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Breast Augmentation

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There are many reasons a woman may choose breast augmentation. Patients at our Kitchener-Waterloo clinic may feel their breasts are too small or note that their breasts aren't the same size. Our plastic surgeons specialize in breast augmentation.

Women travel to The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic for breast augmentation from Cambridge, London, Guelph, Windsor, and throughout Southwestern Ontario. Request a consultation online to meet personally with one of our surgeons, or call our office at (519) 746-1132 to schedule an appointment.

Will my breast implants look and feel natural?

Technological advances in the past decade have led to breast implant options that look and feel more like natural breasts than ever before. This includes implants filled with cohesive and highly cohesive silicone gel. Additionally, techniques such as fat transfer breast augmentation create natural-looking results by using a patient's own fat. This is a potential option for women seeking only a modest increase in the size of their breasts.

How much does breast augmentation cost in the Kitchener-Waterloo area?

The cost for breast augmentation with implants typically ranges from $10,000 to $13,000 depending on your choice of implants, the specifics of your surgery, and other factors. We offer flexible financing options through Medicard to help qualified patients in the Ontario region ease their financial concerns.

What are my options for breast augmentation?

You have several options to discuss with your surgeon. Your choices will depend on a number of factors, including your cosmetic goals, your skin's elasticity, and your body's frame. Our surgeons take the time needed to provide all the information you need to make educated decisions. In some cases, your surgeon may recommend combining a breast lift with breast augmentation.

Breast Implant Size

Breast implants come in a variety of sizes. Selecting the proper size is crucial to ensure long-term satisfaction with your breast implants. Your surgeon helps you decide on the best size of implant to meet your goals.

Breast Implant Shape

The shape of the implant you choose depends primarily on your aesthetic goals. Choices include:

• Round implants give the breasts overall fullness including at the top.
• Teardrop-shaped implants, also called anatomical implants, mimic the gentle slope of a natural breast with more fullness in the lower portion of the breast.

Breast Implant Profile

An implant's profile refers to how far it projects from the body. Implants that have the same volume can create a different appearance based on their profiles. Options vary between manufacturers but generally include the following:

• Low
• Moderate
• Moderate plus
• High

Higher profile implants are narrower at the base, so the best choice depends on the width of your chest and your cosmetic goals.

Breast Implant Filler

There are 2 approved options for breast implant fillers: silicone and saline. While both fillers are approved by Health Canada for breast implants, each has distinct features and benefits.

Silicone Breast Implants

• Filled with silicone gel in varying degrees of cohesiveness
• More natural look and feel
• Less chance of visible rippling
• More expensive than saline implants
• Appropriate for patients who are at least 22 years old
• Implant filled before placement
• Slightly larger incision needed
• Harder to detect rupture

Saline Breast Implants

• Filled with a sterile saline solution
• Less natural feel
• More chance of visible rippling
• Less expensive than silicone gel implants
• Appropriate for patients at least age 18
• Implant filled after placement
• Smaller incision often possible
• Implant deflates if ruptured

Incision Locations

The location of your breast augmentation incision is a personal choice that can be influenced by the size and type of implant you select. There are 3 options for incision location:

• Periareolar: This incision is made along the lower edge of the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple).
• Inframammary: A small, horizontal incision is made at the base of the breast, just above the crease where the breast connects to the chest wall. This is the most popular location for our breast augmentation patients.
• Transaxillary: Patients who worry about visible scars on the breasts sometimes prefer the option of making an incision in the area of the armpit. This technique doesn't allow the surgeon to have a direct view of the implant pocket during the procedure.

In all cases, the incisions are very small and inconspicuous.

Periareolar Incision

Inframammary Incision

Transaxillary Incision

How is breast augmentation surgery performed?

Our surgeons perform breast augmentation surgery using a general anesthetic, meaning you will be asleep during the procedure. They begin the operation by making the smallest possible incision in the location you selected during the consultation. The next step is creating a small space, called a pocket, where the surgeon inserts the implant.

After inserting the implants and ensuring the breasts are symmetrical, your surgeon closes the incisions with dissolving stitches that don't need to be removed. Even though the operation itself takes only about an hour, expect to spend 3 hours at our practice on the day of the surgery.

Breast Implant Placement Options

There are 2 general options for placing breast implants. During your consultation, the surgeon will describe the benefits of each option and why you might be better suited for one of the options.

• Subglandular: This is above the chest muscle, behind the breast's glandular tissue. This option is usually associated with a slightly shorter recovery time. Patients with little existing breast tissue may not be good candidates for this location because it can be difficult to camouflage the implants' edges.
• Submuscular: You may choose to have the implants placed under the chest muscles. Recovery following a submuscular placement is a bit longer, but many patients prefer the look and feel of having implants behind the muscle. This location is also preferred for patients who choose to have anatomically shaped implants because there is less risk of the implants rotating.

Can I combine breast augmentation with other procedures?

Absolutely. Many women choose to have body contouring surgery or other cosmetic procedures performed at the same time they get breast implants. The benefits of this approach include having to plan only one recovery time and saving the cost of paying certain fees more than once.

The most common body contouring procedures combined with breast augmentation are tummy tuck surgery and liposuction. This combination is often called a Mommy Makeover because it addresses the physical toll that pregnancy takes on a mother's body. It often may include a breast lift combined with breast implants for patients who want to restore both the shape and size of their breasts after having children.

How long does it take to recover from a breast augmentation?

Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline

• 1 to 2 days: Resume normal daily activities (driving, showering, cooking, shopping)
• 3 to 4 days: Return to school or a nonstrenuous job
• 2 to 3 weeks: Avoid vigorous activities
• 6+ weeks: Resume exercise

The initial swelling that occurs following the procedure typically resolves within a few days, but residual swelling may take a few weeks to a month to disappear. Some patients benefit from wearing support bras or an upper pole bandeau trap for a short period of time after surgery. A follow-up appointment is scheduled within a few days of the operation, which is an excellent time to ask any questions you might have. You are always welcome to contact our office at any time.

Will I have a visible scar after breast augmentation surgery?

Because our surgeons carefully and strategically make small incisions in inconspicuous locations, most patients find that the resulting scar is barely perceptible. Scars typically continue fading over time, and we will provide scar care instructions to minimize the scars' visibility.

How painful is breast augmentation surgery?

When the implants are placed below the chest muscle (submuscular), recovery is more painful than when placed above the muscle (subglandular) because the chest muscle is surgically released from the chest bone and ribs and stretched to fit over the implant.

How long do breast implants last?

Surgeons no longer recommend replacing breast implants every 10 years as breast implants are more durable and safer than ever. If you are happy with the way your implants look and feel and are not having any complications, there is no need to change them. That said, breast implants are not lifetime devices; most will need to be replaced at some point, and routine follow-up visits every 1 to 2 years is very strongly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Augmentation

How should I prepare for breast augmentation surgery?

The first step is a thorough consultation with your surgeon to determine your goals and preferences for your breast augmentation. The Clinic's patient coordinator will guide you through all the details of the planning process for your procedure, including financing, scheduling, and paperwork.

Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery.

You are to have nothing to eat or drink for the 12 hours immediately before your surgery.

What will the day of breast augmentation surgery be like?

You will arrange for someone to drive you to The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic and to pick you up after the procedure. Our staff will assist you with planning for your ride home.

You will meet our highly qualified and professional operating room staff so you will be assured that you are in excellent hands. Our anesthesiologist will talk to you before you go to sleep for your surgery. After the procedure is completed, you will be taken to our recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. After a brief recovery period you will be permitted to leave with your driver.

Vigorous activities should be restricted for a period of 2 to 3 weeks. Care must be taken to be extremely gentle with your breasts for at least 1 month.

What kind of bra should I wear following breast augmentation surgery?

Wearing a soft support bra or an upper-pole bandeau top for the first few post-surgical days is helpful. Avoid underwire bras after breast augmentation until your surgeon gives you the OK.

How should I sleep after breast implants?

To minimize swelling and discomfort, sleep on your back with your upper body elevated for the first couple of weeks after surgery. You can prop yourself up with pillows in bed or sleep in a recliner. When your surgeon says you're ready, you can sleep on your side or stomach - this usually occurs around 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

What results can I expect with breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation can result in your breasts being fuller and having an enhanced shape. Clothes may fit better and most women experience a boost in their self-confidence.

Can I still breastfeed after a breast augmentation?

Yes, most women who get breast implants can breastfeed their infants. It's important to tell your plastic surgeon that you plan to have children at some point in the future because it can influence the incision location. It's best to avoid a periareolar incision (on the lower edge of the areola) because of the small risk that it could damage the milk ducts.

Is breast augmentation surgery safe?

Breast augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures performed in Canada and throughout the world. It has a long-established track record of safety when performed by qualified, highly trained plastic surgeons. It's important to find the best cosmetic breast surgeon in the London, Ontario, area that you feel comfortable with to perform the procedure.

How do I know if I need breast augmentation or a breast lift?

This is among the most common questions asked by women considering cosmetic breast surgery. Our surgeons' physical examination of a patient's breasts, including the quality and elasticity of the breast skin, informs their opinions on whether a patient can get the desired results from breast augmentation alone or if she needs a breast lift. The degree of ptosis (sagging) is a primary consideration. Implants alone can worsen sagging. A breast lift and augmentation can enhance both the size and position of the breasts.

How do I choose a plastic surgeon for breast augmentation?

This is the most important choice a breast augmentation patient makes. All patients want to find the best plastic surgeon and breast augmentation specialist, whether in London, Kitchener, or anywhere throughout Southwestern Ontario. Many patients start by reading online reviews written by previous patients and asking friends or family for referrals. You should also check the credentials, experience, and training of a surgeon, along with looking at the surgeon's before-and-after photos. Finally, it's important that you feel comfortable with the surgeon you choose and can communicate honestly with him or her.

How long will breast augmentation results last?

The results of breast augmentation are long-lasting. However, gravity and the effects of aging will eventually alter the size and shape of every woman's breasts. If, after time, you become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a breast lift aiming to restore their youthful contour.