- Breasts that have lost volume with age, pregnancy, or weight loss
- Self-consciousness about breast size
- Uneven or asymmetrical breasts
- Feeling that your body proportions are out of balance
In general, most breast augmentation patients want larger breasts that look natural, but each woman’s goals are unique. Dr. Clark understands that you may have specific criteria when choosing breast implants in Sacramento, and she will make sure to discuss these with you during your private consultation.
“Best experience, I was so comfortable, all fear of the surgery disappeared when I was introduced to Dr. Clark. Excellent results, since my surgery 3 of my girlfriends have seen Dr. Clark and all have been equally as happy as me!”
Breast Augmentation Explained
Breast augmentation surgery typically takes about 1 to 2 hours and is performed using a general anesthetic.
Dr. Clark customizes her breast augmentation techniques to suit your personal preferences and your physical characteristics, such as the amount of existing breast tissue you have and your body’s proportions. Using these factors, she makes recommendations for your choice of implants, incision locations, and implant placement.
Incision Options
Dr. Clark commonly uses 2 incision options:
- Inframammary: This incision is at the crease where the bottom of the breast connects to the chest wall. This is the most common choice in breast augmentation procedures, and the resulting scar is discreetly hidden beneath the breast. This is a popular choice because it can accommodate any size or style of implant.
- Periareolar: This incision is along the lower border of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. In general, this incision is more appropriate for smaller implants, and the resulting scar is hidden along the natural border between areola and breast skin.
Implant Placement Options
After Dr. Clark makes the incision, she creates a small pocket where she inserts the implant. This pocket can be in 1 of 2 locations:
- Above the muscle: Implants placed above the pectoral muscle sit directly behind your breast tissue glands, which is why this is also referred to as a “subglandular” placement. This option is appropriate for women who have enough existing breast tissue to effectively camouflage the implants. Patients with little existing tissue may see visible rippling, especially if they choose saline implants.
- Below the muscle: Dr. Clark can insert the implants below the chest muscle (“submuscular” placement), which can create a more natural look and feel for enhanced breasts because more original breast tissue will result in less implant visibility. Patients may experience slightly more discomfort during the recovery because of trauma to the muscle, but this method is still the most popular choice among women at our practice.
For each option, Dr. Clark will take into account what she thinks will give you the best result and your cosmetic goals. Together, you find choices that fit into your lifestyle and your aesthetic ideals.
Recovery and Results
Many patients considering breast augmentation are most worried about the recovery following surgery. One of the keys to a relatively comfortable and brief recovery is choosing an experienced surgeon who uses certain techniques designed to minimize trauma to the tissue and muscle. Dr. Clark uses small, precise incisions and the Keller Funnel™, an advanced device that enables her to insert the implants gently without touching them. Thanks to these techniques, many of Dr. Clark’s patients report that the recovery process was quicker and easier than they ever expected.
Dr. Clark typically advises patients to expect recovery to take about a week before returning to their normal daily activities. Each person’s situation is unique, however, and you may be ready to return to work in just a few days. Some swelling may be present in the first few days following surgery but will subside as you continue to recover. After 4 to 6 weeks, your results will be fairly stabilized and you can resume unrestricted activity. Implants and tissues will continue to “settle” over 4 to 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can breast augmentation be combined with other procedures?
Absolutely. Women often want to combine breast augmentation surgery with a breast lift, which corrects sagging. It’s also common to combine breast implants with body contouring treatments such as a tummy tuck. This is especially true for patients who have had children and who want to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies. This is often called a Mommy Makeover, and it is a very popular combination surgery among Dr. Clark’s patients.
What’s the best way to choose an implant size?
There are a number of things to consider when choosing the size of your implants. Personal preference is, of course, the most important factor. But it is good to remember that the same size implants may not look the same on different people. Your proportions and amount of existing breast tissue influence the results you get. Most patients who desire bigger breasts still want them to look natural. Dr. Clark helps patients by recommending a range of sizes that she believes matches their cosmetic goals. It’s also helpful to look at before-and-after photos of patients with similar bodies. That’s why Dr. Clark’s photo gallery includes a variety of categories, including ‘petite frame,” “larger frame,” and others.
You can find more information about choosing breast implants and the procedure itself on our Breast Augmentation FAQ page.
