Breast Augmentation

Breast Implants | Morea Plastic Surgery | Raleigh, NC

Breast implants or breast augmentation is one of the most highly requested plastic surgery procedures in our Raleigh, N.C. facility. With 18 years of experience, Dr. Morea has augmented over 10,000 breasts. Breast augmentation, also known as breast enhancement or breast enlargement, involves the use of breast implants to enlarge the size of a woman’s breasts. There are two types of breast implants that can be utilized, a saline filled breast implant or a silicone gel filled breast implant. The major difference between the saline and silicone filled breast implants is that the silicone breast implant is the more natural feeling breast implant. However, a natural breast appearance can be achieved with either breast implants. All silicone gel filled breast implants are cohesive gel implants, however some have a greater degree of cohesiveness which will make them firmer. Silicone gel breast implants are also referred to as “gummy bear implants”.

Both saline and silicone breast implants are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Both types of breast implants can be an excellent choice for breast enhancement surgery. Breast implants come in a number of different shapes, sizes and profiles. There are two basic positions for breast implant placement. On top of the pectorals major muscle, also known as sub glandular, or under the pectorals major muscle, which is referred to as submuscular. The cost of breast augmentation will vary by geographic location, the type of breast implants chosen and the surgeon’s years of experience.

During your consultation at the Morea Plastic Surgery Center located in Raleigh, North Carolina, you will meet personally with Dr. Morea and he will review many before and after photos of breast augmentations/breast implants that he has performed. Dr. Morea will help you determine which type of breast implants and cosmetic breast surgery will be best for you. You will have the opportunity to discuss your options with regard to size, shape, position and type of breast implants. Dr. Morea will give you a personal tour of his North Raleigh plastic surgery center. At the end of your plastic surgery consultation, you will be given a quote for the exact cost of the breast enhancement procedure designed for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which size breast implant should I choose?

Dr. Morea: Many women are unsure of what size they wish to be. As a plastic surgeon, I believe that a breast augmentation result looks best if the implant fits your chest dimensionally well. A physical exam which includes taking measurements of the chest and breasts allows me to advise a patient as to which implant size to choose. If the implant fits your chest well, it tends to look nice.

Saline vs. Silicone breast implants. Which is best?

Both implants are excellent choices. One is no better than the other. The silicone breast implant is the softer, more natural feeling implant if every other factor remains the same. I believe my job as a plastic surgeon is to review the differences between the two implants. If I feel that one implant is better for a particular patient, I will tell them and explain the reasons why I feel that way. Both saline and silicone implants work well and are FDA approved.

When will I be back to normal?

I tell all of my patients that it will be 4-5 months before all of the swelling is gone and the implants have fully settled into place. Most patients can begin a light work out within one week and have no restrictions after one month. Most patients can return to work both in and out of the home in 4-5 days.

Should I have my implants placed on top of the muscle or under the muscle?

There are pros and cons to each position placement. As a general rule, I believe most patients who are an A cup initially, are better off long term with submuscular placement or under the muscle. I believe saline implants should always be placed under the muscle. Any implant placed subglandularly, or on top of the muscle, has a greater risk of palpability and rippling. Any implant under the muscle has the risk of implant distortion with use of the chest muscles.

Should I choose a round or non round breast implant?

Breast implants come in a variety of shapes, sizes, widths and projections. I believe it is important to choose an implant that fits your chest dimensionally well. Breast implants can rotate when they are in the body. If a round implant rotates, there will be no change in the shape of the breast. However, rotation of a non round implant may distort the shape of the breasts. However, some patient’s are better candidates for the non round implant due to their particular anatomy. For this reason, it is important to individualize the surgery for each patient as much as possible.

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