Breast Augmentation

At our Bellevue plastic surgery practice, we offer breast augmentation using silicone gel or saline implants of varying shapes and sizes.

Choosing the Ideal Breast Implant for You

Dr. Rand will spend a full hour in his initial consultation with you and will choose the ideal breast implant with your input by the end of that visit. This choice will be entirely based on a careful evaluation of your goals and what your body brings as your starting point.

Precise measurements will determine which size and shape of breast implant matches your chest width perfectly and the potential result will be simulated to be sure that you are highly satisfied with your final results.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone gel implants are filled with a highly cohesive gel that closely mimics the feel of natural breast tissue. 95% of Dr. Rand’s patients in Seattle and Bellevue are choosing silicone implants for the natural breast augmentation results they consistently provide.

Some key benefits of silicone gel implants include:

• Gel feels more like real breast tissue.
• Less likely to have visible or palpable wrinkles or ripples beneath the skin compared to saline.
• Gel implants cannot deflate while saline implants can.

Saline Breast Implants

Some key benefits of saline implants include:

• Implant volume is adjustable during surgery for optimal size control.
• No MRI exams are needed to determine implant integrity in the future.
• Some patients just feel “safer” with IV fluid inside the implants vs silicone gel.
• FDA required for patients under 22 years of age.

Check out our other resources for an in-depth look at all you need to know about breast implants, including implant type, size, shape, position and much more.

Meet Dr. Richard Rand

Dr. Richard Rand is Double Board Certified by boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties

Put Dr. Rand's excellent credentials and years of cosmetic plastic surgery experience to work for you. He is a trusted plastic surgeon who delivers beautiful results.

How Breast Augmentation Is Performed

For Dr. Rand, the breast augmentation surgery itself is a 30 to 45 minute operation.

Pockets are created for the implants and checked thoroughly for accuracy and symmetry prior to implant insertion. Incisions are small and are closed with dissolvable sutures.

Breast Implant Placement: Options include above the pectoral muscle, or beneath the muscle. For first-time augmentation patients, Dr. Rand always places the implants under the muscle. Reasons for that choice include improved mammography, decreased scar tissue, less palpability of the implant, and a better long term look as the implants tend to stay fuller in the upper pole compared to above the muscle.

Breast Augmentation Incisions: Surgical incisions can be placed in the crease below the breast, around the nipple, near the armpit or in the navel. Scientific studies have recently shown that the crease incision produces the least capsular contracture scar tissue around the implants.

Photo Gallery

Before

After

See hundreds of before & after photos of the many women and men who chose Dr. Rand for their cosmetic plastic surgery procedure.

After Breast Augmentation: What to Expect

Expect to be tired and sore for a few days after your surgery, but after 48 hours you should be doing quite well. Pain is well-tolerated with prescribed medications. Depending on the level of activity required for your occupation, returning to work may be possible within a few days to a week. Most of our patients say the recovery was easier than expected.

You’ll wear a surgical bra 24/7 for 3 months to hold implants in perfect position. Because of this post-surgical process, Dr. Rand rarely does revision surgery on his patients for implant malposition.

The day after surgery, gauze dressings will be removed. Stitches are all dissolvable. Minor amounts of swelling will take 8-12 weeks to almost completely disappear.

You will be given special instructions on resuming exercise at 3 weeks, keeping the breast area “quiet” and getting back to all normal physical activities by 3 months.

Surgery scars will be firm and pink for several weeks. The appearance of scars will change over the course of the following year, but eventually they will fade and flatten out. Scars will never disappear completely. Scar treatments will be prescribed starting at one week after surgery.

Routine examinations will be recommended, which may include MRIs, mammograms and ultrasound.

Breast Augmentation FAQ

Should I choose saline or silicone breast implants?

Both implant types are capable of producing attractive, natural breast augmentation results. You need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each, taking into account your personal preferences. For most women, the most significant difference lies in how the implants feel. Visually, both types of implant basically look the same when breast augmentation is performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Rand.

What is the right breast implant size and shape?

The best breast implants for you will have a base diameter that matches your chest wall diameter and a profile that creates a look you desire. Breast implant volume and desired cup size are less important factors in choosing your best implant. Breast implant sizers are used at your consultation to simulate possible results but nothing can perfectly predict your outcome. Expect your final size to be visible by 3-4 months following surgery.

What is the best breast augmentation incision?

The inframammary fold incision (in the breast crease) is the most versatile choice. With this incision, any breast implant size can be inserted and all revisions can be performed through the same incision. The recent scientific discovery that this incision produces the least amount of scar tissue around the implant makes this Dr. Rand’s preferred incision of choice.

The transaxillary incision (near the armpit) is used less frequently than it was years ago. This method does not allow direct access to the breast pocket, so it may require the use of an endoscope. Also, if revision surgery becomes necessary, another incision may be needed.

The areolar incision (around the nipple) used to be a popular choice and the surgery scar will usually blend in nicely with the pigment of the areola. But for some patients, the areolae are not large enough to place a silicone gel breast implant of the desired size. The interior architecture of the breast is injured by using this incision.

Breast Augmentation Quick Facts

Procedure Time: 30-45 minutes
Anesthesia: General anesthesia
In/Outpatient: Outpatient.
Side Effects: Temporary soreness, swelling, change in nipple sensation, rarely bruising. Breast sensitive to stimulation for a few weeks.

Risks of Breast Augmentation: Lack of implant permanence. Surgical removal or replacement of the implants may be required to treat problems, including: rupture; the formation of scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture), which may cause the breast to feel tight or hard; bleeding or infection. Increase or decrease in sensitivity of nipples or breast skin, occasionally permanent. Mammography requires a special technique.

Recovery time: Back to work in a few days. Physical contact with breasts: 3 weeks. Fading of scars: several months to a year or more.

Duration of Results: Variable. Implants may require removal or replacement.

15 Answers to Get before Having Breast Augmentation

Maybe you’ve always been dissatisfied with the size of your breasts and dreamed of having a fuller chest, or perhaps your breasts have lost volume after pregnancy or significant weight loss. Whatever the reason behind your decision to have breast augmentation, you’re sure to have plenty of questions floating around your mind. Even if you’re 100% certain that you’ve made the right choice, it’s a big step to take and it’s important to educate yourself as much as possible before the procedure. It’s a good idea to plan a few different consultations with different surgeons, giving you the perfect opportunity to ask your breast augmentation questions.

Before you start booking consultations, take a look at our list of 15 questions every woman should ask her surgeon before getting breast augmentation.

1. Are You Board-Certified?

Whether or not your surgeon is board certified is one of the first things you should find out. Board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery indicates that your surgeon has extensive qualifications and is committed to the highest standards of health and safety. While board certification is not required to perform cosmetic procedures like breast augmentation, the ABPS holds surgeons to the highest standards of training, education, practice and ongoing professional development.

2. How Many Breast Augmentations Have You Performed?

This question should also help you feel comfortable with your surgeon. You don’t necessarily need to look for a surgeon with decades of experience performing breast augmentation, but search for someone with a degree of experience that gives you confidence about your procedure.

3. Can I See Real Patient Before-and-After Photos?

A picture can speak a thousand words, and while you’ve probably developed a personal image for what your ideal results will look like, it’s a good idea to view photos of real patients for whom your surgeon has performed breast enlargement. Most surgeons should have an online photo gallery where you can view real patient results, as well as an in-office photo album.

The benefit of viewing before-and-after photos is twofold. While the photos should give you a better idea of whether your surgeon is capable of producing the results you want, the photos should also serve as a reminder to have realistic expectations about your results. This is one of the best ways to have a pleasant breast augmentation experience from start to finish.

4. Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Your suitability will be assessed at your initial consultation, but as a general rule of thumb, a strong candidate for breast augmentation is in good overall physical and mental health and has realistic expectations for her results.

Be prepared to discuss personal factors that may influence your candidacy, such as:

• Any medications you take: Your surgeon may ask you to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, before surgery.
• Whether you smoke: If you do, plan to quit at least 6 weeks before your breast enlargement procedure and refrain from smoking for at least 6 weeks after.
• Your reasons for having breast enlargement: It’s important to get breast implants for the right reasons, not because you feel pressured or to please anyone else.

5. Do I Need to Wait until after I’ve Had Children?

If you’re planning to have children in the future, you should be aware that pregnancy and childbirth can, indeed, affect the appearance of your breast implants. That said, lots of women get breast implants long before they plan on starting a family. The decision is ultimately up to you and when you feel ready for the procedure.

If you do decide to have breast augmentation before having children, you may wish to update your breast implants at a later stage in life to match your figure and preferences. Pregnancy and nursing change the body and many women address these changes with a mommy makeover after they’ve completed their families. This customized set of procedures designed to revitalize a mother’s figure almost always includes some form of breast enhancement and this can be an exciting time to rethink your look as you move into a new stage in life.

You should also inform your plastic surgeon if you intend to breastfeed in the future. Although many women with breast implants go on to breastfeed without issue, you’ll want to avoid certain surgical techniques that may affect the milk ducts.

6. Should I Opt for Saline or Silicone Breast Implants?

The age-old question of whether saline or silicone breast implants are better than the other continues today. A bit of research and talking to women who have breast implants will likely uncover die-hard fans for either type of implant. The truth is, there is no single solution for breast augmentation, and that includes which implant type is right for you.

While both saline and silicone breast implants are made with a silicone shell, saline implants are filled with a saline solution. Their silicone counterparts, on the other hand, are filled with a cohesive silicone gel. This silicone gel is designed to mimic the feel of natural breast tissue. Many women prefer the more natural texture of silicone implants, particularly those with naturally small breasts who don’t have much breast tissue to cover the implant’s surface.

On the other hand, saline implants are generally more affordable than saline, and are well-known for creating a high, rounded bust. Many women also prefer knowing that an implant puncture will be immediately noticeable since the implant deflates and the body harmlessly absorbs the saline solution.

Getting your surgeon’s input on the right type of implant for your goals provides you with an experienced and objective perspective on what will create the best results for your body.

7. How Big Should I Go?

You’ve likely been pondering your ideal breast size for quite some time, but don’t forget to get your plastic surgeon’s opinion on how large your breast implants should be. Breast enlargement is far from a one-size-fits-all procedure, and implants today come in a greater variety of shapes and sizes than every before, giving women more freedom to customize their results.

The right implant size for you depends on a few different factors:

• Are you interested in subtle breast implants or a dramatic boost to your figure? Many women don’t realize that breast implants can appear completely natural if you’re interested in keeping your procedure “under wraps.” On the other hand, you may be ready for a more noticeable change to your figure, which a larger implant size can accomplish.
• What size implants can your natural breasts accommodate? While it’s possible to go from naturally very small breasts to large implants over a long period of time, usually involving more than one augmentation, it’s best to choose breast implants that are proportional to your body. This decreases your chance of complications and can even help you avoid getting stretch marks after breast enlargement.

8. What Implant Placement Is Best?

The placement of your breast implants partly determines what your end results will look like. Breast implants can be placed above the pectoral muscles, known as subglandular placement, or below, known as submuscular placement. Dr. Rand always uses submuscular placement, as he feels this offers the best final results.

9. Which Location Is Best for My Incision?

Your breast augmentation incision placement determines how your surgeon reaches the breast pocket to place the implant. There are three common incision types for breast augmentation:

• The periareolar incision circles the areola. This incision type offers the advantage of discreet scarring, as the pigmented skin of the areola can conceal a scar after it’s healed. However, this incision also requires your surgeon to work around the milk glands.
• The inframammary incision travels along the crease below the breast. This incision is often considered optimal for access to the implant pocket and can be helpful for your surgeon when ensuring symmetrical results. An added bonus of the inframammary incision is that it can often be used a second time if you have another breast surgery in the future.
• The transaxillary incision is located in the underarm. This incision allows for scar-free breasts, but also requires expert surgical technique due to its distance from the breast pocket. This incision is also only used for inserting saline implants, not silicone.

Due to the connection between low capsular contracture rates and the use of the inframammary incision, this option is the only one that Dr. Rand uses.

10. Should I Include a Breast Lift?

Saline implants are filled after insertion into the breast pocket, allowing for different incision types and surgical techniques.Breast sagginess can develop in any woman no matter what size her breasts are, though women with moderate-sized breasts and larger tend to suffer the worst of it. Breast sagging, also known as ptosis, can be genetic, brought on by age, or the result of pregnancy, nursing and weight fluctuations. Your lifestyle also affects the sagginess of your breasts. Women who wear supportive bras, especially during exercise, and don’t smoke minimize their chances of developing droopy breasts.

A breast lift, or mastopexy, repositions the breasts by lifting the breast tissue and tightening the skin. During a breast lift, your surgeon also reshapes the breast tissue for a rounder and firmer look.

Due to the prevalence of breast sagging, women commonly choose to include a breast lift with their augmentation. In particular, women who are already concerned with the early signs of sagging may wish to correct their breast position early on so that their new implants don’t cause the breasts to droop even farther. Breast lifts are also popular additions to mommy makeovers.

If you aren’t sure whether a breast lift is right for you, consider your nipple position as a good indicator. Droopy breasts tend to increasingly point downward, so if your nipples are starting to point downward, it may be time to consider mastopexy. Your surgeon can advise you on whether the combined augmentation-mastopexy is a good approach for you.

11. Will My Breast Augmentation and Consultation Be Done by the Same Person?

Not all plastic surgeons consult one-on-one with their patients. Ideally, the person with whom you’ve discussed your breast augmentation goals, concerns and preferences should be the same person who performs your surgery. This isn’t the case at all plastic surgery practices. If you’re unable to meet your surgeon and discuss your procedure with him or her, you’ll want to know well ahead of time so you can assess whether you’d like to continue.

12. What Type of Anesthesia Will Be Used and How Is It Administered?

It’s important to know what type of anesthesia your surgeon will use before your procedure date so you can make any relevant arrangements. Breast augmentation procedures can be performed using general anesthesia, local anesthesia or IV sedation. If you have issues with any type of anesthetic, it’s important to tell your plastic surgeon.

You’ll also want to make sure that your anesthesia will be administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist who remains with you for the duration of your procedure and your recovery period immediately after surgery.

13. What Is the Recovery Process Like?

Recovering from breast augmentation is different for every woman. You can take steps to a smooth breast augmentation recovery by planning well ahead of time and clearing your calendar to give yourself time to rest immediately after surgery.

While your experience may vary, a general timeline of your healing process after getting implants is roughly the same for most women:

• Week 1: Expect chest soreness, bruising and swelling to develop throughout this week. You can manage any discomfort with over-the-counter pain medications or ask your plastic surgeon for a prescription. Soreness may begin to fade by the end of the first week and some women may feel ready to return to work and their normal routines. Wear your compression garments as recommended by your plastic surgeon and take care to keep the incisions clean.
• Month 1: Most women are able to return to work by their second week. Soreness should continue to dissipate while bruising and swelling may start to subside. Continue to wear a post-surgical bra or comfortable and supportive sports bra. Your breasts may still appear swollen and the implants be “riding high.”
• Month 2: You may gradually resume your exercise routine during your second month of recovery. Your swelling should be subsiding and you should start getting a good idea of what your final results will look like. Some lingering swelling may persist and the breasts may heal at different rates, so temporary asymmetry is common at this stage.
• Month 6: By the end of your first 6 months with breast implants, you results should be almost finished developing. Your implants should feel soft to the touch and should be settled into a natural position. Your swelling should be completely or almost completely resolved. This is a good time to buy new bras or outfits to match your figure.

14. When Can I See My Final Results?

Many women are able to see their final breast augmentation results after about 6 months after their procedure. Some women heal quicker than others and are pleased with their results after only 4 months, while others might wait up to 1 year before their implants fully settle into place.

15. What If I’m Not Happy with My Breast Augmentation?

This can be up there with the one of the more awkward questions you ask during your consultation, but it’s important to gain an understanding of your surgeon’s practices and how he or she deals with any issues that may arise. Every surgeon has a different policy on revision procedures and you’ll want to know beforehand what the additional costs would be, if any.

Most importantly, your surgeon’s responses should help you feel comfortable and confident about moving forward with your breast augmentation.

Take the Next Step

We know that making a change to your face or body can be a big decision. Let us help you learn more about your options. You'll never feel pressured into making a decision and our friendly staff members are happy to answer all of your questions.

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Dr. Richard Rand is a Board Certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast augmentation for women in the greater Seattle area and beyond. The information above is presented briefly for quick reference. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office in Bellevue today for more details.

Additional Resources

• 5 Augmentation Terms You Need to Know [Infographic]
• Why Breast Augmentation Is the Most Popular Cosmetic Procedure
• 4 Tips for a More Comfortable Breast Augmentation Recovery

Summary

Service Type

Breast Augmentation

Provider Name

Dr. Richard Rand,

1135 116th Ave NE #630,Bellevue,Washington-98004,
Telephone No.(425) 688-8828

Area

Seattle-Bellevue

Description

Seattle plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Rand offers breast augmentation using silicone breast implants or saline breast implants to provide you with the best results.