Breast Augmentation in San Francisco Bay Area, California

The decision to have plastic surgery is a personal one. All surgical procedures have a degree of risk. There are specific risks and potential complications to breast augmentation. It’s important to weigh the risks versus the benefits before committing to any type of surgery. Some of the risks include:

Bleeding

Temporary Swelling

Scarring

Infection

Tissue loss

Reactions to anesthesia

Hematoma and seroma

Capsular contracture - formation of scar tissue around implant

Changes to breast or nipple sensation

Residual pain

Malposition of implant

Implant leakage or rupture requiring replacement

Possibility of revision surgery

These risks and complications should be clearly understood. You must sign consent forms before surgery that you fully acknowledge the risks associated with the procedure. Patient education is necessary for you to make an informed decision prior to your breast augmentation. Dr. Rajagopal will provide supplementary information about these risks, including answers to your questions, at any time.

It’s important to minimize the chances of bleeding or complications as your recover. It’s advised you wait approximately four weeks before regular exercise. After surgery, light walking can be beneficial to healing. Your body will be sore in the weeks following surgery, so work towards your regular level at a gradual, sensible pace.

Most patients are able to return to work within the same week of surgery. This is dependent on the physical activity level of your job and your individual body’s healing. Those who work from home or at a desk can return to work as soon as they feel capable of it.

There is no committed long-term appointment schedule for patients after surgery. Dr. Rajagopal would like you to visit her a week after surgery to see that you are recovering properly and there are no complications. After that, patients may visit the office for “check-in” appointments, which can be every few weeks to a few months. How often these visits occur depends on you. If there’s any reason for Dr. Rajagopal to be concerned, she will have you visit more frequently. Postoperative care is important to us. When you visit our office, Dr. Rajagopal and our staff will ensure you’re comfortable and that your questions are addressed before you leave. 

There is no objective best implant type or shape. Today the vast majority of women choose silicone implants over saline for the many advantages silicone affords. Silicone implants tend to feel more authentic and be more durable than saline. Saline implants are initially less expensive and use smaller incisions.

Other than implant type, there is an ideal implant size and shape for your body. An implant that’s perfect for one woman can be completely different for the next. Sizing your implants correctly is what separates great plastic surgeon from the rest. There are physical, practical and monetary considerations with your implant choice. Dr. Rajagopal strives to find implants that not only meet your aesthetic goals but, more importantly, fit your body.

To gain a clearer perspective of which implants are right for you, it's recommended you visit our office for an evaluation. 

As with any surgery that involves cutting the skin, there will be scars which may be visible. There are three incision sites: the armpit, the areola and underneath the breast.  Dr. Rajagopal makes the incision whichever area makes sense for your lifestyle. Armpit scars may be visible with tank tops or sleeveless attire. Areola scars may be apparent when naked or while wearing certain types of revealing clothing. Under the breast scars are often faint and is only visible from underneath the breast or when it is lifted. 

There is no such thing as a scarless breast augmentation. How visible your scars will be is dependent on several factors, including your incision site, skin pigmentation, and your body’s healing. If you are concerned about the scar, consult with Dr. Rajagopal It’s her aim to minimize the appearance of the incision, the scars of which cannot be completely hidden after surgery.

I would not recommend scar treatment until there is some healing in the scar. The earliest laser treatment, especially to reduce redness would be with the Vbeam laser, I would say approximately 3-4 weeks and then for actual scar treatments with silicone gel sheeting, would be approximately a month later.

The days immediately following your surgery are the most difficult. Patients generally feel a tightness in their chest with minimal pain. You will experience swelling, soreness and mild discomfort in your chest. This can be alleviated with medication and self care. Dr. Rajagopal will prescribe medication for you just in case over-the-counter remedies aren’t strong enough. 

You may have to adjust the way you sleep to alleviate discomfort and keep the implant in position. You will be asked to sleep on your back for a few weeks. Pillows behind the shoulders will address some of the pressure you may feel.

Like with most surgical recoveries, you are an active part of your own recovery process. Dr. Rajagopal will provide postoperative care instructions on cleanliness and self-maintenance. We recommend a sports bra/compression garment and gauze be worn for about six weeks after surgery. Your incision sites will need to be kept dry and clean to prevent infection.  You will need to limit physical activity other than light walking for the first three or four days after surgery. After the first week or so, you can gradually and carefully increase your activity level. You will be unable to lift heavy objects for the first three or four weeks as you recover. 

During your recovery you may dress in attire that compliments your new form, as long as incisions are covered. Your incision sites should be kept away from direct sunlight for a few months to prevent hyperpigmentation. Dr. Rajagopal will be with you throughout this process. At any time you can schedule an appointment to see the doctor about your healing.

It’s a commonly held myth that breast implants need to be replaced every ten years. However, the reality is that this is not likely a one-time-only procedure. At some point, one or two revision surgeries should be kept as a possibility down the line. Implants are capable of leakage and rupture and may need to be replaced. Over time implants may also malposition themselves within the breast pocket, requiring surgical realignment.

Yes, breast implants do come with warranties. These warranties typically cover implant breakage or leakage and for offer replacements for implants within a certain period of time. 

There is often additional compensation offered to cover part of the cost of surgery as well. The warranties vary between the manufacturer and the type or model of implant purchased. The most current information about the implants and their warranties can be found on the manufacturer's websites.

At the San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center we use high-quality implants by Ideal Implant, Natrelle, and Sientra. 

There is no definite period of time a given implant will last. A common misconception is that breast implants need to be adjusted or replaced every few years. This can lead to concerns about long-term costs and surgeries. On average, the majority of implants last 10-20 years without complications. 

Recent FDA reports indicate that one in six women will have their implants repaired or replaced within ten years of the original surgery. There are no guarantees of how long your particular implant will last. However, there are warranties available for implants that can cover some of the costs of surgery, replacements, or repairs.  

The outcome of your breast augmentation will depend on several factors, which include the skill of your doctor, the size and shape of the implants used, and your body type. 

If you are very slender the implant may be partially visible given its positioning inside the chest.  Smaller implants fitted in thicker breast tissue looks more natural. Choosing a dramatic, multiple cup size increase may yield less natural looking results. If your implants are sized properly for your body they will appear more authentic to your form-- this is where your doctor’s skill in tissue and breast measurement is crucial.

Choose a doctor that can determine the proper size and shaped implants for your body. An experienced doctor with a natural aesthetic eye can give you realistic expectations about your outcome: before surgery takes place. The risks of selecting the wrong doctor include ill-advised procedures and the “fake” look many women dread with augmentation surgery. 

For further information on Dr. Rajagopal’s natural looking results see our Breast Augmentation procedure page or visit our office for a walk-through consultation.