Do you want to increase your breast size or improve the shape of your breasts? Both of these things can be achieved through breast augmentation surgery. Breast augmentation adds volume to the breast while creating a rounder, more firm shape.
Women of all ages seek breast augmentation to help them reach their aesthetic goals and feel like the best version of themselves.
Karol Gutowski, MD, provides breast augmentation surgery to patients throughout Chicago, IL, and surrounding cities.
Dr. Gutowski has been referred to as the best breast augmentation surgeon in Chicago and has helped thousands of patients improve their figures. To learn more about breast augmentation, check out the comprehensive guide below.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgical procedure that increases the size of the breast and improves the shape. Silicone or saline implants are used to add volume to the breast while creating a rounder, more firm appearance.
Patients who prefer a more natural option can seek augmentation using fat transfer, in which the patient’s own fat is used to add fullness to the breast.
Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgeries in the world, with thousands of patients seeking the procedure every year in the United States alone.
Who Is Breast Augmentation Intended for?
Patients of various ages and body types seek breast augmentation procedures. Younger women who wish to have a larger bust size or enhance the shape of their breasts seek this procedure to improve their overall figure.
Older women who have seen age-related changes in their breast tissue may also desire breast augmentation to resolve sagging or loss of volume.
Breast augmentation can also benefit patients who have lost a significant amount of weight. After extreme weight loss, the drastic weight fluctuations can lead the breasts to appear empty and drop downwards. A breast augmentation can restore fullness to the breasts and give them a rounder shape.
The Complete Breast Augmentation Process
Before having a breast augmentation performed, it’s important to have a good understanding of everything that it entails. Below is a breakdown of what to expect during the process.
Before Your Breast Augmentation Surgery
Before breast augmentation surgery, we’ll ask you to schedule an initial appointment. We can assess your current breast size and shape to help determine whether a breast augmentation is right for you.
During this consultation, you will be able to try different sizes of implants against your body to see if they fit well with your figure. We will also discuss the type of implants that are best for you.
If you want to have augmentation with fat transfer, we will evaluate the rest of your body for potential harvest sites. For most patients, this is either the stomach, thighs, or buttocks.
After your consultation, you will be able to schedule your breast augmentation procedure. You will need to receive medical clearance from your regular physician to ensure it is safe for you to go under general anesthesia.
The night before your breast augmentation, you will be asked to abstain from eating or drinking as an anesthetic precaution.
How Breast Augmentation is Performed
Once you are placed under anesthesia, your breast augmentation will begin with the incisions that are made on each breast. There are several types of incisions that can be used in this procedure, including the following:
- Inframammary: Near the breast fold
- Periareolar: Under the areola
- Transaxillary: Within the armpit
Your incisions will be discussed during your consultation appointment. The incisions made on or around each breast will create a pocket through which the implant can be placed.
Using a device called the Keller Funnel, each implant will be gently guided through the incision into the breast. Implants may be placed either above or below the chest muscle. This is another surgical aspect that will be discussed during your consultation.
If you have a breast augmentation with fat transfer, your surgery will begin with liposuction to harvest fat. Small incisions will be made in the harvest site. This may be the buttocks, stomach, thighs, or another area where there is unwanted fat.
A small cannula will be used to gently suction away fat through these incisions. This fat will then be inserted through the incisions made on or around your breasts to add volume and fullness to the area.
Recovering from a Breast Augmentation
After your breast augmentation, you will need to remain in our surgical aftercare center overnight for monitoring. Some patients may remain longer, depending on their needs. Once discharged to return home, you will be required to wear a compression support bra to promote optimal healing.
Regular activities can be resumed around seven days after surgery. Most patients are able to see the final outcome of their procedure about six months after surgery. This gives the muscle and tissues enough time to settle into their new position with the implants in place.
Breast Augmentation Surgery with Karol Gutowski, MD
Whether you are unhappy with the size of your breasts or you have seen a change in their shape over time, breast augmentation could be a great option for you. This procedure can add several cup sizes to your bust as well as create a more appealing shape.
If you are searching for the ideal surgeon for your procedure, Dr. Karol Gutowski is a leading provider of breast augmentation. Karol Gutowski, MD, has been called the best breast augmentation surgeon in Chicago, IL, performing more than 1000 augmentation procedures.
To begin your plastic surgery journey with Dr. Gutowski, please call our offices for a consultation appointment.