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What is Breast Augmentation?

It is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the world. Patients choose to have a breast augmentation to increase breast size, correct asymmetry, or replenish lost breast tissue from weight loss or pregnancy.

A feminine perspective for breast augmentation: Dr. Michelle Cabret.

Dr. Cabret is able to combine mastopexy and breast augmentation, which most surgeons perform in two separate procedures. Ultimately, this saves the patient time (one recovery vs. two) and money. Having a female breast surgeon allows for a feminine approach to breast surgery—something male surgeons lack by nature.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Michelle Cabret

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Breast augmentation at its best – Austin Cosmetic Surgery

Breast augmentation, when under the care of Dr. Cabret, is a fully customized procedure, never rushed, and is performed with advanced techniques. The end goal is to achieve plump, lovely breasts, which look and feel entirely natural, and are ideally balanced for your body, and that match your aesthetic goals.

Breast Augmentation Before & After

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Benefits of Breast Augmentation

We believe that breast augmentation in Austin & Lakeway may be the happiest patient operation that we do! 

Patient satisfaction is incredible as we work closely with our patients before surgery to help her determine the most proportional size. As we place the breast implants beneath the muscle, the implants feel and look like natural breasts. A recent study has shown that a submuscular breast implant has made it easier for the detection of breast lumps by self-breast exam and mammography.

Angie's Breast Augmentation Testimonial

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Can breast augmentation fix asymmetry?

Asymmetry of breasts is a very concerning problem for many women. We always say that natural breasts are “sisters, but not twins.” The difference in the shape of the chest wall (pectus excavatum), the chest wall muscle, the difference in the volume of glandular breast tissue, breast fat, and the skin can all contribute to breast asymmetries.

How is breast asymmetry best resolved in surgery?

Simply placing a larger implant on the smaller side may not completely improve breast asymmetry. It is important that patients understand that breast augmentation is making your breasts bigger, and not necessarily perfectly symmetrical.

If a patient has anatomically two very different breasts, balancing procedures by moving tissue or removing tissue may be necessary to achieve the most beautiful outcome.

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Revision surgeries – Create the breasts you wanted, at last.

It is not uncommon for a patient with a significant breast asymmetry to be “botched” by a surgeon with limited experience who thinks that a larger or smaller implant on one side will solve the problem. The doctor should perform a careful exam and review pre-operative photographs with the patient before surgery so that expectations can be determined, and a proper treatment plan can be made together.

Who is a candidate for breast enhancement?

Candidates for breast augmentation in Bee Cave include women that want larger breasts, want to fix asymmetrical breasts, or need to restore breast tissue. However, before undergoing surgery patients must have fully developed breasts, be physically healthy and have realistic expectations of their surgical outcome. If you are unhappy with your breast size, shape, or have uneven breasts, we invite you to meet with one of the few female cosmetic surgeons in the Austin area – a surgeon who genuinely cares, and performs the most advanced surgeries for beautiful, plump, natural-looking breasts.

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Types of breast implants

At Austin Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Michelle Cabret offers her patients the following types of breast implants:

  • Saline
  • Silicone
  • Gummy Bear

What is the breast augmentation procedure?

Austin Cosmetic Surgery performs all breast surgeries in our onsite, private outpatient surgery center. The breast augmentation procedure typically takes about one to two hours under general or local anesthesia. First, Dr. Cabret will make inconspicuous incisions to place the implants. They place these incisions in the armpit, the crease on the underside of the breast, or around the areola to minimize scar visibility. Next, she lifts the breast to create a surgical “pocket” in which to insert the implant. The implants are put in place, and the incisions are closed.

Dr. Cabret with a breast augmentation patient

Beauty and wellness perfected. Austin, Lakeway, & Bee Cave breast augmentation surgeon

Dr. Cabret takes a holistic approach to breast augmentation, believing beauty and wellness go hand in hand. She has been listed as one of the Top 10 Cosmetic Surgeons in Austin and brings over two decades of professional experience to every breast augmentation procedure. She gets great personal joy in seeing patients who are delighted with their results and living life with improved confidence, knowing they look incredible!

Ready to take the step? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Michelle Cabret today!

Weight loss and weight gain and fat transfer procedures

As we gain weight, fat cells swell, and when we lose weight, of course, fat cells shrink. So, if the patient gains or loses weight their breasts will get bigger or smaller too. The biggest concern surgeons have about high volume fat transfer to the breasts is that that 50% of transferred fat dies; It may form small internal scarring that may incorporate microcalcifications of the breast.

In breast cancer screening, radiologists are looking for microcalcifications on breast imaging to identify possible breast cancerous lesions.

These fat transfer microcalcifications could lead to false positive results. Patients may be told that an area might be cancer when no cancer is present, but to prove otherwise, will need to undergo a fine needle biopsy.

So, in general, at Austin Cosmetic Surgery, we do not frequently do a fat transfer to the breasts for the purpose of breast augmentation. We do use natural fat transfer to correct defects from botched results in revision breast procedures. Grafting a small amount of fat to a specific area can also be used to correct defects in the breasts left after a lumpectomy or other breast asymmetries.

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Breast augmentation at Austin cosmetic surgery

We tell every patient the same thing, breast augmentation is the “happiest operation we do.” Most women after surgery say that they wish they had done it sooner as it gives them more confidence in and out of clothing. With a male and female perspective, the advantage of having two experienced surgeons, two sets of hands and two sets of critical eyes, the patient truly benefits in our practice.

If I am currently breastfeeding, how long do I have to wait to get implants?

This is a common question we hear from women who have concerns about how their breasts have been affected by pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is our standard practice to wait for a minimum of eight weeks (ideally twelve weeks) after cessation of lactation (production of breast milk). The two important reasons to wait include:

  • Allowing the breast volume and skin to shrink after engorgement during lactation.
  • To allow the nipple duct system to narrow and to minimize postoperative infection.

What is the recovery after a breast augmentation?

When recovering from surgery, patients commonly experience a sensation of tightness in the chest. This pain is due to muscle expansion after placing the implant.

Typically, this tightness will subside significantly in 24 hours and can be controlled with pain medication. Patients often return to work or other activities in about a week and will have several follow-up appointments at Austin Cosmetic Surgery to ensure recovery is swift and trouble free.

After about a week, Dr. Cabret checks on your progress and removes the stitches. During your recovery, you should avoid exercise and heavy lifting for several weeks following the surgery. We recommend  that you wear the compression bra throughout your recovery to minimize swelling and provide support. You will be restricted from heavy lifting for the first few weeks and will need to wear the surgical bra at all times. Your final results are typically achieved about three months after surgery when the breasts have settled.

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Will I have a scar after breast augmentation?

There are four different breast implant placement incision locations:

  1. Under the breast in the crease (inframammary)
  2. Around the nipple (periareolar)
  3. In the armpit (transaxillary)
  4. Around the belly button (transumbilical)

For the placement of silicone gel implants, incisions locations #3 and #4 are ill-advised but are acceptable for saline implant augmentation. We do not use #2 (periareolar) because the tension on the incision due to the implant placement usually leaves a noticeable scar.

The most common placement for a silicone gel breast implant is #1,  within the natural breast crease, or “inframammary.” When the patient properly takes care of these incisions they tend to heal well. We advise the use of vitamin E (or Mederma) starting at about four weeks out and use of sunblock (zinc oxide) underneath bikini tops for three to six months following surgery. Genetics and patient compliance affect the ultimate result of a scar following the placement of a breast implant. The scar should fade to a thin white line over the course of a year, and will be hidden in the breast crease, virtually invisible. Patients in our practice very rarely complain about their incisions and it is almost unheard of that we have to do touch up procedures (scar revision) on breast implant placement scars.

What are the risks of an augmentation mammaplasty?

There are risks associated with any surgery, however, the following risks are specific to augmentation mammaplasty using implants:

  • Capsular contracture
  • Implant leaks and ruptures
  • Implant deflation or shifting
  • Temporary or permanent change in nipple/breast sensation
  • Irregularities in breast contour/shape
  • Asymmetry
  • Partial or total loss of nipple/areola

Can I breastfeed with breast implants?

After a total submuscular breast augmentation (our technique) there is no interference in the glandular breast tissue and the mere presence of breast implants will not interfere in breastfeeding. Patients who have had breast lift in which glandular breast tissue has been removed and some internal scarring occurs may not be able to breastfeed. Women seeking breast lift before motherhood should consult with their surgeon before so that they understand the risks and benefits.

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Breast Augmentation FAQ

Breast lift vs. breast augmentation?

Can breast augmentation be combined with other procedures?

Will my breasts feel real after breast augmentation?

Can my breast implants be removed?

Breast augmentation with fat transfer – does it work?

Breast lift vs. breast augmentation?

It is important to note that breast augmentation does not lift the breasts as is accomplished with a breast lift (mastopexy). Therefore, many patients choose to have a breast augmentation in combination with a breast lift. This combination extends the amount of time spent in surgery but allows you the opportunity to recover from two procedures at once. During your consultation, Dr. Cabret will discuss your options and plan the surgery that works best for you!

Can breast augmentation be combined with other procedures?

Breast augmentation is often combined with many other procedures such as mastopexy (breast lift), abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction and a range of other facial and body cosmetic procedures. Your breast augmentation will be performed with the assistance of a board-certified anesthesiologist, to help ensure patient safety for our procedures.

Will my breasts feel real after breast augmentation?

Immediately after surgery, your breast implants sit high, feel firm and look a little funny. However, as the progressive relaxation of the chest wall muscles, the breast implants will settle into position and soften over a period of months. Then, the breasts will feel natural and look natural. Most women forget they even have breast implants with time – they feel that soft and natural.

Can my breast implants be removed?

If your breast implants need to be removed, it is a simple, quick operation to perform. Recovery is quite easy with the exception of compression for 1-2 weeks. If a woman has large implants, it may be likely that upon breast implant removal that there will be droopy (ptotic) skin and breast tissue. The patient’s nipples may point down. In that situation, breast lift (mastopexy) may need to be performed to help rejuvenate the breast tissues by lifting things back up properly.

Breast augmentation with fat transfer – does it work?

Using your own natural tissue to build your breasts without the placement of an implant sounds wonderful. There are a few problems, however. First, when you harvest fat from another location in the body via liposuction and then graft the fat to the breasts, we know that only about 50% of the transferred fat will survive, due to having an appropriate blood supply. The initial results may look fabulous, but over time, total breast volume diminishes.

Schedule a consultation

To learn more about the breast augmentation procedure, your breast implant options or to schedule a consultation contact us online or by phone. We proudly serve the communities of Austin, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Barton Creek, and Spicewood. Dr. Cabret is also honored to serve patients in and beyond Scottsdale, AZ.

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