Breast Augmentation

At San Antonio Cosmetic Surgery

We perform breast augmentation using saline implants and the newest silicone gel implants. Breast augmentation is an extremely popular surgery among women who desire a larger breast size. Many options are now available. During your consultation with Dr. Ortegon, you can further discuss the details and decide whether this procedure is right for you.

Choosing Breast Augmentation: Who's a Good Fit?

The primary goal of breast augmentation is cosmetic – to increase breast size and thereby enhance your overall body shape or proportions. After surgery, patients often report better self-confidence, a more feminine appearance and a greater number of wardrobe options. Other goals of breast augmentation - some which many people overlook – are corrective or restorative procedures. The surgery can be performed to correct loss of breast volume, breast asymmetry and tuberous breast syndrome.

Women in San Antonio choose to have breast augmentation surgery for unique, personal reasons.

You may be interested in breast augmentation surgery if you wish:

to increase the size of your breasts if you feel they have always been small,
to improve the overall proportions of your figure, or
to improve breast asymmetry or irregular shape

Breast augmentation surgery cannot correct sagging breasts (or breast ptosis). If your breasts sag, Dr. Ortegon may suggest that you pair your breast augmentation with a breast lift.

What to Expect: Results of Your Breast Augmentation

The results of breast augmentation surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for fuller breasts.

before and after breast augmentation in san antonio texas

breast augmentation san antonio cosmetic surgery

breast augmentation san antonio cosmetic surgeon

Photos Show Before and After Breast Augmentation Surgery in San Antonio TX
View More Breast Augmentation Photos in our Gallery

Breast Augmentation in San Antonio: What to Expect

Step 1 - Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during breast augmentation surgery. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 - The incisions

Incisions for breast augmentation can be placed in different locations. They are designed to minimize scar visibility and be inconspicuous after surgery. You and your plastic surgeon will discuss which incision options are appropriate for your desired outcome. Incision options include:

Inframammary incision

The inframmary fold incision, also known as the "breast crease" is the most commonly used incision during breast augmentation. It hides beneath the shadow of your breast, in the natural skin crease where the breast meets the chest wall.

The inframmary incision also allows your plastic surgeon direct access to the breast for optimum visibility. When it heals nicely, this type of incision can be very inconspicuous.

Transaxillary incision

The transaxillary incision typically requires endoscopic surgery techniques, meaning your plastic surgeon must utilize an endoscope (a small fiber optic camera attached to a rod) in order to see the breast pocket and insert the breast implant. Placing the incision in the underarm area allows any scar to be located away from the breast.

The options with this incision may be somewhat limited. For example, your surgeon may recommend the underarm incision only for saline breast implants placed under the muscle. Ask Dr. Ortegon for more details regarding these limitations.

Endoscopic breast augmentation is generally considered to be mroe technically challenging than traditional techniques, but it can produce excellent results when performed by a skilled and qualified plastic surgeon.

underarm incision breast augmentat san antonio

Peri-areolar incision

An incision around the nipple can camouflage breast augmentation scars by placing them at the areola, the ring of pigmented skin around the nipple. When performed successfully, the scars are hidden by the natural pigmentation in this area. The incision will usually travel only halfway around the areola.

This technique can produce great aesthetic results, but the risk of altered nipple sensation is higher. Also, because the incision is located in a highly visible area, it can be noticeable if imperfections do occur.

nipple areola incision breast augmentation sanantonio tx

Incisions vary based on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your particular anatomy, and patient-surgeon preference. Dr. Ortegon will guide you through the various techniques listed above to determine which method can provide the most appealing results for your breast augmentation.

Step 3 - Breast implant choice: Silicone breast implants or saline breast implants?

Breast size and shape are important, so be honest and open about your expectations when talking with your surgeon.

Implant type and size will be determined not just on your desired increase in size but more importantly on your breast anatomy, skin elasticity and body type.

Options for Breast Implants

Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. They can be filled with varying amounts of saline which can affect the shape, firmness and feel of the breast.

Should the implant shell rupture, a saline breast implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body. Currently Saline breast implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women 18 years of age and older.

Silicone breast implants are filled with an elastic gel, which feels and moves much like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket. A leaking implant filled with silicone gel may not collapse. You may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly for an ultrasound or MRI to assess the condition of the implants. Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women 22 years of age and older.

Implant manufacturers occasionally introduce new styles and types of implants, so there may be additional options available. See http://www.breastimplantsafety.org/ for current information.

Step 4 - Inserting and placing the breast implant

under the muscle or over the muscle for breast augmentation in san antonio After the incision is made, a breast implant is inserted into a pocket either:

Under the pectoral muscle (a submuscular placement), or
Directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (a submammary/ subglandular placement)

The method for inserting and positioning implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type, and your surgeon’s recommendations.

Step 5 - Closing the incisions

Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue and with sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the skin. Over time the incision lines will fade.

You can learn more about breast augmentation in San Antonio, by contacting us to schedule a consultation with board certified plastic surgeon Delio Ortegon M.D. Also be sure to view our breast augmentation before and after photos to see real results achieved by Dr. Ortegon.