Breast surgery is one of the most common aesthetic operations in women of any age. And there are a few things to consider if you think about changing the shape or size of your breasts.
A few years ago, breast surgery was available only to celebrities and very wealthy people. Today, it is a popular solution for millions of women around the world.
Modern implants allow the “new” breasts to look completely natural. Therefore, any woman who is dissatisfied with her shape, doesn’t need to wait for a miracle. The services of aesthetic medicine are readily available right here, in Atlanta, GA.
At SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics, Angelina Postoev, MD, FACS, a triple-board certified cosmetic surgeon, and Christopher Ibikunle, MD, FACS, offer breast surgery for men and women in Atlanta, Suwanee, Johns Creek, and surrounding areas of Georgia.
Breast Surgery Options: What To Expect?
To get impressive results and minimal risk of complications, you should choose a doctor very carefully. The surgeon should be board certified but also have excellent patient care skills. Yes, yes, new breasts are a very delicate issue, and some women may prefer a female surgeon. It is much easier to discuss a breast surgery with a doctor who can patiently answer all questions and address all concerns, if any. Moreover, the surgeon’s focus on your individual preferences largely determines the success of the operation.
Breast Surgery Types
There are several types of breast surgery that we perform in SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics.
- Breast implants (breast augmentation) are obviously very common. Regardless of age, you may find that your breasts are not the shape or size that you prefer. You might experience weight loss, pregnancy, post-delivery changes, or simply have disproportional breasts when one is larger than the other. The list of reasons why women may need breast implants can go on and on. You may even have had surgery or an injury to one or both breasts before. Breast augmentation with silicone implants, saline implants or fat transfer is an ideal solution to restore and create full breasts that look perfect.
- Another common option is mastopexy, the medical term for a breast lift. When you get older, your breasts loose elasticity and firmness. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight gain or weight loss can speed up this process. This breast surgery is an option if your breasts begin to sag or fall. During this procedure, a cosmetic surgeon lifts and changes the shape of your breasts to give them a stronger and more rounded appearance. The surgeon also removes excess skin around the chest and reduces the size of areola, the colored circle around the nipple.
- Breast reduction is a major operation that helps reduce the size of breasts.Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue and skin to achieve a breast size proportional to your body. Many people believe that when it comes to breasts, bigger is better. But excessively large breasts can be detrimental to some women’s self-confidence and general quality of life (back ache, etc.).
- Gynecomastia surgery or male breast reduction. Cosmetic male breast reduction is an option that reduces the excess breast tissue to contour a man’s chest. Yes, breast surgery is not only for women, and at SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics we are experts in male breast surgery!
The Big Question: Silicone vs Saline Breast Implants
If you are considering breast implants specifically, you may wonder how to choose between implants filled with saline and silicone gel. Saline and silicone breast implants have an external silicone shell. However, what’s inside differs in material and consistency:
Saline implants are filled with a special salt solution. They’re inserted empty, and then filled once they’re in place. Silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel that closely mimics the feel of human fat. Many women (and men) believe that silicone breast implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue. However, in fact, the differences are almost unnoticeable. Both types of implants are very similar, but saline implants are slightly less expensive. And the next question we usually hear:
How Long Do Implants Last?
Will implants have to be replaced eventually? The most common rumor you will hear about implants is that they need to be replaced every 10 years. This is not true: modern implants do not need a replacement every 10 years unless there is a specific individual reason for it (for example, a trauma or another reason that resulted in the implants loosing their original aesthetic appearance). In very rare cases, implants can rupture, and then of course they must be replaced.
What Would My Scar Look Like?
In my practice, I have two different options for inserting the implants. I either make an incision under the nipple, basically inside the areola circle; some color difference naturally happens between areola and breast skin, and I would use that area. In some patients, especially when I do silicone implants, the scar will be underneath the breast. For the silicone it will be about two inches in size. For saline implants, it could be a little bit smaller, we can work through a much smaller opening to put saline implant in. Scars on the breast heal very well and obviously are well hidden inside your bra.
How Long Does The Surgery Take?
If we’re doing straightforward breast augmentation, it takes about an hour. If we’re doing a breast augmentation with implants and with breast lift, it might take a little longer and depends on the size of the breast and how much work we have to do.
How Do We Decide The Size?
Usually it’s a combination of several factors:
- Measurements. When you come in for a consultation, we’ll be measuring you, and based on that, we can help you, guide you on the appropriate size.
- Your preferences. Patients have different expectations and different ideas, and it’s very important.
How Much Does Breast Surgery Cost in Atlanta?
The cost includes the work of the surgeon (including pre-op and post-op visits), anesthesiologist fees, needed materials (implants), necessary medications, and of course, hospital or outpatient center fees where the procedure is performed — the full package. Therefore, the cost will vary based on the implants you choose, and based on the type of center/hospital where the breast surgery is performed.
Usually, in Atlanta area, breast surgery with saline implants starts around $4,000-$4,500, and $5,000-$5,500 for silicone implants. If you also need a breast lift or other additional procedures, the price will go up based on your individual needs. During your initial consultation, our team will discuss the cost of the entire procedure and share information about our flexible financing options.
Whether you want to have larger, smaller, or perkier breasts, or have an embarrassing third nipple, we can help! Angelina Postoev, MD, FACS, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon, and Christopher Ibikunle, MD, FACS, offer breast surgery for men and women in Atlanta, Suwanee, Johns Creek, and the surrounding areas of Georgia.
