Breast Augmentation
Boston, MA
Introduction to Breast Augmentation
As one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the world, Breast Augmentation allows so many women the opportunity to achieve the bust size that they have always wanted. Whether it’s because of lost breast volume, genetics, or general dissatisfaction, the size of a woman’s breast can have a negative effect on their self-esteem and confidence. Vickram Tandon, MD offers Breast Augmentation in the Boston area as a wonderful way to improve the size and volume of our patients’ breasts with natural-looking results. To learn more about this plastic surgery procedure, please continue reading the information below.
What Is A Breast Augmentation?
Breast Augmentation (a.k.a. augmentation mammoplasty) is an FDA-approved surgical procedure that helps women who are dissatisfied with the contour, size, or fullness of their breasts, or would like to improve breast asymmetry.
There are many important decisions to make when it comes to breast implant surgery that our Boston patients will need to consider, such as using saline implants or silicone implants, but we will be sure to go over all of these decisions during your consultation and discuss the pros and cons of each to help you to make an informed decision.
- Breast implants have an exterior silicone implant shell, filled with either saline or a silicone gel, both having their strengths and weaknesses. Saline breast implants generally have more rippling and have the potential to leak, whereas silicone implants can have a different feel to both the patient wearing them and the person touching them.
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone gel breast implants are usually softer to the touch and tend to have a more natural feel. The newer silicone gel filler is semi-solid, making the danger of breast implant rupture or leakage significantly lower than older breast implants.
Saline Breast Implants
Saline-filled implants are filled with a sterile saline solution, very similar to the saltwater that’s in the human body. Unlike silicone implants, saline implants can either be pre-filled or filled to their ideal level once they are inserted empty into the breast pocket.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Not all Boston Breast augmentation patients are comfortable with having a foreign object inside of them, but would still like larger breasts. In this situation, we can provide our patients with natural breast augmentation that uses fat cells from their own bodies.
After using Liposuction on areas of your body with sufficient excess fat, the cells are purified and then injected into your breasts for additional volume and improved breast shape.
What Are The Benefits Of A Breast Augmentation?
Dr. Tandon and his team have seen our Breast Augmentation Boston patients enjoy the following benefits from their procedure:
- Added volume to small breasts
- Clothing fits better
- Fuller breasts
- Immediate and stunning results
- Improved confidence and self-esteem
- Provides lift after pregnancy and weight loss
- Quick recovery
- Restores breasts after a mastectomy
- Improve breast symmetry
Who Are The Best Candidates For A Breast Augmentation?
If you are wondering if you are a good candidate for breast augmentation, you should have at least some of these characteristics:
- Bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
- Breasts are asymmetrical
- Dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging
- Have realistic expectations
- Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- One or both breasts failed to develop normally or have an elongated shape
- Physically healthy
- Unhappy with the upper part of your breast appearing “empty”
Breast augmentation should only be considered after a patient’s breasts have fully developed, but there is no age limitation for breast surgery later in life, as long as the patient’s health allows it.
What To Expect On The Day Of Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Your breast augmentation procedure will slightly vary depending on which type of breast implants you are receiving, but regardless of which one you are getting, we will start your procedure by administering your general anesthesia first to provide you with a more comfortable experience. For example, natural tissue breast augmentation (fat transfer) may require more operative time depending on the extent of areas that are liposuctioned, as well as your desired breast size.
After you are sedated, Dr. Tandon will make incisions hidden in your natural creases and folds to minimize visible scarring. Some incision placement options include:
- In the breast crease (inframammary incision)
- In the armpit (transaxillary incision)
- Around the areola (periareolar incision)
Depending on your augmentation, there are a few different options for where Dr. Tandon can insert breast implants, most commonly under the pectoral muscle or directly behind the breast tissue, but over the pectoral muscle.
After he is finished with the implant or fat graft, Dr. Tandon will close the incisions using layered sutures in the breast tissue to provide natural breast tissue extra support and close the external breast skin incisions with sutures, skin adhesives, or surgical tape.
The operation should take about one to two hours depending on the techniques used by plastic surgeons.
What's the first step?
If you’re interested in getting breast augmentation surgery in the Boston area, the first step is to schedule an initial consultation. When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Tandon will evaluate your health and explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you, based on the condition of your breasts and skin tone, and be sure to discuss your expectations.
Dr. Tandon will consider your frame and body proportions when determining your breast size because even though large breast implants are what many patients think of when it comes to breast augmentation, smaller breast implants can deliver excellent dramatic results as well. The two of you will also discuss your alternatives, the risks, and the limitations of fat transfer, saline, or silicone implants.
Please mention if you smoke or are currently taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs – it is very important to be open and honest because the information you provide will help produce the best possible results with a reduced risk of complications.
Finally, you will decide on the breast implant placement, your desired cup size, and implant type. We can show you “before and after” photos of actual patients, and even offer you implant sizers, which will allow you to see what you would like with a larger implant size.
Dr. Tandon will compile all of the details to create your surgical plan. Our Patient Coordinator will help you schedule your appointment and provide you with pre-surgery instructions to help make your procedure as successful as possible.
Breast Augmentation Recovery
After your Breast Augmentation, you will be kept in a recovery room for a few hours, during which time Dr. Tandon’s staff will closely monitor you. Once released, you will be able to go home at the end of the day, but you should arrange a ride home because you will not be able to drive just yet. Before leaving the recovery facility, you will be provided with some recovery instructions and temporary prescription pain medication to make your breast augmentation recovery more tolerable.
You will be able to gradually resume an exercise routine about one week after your breast augmentation, except for chest muscle exercises, which can usually be resumed around six weeks. We encourage you to not rush your recovery by using your pectoralis muscle prematurely because it can lead to potential complications such as displacement of the implant to the sides, fluid collection, or an increased risk of capsular contracture.
Most patients can return to work and other daily duties within seven to 10 days. You should not exercise or perform any strenuous physical activities for up to four weeks. Dr. Tandon will see you regularly to check on your healing progress. He will also show you various ways to massage your breasts so that your implants settle appropriately and give you the natural results you desire.
- Dr. Tandon will do his best to ensure any breast augmentation scars are mostly hidden, but the visible ones will naturally fade over time.
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost In Boston, MA
The cost of Breast Augmentation in Boston will vary on numerous factors, including the size, shape, and type of breast implants, as well as the surgical techniques used. The best way to learn how much your procedure will be is to come in for your breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Tandon. After he creates your surgical plan, our Patient Coordinator will be able to use that information to provide you with a complete price breakdown.
Why Choose Dr. Tandon?
Breast Augmentation surgery can be a very daunting experience, which is why when selecting your Boston plastic surgeon, Dr. Vickram Tandon is a great choice! He completed his medical degree at Brown University and then went on to complete a highly competitive residency at the top-ranked University of Michigan in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Through his years of experience, Dr. Tandon has developed a profound appreciation for the transformative impact breast implants can have on a person’s confidence and self-esteem.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Tandon is actively involved in research and education, having published 20+ articles in peer-reviewed journals and regularly presenting at academic conferences. He is the Associate Editor for a prestigious textbook, and even teaches and mentors medical students and residents.
Breast Augmentation FAQS
Most patients find breast augmentation surgery to be painless since it’s performed under anesthesia. You can expect some swelling, bruising, pain, and general discomfort during the early stages of your recovery.
Dr. Tandon will prescribe you pain medications to help manage any pain or discomfort. We will also provide you with directions to follow that will help ease your recovery and healing process to achieve the best results.
After your Breast Augmentation, Dr. Tandon will have you return about a week post-surgery so he can monitor your recovery and remove any stitches and bandages. You can expect another appointment about a month or two later, followed by another one three months post-surgery, then again six months later. You may also have some photos taken at one of your final check-ups for a comparison photo.
Dr. Tandon will always let you know when he would like you to return at the end of each appointment.
While your breast augmentation results could be immediately noticeable depending on the change in your breasts’ appearance, you will be swollen and bruised for a few weeks as you heal. In the following months of your breast augmentation, your breasts will continue to go through changes, normally requiring about three to four months for you to see the final results after your implants have settled into their natural resting position.
Absolutely! Many women will combine their breast augmentation with a Breast Lift to improve sagging breasts and an overall better bust appearance, or another body contouring cosmetic procedure, such as a Brazilian Butt Lift or Tummy Tuck. If you have any particular aesthetic goal in mind, do not hesitate to discuss it with Dr. Tandon during your consultation. He will be able to use his expertise and knowledge to provide you with his recommendations for the right cosmetic procedures for you.
As a plastic surgeon in Boston, Dr. Tandon prides himself on delivering safe and pleasing results to his breast augmentation patients. Since he is a firm believer in full disclosure, we choose to share the potential complications of every cosmetic breast enhancement procedure, which can include:
- Anesthesia risks
- Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) or other very rare cancers in the capsule around the breast, such as breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC)
- Bleeding
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Fluid accumulation (seroma)
- Formation of tight scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture)
- Hematoma
- Implant leakage or rupture
- Infection
- Persistent pain
- Poor scarring
- Possibility of revision surgery
- Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
- Wrong or faulty position of the implant
Patient safety is incredibly important to our team, so if you experience any of the previously mentioned reactions or long-lasting side effects, please contact our office immediately so that we can help.
Textured implants are rarely used in breast augmentation surgery these days due to the higher risk of lymphomas such as BIA-ALCL, which targets your immune system.
Dr. Tandon Understood What I Wanted
I saw Dr. Tandon for Botox and lip filler and couldn’t be happier with my results. I was looking for a skilled doctor who would give me a natural look, and Dr. Tandon understood exactly what I wanted. He took a lot of care and time with my consult, it’s very clear that he cares so much about the quality of his work. I was also happily surprised that procedure was practically painless. I highly recommend working with Dr. Tandon!
I Highly Recommended Him
Dr. Tandon was truly one of the most personable and professionals doctors I hvae been treated by! He took the time to carefully understand the procedure I wanted and what I felt my problem areas are, then adjusted to address those. He both asked insightful questions to understand my needs and answered all my questions with patience to make me feel comfortable and confident. My results demonstrated all of that care and I could not be more pleased. I highly recommend him!
I Am Very Pleased With My Results
Dr. Tandon is a compassionate, personable and highly skilled plastic surgeon. irecently had an appointment with Dr. Tandon to get Botox.
