Breast Augmentation
Serving Fresno and the Central Valley
Schedule a ConsultationWhat is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation surgery enhances the shape, size, and projection of the breasts using implants. Women who have naturally small breasts or who are unhappy with the shape of their breasts can greatly benefit from this procedure. There are many options with breast augmentation, and the procedure is customized to achieve the specific breast look and feel the patient desires.
If you are looking to correct other issues with your breasts, Dr. Chin offers additional breast surgery procedures.
A balance between external and internal beauty
Who is a Candidate for breast augmentation?
If you are bothered by the size of your breasts and want larger or more shapely breasts, breast augmentation is ideal for you. Patients who are dissatisfied with the changes in size or shape of their breasts following pregnancy, weight loss, or aging will benefit tremendously from the procedure.
The best candidates need to be in good health, have valid reasons, and a clear and realistic expectation of the procedure’s outcome.
A balance between external and internal beauty
What Are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation?
Women choose breast augmentation to:
- Improve body image
- Relieve emotional discomfort and embarrassment
- Boost confidence
- Allow for more diverse wardrobe choices
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures
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Dr. Chin strives to enhance patients’ natural beauty while preserving their unique ethnic characteristics and deliver outstanding patient care with patient safety as a priority.
Achieved With Breast Augmentation Surgery
A Natural Look
Some people mistakenly believe that breast augmentation always produces overly large breasts that look obviously fake. However, there are many techniques that can be used for the procedure in order to achieve breasts that look and feel very natural. Results can be very subtle so that no one will know you underwent breast augmentation surgery unless you want them to.
Restored Breast Volume
Pregnancy, significant weight loss, or just natural aging can cause the breasts to lose volume over time. Breast augmentation can restore volume to the breasts as well as improve a minimal degree of sagging. Patients with significant sagging can greatly benefit from breast augmentation combined with a breast lift.
Enhanced Cleavage
Many women go to great lengths to achieve their desired cleavage, from wearing extremely padded bras to taping their breasts together. Breast augmentation can help achieve breasts that exhibit your desired amount of cleavage.
More Symmetrical Breasts
All women have some degree of breast asymmetry, but it is usually unnoticeable. However, some women have one breast that is significantly less developed and smaller than the other. Breast augmentation can be performed with implants of varying sizes to produce breasts that are as close to the same size and shape as possible.
Rounder, Fuller Breasts
Breast augmentation can enhance the breasts to improve not only their size, but also their shape. There is a range of implant types and shapes that can be used to achieve the rounder, fuller breasts you desire.
Saline Implants
Saline implants consist of an outer silicone shell filled with a sterile saltwater solution. These implants are filled after they are inserted into the breast, so a smaller incision can be used.
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants consist of an outer silicone shell filled with silicone gel. These implants are said to produce a more natural feel because they are soft like natural breast tissue.
Gummy Bear Implants
Gummy bear implants are a type of silicone implant with a thicker, more cohesive gel filling. These implants come in a variety of shapes to achieve specific breast appearances. Gummy bear implants are less likely to rupture, and if a rupture does occur, they will retain their original shape.
How Is Breast Augmentation Performed?
Breast augmentation is performed by placing implants underneath the chest muscle or behind the breast tissue (on top of the pectoral muscle). The technique used will depend on your unique anatomy and surgeon’s recommendations.
The procedure is carried out under general anesthesia and takes about one to two hours. Dr. Chin will make incisions under the breast, under the arms, or around the nipples — depending on the recommended surgical plan — and place implants in the breast pocket.
After the implant is placed in position, the incision is closed with sutures and covered with a gauze dressing.
How do I determine the best implants for me?
During your consultation, Dr. Chin will evaluate your body type and listen to your goals for breast augmentation in order to determine the best implants for your individual needs and desires. Dr. Chin will take measurements and perform a computer analysis and simulation with the VECTRA XT imaging system to simulate how the implants may look on your own body. You can actually see a 3D image of what you may look like after surgery! This will help you decide on the proper size that will fit on your body, and Dr. Chin can show you the different shapes of implants on your body as well as the limits on size of the implants. You will be able to try on different implants so that you can look in the mirror and see if those implants will give you the look that you want. If you need a breast lift, Dr. Chin can also simulate what a lifted and perkier breast would look like on your body with or without breast implants.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Augmentation
Who is a candidate for breast augmentation?
If you are bothered by the size of your breasts and want larger or more shapely breasts, breast augmentation is ideal for you. Patients who are dissatisfied with the changes in size or shape of their breasts following pregnancy, weight loss, or aging will benefit tremendously from the procedure.
The best candidates need to be in good health, have valid reasons, and a clear and realistic expectation of the procedure’s outcome.
How do I determine the best implants for me?
During your consultation, Dr. Chin will evaluate your body type and listen to your goals for breast augmentation in order to determine the best implants for your individual needs and desires. Dr. Chin will take measurements and perform a computer analysis and simulation with the VECTRA XT imaging system to simulate how the implants may look on your own body. You can actually see a 3D image of what you may look like after surgery! This will help you decide on the proper size that will fit on your body, and Dr. Chin can show you the different shapes of implants on your body as well as the limits on size of the implants. You will be able to try on different implants so that you can look in the mirror and see if those implants will give you the look that you want. If you need a breast lift, Dr. Chin can also simulate what a lifted and perkier breast would look like on your body with or without breast implants.
Where is the incision placed for breast augmentation surgery?
The incision for breast augmentation is located in one of three locations: in the crease beneath the breast (inframammary), within the armpit (transaxillary), or around the perimeter of the areola (periareolar). The periareolar incision is the most common incision that Dr. Chin uses. The scar is most camouflaged there at the border, and the tissues can be optimally redraped over the implant.
What are the benefits of having an implant placed beneath the muscle rather than over it?
Placing the implant beneath the muscle generally reduces the risk of capsular contracture and visible implant rippling. In addition, it provides a more natural look and feel for patients who do not have adequate breast tissue to cover the implant size they desire.
What is the recovery like after breast augmentation surgery?
After breast augmentation surgery, most patients require a week of downtime, after which they can generally return to work and light activities. A compression garment should be worn for at least a few weeks, and more strenuous activities can be resumed after about six weeks. Dr. Chin will give you specific instructions to follow after your procedure based on your unique circumstances.
Am I too young for breast augmentation?
Young women who seek to enhance their breasts with implants should wait until they have attained full physical and emotional maturity. Generally, teenagers under the age of 18 are considered too young, and silicone implants are only approved for women over 22.
A consultation with a board-certified surgeon can provide more insights and help you find the best path toward your cosmetic goals.
Will augmentation work for me if I have sagging breasts?
Placing breast implants in already sagging breasts adds volume to the breasts but cannot offer the necessary lift that droopy breasts require. On the contrary, the extra weight of the implants could contribute to more sagging.
To achieve the best results, consider having a breast lift and augmentation combined to elevate the breast and achieve a more youthful-looking profile.
Can my breast implants impede my ability to breastfeed?
In most cases, implants will not affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed. If the incision is placed in the natural fold below the breast, the tissue and milk ducts will not be damaged, and nursing should be possible.
It is advisable to discuss your future plans with Dr. Chin so he can develop a surgical plan that preserves the anatomical structures required for breastfeeding.
How long will my breast augmentation results last?
With good maintenance, you can enjoy your augmentation results for many years. However, as the natural aging process takes its course, the shape, size, and position of your breasts will be affected.
Additionally, breast implants are not expected to last forever. It is possible that you may need to consider a breast revision or an implant volume revision eventually.