Are Scars Visible After Breast Augmentation Surgery?

When you are preparing for breast augmentation surgery, you may be thinking about how long you’ll need to take off of work or imagining all the stylish new clothes you’ll finally be able to wear. At some point, however, you may start to wonder what kind of scars you’ll have and how they will look. Exceptional Beverly Hills, CA board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Hakimi fully understands the desire to minimize scarring and takes great care to help patients achieve a stunning outcome with as little visible scarring as possible. Learn more about what kinds of scars you can expect to have after breast augmentation and how you can ensure they heal and fade properly.

What are my options for breast augmentation in Los Angeles, CA?

When it comes to breast augmentation, there are a number of possibilities and decisions that will need to be made by the patient and her surgeon. Dr. Hakimi is proud to provide a full range of the most effective and exciting options for women in the Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, and Los Angeles, CA areas seeking breast augmentation Some of the most important considerations as you begin to plan your breast augmentation procedure include:

• Implant type: patients primarily select saline or silicone gel implants, both of which are FDA approved, depending on their specific needs and goals

• Implant size: Dr. Hakimi will help patients determine the most appropriate volume (measured in cc) for her breast implants based on her personal goals, body type, lifestyle, and other factors

• Implant placement: breast implants are placed either on top of or underneath the pectoral muscle

• Complementary procedures: some women may require a breast lift, nipple repositioning, fat grafting, or additional complementary and/or alternative procedures to achieve their ideal outcome

How is breast augmentation performed?

Breast augmentation with implants, which is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia and typically takes about 2 – 3 hours, involves incisions on each breast through which the implants are inserted. The size, type, and placement of the incision will depend on a number of factors. When fat transfer to the breast is performed as a more natural alternative to breast implants, the only incisions required are tiny and associated with the liposuction portion of the procedure.

Once an incision has been made, Dr. Hakimi will carefully create a pocket inside the breast and insert the implant. If the patient requires a breast lift to reduce excess skin and restore a perkier, more youthful breast position, this will be performed as well. Once both implants have been placed and Dr. Hakimi ensures a symmetric, attractive appearance, the incisions will be closed with sutures.

What do breast augmentation scars look like?

The precise location and appearance of your breast augmentation scars will depend on several factors, including:

• Size and type of implant used
• Whether or not breast lift and other procedures were performed
• Incision technique used
• Skin elasticity and tone
• History of healing
• Genetics
• Age
• Aftercare

For patients who select a fairly large implant, a larger incision may be required compared with patients who have smaller implants placed. Additionally, the placement of unfilled saline implants, which are filled once in place, is much smaller than the incision required with pre-filled implants. In most cases where breast augmentation without a lift is performed, Dr. Hakimi places an incision several inches long in the crease just underneath the breasts. This allows the scar to be concealed within the natural lines of the body and under clothing as much as possible. Dr. Hakimi will also provide thorough aftercare instructions, including the use of topical fading agents and the avoidance of sun exposure, to further minimize the visibility of scars.

Patients who undergo breast lift will have additional scarring due to the inverted T, lollipop, or anchor incision, which is required to remove excess skin and raise the breasts to a more youthful position. When the nipple-areola complex needs to be moved as part of a breast lift, patients will also have an incision around the areola, though it generally blends in with the edge of the tissue and is indiscernible. The overwhelming majority of patients agree that the stunning improvements made with breast augmentation and/or breast lift are well worth having some level of scarring.

Restore a beautiful, feminine contour and enjoy minimal scarring with breast surgery in Newport Beach, CA

Without a doubt, selecting a highly qualified plastic surgeon to perform your breast augmentation is one of the best ways to ensure appropriate healing and a gorgeous outcome. If you are interested in learning more about the life-changing benefits of cosmetic breast surgery in the Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, or Newport Beach areas, we invite you to schedule a private consultation with award-winning board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Hakimi today. Every woman deserves to look and feel her best, and our team is here to help you achieve the figure of your dreams!