FAQ: Breast Augmentation in Asheville, NC

As you begin the early stages of your breast augmentation journey, you likely have dozens of questions running through your mind.

“Can I breastfeed with implants?”

“How long will it take for me to recover?”

And so much more.

This is an entirely normal part of the process and, in fact, encouraged by Dr. Halvorson and his experienced staff.

These questions help you and Dr. Halvorson develop a mutual understanding of your personal goals, allowing him to build an individualized treatment plan to suit your needs.

To provide some background knowledge before your consultation, Dr. Halvorson has answered a few common breast augmentation questions.

Read on to learn more about breast augmentation in Asheville, NC.

What Is Breast Augmentation Surgery, and How Is it Performed?

Breast augmentation surgery is the insertion of a breast implant to increase (augment) the size of the breast. This is typically performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure.

There are four key decisions to make when considering breast augmentation:

1. Where to make the incision
2. Where to put the implant (over or under the pectoral muscle)
3. What type of implant to place
4. What size implant

What Types of Breast Implants Are Available, and Which One Is Right for Me?

There are many different types of implants available:

• Silicone vs. saline
• Smooth vs. textured
• Round vs. anatomic
• Low profile vs. high profile

There is no “right” implant, but there are a variety of options to consider. During your consultation, we will review all the implant options and clinical data available to help make the best choice for you.

Most of our patients choose smooth, round, “moderate plus” profile silicone implants, but we offer various implant options.

What Are the Risks and Potential Complications Associated With Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Risks of surgery include bleeding and infection, which can range from something mild that resolves to something requiring surgery and removal of the implant (which is extremely rare). Nipple sensation can be diminished or even absent. Asymmetry is a risk of any bilateral (two-sided) procedure.

There are risks associated with having implants in your body, including:

• Capsular contracture
• Rippling
• Infection
• Malposition
• Exposure
• Breast implant illness

How Long Does it Take to Recover From Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Most patients can return to work in two days as long as they are not very physically active. We recommend keeping arms abducted under 90 degrees for two weeks, then resuming full range of motion but without heavy lifting (>10 lbs) for four weeks. After a month, patients can resume all activities.

Will Breast Augmentation Surgery Leave Visible Scars?

The most common breast augmentation incision used is at the lower fold of the breast (inframammary fold). Therefore, it usually is not visible when standing but can be visible when looking from below.

Most patients’ scars heal very nicely; however, some patients have a more visible scar. The scar is at least 4cm long, but a general rule of thumb is to add 1cm for every 100cc over 400cc.

So, placing a 600cc implant will require a 6cm incision.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

Gone are the days when women had to replace their implants “every 10 years.”

Modern breast implants have much-improved gel inside, which is cohesive and does not spill into the surrounding tissues when the implant ruptures.

More importantly (in my opinion), modern implants have a much-improved shell, which does not “sweat” or leak silicone over time. As such, modern silicone implants should last 15-20 years or more.

Saline implants have a higher rupture rate and typically get replaced more often. A dual-lumen saline implant was available until recently (the “Ideal Implant” — see my blog on it here), but unfortunately, the company went out of business. This saline implant had a low rupture rate, similar to silicone implants.

Can Breast Implants Interfere With Breastfeeding?

There isn’t a lot of good data to answer this question, but it does appear that implants placed above the muscle (subglandular) have a higher risk of affecting breastfeeding than submuscular implants.

A recent meta-analysis of multiple studies suggests that there is a 40% reduction in the ability to exclusively breastfeed your child after breast augmentation, but the quality of this data is not great.

What Is the Cost of Breast Augmentation Surgery in Asheville, NC?

The cost of breast augmentation surgery depends on the type of implant used and whether or not any other procedures (e.g., mastopexy or breast lift) are being performed simultaneously. For breast augmentation alone, the cost ranges from $7,400 to $8,800, depending on the implant chosen.

Contact Halvorson Plastic Surgery for Breast Augmentation in Asheville, NC

If you have more breast augmentation questions (we expect you do), it’s time to set up your consultation with Halvorson Plastic Surgery.

A trusted cosmetic surgeon in Western North Carolina, Dr. Halvorson is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about our honest, evidence-based approach to cosmetic surgery.