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Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center

Breast Augmentation

Loudoun – Fairfax – Northern Virginia

Cosmetic Breast Surgery

Breast Augmentation

Saline Implants - Silicone Implants - Fat Transfer

breast augmentation in Loudoun Virginia

Breast augmentation surgery is the most common cosmetic surgery procedure in the U.S. In 2018, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 314,000 women underwent surgery to have their breasts enlarged. The popularity of breast augmentation has nearly tripled since 1997.

The first step to getting a breast augmentation is to book a free consultation with Dr. Chang to talk over concerns, desires and to find the perfect size breast for your body size and lifestyle. Using the Vectra 3D imaging machine, Dr. Chang and the patient will be able to visualize the body post surgery. This is a great tool for helping patients decide on the correct size of their new breasts and work out whether the aerola or nipple should also be changed. The most common size that women usually ask for is a large C cup.

Breast enlargement surgery is as much an art as it is a technical procedure. For that reason, you need to find a surgeon that you feel has an artistic eye and who stays on top of all the many technical advances in breast augmentation surgery.

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular procedures performed by Dr. Chang. The main aim of a breast augmentation surgery is to make the breasts larger and firmer.

Breast augmentation can be performed using saline filled breast implants, silicone filled breast implants, or adding your own fat to fill the volume of your breasts. Each technique has its own nuances but all are performed under general anesthetic in a surgical setting. 

The Procedure:

Breast implant augmentation is a 1 to 1.5 hour procedure that is performed at the surgery center under general anesthesia or IV sedation. Long acting pain anesthetic is injected directed into the chest muscle to provide pain relief for at least the few hours after your surgery. 

Dr. Chang uses the Keller funnel technique for silicone implants which allows for the smallest of scars, decreased rates of infection, and injury to the breast implant. The incision will be around 3cm in size. For all breast augmentation surgeries, Dr.Chang will use the dual plane technique which creates a pocket for the implant under the chest muscle.

Once the implants are in and positioned correctly, the incisions are closed using absorbable sutures. 

All patients will need someone to collect them and take them home post surgery.

Saline Implants: Saline implants start empty and are filled after placement of the implant. For this reason (unlike silicone implants), very small 1.5 cm incisions can be used for implant placement. You have a choice of having your incision under the breast crease (inframammary crease) or under your areola (peri-areola incision).  Once the incision is made, a pocket is created “under” the chest muscle. This placement provides better camouflage of the implant, allows better visualization for mammograms, and reduces the risk of a complication called capsular contracture.  

The implant is then filled with saline. The patient will be evaluated in the sitting position where final adjustments are made for position and shape of the implant.  

Silicone implants: come pre-filled with cohesive silicone gel (gummy bears). Because they are pre-filled, the larger the implant choice, the larger the required incision. In order to minimize the incision as much as possible, we will use a device called a Keller Funnel. With this device and technique, your incision will only be slightly larger than if you had requested a saline implant. An inframammary incision is generally used in order to hide the incision. Once the incision is made, a pocket is created “under” the chest muscle. This placement provides better camouflage of the implant, allows better visualization for mammograms, and reduces the risk of a complication called capsular contracture.  

The patient will then be evaluated in the sitting position where final adjustments are made for position and shape of the implant.  

Fat Transfer:

This involves using the patients own fat which is taken by liposuction from another area of the body and then injected into the breasts. The fat is processed before being injected. This is best for patients who are looking for a small increase in breast size.

Women desire breast augmentation procedures for many reasons:

  • the desire to feel more feminine
  • wanting to have larger breasts
  • wanting to have more volume in their breasts

A good candidate is someone who is:

  • healthy
  • have fully developed breasts
  • is over the age of 18
  • is unhappy with the shape or size of their breasts
  • women who have lost volume due to pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • has a healthy attitude to the results of breast augmentation

It is important that patients make their own decisions regarding breast augmentation surgery and are not having it to please others.

The choice of breast implants size is obviously very subjective and very personal. What looks good to you to might not look good to someone else. What looks big to you might not look big to someone else.

There are many studies that have shown that the average woman finds a C cup breast to be the most attractive. That does not mean, however, that it should be your personal goal.  Many factors obviously need to be considered:

  • How conservative are you as a person?
  • What kind of job do you have?
  • Do you exercise a lot?
  • What is your height?
  • What is the width of your breasts?

There are limitations to how large you should go from a safety standpoint. As a general rule, an attractive implant should not be wider than the width of your breast. Otherwise, the implant becomes more visible and appears more round. Note, however, that some women don’t mind that appearance.  

We have the Vectra 3D breast augmentation imaging system in the office to assist you with your decision.

After surgery you should rest at home and let yourself heal. Dr. Chang will send you home with a detailed recovery plan. There are a number of different ways to help aid recovery:

  • All patients will wear a surgical bra for about 4 weeks.  
  • Final results should not be expected for at least 6 months to a year. Over that time, the swelling, particularly located in the upper breast will decrease, the implant will drop into its pocket, and the shape of the breast will become more teardrop in shape.
  • You will be instructed to massage the implant 2-3 times a day to manipulate the breast down into its pocket as well as to keep your breast soft and mobile.
  • Most patients are presentable without drawing attention in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Sutures if any are removed in 10 to 14 days.
  • Strenuous exercise should also be avoided for 2 to 4 weeks to help in the recovery process.
  • Lower body exercise is alright after 4 weeks but avoid jogging and running for another 2 weeks. Bouncing breasts need to avoided to help with healing.
  • Apply aquaphor ointment to exposed sutures and incisions should be applied twice a day until the sutures are removed.
  • Most patients will take 3 to 7 days off work.
  • Pain can initially be moderate to severe – there will be pain medication injected into the breast during surgery to help with pain management the first few days.

At first, the implants feel like they are too high. Interestingly, most women actually like this phase as they have more exaggerated cleavage at this time.  Over the next few months, the swelling at the top of the breast begins to diminish while the bottom of the breast begins to round out.  

 

As with any surgery, there are associated risks. Only you can decide whether the procedure can achieve your goals and if the recovery and risks are acceptable to you. Complications are rare but can include:

  • Local bleeding or bruising
  • Implant displacement, asymmetry, or malposition
  • Infection particularly from the absorbable sutures
  • Loss of sensation although rare
  • Widened or thickened scar
  • Asymmetry (unevenness between two sides)
  • Delayed wound healing with skin or tissue necrosis
  • Extra skin at the ends of the incisions
  • Under-correction
  • Over-correction
  • Capsular contracture

Unsatisfactory results may require additional procedures. Patients will generally be responsible for any associated facility fees. 

Your cost for breast augmentation will depend on the type of technique (implants vs fat transfer) and the type of implant chosen. Note that silicone implants filled with new-age silicone gel will cost more than saline implants filled with salt water. See the pricing card below.

Breast augmentation is commonly performed with other procedures such as:

  • Mommy makeover
  • Breast lift
  • Tummy tuck
  • Liposuction

We will help you with this decision at your consultation.

The proof is in the proverbial pudding.  Look at our before and after gallery and tell us if any of Dr. Chang’s patients look fake.The key to not looking fake includes:

  • Getting an “appropriate” size- the larger you go, the more unnatural you will appear. We use the 3D Vectra imaging system to help choose a size. 
  • Placement of the breast implant below the chest muscle. The chest muscle will soften the appearance and camouflage the implant to some extent.
  • Silicone implants have less of a chance of “rippling” which is a tell-tale sign of breast augmentation.  
  • Surgical skill – again, refer to Dr. Chang’s before and after images. You will see!

Dr. Chang requires you to be at least 18 years of age for a breast augmentation. Patients need to have completed their breast development before a breast augmentation can be accurately performed.

The FDA recommends that patients be 22 years of age before placement of a silicone filled breast implant.

The answer is a definite NO. 

The risk of breast cancer does not change if you have an implant. There have been two large studies about the risk of breast implants and breast cancer. Both showed that there was no difference and one even showed a VERY slight decrease in the risk of breast cancer. They hypothesized that the reason might be that the body’s immune system is at a higher level surveillance.

If you are planning to breastfeed after surgery, talk it over with Dr. Chang during the free consultation. It can be possible to breastfeed with the right technique and placement of the breast implant. As pregnancy and breastfeeding will affect the results, we recommend you wait until your family is complete before undergoing breast augmentation.

breast augmentation

Breast Augmentation

Starts at $3500

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Experts in Plastic Surgery

Featured Videos

Play Video

Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer - Live Surgery in Leesburg ( Loudoun ) Virginia

Live surgery video showing how a breast augmentation can be performed using your own fat. This procedure is referred to as a fat transfer, and is an alternative to using implants in carefully selected patients. Benefits of fat transfer include a more natural alternative, the ability to contour other areas of the body, and a faster recovery.

Warning graphic content.
Play Video

Breast Augmentation with Short Scars for Silicone Implants

Women desire breast augmentation procedures for many reasons. Want to know how the procedure is performed? Wondering about the size of the scars? Watch here to see Dr. Chang performing a breast augmentation.

Warning graphic content.

Play Video

Short Scar Breast Lift

Women desire breast augmentation procedures for many reasons. Want to know how the procedure is performed? Wondering about the size of the scars? Watch here to see Dr. Chang performing a breast lift

Warning graphic content.

Breast Augmentation Loudoun VA

Considering Breast Augmentation? Here’s 10 Questions You Should Ask a Plastic Surgeon

Whatever reasons you have for choosing breast augmentation surgery, you should be asking the same questions when visiting with a plastic surgeon. Below are the most common and relevant questions to ask.
Breast augmentation FAQ's

Top Things To Know About Breast Augmentation

Having breast augmentation surgery is a big decision to make. The decision will be based on cost, finding the right surgeon and knowing what will happen before, during and after the surgery. Here are the most common questions about breast augmentation surgery and – most importantly – the answers.
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Experts in Plastic Surgery

Related To Breast Augmentation

breast augmentation in Loudoun Virginia

Breast Lift

Breast lift is also called a mastopexy.  It is a procedure designed to lift breasts that have begun to sag either with age or after having children.  3 techniques are used to lift the breast, reshape the breast, and to reduce the size of the areola

Breast Lift Plus Implants

Breast Lift Plus Implants

Breast lift is often combined with adding breast implants or fat transfer to either add volume throughout the breast or only to the upper breast where the majority of the volume is lost

Mommy Makeover

Mommy Makeover

Breast lift is often combined with adding breast implants or fat transfer to either add volume throughout the breast or only to the upper breast where the majority of the volume is lost

More FAQs

Northern Virginia - Loudoun - Leesburg - NOVA

Dr. Phillip Chang Plastic Surgeon in Loudoun VA

Dr. Phillip Chang is a leading plastic surgeon in Loudoun County who specializes in surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures for the breast, body, face, and skin. He is board certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is the founder of Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Leesburg, VA. Dr. Chang is dedicated to providing high-quality service that concentrates on the unique needs and concerns of his patients. He believes combining attentive care and minimally invasive techniques is the best avenue for achieving beautiful, natural-looking results. Dr. Chang is thrilled to be serving the greater northwest area of Washington, D.C. with top cosmetic care that is dependable and trustworthy.

Interested in learning more about Dr. Chang? Click here.

We are based in Leesburg, VA. Located as part of the Lansdowne medical complex, you have access to our 24-7 state-of-the-art facility as well as access to Lansdowne hospital. We are based directly across the road from INOVA hospital. There is ample parking, elevators to bring you to our third floor offices, and welcoming staff to sign you in.

We are proud of our surgeries and cosmetic procedures and love that our patients are happy too. They like to shout it out on Google, Yell, Facebook, and right here on our website. Check out our reviews here.

Yes we do!

All potential patients receive either a phone, virtual, or in-consultation for free.

During the consultation we will discuss your treatment wishes and expectations. This is the time to ask us lots of questions to really understand what is involved, what the costs will be, and what is expected of you. This is also a great time to get to know Dr. Chang.

Aesthetica has received numerous awards from the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, New Beauty, Best of Loudoun, Posh 7 Top Picks, and Dr. Chang is internationally known for his lectures and advances in precise surgical technique as demonstrated through his unique mini-facelift procedure.

We have three execeptionally talents cosmetic nurses:

  • Melanie Schwarz, RN, BSN
  • Katy Down, RN, BSN
  • Angela Westbrook, RN, BSN

Read more about us – we can’t wait to meet you!

Leesburg | Loudoun | Virginia

What Type of Breast Implant -
Saline or Silicone?

breast-augmentation-silicone-saline

We know that you might be apprehensive about your upcoming consultation and treatment. Our staff and cosmetic nurses are caring and professional; and will help you with answers each step of the way.

A description of breast implant types is an extensive topic beyond the scope of this article; they will be reviewed shortly in an additional article. Briefly, however, you should know that there there are two types of implants to choose from; both are made of a silicone shell. Saline implants are filled with salt water, while Silicone implants are filled with a silicone semi-cohesive gel.

Gummy Bear implants is the nickname of for silicone implants because they resemble a gummy bear when they are cut in half. They are soft gel-filled implants that if you were to cut it in half, looks like the cut half of a gummy bear. This is in stark contrast the the old generation liquid silicone implants that could potentially leak through the implant and into the body.

The majority of my patients choose silicone gel implants in my practice particularly if they are thin and wear an A or B cup bra. Small breasted patients can potentially feel the implants more, and therefore require a softer-style implant in order to feel more natural.

Saline implants are filled with salt water, and to some extent feel less natural than silicone filled implants especially for patients who are smaller with an A or B cup bra. Larger implants with a C cup or bigger might not notice the difference as much as their own breasts are able to hide the implants. Saline implants are also more subject to visible rippling, particularly in smaller breasted women.

Experts in Plastic Surgery

Featured Video

This video shows a live surgery describing my technique in performing a short scar breast augmenation procedure using silicone filled breast implants.  The procedure was performed at the Loudoun Ambulatory Surgery Center in Northern Virginia.  Notice the meticulous technique including:

  • Shorter scars than most surgeons
  • Dual plane surgical technique placing the implants under the pectoralis muscle
  • Careful placement of the implants using a Keller Funnel ( See description below )
  • IV antibiotics in addition to antibiotic irrigation to prevent infections
  • Dry surgical field with next to no bleeding
  • Meticulous closure for the best scar 

WARNING: Graphic Images

Experts in Plastic Surgery

Before and After Images

Before Breast Augmentation

After Breast Augmentation

36 year old woman from Northern Virginia. After having children, she feels that her breasts drooped a lot more in addition to having lost significant breast volume. She expressed that she liked the size of her breasts when she was breast feeding and didn’t want to be any bigger than that. She chose a 350cc high profile saline filled breast implant.  The after photo shows how she looks after she went from a small droopy A cup to a large C or small D cup. She still has normal and natural tear drop shape to her breasts. The areola and nipples are of average size.

small breasts before augmentation surgery

Before Breast Augmentation

After Breast Augmentation

30 year old woman from Northern Virginia. She expressed that she was really had any breasts even when she was pregnant.  After having children, she felt that it was the right time to finally look into breast augmentation.  The after photo shows how she looks after she went from a small A cup to a small D cup. She chose a 420cc saline filled breast round high profile implant ( silicone was not yet available ).   

Before Breast Augmentation

After Breast Augmentation

33 year old woman from Leesburg, Virginia. She expressed she had some loss in breast volume and had breast droop after having childen. The after photo shows how she looks after she went from a small B cup to a small D cup. She chose a 360cc medium profile silicone filled round implant.

Experts in Plastic Surgery

FAQs

Most patients will be able to return to work in about 5 to 7 days after their procedure.  You will still have some discomfort after the procedure but most patients will be off of narcotics by this time

Breast augmentation surgery will take about an hour.  If you see the video above, you can get a feel about how the surgery is performed.

I require you to be at least 18 years of age for a breast augmentation.  Patients need to have completed their breast development before a breast augmentation can be accurately performed.  The FDA recommends that patients be 22 years of age before placement of a silicone filled breast implant

Breast implant size is highly personal.  The average patient wants to go to a large C or small D cup.  The average implant is filled to about 350cc

Most modern techniques and younger surgeons will place breast implants below the muscle.  The older techniques placed the breast implant above the muscle.  It was easier and had less discomfort.  But there are 3 basic reasons for placing the implants below the muscle.

  1.  It is easier to have a radiologist or mammographer see the breast implant on your mammogram if it is below the muscle as it is separated from the breast tissue.
  2. The implant looks more natural as the muscle will camouflage the implant to some extent
  3. The risk of capsular contracture decreases from up to 50% when it is above the muscle to less than 5% when it is below the muscle.

The answer is a definite NO.  The risk of breast cancer does not change if you have an implant. There have been 2 large studies about the risk of breast implants and breast cancer.  Both showed that there was no difference and one even showed a VERY slight decrease in the risk of breast cancer.  They hypothesized that the reason might be that the body’s immune system is at a higher level surveillance .

Patients have a choice between IV sedation ( twilight sleep ) or general anesthesia.  

It will be about 6 months to a year before you will be able to see the final results of your breast augmentation surgery.  At first, the implants feel like they are too high.  Interestingly, most women actually like this phase as they have more exaggerated cleavage at this time.  Over the next few months, the swelling at the top of the breast begins to diminish while the bottom of the breast begins to round out.  

Breast augmentation can be a painful procedure.  The implants are placed in a pocket under the muscle.

After the surgery, you will need to avoid active activities for four weeks. At that time, it’s alright to return to lower body activities, but you need to wait six weeks before running or jogging again. The bouncing of the breasts needs to be avoided to ensure there is no scaring and healing can continue successfully.

The proof is in the proverbial pudding.  Look at our  before and after gallery and tell me if any of my patients look fake.   The keys to not looking fake include:

  1.  Getting an “appropriate” size- the larger you go, the more unnatural you will appear.  We use the 3D Vectra imaging system to help choose a size. 
  2. Placement of the breast implant below the chest muscle.  The chest muscle will soften the appearance and camouflage the implant to some extent
  3. Silicone implants have less of a chance of “rippling”  which is a tell-tale sign of breast augmentation.  
  4. Surgical skill – Again, refer to my before and after images.  You will see!

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Experts in Plastic Surgery

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