Breast Augmentation in Dallas, TX

Breast enhancement surgery is a procedure that resizes the breasts for a fuller appearance. It is known as one of the most desired cosmetic surgeries, giving women who are unhappy with their breasts numerous options for improvement. Using breast implants or fat grafting, this cosmetic treatment improves breast size and shape, and it produces an attractive and balanced outcome. Dr. Thornwell Parker, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Dallas, TX, is highly trained in executing this procedure and performs many breast augmentations year-round. During your consultation at Elevate Medical Spa and Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Parker will address your concerns and desires and provide you with all of the options available, also tailoring a surgical plan to reach your goals.

When you are in the consultation, the correct implant will be chosen based on your body frame and breast dimensions, as well as the results you hope to attain. Breast implants come in varying sizes, shapes, and types — all of which are taken into consideration in order to achieve the desired look. Today, the most commonly chosen breast implants are saline or silicone, both widely chosen and approved to use per the FDA. It is important to mention that individuals considering saline breast implants must be at least 18 years of age or older while in order to receive surgery with silicone implants, patients must be over 21 years of age. An alternative approach to implant augmentation is the autologous augmentation approach through fat grafting. Aside from the type of augmentation chosen, there are other notable factors to consider:

• Size - Implant size is chosen based on the volume of silicone or saline needed to achieve your goal and is measured in CCs. For example, common sizes might be 225 cc for a smaller implant or 450 cc for a bigger implant. Both smaller and much larger implants exist, but this gives you some perspective on sizes. To help guide your decision, we calculate a starting point based on your breast dimensions, skin thickness and elasticity, and current breast fill. We combine this calculation with our artistic judgment and your goals and lifestyle to further guide the decision. Patients can then use implant sizers placed in their bra to also get a better idea of what each size would look and feel like. During surgery, it is normal for our Elevate team to have different implant sizes available to ensure patients get the best fit.
• Shape - Breast implants are produced in either a round or teardrop shape. Both shapes are commonly used; however, the majority of our patients select a round shape. Many plastic surgeons believe that the implant shape plays a minimal role in the final breast shape and that the final shape is more influenced by the volume chosen.
• Profile - Breast implant profile references the projection. Meaning, this is what you see from the side view. The most common projections include a profile that ranges from low to extra high. The choice of profile is typically a calculated decision based on the width of your breast and the total volume desired. In the end, the profile doesn’t seem to affect shape as much as the final volume does. It is more important to select an appropriate implant that matches the breast width in order to avoid an excessively wide implant that will fold over on itself or an unusually narrow implant that fails to evenly fill out the breast.

These options may seem overwhelming, but selecting the right implant is actually quite easy once the objectives are discussed during the consultation. These considerations, paired with our surgeon's training, make certain the right outcome is achieved.

The choice to undergo breast enlargement surgery is a personal one for our patients. If you are considering this surgery, it is important you do it for yourself. Patients should be healthy and at a normal weight with breasts that are formed, past puberty, and of appropriate age to receive implants. Patients who are dissatisfied with the overall appearance of their breasts may benefit from this surgery. In addition, if your breasts have been affected by age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss, this surgical procedure can bring them back to life with increased volume. It is also a welcomed answer for women who weight train or have limited native breast tissue.

Incision type, as well as implant location, are decisions that will need to be made prior to surgery. During breast augmentation, an incision is created and then the chosen implant will be slipped into its position. There are a couple of methods that may be applied for implant placement. These include either:

• Submammary/Subglandular Placement – over the pec muscle

• Partial Submuscular Placement – partially under the pec muscle, also known as the dual plane technique

• Total Submuscular Placement – implant entirely covered by muscle, more often used for breast reconstruction after breast cancer

The choice as to where to place the implant is based on numerous factors. This decision may be guided by the quality, elasticity, and thickness of the existing skin and breast tissue, as well as the opinion of the surgeon. Historically, partial submuscular placement may have had fewer complications, but with our modern understanding of implants and scientifically proven surgical advances, these complications are less common and less dependent on the implant location. Regardless of incision type, scarring is often hidden within the natural creases and lines of the body. The most common incision techniques are:

• Inframammary Crease (IMF) – the scar is hidden in the fold below the breast. This is the most common approach because it provides for the most control of precise implant placement, and the appropriately placed scar is usually subtle.

• Transaxillary – an incision is made in the armpit behind the pectoralis fold. This avoids any scar on the breast, but sometimes, the incision can be visible when the arms are raised.

• Circumareolar – a circular incision is made along the edge of the areola. This places the incision on a more visible part of the breast although it usually blends in well at the junction of the breast and areolar skin. When a small breast lift is considered at the same time as the augmentation, both may be performed with this approach.

• Transumbilical (TUBA) – implants are placed through an incision in the belly button. We do not perform this technique because of the difficulty in assuring precise control and positioning of the implants.

Implant placement is determined based on body type, implant size, and lifestyle. At Elevate Medical Spa and Cosmetic Surgery, we help make this complicated decision process easy.

Cosmetic breast surgery is typically performed as an outpatient surgery using IV sedation although it is possible to perform under local anesthesia with the addition of oral medication. After completing the incision, the appropriate implant will be placed through the incision and deposited into a surgically created pocket and then fitted into its proper position. Following the placement of the implant, the incision is closed with sutures or surgical adhesives. All patients will be taken into our recovery area and carefully monitored and screened before being released. Patients will be sent home wearing a medical sports bra to assist with swelling. Within a few days, the swelling will start to dissipate and the breasts will begin to feel normal as they get used to their new position. Each individual is different, but most patients can resume normal activities within several days; however, strenuous exercise should be avoided for several weeks. Breast enhancement surgery produces beautiful outcomes that look and feel normal. In many cases, this treatment can be life-changing for many individuals, allowing them the chance to feel more confident.

Cosmetic breast surgery is popular for so many reasons. This treatment is FDA approved for safety and effectiveness, and it produces beautiful outcomes. With an abundance of enhancement options, patients can get the appearance they have always dreamed of. Elevate Medical Spa and Cosmetic Surgery in Dallas, TX is proud to provide this proven treatment, and we invite you to learn more. Consult with our front desk to schedule your first office visit with Dr. Parker.