Breast Augmentation: Portland, OR, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kathleen Waldorf Breaks Down the Top Cosmetic Surgery in the U.S.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recently revealed in their 2016 data collection that the most frequently performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States is still breast augmentation. Portland, OR, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kathleen Waldorf explains what to expect with this popular plastic surgery. 

Breast augmentation (also referred to as breast enhancement or augmentation mammoplasty) is received by hundreds of thousands of patients for a variety of reasons, such as:

• To increase the projection and size of naturally small breasts
• To restore volume and contour that was lost due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, and/or aging
• To balance the shape and size of uneven breasts
• To complete the process of gender confirmation surgery

Breast augmentation, however, will not achieve a noticeable lift of sagging breasts. This is performed during a different procedure known as a breast lift or mastopexy, where excess skin is removed, and the rest is tightened.

A breast augmentation and lift may be performed in conjunction – either during the same operation, or in stages with two different ones. The type and extent of results a patient is looking to achieve, as well as their skin profile, both need to be considered, and the surgeon can help in deciding what may be the most appropriate decision.

While the popularity of breast augmentation can be attributed to a number of factors, Dr. Waldorf highlights that a large part of this is due to the continually rising safety standards, patient education, and the positive long-term results that can be achieved and tailored with the advances in breast implants and surgical techniques employed today.

The FDA mandates rigorous standards for breast implants manufacturers, as well as recommended aftercare instructions for patients who have chosen to receive breast augmentation with implants.

The shell of an implant can be textured or smooth, and the shape and size can be tweaked to dimensions that best fit the patient’s body. The most frequently used fillings include various forms of silicone or saline.

For patients looking for a relatively modest increase in size or change in shape, a fat transfer breast augmentation is possible. During this type of breast augmentation, fat harvested from another area of the patient’s body (where fat is in excess, such as the thighs or abdomen) can be synthesized into an appropriate form to be transferred to the breasts. This can be done on its own, or in addition to a silicone or saline implant.

Which implant a patient chooses can also impact which incision and/or placement option may be most suitable for the breast augmentation. Incision options include:

• Around the areola
• Under the breast, at the crease
• Through the axilla or armpit

Breast implants can be placed either in a pocket under the pectoral or chest muscle, or directly under the breast tissue (i.e. above the pectoral muscle). If you would like to breastfeed in the future, your doctor can help you determine which placement and incision options for breast augmentation may best suit you.

Ultimately, however, there is no magic formula of choices for breast augmentation, and the best possible combination will vary from person to person. What is most important to results is the skill and experience of the surgeon.

Doing your homework as a patient, having a good idea of what you would like to achieve through breast augmentation (while understanding the limits of surgery), and choosing a board-certified, accomplished aesthetic plastic surgeon who can guide you through making these decisions in an informative and caring manner can help you make the most educated decision for yourself.

To learn more about breast augmentation, request a consultation by contacting The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery online or by phone at 503-646-0101 or 1-800-310-7901.