not essential all day. With minimal discomfort in a few days, the patient can go without a bra, but it is still recommended to use it during sleep to avoid local injury. A soft bra or a sports bra, if it can hold the breast in a position without too much movement, can also be used.

• When can I start wearing a bra with underwires?

  Questions are always raised about bras that have underwires. Underwire bras are acceptable to be used early on as long as the patient does not have any numbness in the skin from the surgical procedure. In some patients, early on in the first week or 10 days some numbness can exist around the breast and therefore, underwire bras are best avoided. After full return of sensation to the skin usually after a week to 10 days, the underwire bra use is safe.

• When can I start sleeping on my side?

  Side sleeping, if comfortable, can be started after a few days, but it is recommended that the patient sleeps on her back to avoid injury to the fresh operative site. Certainly, after 1-2 weeks, the patient may sleep on the side as comfort sets in and the initial irritation subsides.

• When can I lift my toddler/ resume weight lifting after breast augmentation?

  Usually after 1-2 weeks, the patient may resume most physical activities, including strenuous ones. As with most procedures if the patient feels discomfort with heavy exercise or lifting weights, then an extra week for a total of 3 weeks may be advisable.

• How soon can I have breast revision surgery after breast augmentation and why should I wait?

  Revisional surgery of the breasts is mostly dependent on the type of procedure to be revised and its extent. Minor revisions can be performed in the first month according to what is needed to be done. Revising the volume of the implants, for example is best delayed until the patient better knows what size she prefers to be, whether it’s larger or smaller. After most procedures, the swelling does set in, which changes the appearance of the breasts and it is advised to wait until such early swelling subsides, which takes anywhere from 1-4 weeks. Another reason to wait for revisional surgery after breast augmentation is to allow better healing and make sure that the patient is adjusted to the new look of her breasts after enhancement. As with most cosmetic procedures this has to be clearly discussed with your treating surgeon to allow the best outcomes.

• I am a massage therapist and do deep tissue massage. Can I still have implants under the muscle?

  Yes. Implants that are placed under the muscle do not restrict the activity of the chest muscles and should not impede such activity. As with most procedures there are advantages to putting the implant behind or in front of the muscle and your treating surgeon should detail the discussion with you to your satisfaction.

• When can I get a mammogram after breast augmentation?

  It is usually preferred that strenuous compression of the breasts after breast augmentation is delayed for three months. This is due to healing that is ongoing internally in the tissues, as well as any residual sensitivity in the breasts that may be disturbed by compression of the mammogram. When a mammogram is done early before adequate tissue healing some artifacts may be present on the x-ray, which requires it to be repeated after full healing is achieved.

• I want breast augmentation after aggressive breast reduction with scarring from a year ago- what are my options?

  Breast augmentation and/or revisional surgery after reduction is always individualized and has to be customized to the patient’s needs, wants, the local anatomy and existing scars. There are so many variables that enter into the patient’s choosing the best options for herself, especially after a breast reduction was done and even more so if it is aggressively done. Most of the patients that want augmentation after reduction have lost significant weight, which led to additional unwanted loss of breast volume deflating the breasts. As treatment should be individualized for every patient, she is encouraged to discuss all of these details with the treating surgeon to custom build a treatment plan for her satisfaction. In general, the options include addition of implants, addition of synthetic collagen, scar revisions with tightening of the skin and/or reshaping the breasts. As mentioned above these have to be individualized and customized to the patient’s needs and wants, respecting the local anatomy and existing scars.

• I have stretch marks on my breasts after sudden loss of weight. Will breast augmentation help with stretch marks?

  Unfortunately, there are very few solutions for stretch marks of the breasts. If the stretch marks are severe and lead to glandular settling or sagging of the breasts, then revisional surgery with skin reduction may be chosen by the patient. The only stretch marks that are amendable to treatment are usually in the lower stomach after pregnancy and are usually treated with again skin reduction or a tummy tuck in this case. For the breasts, the stretch marks on the upper half are extremely difficult to mask and the best solution is using topical makeup if exposure is present. In the lower half of the breasts, in some cases one can remove some of the stretch marks by skin reduction in the lower half of the breasts.

• How soon after breast augmentation can I have a tattoo done on my breasts?

  It is recommended that tattoos would be delayed until the patient is fully healed from her incision, as well as any hyper circulation in the breasts due to internal healing. Most of that is seen and felt by the patient after six weeks and certainly by three months the patient should be able to safely tattoo her skin without risk to the implant.

• Regarding fat transfer to breast- how much of it will survive and for how long?

  Fat transfer to the breasts, although has been used for several years, is still not predictable as to long-term survival. Some patients have 1-3 years survival and others may be fortunate to have it permanent. The transferred fat may also be lost due to weight loss and/or other changes that occur in the breasts over the years.

• Can minor asymmetry after breast augmentation be corrected with fat transfer?

  Yes. Minor asymmetries could be corrected if they are related to volume. Fat transfer adds volume, but if the asymmetry is relating to the position of the nipple or rotation of the breasts, fat transfer would not be the best choice for that.

• Can rippling of the implant be improved with fat transfer to the breasts?

  Rippling of the implant is one of the more difficult problems to correct. Rippling is seen more often with the patients that are having very low body fat in the breast tissue, usually after nursing and significant weight loss. Rippling is also more visible with textured implants. Fat transfer to the breast adds a concealment layer of soft tissue to cover the implants, which makes the rippling less visible and the contour of the breasts more desirable.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Khattab

If you’re ready to learn more about breast augmentation in Torrance, call 310-325-2100 or email us to inquire about a consultation with Dr. Khattab. Beyond Beautiful is located at 23365 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 102, in Torrance, CA. Since 1988, we have been providing excellent care to patients from nearby Torrance, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, and beyond.

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