Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, or the placement of breast implants, is a surgical procedure for enhancing the volume and shape of the breasts. For most of our patients, the ultimate goal of breast augmentation is to increase the size of the breasts while maintaining a desirable form, firmness, and natural appearance.

Good Candidates for Breast Implants

If you are considering breast implants, you may have an entirely unique reason than someone else for desiring this surgery. Many women who come into our office seeking breast implants are eager to know if they are good candidates for breast augmentation surgery. Dr. Ramin Behmand has provided the following preliminary checklist of who may be a suitable candidate for breast augmentation surgery. A final determination of whether you are a suitable candidate will depend on an in-person evaluation with Dr. Behmand, a review of your medical history, and discussion of your specific aesthetic desires for the procedure.

You may be a suitable candidate for breast augmentation if you:

Feel that your breasts are too small for your body proportions.
Would like to balance out breasts that are different sizes.
Lost breast volume as a result of aging, weight loss, or pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
Have a hard time finding flattering clothing because your breasts are a disproportionate size to the rest of your body.
Had a breast augmentation and would now like to have a smaller or larger size placed.

FAQ’s

Please find answers to frequently asked questions about breast augmentation below. If you would like more information, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with our plastic surgeon, Dr. Ramin Behmand, please contact us today.

Are breast implants safe?: In the past, silicone-filled breast implants were often in the news due to concerns of leaks of the liquid silicone once placed in the body. Today, the formulation of the silicone within breast implants has changed to a cohesive gel formulation that holds together uniformly, while still creating a breast that looks and feels natural. The FDA has approved, and regulates, these implants. An alternative type of implant is saline breast implants. These implants contain saline solution (salt water). Salt water already exists in the body, and poses no known health concerns if an implant leak should occur.
What is the difference between saline and silicone implants?: Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved and contain a sterile cohesive gel formulation that holds together uniformly, typically creating results that look and feel more natural to touch. Saline breast implants are also FDA-approved and are filled with a sterile salt-water solution, a naturally occurring substance in your body. Saline implants are firmer than silicone implants. However, some patients prefer saline implants because they are filled with a naturally existing body fluid. Both silicone & saline breast implants have a solid silicone shell.
What are the risks of a breast augmentation procedure?: Certain risks exist with any surgical procedure. During your initial consultation, Dr. Behmand will review your medical history with you and will discuss the general risks of breast implants, and those involved that are specific to your health history.
How old do I need to be to have breast augmentation?: Dr. Behmand performs cosmetic saline implant breast augmentation starting at 18 years of age. FDA guidelines on silicone implants stipulate that patients undergoing placement of silicone breast implants for cosmetic reasons be at least 22 years of age.
Where are the breast augmentation scars?: Breast augmentation scars can vary depending on the surgical technique used and the placement of the implants. Common incision locations include:

Inframammary: Under the breast, where the breast meets the chest wall.

Periareolar: Around the lower half of the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple).

Transaxillary: In the armpit, where the arm meets the chest.
Can I still have breast augmentation if I don’t have children but want to have children in the future?: You can absolutely have a breast augmentation if you still intend to have children in the future. Breast implants do not prevent you from having children. There is also no known evidence that they can be harmful to a pregnancy. It is important to be aware that, natural breasts will typically begin to drop with age due to softening tissues, gravity, weight fluctuations, and breastfeeding. Similarly, your breast implants could potentially begin to drop over time due to the same reasons. Eventually, you will likely need to re-do your augmentation surgery.
Is fat transfer breast augmentation real?: Yes, fat transfer breast augmentation is a real procedure. It involves transferring fat from one area of the body, typically harvested via liposuction, to the breasts to enhance their size and shape. This procedure is often chosen by individuals seeking a modest increase in breast size and prefer a more natural alternative to traditional breast implants.
Breast augmentation vs breast implants; what is the difference?: Breast augmentation is a broader term that encompasses various procedures aimed at enhancing the size and shape of the breasts. This can include procedures such as breast implants or fat transfer.

Breast implants specifically refer to the surgical placement of implants to increase breast size or improve breast shape. These implants are typically filled with silicone gel or saline and are inserted either under the breast tissue or under the chest muscle.
Is there anything I should avoid leading up to surgery?: We will provide you with an extensive list of medications to avoid, starting at 10 days before surgery. The most common things that most patients should plan to avoid are NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications) such as Aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Aleve and similar medications. Furthermore, all vitamins, diet medications, alcoholic drinks (including wine and beer), and smoking or using tobacco products.
Is the breast augmentation procedure painful?: You should expect to experience some discomfort, though the degree of which is highly individual. Typically, you will take pain medication for 1–3 days after surgery. Some patients stop taking pain pills a little sooner and others a few days later as needed to be comfortable.
What is the breast augmentation recovery like?: In most cases, you will only need to take 1 week off daily routines and work. However, you will not be exercising or doing strenuous physical activity for 4 weeks following surgery. This means you will not be able to work out, go to the gym, or do any heavy lifting during that time.

The Breast Augmentation Procedure

Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia. Your procedure may be at our private surgery center in Franklin, or the Williamson Medical Center, also in Franklin. Depending on the type and size of breast implants you have chosen, Dr. Behmand may choose to make the incision in one of three locations:

Within the crease underneath the breast
Around the edge of the areola
Just inside the armpit

You will have the opportunity to discuss the approach with Dr. Behmand during your consultation. After making the incision, Dr. Behmand will insert the breast implants either above or beneath the pectoral muscle. Again, you will be able to make this decision with Dr. Behmand based on your body type and activity level.

After the Breast Augmentation Procedure

Before After

View More Breast Augmentation Before and After Pics

You will be fitted with a surgical support bra after breast augmentation surgery. The discomfort you feel for the first few days after surgery is controlled with prescription medication. Immediately after surgery, you will be asked to recover for at least one week in the comfort of your home. During this time, you must rest and minimize your arm movements as much as possible. We will provide you with post-operative instructions, which you should follow.

Most patients can return to normal, non-strenuous daily activities after one week. For more strenuous activities, such as exercise, it is important to wait at least 4 weeks or until given clearance by Dr. Behmand.

During these first few weeks, moderate swelling is common. As your healing progresses and your swelling goes down, your new silhouette will emerge, and you will be ready to enjoy your breast implants!

“Thank you for the excellent service you provided me. I am very happy with the surgery. Your staff was friendly, and I really appreciated them.”