Breast Augmentation Archives | La Jolla, San Diego

Misconceptions About Breast Augmentation and Lift

Most women dream about having the full and perfectly rounded breasts we all see in movies and magazines. This concept of beauty and feminine body figures has been around for decades, which is why thousands of women decide to undergo plastic surgery every year to get the curvy figure of their dreams.

Though most patients are familiar with the concept of breast surgery, you might not know there is more than one way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Breasts come in different sizes and shapes, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula that works for all patients.

Today, two of the most sought-after breast procedures are augmentations and lifts. Both surgeries achieve extraordinary results, but they serve different purposes. If you are considering breast surgery, understanding your options is crucial to help you make the right decision.

What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is the most popular plastic procedure in the U.S. This surgery is one of the safest, quickest, and most effective alternatives to improve breast symmetry, volume, and shape. During surgery, breast specialist Dr. Tim Sayed inserts saline or silicone implants to achieve the appearance you discussed during your consultation. Breast implants also come in different sizes and shapes, so Dr. Sayed will help you select the best choice for you.

Augmentation surgery is the ideal choice for healthy patients who want to address their breasts’ size or shape, but it has little effect on their position. If you are happy about your breast volume but think they look a bit droopy, you might want to consider a breast lift.

What Is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift is the leading solution for sagging breasts, medically known as ptosis. Flattened, deflated breasts can result from multiple factors, including aging, weight loss, breastfeeding, and even genetics. Breast ptosis can make you look significantly older, with issues like excess fat and downward-pointing nipples. These can be impossible to hide, even when you are fully dressed.

With a breast lift, Dr. Sayed removes excess skin, improves contours, and addresses nipple position to enhance your breasts’ appearance. This treatment is an excellent alternative for healthy women who struggle with sagging breasts, especially after having children.

Can I Combine Breast Surgeries?

Absolutely. Dr. Sayed can perform a lift and augmentation concurrently to simultaneously resolve multiple concerns. Pairing surgeries is an excellent way to save time and money because it only requires one recovery period, making it ideal for your busy lifestyle.

Your Breast Specialist in San Diego and Newport Beach, CA

If you think any of these treatments will help you improve your figure and boost your confidence, why not schedule a consultation to clear up all your doubts? Our team at Tim Sayed MD Plastic Surgery will be happy to see you in either of our two convenient locations. Contact us when you are ready to learn more.

What Breast Surgery is Right for You?

Breast surgery is by far the most commonly performed category of plastic surgery. Breast surgeries generally include breast implant removal, breast augmentation, revision breast surgery after prior augmentation, breast reduction, and breast lifts. The most popular of these is breast augmentation with implants, with over 320,000 procedures performed each year in the U.S.

Increasingly, there are more women seeking nipple surgery as well. But with so many breast surgery options to choose from, which one is right for you?

Here, Dr. Tim Sayed of Tim Sayed Plastic Surgery in La Jolla and Newport Beach, CA, looks at the differences between each breast surgery and how you can choose the appropriate procedure for your goals and desires.

Breast Implant Removal and Revision

First time breast augmentation (see below) remains incredibly popular, but a new trend has been growing in the last few years, with more and more patients looking to revise their prior breast augmentation. Sometimes this means the patient will consider new implants, but in others, patients have decided that breast implants are no longer for them. This may occur if the patient develops a capsular contracture (a phenomenon where scar tissue encasing the implant begins to distort the shape or feel of the device), or if an implant has leaked, or if the patient has a recalled device (Allergan textured implants, which are no longer on the market), or increasingly, if the patient is concerned about health issues and wishes to explore if her body will feel better without implants. There are various tradeoffs when exploring whether implants are for you, or whether you would prefer to go “implant free.” These tradeoffs include concerns about health, cosmetic appearance of the breasts, and recovery processes. Dr. Sayed is known for providing very detailed and informative consultations to help you navigate some of these challenging decisions.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation was the poster procedure of plastic surgery during the ‘80s and ‘90s. With celebrities and pop icons going for the procedure, the public quickly followed.

Breast augmentation increases the size of the breast by introducing implants, or in some cases, the patient’s own fat, obtained through liposuction. There is a broad spectrum for how large or small implants can be, whereas fat grafting may have more limited availability in thinner patients.

If your goal is simply larger breasts, then breast augmentation is likely the procedure for you.

Breast Reduction

For some women, overly large breasts cause health problems and aesthetic concerns. Breasts that are too large can cause severe back pain, shoulder and neck problems, issues with posture, and discomfort during exercise and daily life.

If naturally large breasts are a concern for you, then breast reduction surgery is the procedure. Expert plastic surgeons such as Dr Sayed can remove tissue from the breasts that make the breasts smaller but enhance the shape and position of the breast to be very aesthetically pleasing and comfortable.

Of note is if your breasts feel too large due to breast augmentation in the past, plastic surgeons can successfully remove implants with implant removal surgery. In most cases following implant removal, however, women require a breast lift.

Breast lift

Breast lift surgery is rapidly growing in popularity. Over 110,000 breast lifts are performed yearly and for a good reason.

Often, mothers of women experiencing aging desire a more youthful appearance to their breasts but don’t necessarily want larger breasts. A breast lift is perfect in this instance. A staple procedure in a mommy makeover, a breast lift removes excess skin above and around the breasts, which pulls the breasts higher on the chest, creating a younger, firmer, more pleasing appearance.

If you want to enhance how your breasts look and feel, but don’t want to make them any bigger or have implants used, then a breast lift is the way to go.

Breast Surgery in Newport Beach, CA

No matter what your concern is with your breasts, there is a procedure that can solve your problems. All you need to do is consult with an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Tim Sayed. Reach out to Dr. Tim Sayed in Newport Beach or La Jolla, CA by calling 858 247 2933 or via this online form to arrange a consultation to discover how we can help you look and feel your best.

Can Breast Reduction Really Be Scarless?

Breast reductions can provide a safe and highly effective means of reducing neck, back, and shoulder pain for women with larger breasts. If you’re someone who faces discomfort when exercising due to your breasts, bra straps leaving painful indentations, or just want to reduce size for aesthetic reasons, breast reduction is an ideal solution.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Sayed has extensive experience successfully reducing cup size and creating proportional areolas alongside ideal nipple placement. However, his patients often ask him if he can perform a “scarless” breast reduction.

The Truth Behind “Scarless” Surgery

To be clear, there is no such thing as a “scarless” surgery, and any surgeon who tells you otherwise is spreading misinformation. No matter the technique used, if you’re undergoing a procedure to modify your breasts (whether that’s a reduction, augmentation, a breast lift, implant removal, or anything else), an incision is necessary.

If there’s an incision, some scarring is inevitable. That’s why working with a board-certified surgeon is so critical. A skilled and expert surgeon like Dr. Sayed can both minimize incision size and provide you with all the necessary tools to help reduce scarring over time.

Thanks to advanced suturing techniques and with his masterful craftsmanship and artistry, Dr. Sayed can achieve incredibly fine-lined scar patterns. With each surgery, Dr. Sayed also does his best to use your natural anatomy to conceal visible scarring. If possible, he will place your incision under the fold of the breast, where it’s far more likely to heal discreetly and virtually unnoticeably.

Our responsibility as doctors is to help patients make fully informed decisions about their bodies and health. Alongside maintaining the highest possible levels of safety and care, our chief priority is to ensure you have a clear understanding and realistic expectations about what your results will look like.

Reducing Visible Scarring

While we can’t yet perform scarless procedures, there are many clinically proven means of reducing the appearance of surgical scars.

During your consultation, we’ll discuss all the factors that go into how the body scars and heals. One of the most significant indicators of how your scar will look is how you’ve scarred in the past. Some people are more prone to thicker scars. Your age and environment also play a significant role.

However, by carefully following all aftercare instructions and with a bit of luck, there’s a good chance you can achieve nearly invisible scarring.

The first line of defense begins at home. It’s critical to avoid direct sun exposure to the incision site. Starting a daily routine of applying a high-SPF sunscreen, along with vitamin E creams or other skin oils, can help maintain proper moisturization and aid healing as well.

For patients looking to take more proactive steps, we can discuss medical means of reducing scarring. A variety of prescription topicals, such as Retin-A, are available and encourage the growth of new skin cells. In the office, we can also provide patients with highly successful Fraxel laser treatments.

These treatments are particularly helpful for patients prone to thicker scarring, though anyone can benefit from this powerful technology. The patented Fraxel laser beam allows Dr. Sayed to use a fractionated beam to deliver bursts of energy onto the surface of the skin.

These small “wells” in the skin encourage the body’s natural healing process and increase the production of elastin and collagen. Dr. Sayed has helped many of his surgical patients reduce scarring by combining laser treatments with beneficial medical substances that provide deep nutrition and hydration to the skin. These include:

Hyaluronic acid filler materials
Botox^®
Steroid medications for some inflammatory skin conditions
Topical medications for rosacea
Hydroquinone-containing skincare products that can target pigmentation
Other medications

Following just one session, you’ll see a substantial, but gradual, reduction in the appearance of your scar, along with improved overall quality and texture of the surrounding skin. For optimal results, Dr. Sayed may recommend follow-up treatments, depending on the scarring’s severity and your medical history.

If you’d like to learn more about breast reduction, scar management, or any of our other procedures, the next step is to get in touch with either our Newport Beach or La Jolla, CA, offices to schedule a virtual consultation.

Feel free to give us a call at 858-247-2933 or contact us online today. Our entire team greatly looks forward to talking with you more.

Incision Decision: What You Need to Know about Breast Aug Incisions

Every breast augmentation requires a one-of-a-kind approach. Together with Dr. Sayed, we can build a treatment plan perfectly catered to your anatomy, goals, age, skin type, and lifestyle. With so many variables to choose from, making your implant type, placement, and incision decision can seem daunting–but you’re not alone.

We’ll work with you to ensure you are fully informed and confident in whatever decision is right for you. When it comes to incision placement, generally Dr. Sayed recommends patients choose between three approaches:

Inframammary Incision
Areolar or Periareolar Incision
Transaxillary Incision

Below, we’ve gone into detail about each incision placement, who it works for, and any associated pros and cons. Every placement isn’t suitable for every implant type, so often, the choice is narrowed down during your initial consultation. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.

Your Breast Incision Options with Dr. Sayed

When it comes to breast enhancement, the “right” choice for one patient can look very different from another. No matter what you decide on, though, Dr. Sayed’s goals will be the same: to provide a symmetrical, aesthetically pleasing enhancement with minimal easy-to-conceal scarring.

So, what makes each incision placement different?

Inframammary Incision

Inframammary incisions are the most popular surgical approach to breast enhancement. During this procedure, Dr. Sayed will place his incision under the “crease” of the breasts. In most cases, even breasts of moderate volume entirely conceal any scarring.

Dr. Sayed also appreciates this method’s very high degree of control as he positions your implant. It also offers patients the chance to easily hide their incision site without any risk of losing nipple sensation. Furthermore, if you require any additional breast surgeries down the line, surgeons can use this same incision site, which will not add any scarring.

The only potential “issue” is that, on certain women, scarring may be visible, often when lying down.

Areolar or Periareolar Incision

As for Areolar or periareolar incisions, these are placed either encircling the outer edge of the nipple (areola) or in a semi-circle around the bottom half of the nipple (periareolar). After creating the incision, Dr. Sayed inserts the implant through the opening.

The small opening tends to have a very successful and quick healing process, and scarring tends to be almost invisible. The natural texture and color of the nipple often conceal the incision site, and if there is any visible scarring, you can hide it with clothing. This incision placement also provides Dr. Sayed with a high degree of precision in implant placement and can be used in any additional breast surgeries in the future.

This incision may not be concealable for patients who have small nipples. This approach also poses some risk of complicating breastfeeding because it involves milk ducts. Patients also face a risk of losing nipple sensation, as Dr. Sayed will need to sever the nerves to complete this technique. Finally, in a minority of patients, areola scarring may become discolored, raised, and visibly noticeable.

Transaxillary Incision

Transaxillary incisions are located in the crease of the armpit. This is an ideal option for patients who prefer saline implants, have not had prior breast augmentation, and who do not require a breast lift. If you meet these requirements, Dr. Sayed can create a very small incision in the armpit, and insert your implant into the resulting pocket in the chest wall. After placement, your implant is filled with saline solution.

Patients sometimes opt for this approach thanks to its easy-to-hide scars. If you’re hoping to avoid scarring on or near your breasts entirely, transaxillary incision placement could be right for you. It also poses no risks in terms of loss of nipple sensation or challenges breastfeeding.

Transaxillary incisions do, however, come with some downsides, primarily a lower degree of precise control when placing the implant. Some patients also report that armpit scars are visible when wearing tops without sleeves, and may make shaving more difficult. A small number of patients also experience loss of sensation surrounding the incision.

As opposed to the other techniques listed, transaxillary incisions cannot be reused in future surgeries, so if you require any, you would require an additional incision and more scarring. While some patients prefer this approach due to the absence of a scar on the breast, there are limitations on who is a good candidate. Dr. Sayed can discuss this during the consultation.

Schedule a Consultation

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular, efficient, and safe surgical procedures around the globe. The best way to determine which technique, implant type, size, and placement is right for you is to schedule an in-person consultation at our San Diego office.

During this initial meeting, we can discuss all of the options available to you and help build a treatment plan to achieve your goals. Please give us a call at 1-858-24SAYED (1-858-247-2933) or contact us online today to schedule your consultation.

Can Breast Augmentation Help Female Runners?

Whether in parks, on pavement, trails, or treadmill, you love running, maybe competitively, burning calories like crazy. Your high basal metabolism burns still more calories sitting at a desk than the non-runner next to you. As a result, you may also burn body fat with streamlined efficiency, however, you may have noticed that your breasts are looking smaller since they’re made primarily of epithelial tissues and fat.

Some women are fine with a sleek athletic body, but you, along with many female runners, may feel a bit self-conscious about breasts that seem disproportionately small. Maybe you long for some curves to fill out your clothing in the right places.

A breast augmentation may boost your confidence, and Dr. Tim Sayed can help you make the right decision, resulting in a new bustline that enhances your athletic build.

The following considerations allow you to explore the basic breast augmentation options for female runners.

The Right Size of Implant for Your Running Lifestyle

Have you feared that breast augmentation will make running awkward or painful? Selecting the right size of implants is vitally important in addressing this issue. You don’t have to sacrifice a flattering figure for your passion for running.

When implants crowd the natural swing of the arms during a run or other cardio workout, the implant is too large and can cause back pain and awkwardness in running mechanics. Dr. Sayed will find the optimal cup size for your chest proportions to ensure a comfortable stride.

Implant Placement Above or Below the Chest Muscles?

While often implants are placed below the chest muscles (submuscular placement), Dr. Sayed may prefer a subglandular placement above the muscles for runners. This preserves both chest muscle strength and tone for athletic women. Subglandular placement carries an additional benefit of a shorter recovery after the surgery. However, certain under-the-muscle approaches may be preferable for individual body types and lifestyles.

Are Silicone or Saline Implants Better for Running?

The vast majority of women who get breast augmentation choose silicone implants, especially with the newer improvements in consistency and construction. Dr. Sayed agrees and finds that silicone implants provide a more natural display in harmony with the movements of most runners.

Allow Time for Your Procedure

If you need intensive training for an upcoming race, you’ll want to plan your surgery for after the event. For the first two weeks after your breast augmentation, you’ll be limited to short walks of low-intensity. Typically, you’ll need four to six weeks before beginning to re-establish your normal training or fitness regimen.

Dr. Sayed will let you know what you can expect during each phase of your recovery to enable you to maximize this intimate and personal investment in yourself. He is an experienced double board-certified plastic surgeon, proud to call his methodology, “aesthetics done right.”

Contact us with your questions about your breast augmentation at 858-247-2933 for our Newport Beach and San Diego offices.

Dr. Sayed Weighs in on the Allergan Textured Breast Implant Recall

You’ve probably heard that the FDA asked Allergan, the manufacturer of textured breast implants made with Biocell(R) technology, to voluntarily recall these implants from the US market.

After reviewing 573 new cases of ALCL compiled from worldwide data by Medical Device Reports (MDRs), the FDA found that 83% of these patients had Allergan textured implants in place at the time of diagnosis. Of the 33 of these cases that ended in patient death, 92% had Allergan textured implants.

I was concerned on hearing this news because I know there are women without symptoms of the rare ALCL cancer who will be worried about the risk of developing the disease and will want to have their textured Allergan (Biocell technology) implants removed.

If you have any concerns related to your breast implants or further questions, do not hesitate to call 1-858-247-2933.

Who Should Be Concerned?

Historically, plastic surgeons recommended the textured breast implant for a few potential reasons. These include shaped (teardrop) implants, often used in reconstruction for cancer

but sometimes in cosmetic enhancement too. Additionally, some surgeons feel that texturing helps “hold up” the implant in its pocket with less risk of the implant “bottoming out” (dropping.) However, there is some data that textured implants may be at a higher risk of leakage.

Not many women who underwent augmentation in the United States chose the textured breast implant upfront because they are not as widely adopted in the US, whereas textured implants are more commonly used in Latin America and Europe. In recent years there has been an upswing in the use of textured shaped implants for breast cancer reconstruction patients undergoing mastectomy, but not all of these patients have Allergan implants (many surgeons prefer devices by Mentor or Sientra).

All the FDA-approved implant companies in the U.S. that sell silicone implants (Mentor, Allergan, and Sientra) have offered textured implants among the options, but only Allergan’s devices used a process called “Biocell” texturing, which has been demonstrated to increase the risk of ALCL when compared to other companies’ texturing or when compared to smooth (non-textured) implants.

This Biocell material prompted the FDA to advise Allergan to voluntarily remove its textured devices from the US market, after they had already been removed from the European market a few months earlier. Allergan is offering replacement devices with smooth implants for patients wishing to exchange their textured implants under a coverage policy.

Do I Need to Consider Implant Removal?

Yes. Patients who have textured Allergan implants in place should consider removal, although the recall does not specifically recommend removal in patients with no symptoms of ALCL (fluid around the implant, redness in the breast, and other symptoms).

However, I would advise my own family member, if she had a textured Allergan implant, to get it removed. Overwhelmingly the majority of women with textured Allergan implants will never develop ALCL, but patients who DO develop ALCL are usually ones who have Allergan textured devices, so in an abundance of caution it would make sense to exchange the implant, especially if Allergan is offering a free replacement device (this does not mean they will cover all costs of a replacement surgery, like anesthesia, facility or certain surgeon fees).

If you don’t remember which device you received, contact your plastic surgeon who may still have records. For those who received implants many years ago and are unable to get access to their records, I recommend contacting Allergan directly to see if your data is in their implant registry.

Key Takeaways from the Allergan Textured Breast Implant Recall

It is very important to understand that this recall strictly means Allergan will no longer sell its textured Biocell devices. It does not require you to remove or replace yours, but as a plastic surgeon, I’d strongly recommend you consider it.

It is also important to distinguish that ALCL is not the same thing as “Breast Implant Illness,” a nonspecific set of constitutional and other symptoms which may be seen in a small minority of women with smooth or textured, saline or silicone implants.

The recall of Allergan textured implants does not necessarily suggest that Mentor or Sientra textured implants (which use a totally different method to create texture), or any smooth implants from any of the companies, are at imminent risk for recall.

Breast implant illness patients need to make a personal decision regarding removal of their devices and capsules and confer with an experienced plastic surgeon who performs en bloc capsulectomy routinely, in order to learn more about what we understand and don’t understand about Biocell and to discuss options for their personal circumstances.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to call our Newport Beach or La Jolla, CA (858-247-2933) offices or contact us here to schedule a consultation today.

Breast Implant Removal: Why Thousands of Women are Doing It

Since it was first introduced, breast augmentation has become one of the most popular and best-known plastic surgeries available. For countless patients, the procedure has provided the opportunity to enjoy renewed self-confidence and comfort in their appearance. In recent years, however, the number of women seeking implant removal has increased dramatically. While the reasons may be personal, they can often be sorted into three distinct categories:

Changing Ideals

As with every generation, the features that are considered beautiful change over time. Today’s trends of creating more natural enhancements to a woman’s body is a complete 180 from the old mantra “bigger is better”. As a result, some women are seeking breast implant removal as a means of updating their appearance to match this newer emphasis on natural curves. Unnaturally large breasts can also impede a woman’s ability to participate in certain physical activities like jogging and weight training. For women committed to getting fit and staying that way, breast implant removal can eliminate discomfort when running and alleviate undue pressure on the spine and back caused by disproportionately large breasts.

Ongoing Maintenance

Like any other medical device, breast implants are not meant to last forever. Rupture is a constant risk with implants and deflation usually occur about 10 years following placement, requiring that patients either replace surviving implants in order to retain their shape. In order to replace worn implants, patients must undergo surgery – meaning time off from work and several weeks of recovery. While some patients may not mind undergoing routine replacement, others may find the upkeep to become physically taxing and choose to have their implants removed instead of replaced.

Secondary Illness

While neither implant types have been directly correlated to increased risk of cancer, recent years have also seen the rise of secondary health issues related to breast implants. For patients experiencing breast implant illness, symptoms like headaches, chronic fatigue, fever, and joint pain can be especially debilitating and provide enough reason for women to seek explant. Furthermore, the FDA has identified over 450 cases of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma – a rare form of cancer that can develop in the scar tissue around the implant. In the face of these very real medical concerns, many patients have chosen to implant removal as a means of protecting their overall health.

Get the Scoop from Dr. Sayed

When it comes to the impacts of surgery, having a thorough understanding of all available options and risks can make a tremendous difference in the long-term results. At Dr. Sayed’s offices in Newport Beach and La Jolla San Diego, our experienced plastic surgeon is committed to patient education. Starting with your first consultation, Dr. Sayed focuses on the facts of each procedure, ensuring you know both the pros and cons and can make an informed decision about your treatments. To learn more about breast implant placement, risk, and removal, we encourage you to schedule your consultation today.

The Risks of Breast Implants: Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) & Breast Implant Illness

In the decades since breast implants were first released, studies have tried to link the devices to a range of chronic illness and other conditions. Known collectively as breast implant illness, the term covers conditions that affect nearly all of the body’s major systems, include the central nervous, musculoskeletal, immune, GI, and integument. While these conditions have led to implant removal for countless patients, directly tying the procedure to the condition has been difficult.

It wasn’t until 2011 however, that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was able to positively identify a potential association between implants and cancer. Known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, this form of cancer is especially rare – the condition has been reported over 400 times in the United States and over 600 times globally.

While the disease affects tissue near the breast and implant, ALCL is not breast cancer. Instead, it is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or cancer of the immune system. Malignant cells start in the scar tissue and fluid near the implant but can spread throughout the body as the disease progresses.

Symptoms of Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

As there have been so few cases, there is little literature regarding the disease and early warning signs. Most diagnoses occur when late-stage symptoms start to develop, usually around three to 14 years following surgery. These include:

Persistent swelling or pain near the implant
Collection of fluid around the implant (in the capsule)
Lump under the skin or around part of the implant

Since the disease is not true breast cancer, cancer cells develop in the tissues that surround the implant, not in the breast tissue.

What Causes BIA-ALCL?

Since the disease was discovered recently, there is still very little literature on the causes and risk factors behind breast implant-associated ALCL. However, limited studies on recorded cases suggest that the disease occurs when the tissue around the implant and capsule become inflamed. This causes more fluid to accumulate, damaging cells which can, in turn, mutate into malignant cells. If these cells enter the breast implant pocket, it can access the lymph nodes and spread throughout the body. Other studies have suggested that the disease occurs more frequently in patients with textured implants and that the type of implant (saline or silicone) does not affect patient risk.

Routine check-ups during annual wellness exams are critical to early diagnosis of BIA-ALCL. During these visits, your surgeon or gynecologist will biopsy any fluid from the tissue around the implant to screen for lymphoma. If identified early enough, the most effective treatment is to remove the breast implant and surrounding tissue.

Reducing Risk

While the BIA-ALCL is certainly a serious concern for many patients, it shouldn’t be an end all deterrent. In fact, a recent study of patients who received their diagnosis early and treated their condition as soon possible showed that 93% of the patients were disease-free within three years.

Like most other major surgeries, breast augmentation comes with risks, and this should be considered one of them. As with any other elective surgery, patients considered breast implants should do their research on the procedure and discuss the risks and benefits with their plastic surgeon.

Situations like these are another reason why choosing an experienced surgeon is so valuable. Being able to trust your surgeon and effectively communicate your concerns regarding ALCL and other risks can help patients feel more comfortable making important decisions about their health. Furthermore, an experienced surgeon can better explain the risks associated with your specific treatment and help develops solutions that mitigate those risks during and after the procedure.

Schedule Your Consultation

Cancer alone is intimidating. Cancer caused by elective surgery can be even more overwhelming. At Dr. Tim Sayed’s practice, our team focuses on providing patients with the information they need to make informed healthcare decisions. Whether you’re considering breast implants or have had implants placed already, our plastic surgeon is here to help you stay healthy and identify potential abnormalities before they can compromise your health. We encourage you to contact our offices in Orange County or La Jolla and schedule your consultation to discuss any questions or concerns.

Breast Implant Settling: What to Expect and When?

When thinking about the steps involved in breast augmentation, most patients are familiar with consultation, the pre-op appointments, and recovery. Often, the settling step goes overlooked, leaving patients confused as to when they can expect to enjoy their final results.

Breast Implant Settling: The Next Step in Recovery

Settling, sometimes known as “drop and fluff”, is the process that follows recovery post-implant surgery. During your operation, the implant is placed into position. In the first few weeks following treatment, patients may notice or feel that their breasts look much higher than they had initially intended. This is because while the implant has been placed, the muscle and tissue around the breast react slightly to having a new implant placed. This creates additional pressure behind the muscle, creating extra volume at the top part of the breast. Over time, swelling decreases and the muscle and tissue gradually accommodate the new implant by creating a small “pocket” around it.

Once it has expanded enough, your silicone or saline implant gently drops or settles into its final position in the breast. At this point, patients achieve the gentle teardrop shape that is so characteristic to the look of natural breasts.

What Factors Impact Drop and Fluff?

While nearly every patient will experience some form of drop and fluff, certain factors can influence how and when you can expect your implants to finally settle. These include:

Implant placement

Most patients today have their implants placed in a submuscular manner, or beneath the muscle rather than over the muscle. In the long-run, this creates a more natural appearance and helps ensure that over time the augmentation remains as realistic looking as possible. However, augmentations conducted below the muscle tissue can also require a longer settling period, this can be up to three months post recovery.

Implant Type

When it comes to implants, size and shape matter. Smooth, rounded implants generally settle about the same way and can be inverted without compromising the overall appearance of the breast. However, textured teardrop shaped implants must be placed in a specific manner to attain their ideal shape. As a result, it is precisely placed during surgery and monitored post-operation to ensure it settles correctly.

What to Expect When Your Breasts are Settling

One of the biggest concerns patients have in the first few days following surgery is that their breasts are not positioned where they wanted them. Trust us – we understand how frustrating and underwhelming that can seem. However, it’s important to keep in mind that breast augmentation surgery is not a simple, one size fits all procedure. Not only is every patient going to have a uniquely planned treatment strategy, they’re also going to experience a very personalized recovery. For some, full recovery including settling can take under four weeks while others may not finish the drop and fluff process until they’re three months post-surgery. Give your body the patience and time it deserves to heal properly.

Ready to Begin? Call Dr. Sayed to Schedule Your Consultation!

As with any other plastic surgery, your procedure is a unique treatment strategy planned around you, your unique anatomy and long-term goals. When it comes to choosing the right breast augmentation solution for you, we take the time to ensure you know exactly how each procedure can improve your overall appearance and help you reach your goals as well as what each treatment looks like from start to finish.

To learn more about settling following breast augmentation and what other side effects you can expect from this treatment, call our offices in Orange County and San Diego to schedule your consultation.

Breast Lift + Augmentation: Why You Might Consider this Duo

Aging, pregnancy, and genetics all play a role in changing the shape of your breasts over the course of your lifetime. If you are worried about breasts that have begun to sag or flatten, you may be weighing the benefits of a breast lift procedure to restore your youthful profile. But while a breast lift is ideal for repositioning the breasts higher on the chest, it will not be able to address volume loss, which is why many women are opting to combine a breast lift with a breast augmentation.

What You Need to Know About a Breast Lift and Augmentation

A breast lift as a standalone procedure may not provide the results you are looking for if your breasts have lost significant volume, which happens to many women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The skin that stretches to provide milk for a baby can fail to bounce back to its pre-pregnancy position, leading to breasts that droop lower on the chest.

Though a breast lift will remove excess skin and move the breasts and nipple-areola complex to a perkier position, it may actually decrease your breast volume slightly. For many women, combining a breast augmentation with a lift is an ideal choice, because the dual procedure creates both an increased breast volume and an enhanced breast shape. Getting breast implants at the same time as your breast lift surgery should not significantly add to your recovery time, and the results can provide a dramatic improvement in the appearance of your breasts.

There are two significant advantages to combining a breast augmentation with a lift in the same procedure: It saves money and will also help you avoid having to undergo two recovery processes from two separate surgeries.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift + Augmentation?

In general, the same characteristics that make a woman a good candidate for a breast lift also qualify her to get a breast augmentation. These include:

Overall good health
Being a nonsmoker
Have no masses in the breasts after an exam
Having a positive support network of family and friends
Realistic expectations for the results of the surgery

The best way to determine whether you need a breast lift is a simple check called the “pencil test.” To perform this test, place a pencil in the crease beneath one of your breasts. If the pencil rolls away, you still have sufficient perkiness in your breasts. However, if your breast holds the pencil in place, you are a likely candidate for a breast lift surgery.

Recovering From a Breast Lift With Augmentation

For the first few days after your surgery, you can expect some tenderness, bruising, and swelling across your chest, and you may experience mild discomfort as well. These side effects are normal. To promote swifter healing, you will need to wear a specially designed surgical support bra that is sized and measured to fit you.

The length of your recovery time will depend on several factors, including how large your breast implants are. Women who choose bigger implants can expect more tissue stretching. If your job is not physically demanding, you may be able to return to work within a week or two. Women who have a more strenuous job may need to take a longer time off work. It’s also best to abstain from exercising for two weeks and ease back into your workouts after that.

Considering a Breast Lift With Implants? Contact Us Today

Women in the San Diego area who are ready to discuss combining a breast augmentation and lift should contact our office today to schedule a consultation. As a double-board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Tim Sayed has been honing his techniques for 13 years, and he is skilled at breast procedures. Regain your younger-looking breast silhouette with a breast lift and augmentation.