Breast Augmentation in Sacramento

Ideal Candidates for Breast Implants

Ideal candidates for breast implants are those who are physically healthy, emotionally prepared and have realistic expectations about what implants can and cannot achieve. A thorough consultation and medical evaluation are essential to ensure safety and long-term satisfaction. In general, the best candidates:

• Are in good overall health without uncontrolled medical conditions.
• Are at a stable, healthy weight.
• Do not smoke, or are willing to stop smoking well before and after surgery.
• Have fully developed breasts.
• Have realistic expectations about size, shape and long-term maintenance.
• Understand that implants are not lifetime devices and may require future revision.
• Are bothered by small breast size, loss of volume or mild asymmetry.

During Your Consultation

To customize your breast augmentation procedure, Dr. Davis will discuss your wishes and concerns and take into account your goals during your consultation. He'll use the information you've provided along with breast measurement, VECTRA 3D imaging, and your "wish list" pictures to choose the right surgery and implant size with you. Breast augmentation can also be combined with other procedures if you have other concerns such as sagging breasts or breast asymmetry. In that case, performing a breast lift at the time of breast augmentation may be best for you.

Breast Augmentation Technique

Breast augmentation is performed by placing a silicone or saline breast implant either entirely under the breast tissue (sub-glandular) or under the breast tissue and the pectoralis muscle (sub-muscular or dual-plane) through a small incision. The incisions can be around the areola (peri-areolar), in the breast fold (infra-mammary), or in the arm pit (trans-axillary). Most commonly, Dr. Davis uses the incision in the breast fold.

After the skin incision is made, the pocket for the implant is carefully created, and a "sizer" is temporarily placed and filled to the desired volume. The sizer is used to ensure the best symmetry and implant position possible and also to choose the right size. Then the sizers are removed, the implants placed and the skin closed. The surgery takes around an hour and is performed under general anesthesia.

To customize your breast augmentation procedure, Dr. Davis will discuss your concerns and wishes and take into account your goals during your consultation. He'll use the information you've provided to choose the right surgery and implant size for you. Breast augmentation can also be combined with other procedures if you have other concerns such as sagging breasts or breast asymmetry. In that case, performing a breast lift at the time of breast augmentation may be best for you.

Implant Options

Breast implants can be silicone or saline, and Dr. Davis uses both depending on each patient's wishes. Most women choose silicone implants which tend to have a more natural feel, especially for those women with minimal breast tissue.

Dr. Davis uses Sientra silicone gel breast implants. Sientra implants are FDA approved and have an unrivaled safety profile, with some of the lowest complication rates clinically shown through a robust 10-year study*.

Not only are Sientra implants safe, but they are also backed by their Platinum 20™ year warranty which provides the longest length of coverage, most financial assistance, and least restrictions in the industry. Sientra implants are designed to hold their shape while maintaining a remarkably soft feel. With two surface types, over 340 implant options, and 5 projection levels, Sientra breast implants can help you see the look you've always wanted.

Saline implants are filled with dilute salt water and tend to have a firmer feel. They also can be prone to more rippling on the lateral edges of the breasts. If they rupture, they deflate like a water balloon and the saline that leaks out is harmless and is absorbed by the body.

Implants come in a range of sizes and profiles (amount of width and projection). Sizes for silicone implants range from 120cc to 800cc and saline implants can be bigger. You may have heard of "high," "extra high," or "moderate plus," and these are examples of profile choices.

If that seems overwhelming, don't worry! Dr. Davis will help you make the best choice for your body to give you the result that you want.

* Stevens WG et al. Ten-year core study data for Sientra's Food and Drug Administration—approved round and shaped breast implants with cohesive silicone gel. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018;141(4S):7S-19S.

Breast Augmentation Recovery

After surgery, you will be placed in a supportive bra and will return to the office the next day for us to check on you. We will continue to check on you as you recover and are, of course, here and available any day if you have any questions or concerns. You'll feel sore for a few days and not want to lift your hands high above your head for that first week.

It is very common and normal to feel chest tightness and pressure as well as some numbness or hypersensitivity of the chest, nipples, and even arms. At first, the implants will sit high on your chest and can have a boxier appearance, but don't worry! Over the first few months, the implants will settle into their pockets and fill and round out the bottom of your breasts. After the first week, you can gradually increase your activity level, and strenuous exercise can resume at 8 weeks.

Breast Augmentation Results

Breast augmentation delivers an immediate increase in size and fullness, but the final outcome develops gradually over the weeks and months following surgery. Right after your procedure, your breasts will appear higher on the chest, firmer and possibly more projected than expected. This is normal and primarily due to swelling and temporary tightness in the tissues, especially if implants are placed beneath the muscle. The skin and muscle need time to relax and adapt to the new volume.

During the first several weeks, swelling steadily decreases and the implants begin to soften. You may have heard the term "drop and fluff" – this refers to the natural settling process as implants move into a more relaxed, lower position on the chest and the lower pole fills out more naturally. This phase typically progresses over the first 6 to 12 weeks, though subtle improvements can continue for several months.

By about 3 to 6 months, most women are able to see their final shape. The breasts look more natural in contour, feel softer and move more normally with the body. Incision lines will continue to mature and fade over time, often improving for up to a year or longer.

Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle will help to preserve your outcome, and while implants are not lifetime devices, many women enjoy their results for many years before any revision is needed.