Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation Surgery in Sacramento, California

As you contemplate breast augmentation, it is important to realize that you are considering real, major surgery that requires mental and physical preparation, as well as education, planning, the surgery itself, recovery, long-term care and follow-up.

Millions of women around the world have had breast augmentation surgery. In most circumstances, they are thrilled with the results and enjoy their enhancement for many years to come. However, there are limitations to the procedure along with risks. Therefore, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits of the procedure to decide if it is right for you.

When to Choose Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can be very beneficial for a woman who wants to feel better about her outward appearance. A rounder, fuller breast that is size proportionate to the rest of her body is attractive and sensual and may promote self-esteem and confidence. Breast implants can help improve breast fullness lost during child bearing and nursing, or they may give you what nature forgot.

The final decision to undergo this procedure, after carefully weighing the risks versus the benefits, should be made by you alone and only with the understanding that there are limitations to what can be achieved. Breast implants will not improve depression, personal relationships, and other personal problems and should not be done for any of these reasons.

Breast Implant Types

Breast Implants

Breast implants are very sophisticated balloons filled with saline or silicone gel placed behind your own breast tissue. The breast implants are more advanced than ever before. With Sacramento cosmetic surgeon Dr. McMenamin, you can discuss options such as:

  • Implant type: saline or silicone gel
  • Implant size: range is typically 200 to 600 ml
  • Implant shape: round or anatomical

The doctor can help you decide on an appropriate size to match your body type, so you can achieve a proportional cosmetic enhancement with breast augmentation.

Factors Affecting Aesthetic Results of Breast Augmentation

The appearance and quality of your existing breast tissue and overlying skin has nearly everything to do with the appearance of your breasts after breast augmentation.

Loose, thin breast tissue over an implant will generally show more rippling, more sagging, and more visible, palpable implants. Pregnancy and nursing can have devastating effects on your breasts. These effects may be magnified after breast implants. You must be willing to take these risks. Fixing or improving problems, when possible, may require further and even more extensive and costly surgery. Some problems may not be fixable.

Some women should not undergo breast augmentation. Patients unwilling to give up smoking in the three weeks before and after surgery are not candidates for this surgery. Patients with severe mental or physical health problems are not good candidates. Patients with severely sagging breasts may not be good candidates. All of these problems will be discussed with you.

How to Prepare for Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is an elective surgical procedure that must be performed under optimal conditions to minimize the risk of complications and to enhance your chances for the best results.

Smoking, alcohol and/or drug abuse, and unwillingness to follow pre- and post-op instructions are indications against undergoing this procedure. For the two weeks before and after the procedure, you must abstain from alcoholic drinks, recreational drugs, some vitamins and herbal supplements, fish oils, and some over-the-counter and prescription drugs, and from tobacco products of any kind for three weeks. We ask this of you because these things can cause excessive bleeding (putting you at risk for a blood clot and excessive bruising) as well as infection, prolonged healing, and significant scar tissue formation.

“I never underestimate the power of one interaction, one face-to-face time of discussion, reflection, and deep listening. I want my patients to understand the pros and cons of any procedure they’re considering, and to make choices that are self-affirming.

I focus on quieting my world enough to hear their world. When I do this, my patients will tell me where they’re at – with their outer, physical reality and in their inner life, as well.”

 - Dr. McMenamin

The more you know about breast augmentation surgery, the better you are able to make an informed decision. We urge you to do independent research about breast augmentation. Our website is intended to help that process, but you should also talk with friends who have had the procedure, if possible. Keep in mind that every patient goes through the procedure differently and every surgical office has their own routine.

Although it rarely happens, it is possible that based on your expectations, health history, or other factors, you or Dr. McMenamin may decide against going ahead with the procedure. It is a serious, long-term decision to have real surgery. We strive to help you make a sound, informed decision.

What to Bring To Your Consultation

Be sure to bring a list of questions to your initial consultation with Dr. McMenamin. He will be spending approximately 45 minutes with you to provide information and to answer your questions.

A book of breast augmentation before and after pictures will be available for you to look through. The pictures show average results along with photos of possible complications. Often, you can meet one or more of our post op patients who are willing to share their experience with you. We can also provide a patient for you to contact regarding their experience with breast augmentation.

You will be asked to bring at least three nude, frontal pictures of women's breasts. You can get these from Internet websites or a magazine such as Playboy. We will want one picture that you consider too large, one picture that you consider too small, and one picture that is close to the size you prefer. (It is important to note that the pictures are for size reference only, not appearance.) The incision site (through the armpit, through the nipple, or under the breast), placement site (under the muscle, under the fascia of the muscle, or under the breast tissue), and implant type (saline vs. silicone gel, round, anatomical, smooth, or textured) will be decided by you after discussion of the pros and cons by the surgeon. This appointment will be approximately two hours long.

You are welcome to bring your significant other or a friend to this appointment, but keep in mind that the final decision is yours. It is essential that you complete all of your "homework," including reviewing the consent form and handouts, and initialing or signing in the appropriate places before your pre op visit. Dr. McMenamin and his physician assistant will review all of the material with you, but you must have completed your part to maximize the quality of our scheduled time.

What to Expect During Breast Augmentation

breast augmentation incisionsIncisions

Dr. McMenamin uses one of three different incision sites to place implants.

The first and most traditional incision site is under the breast near the fold. This incision leaves a more visible scar on the breast that most patients do not prefer to have.

The second incision site is at the border of the areola, the dark area around the nipple. This incision usually leaves a very acceptable scar, however, it is still a scar on the breast. This incision also requires going through breast tissue to get to the area where the implant will be placed.

The third incision site, and the one most favored by our patients, is in the axilla (armpit.) This incision is hidden in a natural crease and, in our opinion, gives most patients the best and least noticeable scar. Going through the armpit also gives the surgeon easy access to the chest wall to place the implant with very little disturbance of the breast tissue.

Incisions, no matter where they are placed, always leave a scar. Some skin types heal better and scar less than others. Dr. McMenamin will recommend the incision that he believes will give you the best, least noticeable scar. However, he will abide by your preference after you have heard the pros and cons of each approach.

Implant Placement

Breast implants can be placed on the chest wall in one of three ways; under the pectoralis muscle (subpectoral), over the pectoralis muscle but under the fascia (tough covering) of the muscle (subfascial), or over the muscle/fascia and under the breast tissue (submammary). There are pros and cons to each placement and Dr. McMenamin will tell you what he recommends after reviewing the options. Our most popular placement is subfascial. In our experience, it gives the best, most natural looking result for most patients. Again, the final decision will be yours.

More information about Breast Augmentation

Are you ready to discuss breast augmentation in Sacramento with Dr. McMenamin? Contact our cosmetic surgery practice in Sacramento to schedule a consultation. Call (916) 564-8888 or send an email using our online contact form.