What Is Breast Augmentation?

Augmentation mammoplasty (breast augmentation) is performed to increase breast size or to treat breast asymmetry. Candidates include women who want larger breasts, and those who want to restore breast volume often lost as a result of pregnancy or significant weight loss. Breast augmentation is not a substitute for mastopexy, which is a procedure to “lift” breasts that have sagged significantly.

How Is Breast Augmentation Performed?

The procedure lasts 1 to 2 hours, and is typically performed with general anesthesia, although local anesthesia combined with a sedative may be used. Incisions are made in inconspicuous places (in the armpit, in the crease on the underside of the breast, or around the areola) to minimize scar visibility. Implants are placed behind each breast, underneath either the breast tissue only or under the chest-wall muscle and breast tissue.

Breast Augmentation | Breast Implants Richland WA | Tri-Cities

Breast Implant Options: Saline vs. Silicone

Silicone and saline are the two implant types most commonly used in breast augmentation. Silicone implants feel more like natural breasts than saline ones.

There are many manufacturers of breast implants. Two of the leading manufacturers are Allergan and Mentor. There are different types of implants with different consistencies of gel and also saline implants. Generally speaking, the silicone gel implants give the best result. Advantages and disadvantages of both types of implants will be discussed at the consultation for your breast augmentation procedure.

Breast Implant Placement Options

Advantages of implant placement behind the chest-wall muscle include a possible reduced risk of capsular contracture (hardening of scar tissue around implant), long term stability of the implant pocket, less visible rippling of the breast implant, a more natural breast shape, and less interference during mammograms.

Advantages of breast implant placement beneath breast tissue include increased filling of loose skin, and in some cases, less motion of the breasts when contracting the chest muscles.

Choosing Your Breast Implant Size

During the consultation, Dr. Fleming will ascertain what your goals are for the breast augmentation surgery. Then, depending on your current breast size and shape, he will suggest a size and type of implant that will meet your goals. Trying some sample implants ” on ” is part of the consultation process.

Read what our patients are saying!

Why I chose Dr. Fleming was for the one reason, I work with him. He’s an excellent doctor, his bedside manner is wonderful, and he pays total attention to what you want. When my husband and I came into his office, he was just a wonderful, wonderful man. I’ve been looking into a breast augmentation for many years. I researched outside of the area, Seattle, Spokane and I chose Dr. Fleming who is a board certified physician in plastic surgery here in the Tri-Cities. And for my financial needs he met all those, I was able to stay here in the Tri-Cities, in my own home, I didn’t have to stay in a hotel.
I feel Dr. Fleming is very knowledgeable, he is very caring about whatever he is doing, from augmentation, to facelifts, to liposuction, he is smart and focused with what he’s doing in the operating room. If you want to go, go and do it. It’s just something you should do if you need to. It’s affordable, it’s here in the Tri-Cities and Dr. Fleming’s wonderful, he’s the best. He’s very approachable, he’s very nice, his staff is great, he’s a wonderful doctor.-Sara

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Can Breast Enlargement Be Done With Fat Transfer?

Currently this procedure should be considered experimental. Most of the fat cells suctioned from other areas of the body and injected into the breasts will die because they no longer have a blood supply. The breasts may not maintain the initial increase in volume, as the dead fat cells are absorbed by the body. Newer technologies recently developed for processing the fat cells may make this a viable option in the near future. Currently, breast augmentation using modern silicone gel breast implants produce a superior and permanent result when compared to fat injection.

What To Expect During Recovery From Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation | Breast Implants Richland WA | Tri-Cities

After breast augmentation with implants, drainage tubes may be inserted; incisions are stitched, taped and bandaged.

A surgical bra is typically put over the bandages to minimize swelling and support the breasts. For a few days after breast augmentation surgery, most patients feel tired and sore, but many return to work within a week.

Postoperative pain, swelling and sensitivity diminish during the first few weeks. Scars begin to fade in a few months.

Breast Augmentation Before & After

Breast Augmentation - Before and After
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Contact Dr. Fleming For Breast Augmentation In Benton County!

Be sure to fill out the form in our contact page, or dial 509-942-3190 today, to schedule your breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Frank X. Fleming! Dr. Fleming can answer any questions you have about the breast augmentation procedure, and can help you determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure. Our practice looks forward to serving you!