Breast Augmentation

A woman’s femininity is expressed in her smile, attitude, and demeanor, but it also manifests in her body. Full, rounded, and well-positioned breasts are one of the greatest symbols of womanhood, yet not everyone is lucky enough to have been born with these attributes.

Surgical enhancement with implants can help achieve a more attractive breast shape and size. Often, a woman who starts with full breasts will lose volume during breastfeeding and pregnancy or as part of the natural aging process. Other women require implants as part of the reconstructive process after breast cancer.

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular procedures Dr. Rapaport performs at his New York plastic surgery facility. This procedure is consistently one of the top cosmetic plastic surgery procedures performed by American Society of Plastic Surgeons members. David P. Rapaport, a board-certified plastic surgeon, is a world-recognized expert specializing in breast augmentation and breast implant revision for women with previous breast surgery.

*Individual results may vary.

Learn More About Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breast for several reasons:

  • To enhance the body contour of a woman who, for personal reasons, feels her breast size is too small
  • To correct a reduction in breast volume which occurs naturally or with age after pregnancy
  • To balance a difference in breast size (uneven or asymmetrical breasts)
  • To correct a congenital deformity
  • As a reconstructive technique following breast surgery

Most women who are unhappy with the size or shape of their breasts are good candidates for breast augmentation. Patients should be overall healthy and have realistic expectations to undergo breast implant surgery. Note that while breast augmentation can provide you with a more filled-out silhouette, it often doesn’t adequately address breast sagging and droopiness. These concerns typically require a breast lift, which can be performed alongside augmentation.

The incision for breast augmentation can be placed in the underarm, under the breast itself, or within the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple). The best incision placement will depend on each patient’s needs and preferences. For example, only patients who choose to have silicone implants will require an incision under the breast or areola.

When given the option, many patients prefer an underarm incision because it removes all scarring from the breast. Top New York City plastic surgeon Dr. Rapaport uses an endoscope to perform this scarless breast augmentation procedure. This means that instead of bluntly tearing the lower border of the muscle and risking implant malposition due to incomplete muscle division, the muscle is precisely divided under magnified endoscopic visualization, allowing for control of any bleeding and precise implant positioning.

Breast Implants

A woman considering breast augmentation will have multiple choices regarding the implants, including different shapes, sizes, and textures. Dr. Rapaport offers breast augmentation with both saline and silicone implants. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so the best choice is a personal decision for the individual patient.

Saline implants can be filled after placing them, making them suitable for Dr. Rapaport’s scarless breast augmentation technique. However, silicone implants typically have a more natural look and feel. Dr. Rapaport will discuss these options with you and help you determine the best type of implant for your anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Breast augmentation can be performed with general anesthesia or IV sedation, also called twilight anesthesia. Anesthesia is administered and monitored by Dr. Rapaport’s board-certified anesthesiologist. 

Depending on your chosen technique, Dr. Rapaport will make small incisions under the arms, in the breast crease, or within the areola. Through these incisions, he will place the implants. Breast implants can be placed under or over the pectoral muscle. Dr. Rapaport generally places them under the muscle for the most natural-looking results. If saline implants are used, they will be filled before the incisions are closed.

Once the anesthesia wears off, the patient will be monitored briefly to oversee their recuperation. Then, they will be free to go home the same day. Patients must have an adult stay with them for the first night after surgery.

Full recovery from breast augmentation takes approximately two to three weeks. However, patients can often return to work in just a few days. Those with non-strenuous or desk jobs can typically resume work in five days. Dr. Rapaport will prescribe pain medication for the first few days after surgery, and patients should rest and limit activity during this time. Ice packs may also be helpful to reduce swelling and discomfort.

Swelling, bruising, and soreness are normal during recovery. Strenuous exercise and aerobic activity, including sexual activity, are restricted for the first ten days after breast augmentation. Dr. Rapaport typically permits mild aerobic activity after ten days and full activity after three weeks.

Women often enjoy a significant confidence boost after breast augmentation. Fuller, larger, and more symmetrical breasts can greatly enhance the feminine figure. For women seeking breast augmentation due to changes from pregnancy or breastfeeding, Dr. Rapaport can incorporate the surgery into a mommy makeover that addresses numerous concerns, such as sagging skin and unwanted fat.

Breast augmentation typically lasts a lifetime. Breast implants are designed to last a decade or more, though they can be replaced or removed later if needed. Some women may be concerned about capsular contracture. Dr. Rapaport takes every precaution to minimize this risk, and as a result, this problem is extremely rare among his patients.

What to Know About Capsular Contracture

Whenever an implant is placed into the body, it recognizes that it is a foreign substance and essentially walls it off with a capsule. This glistening layer of tissue creates a barrier between the implant and the rest of the body. A normal capsule should wall off a pocket larger than the implant; therefore, the implant will feel soft to the touch. 

Capsular contracture occurs when the capsule contracts and squeezes the implant for reasons not always understood. This results in breasts that appear round and high and may feel very hard to touch. Fortunately, there has been an increased understanding of this phenomenon in recent years, and the incidence of capsular contracture has been reduced significantly, basically by following two principles.

One is exercising extreme care in minimizing bleeding since blood around the implant can lead to capsular contracture. For this reason, Dr. Rapaport advises his patients not to engage in aerobic activity for ten days following surgery to minimize the risk of small bleeding. 

The second improvement is meticulous care to avoid contaminating the operation with particles or bacteria. All gloves are powder-free, and Dr. Rapaport uses the “no touch” technique for augmentation whenever possible. He uses a specially designed insertion funnel (Keller Funnel) for insertion so that the implant is transferred from an antibiotic solution directly through the funnel and into the body without ever touching the surgeon’s glove or the patient’s skin. Finally, because the nipple is not considered sterile, Dr. Rapaport generally advises against the periareolar incision and uses sterile plastic covers over the nipple area when performing breast augmentation to avoid that source of bacterial contamination.

Take the Next Step

Every patient’s transformation journey at Rapaport Plastic Surgery begins with a detailed consultation with Dr. Rapaport. To learn more about breast augmentation and determine if it’s the right choice for you, fill out the form below or call us at (212) 249-9955 to schedule an appointment. Our team is dedicated to providing the best plastic surgery NYC has to offer.

Ready to book a consultation or treatment? Just click the Book Now button below to schedule online.