You may have heard that breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in North America. Why? Because it’s safe, effective, and can help you boost your confidence and change your life! And if you’re thinking of getting breast implants Calgary, this blog is for you.

So let’s start with the basics: what exactly are breast implants? They are silicone or saline implant shells filled with either salt water or silicone gel. These prosthetic devices are placed under the skin and over the pectoral muscles to reshape the breasts, giving them a fuller look. The process takes about an hour to complete and involves a small incision on each side of the areola (nipple area).

In this blog, we’re going to talk about breast implants alberta cost and breast implant illness.

Before And After Breast Augmentation Calgary

There are several different types of implants available today:

Silicone Gel-Lined Implants – These implants have a silicone shell and gel filling that prevent scar tissue from forming around them. Silicone gel-lined implants have become increasingly popular as they tend to feel more like natural breasts than saline-filled ones do; however, their longevity may be lower than other types due to their thinness. They do not require surgical removal when they

Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation Before & After Photos

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

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Macleod Trail Plastic Surgery is best known for breast augmentation by many women from Calgary and throughout Alberta.

Each one has unique and personal reasons for wanting to enhance the size and shape of her breasts. Our Royal College-certified plastic surgeons excel at producing results tailored to each woman’s body, creating attractive, natural-looking contours. Choosing an experienced surgeon who combines technical expertise with a keen aesthetic sensibility is the first and most important step in achieving the results you want.

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Is Breast Augmentation for You

Cosmetic breast enhancement is one of the most popular procedures at our practice. Many of our patients contemplate getting breast implants for many months, even years, before making the decision to pursue breast augmentation. The women who visit us for breast implants in Calgary do so for many reasons. One of the primary reasons is that women feel self-conscious about having smaller breasts and want to enjoy a wider range of clothing and swimsuit options. Others choose to get implants in order to balance the size of their breasts, or to restore volume lost after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Breast augmentation combined with a breast lift is recommended by our surgeons in some cases to achieve optimal results. The procedure is often combined with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) for women who want to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies. This combination is often referred to as a “mommy makeover”.

Your Breast Augmentation Choices

The key to achieving your desired result is to choose a plastic surgeon who listens and understands your aesthetic goals and offers professional advice based on a thorough physical assessment. There are many individual factors our surgeons consider when crafting a surgical plan. These include body frame, tissue elasticity, existing breast size and any pre-existing asymmetries. Your surgeon will also discuss with you options including:

• Breast implant selection
• Incision location
• Implant placement

Our surgeons explain your choices in a way that will help you make the final decision. These options are also discussed during your consultation for breast augmentation revision surgery, if you are replacing your old implants.

Breast Implant Selection

When you started thinking about getting breast implants, chances are you focused on the size you wanted. Choosing the implant size is certainly an important decision for breast augmentation patients, but there are a number of other factors to consider before making a final selection. The array of breast implant options available today enables our surgeons to truly customize the procedure to meet your aesthetic goals.

These are the characteristics you’ll consider when choosing your breast implants:

• Size
• Implant filler
• Projection

Choosing the Size of Implants

Though women are used to measuring the size of their breasts based on the bras they wear, breast implants are measured in cubic centimeters (cc) or grams. While you probably have a general idea about the size of implants you want based on photos or how a friend’s implants look, it’s best not to settle on a specific choice until after the consultation. That’s because the identical size and profile of implants can produce very different results from patient to patient, due to the unique proportions of each individual’s body.

Our surgeons use their training and experience to recommend implants that will achieve natural-looking results that fulfill your aesthetic goals.

Silicone vs. Saline

The latest cohesive gel implants are the choice of most of our patients because most believe they look and feel more like natural breasts when compared to saline implants. Each type of implant has benefits and limitations:

Cohesive gel

Unlike previous generations of silicone gel implants, cohesive gel implants are pre-filled with silicone that will maintain its consistency even if the exterior shell fails. The highly cohesive gel implants are sometimes called “gummy bear” implants because the consistency is very similar to that of the candy. These implants hold their shape better and provide a smoother surface, resulting in less rippling.

Saline

Saline implants are made of a silicone shell that is filled with saline (saltwater) after being inserted. If a saline implant ruptures, a volume change will become apparent as the saline solution is absorbed by the body. Saline implants have a higher occurrence of rippling and wrinkling and tend to have a less natural feel.

Projection

An implant’s projection, or profile, determines how much the breasts project from the chest. Our surgeon will first determine your optimal implant width based on careful measurement of your chest wall. From this, you can adjust your final appearance and size by adjusting your implant projection. The more projecting the implant you choose, the more fullness and ultimate breast size you will achieve. This allows you to customize your look while keeping the end result proportionate and balanced.

Our surgeons explain your options in a way that is easy to understand so you can feel confident in your decision.

Incision Location

Although there are several possible options available for incision location, our surgeons strongly believe that the safest and most reliable options are:

Inframammary: The surgeon makes a short, horizontal incision at the crease where the breast connects to the chest wall.

Periareolar: The surgeon makes a small incision on the lower edge of the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple).

Implant Placement

There are 2 options available for implant placement:

Subglandular placement: Your surgeon places implants behind the existing breast tissue, but in front of the pectoral muscle.

Submuscular placement: Your surgeon places implants behind the pectoral muscle and the breast tissue. This is also termed a dual plane placement, as the muscle only covers the upper portion of the breast implant.

The Optimal Breast Augmentation

Based on their advanced training and years of experience, our surgeons believe the optimal breast augmentation procedure involves the inframammary incision and a dual-plane, submuscular placement using smooth, round, cohesive silicone gel implants. Additionally, in some cases, our surgeons may suggest using the patient’s own fat to sculpt the final breast contours to ensure beautiful and symmetrical results. This combination produces the best results for a number of reasons:

• The inframammary incision is associated with a significantly reduced risk of capsular contracture (post-operative tightening around the implant), which is the primary complication following breast augmentation surgery. It also poses minimal risk to a woman’s ability to breastfeed in the future.
• A dual-plane placement offers the best of both worlds. The majority of the implant sits behind the pectoral muscle, which is also associated with lower rates of capsular contracture, while the lower portion of the implant is covered by breast tissue, providing a more natural breast shape. A submuscular placement also causes less interference with mammography and tends to provide a more durable result over time.

About the Procedure

On the day of surgery, your surgeon will meet with you, address any remaining questions that you have, and make some marks on your chest to guide him during surgery.

The procedure begins with the administration of general anesthesia. The surgeon will make the incision and create a pocket to encase the implant. After inserting the implants through the incisions, your surgeon views the breasts from multiple angles to ensure the results are aesthetically pleasing and symmetrical. He will then close the incisions and cover them with bandages before you are taken to the recovery room.

Recovery

Breast augmentation surgery typically takes between 1 and 2 hours. You will wake up in the recovery room following surgery where our surgeons and dedicated nurses will monitor you to ensure your safety and comfort. Typically you will be ready to head home 2 hours after your surgery is completed. Each patient receives detailed post-op instructions to make the recovery as comfortable as possible and communication with our office is encouraged in order to maximize comfort and clarify any uncertainties. Everyone’s experience is different; however, typically the pain will begin to settle within the first few days and many patients return to normal activities within 2 weeks.

It is normal for the breasts to appear high and feel hard initially; in most cases the breasts soften and implants settle within a few weeks. While experiences vary, patients typically are very happy with their appearance at 6 weeks; however, it can take up to 9 months to achieve your new look.

BREAST AUGMENTATION

Boost self-esteem and confidence by enhancing your figure with breast implants

BREAST AUGMENTATION

Every woman seeking breast augmentation has a unique and individual reason for wanting to enhance the shape or size of their breasts. The decision is often a major step and extremely personal. One of the most popular and frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures, breast augmentation has a long track record in helping women achieve a better proportioned and more appealing figure. The goal of board-certified plastic surgeon Jonathan Lee, MD, FRCSC is to help you achieve the best results and make your experience as safe and comfortable as possible.

Before & Afters

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Breast Augmentation Calgary

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is an aesthetic enhancement procedure designed to increase breast volume and fullness through the addition of implants.The surgery can improve the size, shape, and proportions of the breasts to provide a more attractive body contour based on your unique figure and cosmetic goals.Many women pursue breast augmentation to feel more comfortable in their own body, increase their self-confidence, or simply achieve their desired physique.The procedure is also utilized to rejuvenate the breasts after pregnancy, as well as to reconstruct the breasts following a mastectomy or tumour removal.Whatever your reasons for surgery are, Dr. Lee personalizes the procedure according to your needs and treatment goals to obtain your ideal silhouette.

Where are the breast augmentation incisions placed?

Multiple options are possible for incision location. The two most common approaches are:

Inframammary Fold

A small incision is placed underneath the breast at the level of the crease. This is the most common type of incision used and it is often recommended for its safety and accuracy of implant placement.

Periareolar

The incision is made along the lower edge of the areola where the darker skin meets the lighter skin.

All incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches and the scars will mature and fade with time to the point of being very fine lines.

What can breast augmentation do for me?

Each patient will achieve different benefits from a breast augmentation according to their aesthetic goals, but Dr. Lee’s meticulous surgical technique usually provides a remarkably natural-looking final outcome.

Generally speaking, a breast augmentation can:

• Enhance breast volume and fullness
• Improve proportions for a more noticeable breast contour
• Correct breast asymmetry
• Reconstruct a natural breast appearance following a mastectomy
• Revise a previous breast surgery

Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?

• Women who are self-conscious about having smaller breasts
• Women who wish to fill out clothes and swimsuits better
• Women who have lost the size and shape of their breasts following pregnancy, weight loss, or ageing
• Women who want to improve symmetry if one breast is larger or smaller than the other
• Women who want a better proportioned and more appealing figure

Before the surgery

During your initial consultation, Dr. Lee will perform a thorough evaluation of your breast and body shape.

He will determine if you are a good candidate for breast augmentation and make a recommendation tailored to your specific goals.

He may also advise combining your augmentation with a breast lift should you have any drooping or sagging of your breasts.

Pre-treatment photos will be taken and any potential risks and complications will also be discussed.

Dr. Lee always encourages his patients to bring in photos of breast shapes and sizes that they find attractive.

This often helps in the discussion and visualization of the target goals.

After the surgery

Breast augmentation is performed under a general anesthetic and will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete. Most patients are able to return home two hours following the surgery.

Patients may experience some pain along with the breasts and chest wall that usually settles within a few days.

Dr. Lee will prescribe you a pain reliever. After the first week, Tylenol is usually sufficient for any discomfort and most patients are able to resume regular activities after 2 weeks.

Following the surgery, you may have some mild bruising and swelling. Initially, the implants may also appear high on the chest and feel firm to touch.

They will gradually soften and start to settle, becoming more natural looking within several weeks to months.

During the first 2 weeks after the surgery, you should avoid any strenuous activities. For the first 6 weeks, sleeping on the stomach or sides should also be avoided.

Dr. Lee will typically see you within one week after the surgery. At this time, he will also provide you with detailed scar care instructions. The next visits will be after 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year.

Frequently asked questions

Can I Breastfeed After Breast Augmentation?

Most women can successfully breastfeed following a breast augmentation, though it does depend on the type of surgery that you had.

Most modern approaches do work for breastfeeding, with incisions under the fold of the breast or armpit.

There are potential complications for breastfeeding following an augmentation procedure, including exaggerated engorgement.

Following childbirth, when the milk comes in, there is a period of breast engorgement which can be more uncomfortable and greater than with unaltered breasts.

Your nipples are more likely to be sensitive as well and there is an increased risk of mastitis, which is an infection of the breast tissue, which can be treated with antibiotics.

Ultimately, your ability to produce breast milk should not be affected by a breast augmentation, but you might experience more pain and complications than someone with natural breasts.

It is an individual experience, however, so you might not suffer any complications at all.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

A common question that patients ask is how long their breast implants will last.

The answer is: it varies.

Most implants will not need to be replaced for at least 10 to 20 years, but there is no solid answer.

The life expectancy of breast implants can depend greatly on the patient’s body as well as her lifestyle as well as the implant type.

There is no hard and fast rule for all of them. Some patients never need to have another surgery and can keep the same set of implants for the rest of their lives.

There are complications that can arise that require an implant to be replaced, but it is not common and does not happen to everyone.

Another reason that you might have them redone is if you would like to change the type or size of the implants to give yourself a different appearance.

How Do I Decide What Size Bra I Will Need Following The Procedure?

Immediately following your breast augmentation procedure, you will need to wear a surgical bra as per Dr. Lee’s recommendation.

Once he has given you permission to move back to a regular bra, he might recommend that you hold off on wearing an underwire for some time.

It is not a good idea to guess a bra size and purchase it before the procedure or even immediately following the procedure.

Instead, once you have been given the go-ahead, go into a boutique or lingerie store and have a professional fitting.

The professional at the store will know how to appropriately measure your new breasts as well as what the right style of bra is for your individual body type.

Remember that with your implants, you cannot rely on the type of bra that you had previously.

You may need to purchase new bras again several months later after your implants have settled into their final position.

Further reading

5 Breast Augmentation Facts

breast

Breast Augmentation: Fact vs. Fiction

breast

Breast Implants Alberta Cost

Breast operations
$9,500 to $11,000 for breast augmentation
Mastopexy (breast lift): $9500 to $12000
$15,500 to $20,000 for breast augmentation with lift
Breast Implant Removal or Revision: $5500 and up* *Depending on whether a total capsulectomy is sought and whether shaping the breasts to compensate for implant volume loss, such as a breast lift, is necessary.
$9500 to $12500 for a cosmetic breast reduction
Breast SAFE Lipo-Sculpting ($3700–$4200) with covered reduction
Gynecomastia (male chest rejuvenation): $5,500 to $6,500
Revision of the Areola: $3000–3500

Breast Implant Illness

A group of symptoms known as breast implant illness (BII) affect people who have breast implants. For BII, there is no recognized medical diagnosis. Fatigue, joint pain, mental fog, dry eyes, and numerous other health issues are possible symptoms. In order to diagnose BII, medical professionals must rule out other medical problems.