Breast Augmentation

Get Larger, More Proportional Chest Contours with Breast Implants in the Philadelphia Area

Every person deserves to feel confident in their own body. If your breasts are keeping you from feeling that confidence—whether due to their size, shape, symmetry, or proportions—you can choose to do something about it with breast augmentation. The Philadelphia area's Dr. Brian Buinewicz offers this highly popular and widely performed procedure at Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery, using breast implants to increase volume and provide natural-looking, long-lasting results that can be truly life-changing.

Breast augmentation is an extremely customizable procedure, with patients working closely with Dr. Buinewicz to choose the type, size, and shape of their implants, as well as other variables. Results are long-lasting and can elevate a patient's self-image, help other features of the body to appear more proportional, allow clothes to fit better, and provide more benefits.

What Is Breast Augmentation?

Long the most commonly performed plastic surgery in the United States, breast augmentation (often referred to as a "boob job" by patients) is a procedure that involves making incisions in the breasts to allow the insertion of silicone-shelled breast implants. More than just breast enlargement, breast augmentation can improve firmness and fullness in addition to overall size. There are multiple potential incision sites, as well as a range of techniques—all designed to allow each breast augmentation patient to get truly personalized results.

Note that while breast augmentation is an ideal approach to improve breast volume, it is not intended to correct the sagging that can develop over time. For this problem, a breast lift is a more appropriate surgery. For some patients, a breast augmentation and lift can be combined to elevate drooping breasts on the chest in addition to giving them a fuller look and firmer feel.

Dr. Buinewicz will discuss your options with you in detail and help you to choose the best procedure or combination of procedures for achieving your goals.

What Are the Details of a Breast Augmentation at the Philadelphia Area's Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery?

As noted above, patients will start their breast augmentation with Dr. Buinewicz by having a thorough and discreet consultation. He will talk to you about the cosmetic issues you would like addressed, your goals for the surgery, and your medical history. This is also when you will be able to ask him questions about techniques he would recommend, the risks and rewards of specific breast augmentation strategies, what breast implants cost, and anything else you would like to know in order to make an informed decision and be totally comfortable with your path forward.

Based on your unique anatomy, goals, and other details, Dr. Buinewicz will work with you to choose the specifics of your breast augmentation procedure.

One of the main variables to consider is the type of breast implant you want: saline or silicone. While all implants consist of a silicone shell, the filling varies.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water, which is commonly used in a wide range of surgical applications. These implants are known for being less expensive and requiring a shorter incision for placement. This is because they can be inserted deflated through smaller incisions, then filled once in place. Another factor some breast augmentation patients consider is more long-term: If a saline implant ruptures, the body will naturally absorb the saltwater solution that leaks out. The resulting deflation can result in a rapidly noticeable decrease in breast size. Furthermore, some breast augmentation patients believe that saline breast implants do not look or feel as natural as silicone breast implants, and that they may be more prone to ripples or wrinkles that are visible through the skin.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants are filled with a gel that is much thicker and firmer than water. This type of implant can be further divided into other options depending on how "cross linked" the silicone gel is. There are different degrees of "cross linking" of the silicone filler, allowing implants to feel either softer or less likely to feel folds. Since the gel inside the implant is thick and can hold its shape well, many breast augmentation patients feel it can provide a more natural breast appearance. These implants are also less likely to ripple or wrinkle than saline implants, but if a silicone implant ruptures, the problem may not be noticeable right away since the gel leaks slowly if at all. For this reason, regular monitoring of silicone breast implants via imaging tests is recommended.

For the surgery itself, patients are typically given general anesthesia, which keeps them "asleep" throughout the breast augmentation procedure. Pain blocks are performed by an anesthesiologist to decrease the amount of discomfort postoperatively and lead to an easier and faster recovery. Dr. Buinewicz will make the necessary incisions in a position previously agreed upon by the patient. Inframammary incisions are made in the crease beneath the breast. This approach is the most commonly used breast augmentation technique. It allows Dr. Buinewicz to directly access to the implant pocket and has a low risk of complications.

Periareolar incisions are made around the edge of the areolas (the darker-colored circles around the nipples) and are often used when Dr. Buinewicz needs to reshape the breast or adjust the position of the nipples as part of the breast augmentation procedure.

Transaxillary incisions are made in the underarm area and represent a popular choice for breast augmentation patients who want to avoid scars on the actual breasts, however there are visible scars in your armpits.

No matter the incision used, Dr. Buinewicz will next create a pocket for the breast implant. This pocket may sit directly beneath the breast tissue (known as a subglandular pocket) or deeper beneath the chest muscle (a submuscular pocket) or a combination of both (dual plane placement).

As with all aspects of breast augmentation surgery, the specific placement of the incisions and the breast implant pockets depends on the patient's anatomy, body type, implant choice, and other factors.

Once the implants are in position—and filled, as is necessary for the saline option—Dr. Buinewicz closes the incisions. The entire breast augmentation process typically takes about two hours.

What Happens After Breast Augmentation?

Implant type, incision position, and specific surgical techniques employed will all impact how long recovery will take after breast augmentation surgery. No matter the particulars, however, breast augmentation patients can expect to experience a few days of pain and swelling after their procedure. Pain medication should be taken as prescribed, and rest is very important—though all sleeping should be done with the upper body elevated in order to minimize swelling and related side effects. Avoid all strenuous activity during this time.

Post-surgical pain should transition to discomfort in the first week, making it even easier to manage with rest and medication. Many breast augmentation patients find that they can resume light activities—and even work—after about two weeks, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should still be avoided. In fact, activities that strain the chest muscles should be avoided for more than a month or longer. If Dr. Buinewicz approves, side sleeping may be permitted around six to eight weeks after the breast augmentation surgery.

After about three months, the ultimate look of the newly augmented breasts should be visible as swelling and bruising have subsided and the implants have settled into their pockets. All post-surgical guidelines should still be followed, and any follow-up appointments should be kept. At this point, however, you should expect to be able to resume and enjoy any and all activities.

Breast implants are long-lasting, but are not "forever" devices. As the implants age, it becomes increasingly important to watch for potential signs of rupture. Self-exams, routine check-ups, and regular monitoring—such as mammograms or ultrasound—are all key elements of enjoying results. If you choose to place silicone filled implants, Dr. Buinewicz recommends a baseline ultrasound at three years to assess implant integrity and an ultrasound or possibly an MRI every few years after that. Most importantly, yearly follow-up exams with Dr. Buinewicz are recommended to examine you for any changes in your breasts or implants and to review your medical history and overall general health.

Besides implant device failure, or rupture, other complications such as capsular contracture, infection, malposition, or systemic symptoms associated with your implants (breast implant illness is a common term) can occur. That is why routine yearly follow-up appointments are so critical.

What If You No Longer Want Your Implants?

Dr. Brian Buinewicz is a highly regarded plastic surgeon for his breast implant removal techniques. There are many reasons a patient may decide that they no longer want their breast augmentation results, ranging from a change in style preferences to the development of complications. For any breast augmentation patient, it's also important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast implant illness, which can include fatigue, joint pain, and muscle weakness. If you experience any of these symptoms or other concerning changes related to your implants, seek medical attention and discuss your concerns with Dr. Buinewicz. He is widely known for helping patients to improve their quality of life.

Why Choose Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa for Breast Augmentation in the Philadelphia Area?

A triple board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Brian Buinewicz has about three decades of practical experience in a wide range of procedures, including breast augmentation. He has an excellent reputation for working with breast augmentation patients both before and after their procedures.

Are There More Breast Procedures Besides Augmentation Available?

In addition to breast augmentation, breast implant removal, and lifts, breast surgery procedures at Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery include breast reconstruction, gynecomastia surgery (for men who have developed the appearance of breasts), and a range of treatments to help with augmentation complications, such as capsular contracture treatment and capsulectomy.

Discover what works best for you in achieving the contours and proportions you've been wanting with help from Dr. Brian Buinewicz and the Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery team.

For breast augmentation in the Philadelphia area—Doylestown in Bucks County, PA, or Flemington in Hunterdon County, NJ—call Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa at 215.647.9668 or send a message online.