Breast augmentation consistently remains one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the country. Our breast augmentation patients from Pleasanton, Tracy, Livermore, and beyond use it to add feminine volume and youthful curves. But despite it being a go-to breast enhancement procedure, women continue to have many questions about the procedure. In this blog post, we will answer a few commonly asked questions so you can head into your breast augmentation surgery with confidence.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery that uses implants to add volume to the breasts. Some East Bay and Central Valley women choose this procedure because they want larger breasts, while others want to correct volume loss due to age, breastfeeding, pregnancy, or major weight loss. Breast augmentation can also balance asymmetrical breasts and make the body look more proportional overall.
What Are My Breast Implant Options?
Just as no two women are exactly the same, there is no single approach to breast augmentation. The procedure is highly customizable, and we offer a wide range of breast implants at our plastic surgery practice to suit your preferences.
If you’re hoping to achieve a specific look, please bring references photos to your first consultation. Together, we can use those photos as a starting point for defining your goals and expectations.
A few important breast implant details include:
- Size: As bra cup sizes aren’t standard brand to brand, breast implant size is measured in cubic centimeters. If you have an idea of the size you would like to reach, we can help guide you toward implants with the proper volume.
- Shape: Implants come in two styles: round or anatomically shaped. Anatomic implants resemble the teardrop slope of natural breasts, while round implants add more fullness to the upper areas of the breast.
- Fill Material: Breast implants are typically filled with either saline (saltwater) or a firm silicone gel. Our practice also offers “gummy bear” implants made of a highly cohesive gel that helps avoid the risk of leakage.
- Profile: An implant’s profile refers to how far the implant projects from the chest when viewed from the side. We help patients choose a profile option that flatters their natural body shape. Profile choices are low, moderate, moderate plus, or high.
What Size Breast Implants Are Most Popular?
Local women tend to prefer medium-sized breast implants ranging from 300 cc to 550 cc. That preference is similar throughout the U.S., with breast implant manufacturer Mentor reporting that 69.3% of breast implant sales in the U.S. were for 300 cc to 550 cc implants. More than 17% of their U.S. sales were for large breast implants (555 cm to 800 cc), and 12.8% were for small implants (100 cc to 295 cc).
What Are Gummy Bear Implants?
Gummy bear implants are breast implants filled with a highly cohesive silicone gel. They get their nickname for their stability. Just like gummy bear candies, if you were to cut a gummy bear breast implant in half, its filling stays put, maintaining its shape and form.
How Do I Choose the Right Breast Implants?
Choosing the right breast implants depends on your personal goals for the procedure. If you’re a mature woman, for example, your ideal look might be different than a young working professional or new mother.
For patients who are under 22 years old or who want a lower price point, saline implants are an excellent, FDA-approved option. Women who want more dramatic results might want a high-profile implant, while those looking for subtle improvements might be better suited to a realistic teardrop shape.
Our breast augmentation experts are here to walk you through your options and help you find the best breast implant for your needs. Remember: In the end, you want to choose an implant that suits your lifestyle and body, allowing you to enjoy your results for years to come.
How Long Is Breast Augmentation Recovery?
Most patients need at least 5 days off from work after their breast augmentation procedure. During this time, you will wear a special elastic bandage that provides gentle pressure to minimize swelling. After around 1 week, you will be able to transition to wearing a sports bra for about 3 weeks post-op. After 1 month, you can safely return to exercise and other vigorous activities.
Is Breast Augmentation Painful?
All surgeries involve a certain amount of discomfort, and breast augmentation is no exception. It takes time for your body to adapt to the presence of breast implants placed underneath your muscles and tissues. While this experience isn’t exactly “painful,” you may feel tightness or cramping along your chest, shoulders, and back. These side effects will fade after a few days and can be easily managed with pain medications prescribed by your doctor.
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost in California?
According to RealSelf, the average cost of breast augmentation in California in 2024 was $7,354. Keep in mind that these figures are based on reviews and costs submitted to RealSelf by patients, so it’s not a comprehensive average. It’s also important to note that breast augmentation generally costs more in large metropolitan areas. For example, RealSelf reports that the average cost of breast implants in San Francisco is $9,782.
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost Near Pleasanton?
The price of breast augmentation in the Pleasanton area depends on several different factors. The type of breast implants you choose and the experience of your surgeon influence the final cost. We will give you a customized quote after your initial one-on-one consultation. Our practice also offers financing options for interested patients who qualify.
How Long Does a Boob Job Last?
While breast implants don’t have an “expiration date,” they also don’t last forever. Most implants last around 8 to 10 years before they need to be replaced. The majority of women who choose breast augmentation revision do so to change the appearance of their implants, not because there’s a problem. Talk with your doctor if you’re ever interested in changing out your implants for a different type.
Is a Boob Job Worth It?
Only you can determine if investing your time and money in breast augmentation is worth the benefits. However, you should know that breast augmentation is the most popular aesthetic surgery in the country, with nearly 300,000 people getting breast implants in 2022. Women who’ve had the procedure give it a 96% “worth it” rating on the RealSelf website.
Browse our before-and-after gallery to see real examples of breast augmentation results. If you’re interested in plastic surgery and live in the greater Pleasanton area, please request a consultation online or call us at (209) 834-0626.
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