Breast Augmentation in Los Alamitos, CA

Dr. William P. Aiello is reputed as one of the top Orange County breast augmentation surgeons. He has years of experience providing happy outcomes on many different breast sizes and shapes. Breast augmentation is performed to enhance or restore the size, shape, and symmetry of a woman’s breasts. Breasts may be small because of a lack of development or changes following pregnancy, weight loss, or congenital abnormalities. This surgery results in gorgeous outcomes that feel and appear both normal and natural. This procedure can be a life changer for many women, offering them the opportunity to feel more comfortable in their own skin. At your consultation at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center in Los Alamitos, CA, Dr. Aiello will assess your desires and concerns and discuss all the available options. He will also customize a treatment plan to achieve your personal goals.

There are four possible incision sites: through the arm pit (axillary), around the nipple (periareolar), below the breast fold (inframammary) or through the belly button (umbilicus). Many patients are focused on where their scar is going to be. They are scared that if their scar is anywhere on the breast, then everyone will know they had a breast enlargement. This tends to be far from true. Once these small incisions heal, they are virtually invisible no matter where they are. Dr. Aiello recommends these two options: Inframammary and Periareolar. He has only used these incision sites for decades because they are “hidden in plain sight” and provide direct access to the breast pocket for implant placement. The area between the darker pigmented areola and lighter breast skin leaves a good demarcation point for placing a very unnoticeable scar. And the small incision for the inframammary site is in the fold under the breast, so the breast falls over the fold and is only visible if you physically lift the breasts up to see it. If you have questions about other incision locations, including TUBA and axillary, Dr. Aiello can explain the pros and cons during your consultation.

The breast implant can be placed either partially under the pectoralis major muscle (submuscular) or on top of the muscle and under the breast gland (subglandular). Dr. Aiello performs almost all of his breast augmentations by placing the implant submuscularly. The beneficial reasons are many. Placing the implants below the muscle lessens the risk of capsular contracture significantly. A secondary benefit to going below the muscle is that the implant has more coverage over it, thereby somewhat camouflaging the implant’s edges. It is also easier to visualize the breast tissue on mammography since the muscle separates the breast implant from the breast tissue above it. Finally, there is a certain degree of support by the muscle that keeps the implant up, which is not found with the subglandular augmentation. 

Both saline and silicone implants have advantages and disadvantages. When you consider breast enlargement, the best way to decide whether to have saline or silicone gel implants is to learn more about the different types of breast implants. We do our best to break down the basics for you at your consultation. A saline breast implant is a shell made of silicone filled with salt water. The implant is inserted empty then filled with sterile saline through a tube during surgery. A silicone gel-filled breast implant is pre-filled with silicone gel.  All modern silicone implants are made of a cohesive gel, which is anti-leak, even when the implant shell is compromised. The thickness of the gel ranges from a jello-like texture to gummy bear. For full disclosure on implants, you need to read the implant manufacturer’s brochure and the FDA patient information on breast implant safety. If he has one, Dr.Aiello will give you his best recommendation during your consultation, but the final choice is completely up to you!

A breast implant's profile is the width-height dimension for the implant. Relating and utilizing the implant diameter and projection to the relation of a patient’s body measurements and current breast volume are part of the process for an experienced surgeon, this is never something we expect our patients to determine. You can help Dr. Aiello in this selection process by providing photos of your ideal outcome using before and after photos of other patients who have similar anatomy to you and outcomes that you admire. Dr. Aiello uses round implants. Shaped implants refer to a textured implant with a teardrop shape. These implants are not used as often because they lack upper pole fullness, which is a desirable effect in breast augmentation.

Many people are under the mistaken impression that breast implants need to be replaced every ten years. This is not true. There is no finite time frame for when you have to replace your implants. As long as you are happy with their appearance (size, shape and feel) there is no need to change out your implants. They are by no means, a once in a lifetime device, but the most common reason implants are replaced is when a woman wants to change her breast size or she has had changes in her natural breast tissue sagging with age. Implant manufacturers provide warranties in case of implant rupture. This is great news, but rarely used.

The decision to go through with breast enhancement surgery is personal. If you are thinking about having this procedure, it is essential you do it for yourself and nobody else. You should be healthy and have fully developed breasts and not undergoing any major weight fluctuations or breast feeding in the last 6 months. Every patient is seen 1 week prior to their surgery appointment for a pre-operative visit to get them prepped for surgery. You will meet with Dr. Aiello again and his nurse to review important details about your surgery and recovery. You will read surgery consents and receive all the information you need.

Breast Augmentation is a relatively short surgery, performed under general anesthesia, it typically lasts less than 1 hour. Incision and implant placement are aspects that will be determined before surgery takes place at your consultation and pre-operative visits with Dr. Aiello. Though there are several options, Dr. Aiello believes that a submuscular implant placement using either periareolar (around the areola) and inframammary (breast fold) incisions are the optimal approaches. Following the incision, the breast implant will be moved through the incision opening, deposited into a carefully created pocket and then secured into its correct position. Once the implant is in place, the incision is carefully secured with layers of sutures starting inside the pocket and working out to the surface skin layer.

After the procedure is completed, patients wake up and are observed in a quiet recovery area prior to being released. Breast Augmentation is an outpatient procedure, so you will go home the same day following your surgery. You will be dressed in, and are instructed to continue wear, a post surgical bra. Once home, you will need a caretaker a minimum of the first 24 hours to assist you in getting up and to the restroom, preparing meals and observing you to make sure you are doing well. Several days after surgery, you will return to see Dr. Aiello for your first of several follow up visits. The majority of patients can return to school or office work within a week; however, physical exertion, such as exercise, should be delayed for a month.

How much does breast augmentation cost?
The cost for breast augmentation will vary, depending on your choice of implant and whether you are getting any other procedures, such as a breast lift (mastopexy). As soon as your treatment plan is made during your consultation, Dr. Aiello's consultant will go over the cost.

Will I need a breast lift with my implants?
Women often mistakenly think getting breast implants will magically lift and reposition their breast to a higher place on their chest. Unfortunately, this just isn’t how our anatomy works. Breast sagging (ptosis) is usually a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding or weight loss, but not always. To restore breast volume and shape, an implant is used in conjunction with a breast lift (mastopexy) to restore fullness in the upper part of the breast. Here’s a good way you can tell if you may need a breast lift: standing in front of a mirror, look at your nipples in relation to the natural crease beneath your breasts. If your nipples are lower than your breast crease, adding implants without removing excess skin will make them sag even more! 

Can I breastfeed with implants?
Absolutely! The breast implants are behind the muscle so the milk ducts can still function. If you have already had children and breastfed successfully prior to having implants, you should have no difficulties in breastfeeding with future pregnancies. If you have yet to have children, your implants shouldn’t change any factors that affect whether or not you can breastfeed. 

Can breast implants correct breast asymmetry?
Asymmetry affects everyone! Most women have one breast that’s bigger than the other, just like they might have a leg or arm that’s slightly longer than the other. The point is that it’s rare for the human body to be symmetrical. However, in some women, the difference in breast size and shape is more noticeable, and this is where a breast augmentation and/or a breast lift can be a big help. It is very common to use two different implant sizes to adjust for the difference in natural breast tissue. In rare cases, one breast may need a lift while the other one does not. Interestingly, breasts often heal from surgery differently, too!

Breast enhancement surgery with implants is sought out for many excellent reasons. It is considered safe and creates gorgeous aesthetic results. With numerous available options, you can obtain the cleavage you have always wanted. Ocean Plastic Surgery Center is pleased to offer this proven surgery, and we welcome you to learn more. Contact our practice in Los Alamitos, CA to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. William P. Aiello.