Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can help you feel more proportioned, feminine, and confident. At United Plastic Surgery, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Phuong Pham, performs breast augmentation (colloquially called a boob job) in Newport Beach or Temecula, using the latest breast implants, fat grafting, or both. Dr. Pham delivers one-on-one care, unsurpassed safety, and natural-looking results.

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation, also called breast enlargement, is a plastic surgery procedure that enlarges the breasts with silicone or saline breast implants. As a highly trained breast augmentation specialist, Dr. Pham can also use fat grafting to enhance the breasts, either with or without implants. If breast sagging is your main concern, a breast lift may be a more suitable procedure. Many women choose a combination breast augmentation and lift to enhance breast size and shape with one surgery.

What are the benefits of breast augmentation?

Women choose breast enlargement in Newport Beach and Temecula for a variety of personal reasons, including:

• Enlarging naturally small breasts
• Restoring volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
• Enhancing cleavage or upper breast pole fullness
• Balancing asymmetrical breasts
• Improving body proportions
• Fitting into a wider variety of clothing options

How much does breast augmentation cost in Newport Beach and Temecula?

At United Plastic Surgery, breast augmentation procedures start at $8,000 and vary with your choice of implants and the specifics of the surgery. The price will be higher if you have other procedures performed simultaneously. Dr. Pham will give you a personalized quote at your consultation. We offer financing options for interested patients.

What is the most common incision for breast augmentation?

Dr. Pham typically uses an inframammary incision (placed along the breast crease) because it gives him direct access for implant placement, does not restrict implant choice, and conceals the resulting scar. If you prefer, he can use a periareolar incision (around the lower edge of the areola) or a transaxillary incision (in the armpit).

Which breast implant placement is best?

After the incision, Dr. Pham creates a space behind the breast tissue, called the pocket, to hold the breast implant. He typically uses dual-plane implant placement for the most natural-looking results. Here is a comparison of the options:

• Subglandular: Implant on top of the chest muscle (pectoralis major) and under the breast tissue (breast gland).
• Submuscular: Implant placed under the breast tissue and the chest muscle.
• Dual plane: Implant placed under the breast tissue with the upper portion of the implant under the chest muscle.

Which type of breast implant is best?

You can choose either silicone gel or saline breast implants; both types are safe, have a flexible silicone outer shell, and are FDA-approved. The best type for you depends on various factors, including personal preference.

• Saline: These implants are rolled up, placed within the breast pocket, then filled with sterile salt water. The incision can be very small. The amount of saline (volume) can be adjusted during surgery when the implant is in the pocket. Women who have concerns about silicone may choose saline implants.
• Silicone gel: These FDA-approved implants contain soft silicone gel that stays together so they will not leak even if the outer shell ruptures. This is the most popular type of implant because it feels and moves like natural breast tissue.

What are my other breast implant choices?

Dr. Pham will walk you through the following additional choices used to select your breast implants:

• Size: Breast implants are measured in cc, not bra-cup size. Dr. Pham will account for your natural breast tissue and desired size when helping you select the size of your breast implants.
• Shape: Round implants provide all-over fullness, including the upper breast and cleavage. Teardrop (anatomical) provides a sloped shape with more fullness at the bottom of the breast.
• Profile: An implant’s profile describes how much it protrudes from its base. Profile names vary with implant manufacturers but generally range from low to high. The higher the profile, the more the implant pushes the breast out from the chest wall and the narrower the implant’s base becomes.

Considering implant material, size, shape, and profile, Dr. Pham will help you select the breast implants best suited for your goals.

What is natural breast augmentation?

Instead of using implants to make the breasts fuller, Dr. Pham can use your body’s excess fat. Natural breast augmentation, also called fat grafting breast augmentation, at our practice in Newport Beach and Temecula requires the following three steps:

1. Collecting fat with liposuction from areas where it is not wanted, such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs.
2. Purifying the fat.
3. Carefully injecting the fat into the breasts.

Fat grafting is best for patients who want a slight increase in breast size. Dr. Pham can also use it to conceal the edge of the implants in thin patients or enhance specific areas of the breast, such as the upper pole or cleavage, in combination with breast implants.

Can you combine breast augmentation with other procedures?

Many women combine breast augmentation with other plastic surgery procedures. Popular choices include:

• Breast lift
• Tummy tuck
• Liposuction
• Labiaplasty
• Mommy makeover

During your one-on-one consultation, Dr. Pham will examine you, discuss the changes you’d like to make, and create a personalized surgical plan. You will have plenty of time to ask questions and address your concerns.

How is breast augmentation performed?

Dr. Pham usually performs breast augmentation as outpatient surgery at one of our private surgery centers. You are put under general anesthesia, and he applies a local anesthetic to control pain after the surgery.

After making the incisions, Dr. Pham creates a pocket for each breast implant. He then inserts the implants, fills saline implants, and ensures the breasts look similar in size and shape. Once Dr. Pham is happy with the result, he closes the incisions with dissolvable sutures, covers them with medical tape, and wraps the breasts with a supportive surgical bra.

What is the fastest way to recover from breast augmentation?

Dr. Pham will give you specific post-op instructions to follow when you arrive home from surgery. Tips for an optimal recovery include:

• Apply ice packs as directed to minimize swelling and bruising.
• Wear tops that button or zip up and don’t need to be pulled over your head.
• Keep your upper body elevated at all times by sleeping propped up with pillows or in a recliner.
• Stand and walk around the house regularly to improve circulation.