Breast Augmentation in Virginia

Specialist in breast implants, breast augmentation, and breast implant exchange for Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, & Washington DC

Using breast implants for breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgeries performed today in the US. Breast augmentation surgery is also Dr. Michael J. Brown's most common plastic surgery operation. His breast implant patients are consistently some of the most satisfied patients in his Virginia, Washington DC and Maryland plastic surgery practices.

Breast enlargement can be achieved using saline breast implants or silicone gel breast implants and can be very satisfying to women for various reasons. Breast augmentation surgery may be for a woman who seeks to restore her prior breast shape and size after a pregnancy or weight loss. Breast implants can also be very beneficial for a woman who seeks to have a fuller breast shape and size because they have never had much breast tissue.

Breast implant surgery is performed for breast enlargement for a number of other personal reasons:

• To enhance the body contour of a woman who feels that her breast size is too small and her breasts are not proportional to the rest of her body. (breast enlargement)
• To correct or restore a loss in breast volume after pregnancy. (breast enhancement)
• To balance breast size, when there exists a significant difference between the size of the breasts. (breast implants for volume asymmetries)
• As a breast reconstructive technique for various conditions
• Replacement of breast implants for medical or cosmetic reasons

Essentially, every woman is a candidate for some kind of breast rejuvenation surgery, whether it by breast enlargement, breast lift, or breast reduction. Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most popular aesthetic cosmetic plastic surgery operations performed in the U.S. today. Breast lifts can be performed with or without inserting breast implants, it depends if the woman wants to be lifted or also undergo enlargement at the same time.

Breast implants can quickly change the way a woman feels about herself. Breast enhancement through enlargement is not only for women who have had children but for all women seeking a breast contour change. Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most common operations that the patients, routinely believe, improves their self-confidence and serves to improve their outward appearance in clothes.

The shape and size of the woman’s breasts prior to breast enhancement surgery will influence both the recommended treatment and the final results. Breast enlargement is accomplished by inserting a breast implant either behind the breast tissue or under the chest muscles. The incisions are made to keep scars as inconspicuous as possible, usually under the breast, around the lower part of the areola, or in the armpit. The method of inserting and positioning breast implants will depend on your preferences, your anatomy, and Dr. Brown's recommendation.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline breast implants are the most commonly used breast implants in the U.S.  Most saline breast implants are single pocket and are filled at the time of breast augmentation surgery. 

The silicone rubber shell for a saline breast implants have the following general composition:  cured polymeric silicones, finely powdered silica, smaller silicones of metals, traces of evaporating materials and other organic compounds.

The filler consists of sterile saline that should conform to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards.  Saline breast implants come in different shell surfaces, volume, shell thickness, profile and shape.  Saline breast implants are available in many shapes and sizes to meet individual expectations.  There are three profiles available:  low profile, moderate profile and high profile.  There are also choices in shape and texture.   

Breast Implant Shapes

Round breast implants – This shape breast implant is usually not affected by rotation and generally cost less than the teardrop shaped breast implants. They are available in a smooth surface or textured surface.  There are no clear disadvantages to round shape breast implants.  This is the most common breast implant used for breast augmentation surgery, today.

Teardrop implants – This shape breast implant was originally developed because it was thought they could provide a more natural look.  They do not necessarily improve the breast slope when saline is the filler fluid.  They generally cost more than round shaped breast implants and usually require a textured surface to prevent the breast implant from rotating.  If the breast implant rotates it will create a distorted breast shape.

Breast Implant Surfaces

Textured – Textured breast implants may have a greater risk of rippling but a decreased risk of displacement.  They were initially created for silicone-gel breast implants and tend to cost more.  A study has shown that textured breast implants have a higher deflation rate and feel firmer than smooth breast implants. 

Smooth – This surface breast implant has a lower risk of rippling and tends to be little less firm than textured breast implants.  If the breast implant does rotate it does not affect the appearance of the breast.  This surface is used most frequently in breast augmentation surgery.

To learn more about silicone-gel breast implants, click on the link.

The breast implant before and after photographs to the right display women of various heights and shapes before and after breast implant surgery.

To learn more about breast augmentation surgery, click to review more of an overview of breast augmentation. To learn about breast anatomy and breast implant positioning you may want to start here.

To see the steps of breast augmentation using 3-D illustrations, visit the breast implant surgery page. For more information click on the icon above or to see the actual breast augmentation surgery be performed on a live person, visit one of Dr. Brown's breast specific web sites.

Prior to any surgical procedure, it is imperative that you have read and understand the consent forms required for a plastic surgical procedure.