Breast Augmentation in Tampa

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34 y/o Tampa breast augmentation patient with silicone implants
 

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation with implants is a surgical procedure to enhance the volume of the breasts for a fuller, more symmetrical, and more youthful appearance to the breasts. It is a highly customizable procedure with many options that board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Marvin Shienbaum can help you understand during a consultation and examination appointment at his plastic surgery practice.

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29 year-old Lakeland breast implants patient with silicone implants (330 cc’s)

Options for Breast Augmentation Surgery

Depending on your unique anatomy and goals from breast augmentation, there are several decisions to make about the type, size, and placement of breast implants that will affect the overall outcome.

Types of Breast Implants

There are two main types of breast implants: saline and silicone. Saline (saltwater) implants are typically less expensive and are FDA-approved for women at least 18 years of age. They require a shorter incision and can be adjusted to compensate for small breast asymmetries. They are the choice of women who don’t have a lot of natural breast tissue to begin with and are often placed below the pectoralis muscle to avoid the risk of rippling.

breast-augmentation-0325 year-old  Brandenton breast enlargement patient with silicone implants (350 cc’s)

Silicone implants provide a more natural, softer feel than saline implants due to the consistency of the silicone gel, which is similar to natural breast tissue. For this reason, most women at Dr. Shienbaum’s Tampa, Florida, breast augmentation practice prefer silicone implants – as do the majority of women throughout the country.

Another type of silicone breast implant is a “gummy bear” implant – filled with silicone designed not to move freely like silicone gel but still provides the natural feel that patients have come to expect.

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27 year-old St. Petersburg breast augmentation patient with silicone implants (400 cc’s)

 

breast-augmentation-0533 year-old Bradenton breast augmentaton patient with teardrop implants

Incision Types

The most common incision used for breast augmentation is a small line in the crease of the fold below the breast. This incision, called an inframammary incision, heals well and is usually not visible in most clothing, and allows Dr. Shienbaum the most direct access to the breast pocket where the implant will be placed. Smaller saline implants can also be inserted through a nearly inconspicuous incision around the areola, where the skin changes color compared to the rest of the breast. This is called the periareolar approach.

Should I get teardrop or round implants?

breast-augmentation-0624 year-old Clearwater breast implants patient with silicone implants (375 cc’s)

Breast implants inserted through a small incision placed in the underarm crease have been a popular option for many women in Dr. Shienbaum’s Tampa breast augmentation practice. It is particularly suited for women younger than 22 years old who have tight breasts, small areolas, and/or indistinct breast folds, or who desire conservatively sized implants.

Saline implants, which can be folded, inserted, and then filled, are ideally suited for this approach. However, Dr. Shienbaum has performed thousands of both saline and silicone breast augmentations using the transaxillary technique.

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23  year-old Tampa breast enhancement patient with subpectoral implants (350 cc’s)

Placement of Implants

Breast implants can be placed in two positions in the breast pocket: above the chest muscle wall or beneath it. Above the muscle is called a subglandular placement, whereas below it is called submuscular.

Submuscular placement helps conceal the inside and upper edges of the implant (cleavage area), causes less interference with mammograms, makes breast exams somewhat easier and is associated with less implant rippling. Submuscular placement is especially important with saline implants and patients with tight skin and little natural breast tissue.

Subglandular placement is considered with smaller, more conservative implants, women with adequate breast volume and skin thickness, physically active women who are sensitive to pectoral muscle movement and people with early ptotic (sagging) breasts who do not want the scars associated with breast lift surgery (mastopexy).

Over time, the subglandular implant edge may become visible at the upper border of the breast, while the submuscular implant breast tissue may descend and hang from the pectoral musculature.

breast-augmentation-0824 year-old Lakeland breast augmentation patient with above-the-muscle implants

Texture of Breast Implants

Smooth implants are favored by the majority of American plastic surgeons. Compared to textured implants, round and smooth implants are softer, have fewer wrinkles, last longer and have a more natural feel. The more slippery, pliable, and responsive qualities of the smooth implant allow for free movement and breast massage, which aids in achieving a more supple and natural looking breast. Massage softening exercises are typically not possible with the firmer textured implants.

Textured implants were initially developed to reduce the likelihood of capsular contracture. It was thought that the roughened surface with a Velcro-like adherence to the surrounding tissue would limit tightening of the scar capsule. However, these implants have a higher failure rate, feel stiffer, are associated with fluid buildup, and produce visible traction rippling and folds. Dr. Shienbaum reserves textured implants for his breast revision and reconstructive cases. The modest reduction in scar capsule formation simply does not make up for the other undesirable characteristics.

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35 year-old Sarasota breast implants patient with subglandular, siicone implants (385 cc’s)

Breast Implant Size

The two most important considerations in selecting breast implant size are the width of your breasts and the inherent elasticity of the breast tissues. Ideally, your implants should be of sufficient size to fill the width of the breast without overstretching. Too large of an implant base may force the implant sideways beneath the thin chest skin and cause rippling. The availability of moderate, moderate plus, and high profile implants allow Dr. Shienbaum to match breast implant size according to your desires and anatomy.

Roughly 200 cc is required to increase one cup size in a bra with a 34-inch width. However, this is highly variable because bra engineering and cup designs are not consistent. The “C” cup in a 32C bra is smaller than that of a 38C bra. The larger the chest diameter, the larger the bra size, and the more volume needed to increase cup size. 

It is more important to base your implant size on your breast measurements and the quality of your breast tissue. Trying on implant sizers will provide an approximate reflection of your new look. For the most natural look, make sure your implant matches your body dimensions.

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38 y/o Tampa breast implants patient with subpectoral, saline implants (400 cc’s)

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25  year-old Plant City breast augmentation patient with saline implants (375 cc’s)

Different Breast Implant Shapes

Implants come in round or teardrop shapes, which are also called anatomical implants. Anatomical implants are sloped like a teardrop, and are designed to mimic the normal breast shape. Since women have different natural breast shapes, the teardrop implants now come in various height and width ratios. Because teardrop implants have a somewhat triangular form, any movement or rotation during the healing process may lead to visible breast asymmetries.

Round implants can be massaged and manipulated without any such breast distortions. Dr. Shienbaum prefers the appearance of round implants placed behind the muscle, which constantly adjust to your body’s position. The muscle tension usually produces a natural breast shape with a smooth upper pole.

Evaluating Before and After Breast Implant Photos

Breast implant photo galleries can be a valuable indication of a surgeon’s work and aesthetic perspective as you choose a board-certified surgeon for your breast augmentation. However, they can also reveal undesirable techniques and results depending on your desired goals.

Examine each photo closely. Are the breast implants too large, uneven, widely spaced, or riding high with an upper bulge? Are the implants centered under the nipples and positioned for optimum cleavage? The quality of the photos is also an important indication of the surgeon’s attention to detail. The breast photos should be uniform with similar backgrounds and lighting. Are they blurry, with dissimilar skin tones and mismatched body positioning? You want your breast implant surgeon to be meticulous and precise throughout surgery, and have an experienced sense of breast proportion and aesthetics.

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36 year-old breast enlargement patient with silicone implants (380 cc’s)

Risks and Side Effects of Breast Augmentation

When performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, breast augmentation with implants is a safe and effective way to enhance your breasts for years to come. However, Dr. Shienbaum wants his breast augmentation candidates to be fully aware of the risks and side effects of the procedure before committing to it.

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29  year-old Tampa transaxillary breast augmentation patient with silicone implants (380 cc’s)

Capsular Contracture

The scar tissue that normally forms around breast implants may contract and squeeze the implant. This tightening is called capsular contracture. The scar tissue may cause changes in breast shape, firmness, or discomfort. There are many theories as to why this happens and even more recommendations for its prevention. However, it still remains that everyone with breast implants will develop a surrounding capsule — which is the normal body reaction to virtually all foreign materials. It is not guaranteed that this will eventually lead to capsular contracture.

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31 year-old Tampa Bay breast augmentation patient with subglandular silicone implants (325 cc’s)

Changes in Sensitivity

There are several nerves entering the breast from beneath the ribs that supply sensation. Insertion of your breast implants will displace and stretch these nerves. The implant pressure against the nerves may restrict blood supply and hinder the ability of the nerves to transmit sensation properly. The larger the implant, the more displacement and pressure, and the more likely sensory changes are.

Often, this implant pressure irritates the nerves, causing breast hypersensitivity. This may sometimes feel like a shooting pain, much like tapping your elbow’s “funny bone.” Fortunately, the vast majority of sensory changes after breast augmentation are temporary and resolve spontaneously over time.

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29 year-old Tampa breast enlargement patient with saline implants (375 cc’s)

Breast Augmentation Results and Recovery

Recovering from breast augmentation is typically fairly comfortable and takes between a week and a week and a half before patients are back to normal and able to return to work. The results are visible immediately, however, implants tend to “settle” in the breast pocket over time, helping the results appear more natural upon full recovery. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months as the results gradually appear.

Dr. Shienbaum will instruct you on how to sleep, bathe, and move your arm and chest muscles to protect the healing tissue, incisions, and implants as you recover in the early stages.

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30 year-old Tampa breast augmentation patient with silicone implants (400 cc’s)

Breast implants for athletic women and body builders

Breast implants placed under strong pectoral muscles will sometimes be visibly distorted by the forces of muscle flexion. This may appear as a flattening of the mid-breast and lateral displacement of the implant. Often the tensing of the lower pectoral muscle fibers may result in significant upward displacement of the implant. To avoid this potential for muscular flexion deformity, many athletic women choose to have their breast implants placed above the muscle. This is particularly true for women engaged in bodybuilding competitions where strong muscular posing is required.

 

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24 year-old Tampa breast augmentation patient

Breast Implant Removal

The reasons for breast implant removal vary, and may include discomfort, sagging, lifestyle changes, size, and medical implant issues. Once a patient has decided that an augmented chest is no longer desirable, they must ask themselves if they will be happy with less volume and cleavage, and the possibility of sagging, drooping breasts. Over time, you have probably lost breast tissue, and the quality and elasticity of your breast tissue has probably diminished. A breast lift may be needed to elevate the nipple-areola complex height and restore breast shape while new replacement implants will usually be needed to restore lost volume.

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33 year-old South Tampa breast augmentation patient with silicone implants (350 cc’s)

Breast Augmentation FAQs

Do breast implants come with a warranty?

Most implant manufacturers offer a warranty on their breast implants, although the details differ. Some offer extended warranties. Allergan and Mentor are two major U.S. manufacturers that offer similar warranties covering some of the cost of additional surgery, and lifetime replacement of defective implants. For the exact details, visit the manufacturers’ websites. After your breast augmentation, make certain that you retain your implant manufacturer’s identification card that includes catalogue number and implant size.

How can I find the best breast implant plastic surgeon in Tampa Bay?

There are many experienced and well-qualified Tampa breast augmentation surgeons who have performed hundreds of breast enlargement procedures. Make certain yours has completed a rigorous and fully accredited plastic surgery training program and has earned the distinction of being a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Does your surgeon have the necessary qualifications to have been approved by a hospital credentials committee to perform breast enhancement surgery? Check out the before-and-after breast augmentation photos and ask if your surgeon is willing to have prior patients describe their results. Experience counts!

Dr. Shienbaum has performed thousands of breast implant surgeries in over 30 years of plastic surgery practice.

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21 year-old Tampa breast augmentation patient with tubular breasts

Often called tuberous, constricted or snoopy breasts, these breasts are cone-shaped and elongated, stemming from a narrow origin on the chest wall. Despite being somewhat underdeveloped, they are typically fully functional, although the puffy, herniated areola may make breastfeeding difficult.

The unusual shape and appearance of these breasts can lead to a high degree of self-consciousness and embarrassment. Dr. Shienbaum has been highly successful in restoring self-image and esteem to his patients with tubular breast anomalies using varying techniques of tissue expansion, implants and natural fat grafting.

How much does breast augmentation cost in Tampa, Florida?

While the average price of breast enhancement in the Tampa Bay area appears to be approximately $5,500 dollars, the actual costs vary considerably. Your selection of a surgeon should not be based strictly on price — safety, expertise and experience are always more relevant criteria.

Check to see if your surgeon has the appropriate training, is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and actively maintains certification. Do the before and after photos resemble your aesthetic sense of breast shape, size, and proportion? In addition, does the price quoted include anesthesia and facility fees? Your comfort and confidence with your surgeon’s ability is always more important than the actual cost.

Can I breastfeed after breast augmentation?

Breast implants do not typically disrupt the connections and passage of milk between the gland, ducts, and nipples. Placement through the breast fold, underarm, or periareolar nipple approaches do not disturb the gland and ducts necessary for breastfeeding. Similarly, implants inserted either above or below the muscle do not alter the duct gland relationship required for breastfeeding. If your breasts are anatomically and hormonally able to breastfeed, breast augmentation should make little difference.

Do I need to have my breast implants replaced every 10 years?

This question stems from the FDA’s statement that it does not consider breast implants lifetime devices. Most breast implants are capable of lasting more than 10 years. If your breasts are soft with no indications of leakage, and free of any pain or discomfort, then simply having implants longer than 10 years is not a sufficient reason to have them removed or replaced. Although manufacturers do not market their implants as permanent devices, there is little need to replace them in the absence of any specific breast implant issues.

Breast Augmentation in Tampa, Florida

The decision to undergo cosmetic surgery to enhance the size of your beasts is not an easy decision to make on your own. That’s why Dr. Shienbaum encourages anyone considering surgically enhancing their breasts to come in for a consultation to learn more about the procedures and treatments available to them. Schedule your consultation by calling our office in Brandon, FL or contacting us online today.