Art in Form
Advanced body enhancement with Breast Augmentation
Women of all ages consider the size of their breasts. And while some women wish to reduce overly large breasts, many have the opposite concern and want to enlarge their naturally small breasts or those that have shrunk or deflated in response to weight loss, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Breast augmentation, or breast implant surgery, is a popular plastic surgery option that increases the size of small or deflated appearing breasts. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Geoffrey Kim performs breast augmentation for adult women in Denver, Colorado.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
This breast enhancement surgery increases the fullness and sculpts the breasts using silicone or saline implants. These implants are available in various sizes and shapes and are perfectly tailored to achieve your desired silhouette.
Once the implant selection has been made, a pocket is created inside the breast — either above or below the pectoral muscle — and the implant is inserted.
This procedure is very straightforward and usually only takes 60 to 90 minutes.
Why Choose Breast Augmentation?
Women choose this cosmetic surgery to:
- Increase the size of naturally small or undeveloped breasts
- Restore breast volume lost by weight loss or pregnancy
- Better sculpt the breast
- Add upper-pole fullness and enhance cleavage
- Improve breast symmetry
- Correct genetic breast abnormalities
- Improve the balance of your figure
- Enhance your self-image and confidence
Before
After
What Are My Breast Augmentation Options?
Breast Implant Options
Breast implants are filled sacs encased in a silicone shell. These are filled with sterile saline or cohesive medical-grade silicone.
Saline implants are inserted empty and filled once placed in the breast pocket. Since these are filled with saline (sterile salt water), they will collapse in cases of rupture or leak (when the shell tears), and the body will absorb the contents harmlessly. These implants tend to have a firmer feel, giving a more augmented appearance — particularly in the upper pole.
Silicone implants are prefilled but are available in various sizes and levels of cohesiveness. This includes gummy bear implants (form stable implants) made of a very thick silicone gel. Silicone gel implants tend to feel, move, and look like natural breast tissue, making them a popular option. Silicone tends to stay in place in events of rupture, which is more likely with thicker (more cohesive) silicone.
Round implants are available in both saline and silicone and provide uniform fullness. These spherical implants have a smooth shell that allows them to rotate in the breast pocket. Smooth implants also tend to have the softest feeling.
Anatomical implants are made from form-stable (gummy bear) silicone gel and are meant to mimic the slope of a natural breast. These are shaped like a teardrop and give more fullness to the bottom of the breast than they do to the top. Because these implants are shaped, they have a textured surface that prevents implant rotation.
A note about implant sizing: Implants are available in a wide variety of sizes (cc’s) and are entirely customizable. In addition to implant fullness, implants are also available in different profiles. The implant profile describes the base diameter of the implant versus its projection. This is important because implants can be tailored to fit your chest width.
Breast Augmentation Incision Options
Breast augmentation is a simple procedure, and all incisions are relatively small.
Most breast augmentations are performed using the inframammary incision. This incision is made along the breast crease (inframammary fold) beneath the breast. The placement of this incision is hidden under the breast and easily covered with bras and bathing suits.
Alternatively, some women choose the periareolar incision, which runs along a portion of the areola (the darker skin around the nipple), or the transaxillary incision, which is in the armpit. For both of these incision options, you may be more limited in the size of your breast implant.
You can discuss all this and more during your consultation with Dr. Kim.
Breast Implant Placement Options
Breast implants are placed above or below the pectoral muscle.
Implants with subglandular placement (above the muscle) are still placed beneath the natural breast tissue. This simpler procedure tends to have a shorter recovery period than implants placed beneath the muscle; however, these implants tend to look less natural. Additionally, this placement is not ideal for women with minimal breast tissue since the edges can show.
Implants placed in the submuscular position (beneath the pectoral muscle) tend to look and feel more natural. This option is better suited for women with minimal natural tissue but does require a slightly longer recovery.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Fat grafting to the breast, or natural breast augmentation, is an alternative to breast implants or a possible addition to implants. This technique injects fat that has been harvested from your body, usually the abdomen, hips, thighs, or back (using liposuction). By augmenting your breasts with your fat, you can achieve natural-looking and feeling enhancement.
This option does not allow for the same increase in size as breast implants.
Am I a Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Women considering breast augmentation should be:
- In good overall health
- Free of medical-related complications that can complicate the process or impair healing
- At least 18 (for saline implants) or 22 (for silicone implants)
- Realistic in their expectations
- Those wanting the surgery for themselves and not to please someone else
everything is under one roof
How Is Breast Augmentation Performed?
Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure. Every breast augmentation is unique; however, you can anticipate the following:
- You will have a final opportunity to discuss your augmentation process with Dr. Kim, and incisions will be marked on your breasts.
- You will be given general anesthesia to make you comfortable and keep you safe. A board-certified anesthesiologist (MD) conducts anesthesia for all cases.
- Your chosen incision will be made. Dr. Kim will work on one breast at a time.
- The breast pocket will be created above or below the muscle.
- The implant will be inserted. For saline implants, the implant will be filled at this time.
- The incisions are closed with layered sutures within the breast tissue and external sutures or skin adhesives.
- Your breasts are bandaged, and you can begin your recovery.
What Is My Breast Augmentation Recovery Like?
You will be taken to a recovery area immediately following your surgery, where you will be closely monitored for a few hours. When released, you will be wrapped in gauze dressings and a support bra which should be worn around the clock initially. This garment will help control swelling, protect your new breasts, and aid healing.
You can expect to be sore, swollen, bruised, and tender. Post-operative discomfort can be alleviated with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication. Most swelling starts to decrease after a few days; however, some may persist for several weeks.
Your implants will initially feel hard and sit high on your chest. This is normal. With time, they will go through a “drop and fluff” stage, where they fall to the correct placement and soften.
Most women return to work within one week but should avoid strenuous upper body exercise after four to six weeks or until cleared by Dr. Kim.
When Will I See My Breast Augmentation Results?
You will see your results immediately after your surgery which will improve as swelling diminishes over time.
Breast augmentation results are long-lasting but not necessarily permanent. Most patients will have to replace their implants at some point — every patient is different. This is why following your surgeon’s post-operative advice and returning for follow-up visits is essential.
Additionally, changes in your natural breast tissue, such as those from weight fluctuations, age, pregnancy, and more, can change the way your implants sit in your breasts, and you may desire to change your implants to better suit your appearance and build.
Our patients are patients for life. We love to hear their stories.
Read Testimonials“Dr Kim and his staff was amazing throughout the whole process! They really took good care of me. My results are amazing. I have so much more confidence now thanks to dr Kim! Thank you!”
Cathy M.
Google Review“This was my first ever surgery, so I was obviously very nervous. However, the whole team was absolutely amazing in making me feel comfortable and eased my nerves. I’m one month post and I’m so happy with my results!”
K. S.
Google Review“I had the most amazing experience with Dr. Geoffrey Kim and his team. From the front desk , to the operating everyone on board for your surgery is there for you every step of the way .”
Angela T.
Google Review“Wonderful experience, I did breast augmentation. Dr. Kim did amazing and he listened to my wants and needs. Litzy the medical assistant was also amazing with any questions and with caring for your needs. and their anesthesiologist made me feel so comfortable and relaxed.”
Johanna L.
Google ReviewHave More Questions About Breast Augmentation?
How much does breast augmentation cost in Denver, CO?
The cost of your breast augmentation will vary depending on the implant chosen and external factors like surgeon, anesthesia, and facility fees. Dr. Kim performs all of his breast augmentations at his state-of-the-art surgical facility.
You will be given a price estimate during your consultation that will incorporate all aspects of your surgery. Financing options are available.
How should I prepare for breast augmentation?
Before your breast augmentation, you may be asked to:
- Get a blood test
- Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
- Avoid taking aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs, as they can increase bleeding
Is breast augmentation safe?
Breast augmentation is a safe and straightforward procedure; however, risks remain. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Infection
- Prolonged bleeding
- Seroma (fluid accumulation)
- Persistent pain
- Implant complications (such as capsular contracture, implant positioning concerns, and rupture)
- Implant rippling
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
Does breast augmentation lift my breasts?
Breast implants are designed to increase the size of the breasts, not lift drooping breasts. If you have breast sagging, you will need to add a breast lift with your augmentation. This combination procedure can give you the best of both worlds: larger, lifted breasts.
Should I combine my breast augmentation with any other surgical procedures?
Some women incorporate breast augmentation into a Mommy Makeover, which combines tummy tuck surgery, liposuction, and breast enhancement into one total body contouring treatment.
Want to Learn More About Breast Augmentation With Dr. Kim?
For more information about breast augmentation in Denver, Colorado, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kim, call our offices at (303) 741-3131 or complete our online contact form.