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Dr. David Boudreault is the founder and owner of Illuminate Plastic Surgery, and has been named a top plastic surgeon in Palo Alto and San Jose. Dr. Boudreault applies his expertly trained aesthetic eye to create an attractive, natural look for each of his breast augmentation patients. He takes his time with each patient to listen and turn their individual vision into reality. At Illuminate, we believe it's important that you have a plastic surgeon with the highest board certifications, who takes the time to educate you and recommend a breast implant size that is most appropriate for your body proportions. Dr. Boudreault has earned his reputation for breast procedures and takes pride in seeing to it that you are satisfied with your results.
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Also known as augmentation mammoplasty, breast augmentation is a procedure in which breast implants are surgically placed under your breast tissue or chest muscles. In some cases, fat harvested from other areas of your body can be used to enhance your breast size, a procedure known as fat transfer breast augmentation or fat transfer to breast. Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgeries in the world due to its versatility and ability to significantly enhance women’s self-confidence. Breast augmentation in San Jose or Palo Alto can deliver a full, balanced appearance to patients with such concerns about the aesthetic quality of their breasts as small or unevenly-sized breasts. In some cases, a breast augmentation can even give your breasts a lifted look.
Most patients elect to undergo breast augmentation for aesthetic reasons; usually, to create breasts, increase volume in small breasts, balance breast unevenness, or compensate for breast sagging after breastfeeding or weight loss. Implant sizes and shapes can be customized to match each individual’s body type.
Occasionally, breast augmentation procedures are performed in conjunction with other breast procedures, such as a breast lift or breast fat transfer, to achieve the most aesthetically pleasing outcome, dependent upon some patients’ individual goals. Breast augmentation with an implant is the most predictable and effective way to achieve greater breast volume, compared to other breast procedures, such as a breast fat transfer or breast lift as a stand-alone procedure.
Breast augmentation surgery can often:
The FDA requires that women be at least 18 years of age to receive saline breast implants and at least 22 to get silicone implants. Women who choose silicone implants will need to have periodic MRI exams as directed by their doctor to ensure their implants have not ruptured or leaked. Be aware that augmentation will not correct severely drooping breasts, a condition more effectively treated with breast lift surgery. If needed, a breast lift procedure can be combined with breast implants for best results.
At Illuminate Plastic Surgery in Palo Alto and San Jose breast augmentations are performed using only highly-rated and FDA-approved implants that are either entirely silicone or a silicone shell filled with saline (salt water). Various incisions can be made to minimize scar visibility such as in the armpit (transaxillary), in the crease hidden underneath the breast (inframammary fold), or the border of the dark skin around the nipple (periareolar).
A pocket is then created to accommodate the implant, which can be placed underneath the breast tissue or the chest wall muscle. The choice for incision placement, position of implant either under or above the muscle, and implant type and size are determined by your individual goals, along with Dr. Boudreault’s expert guidance. We encourage patients of Dr. Boudreault to be very involved in the surgery planning process, so that they can best understand the why behind his recommendations. Dr. Boudreault thoroughly educates all of his patients, as he believes an educated patient ultimately becomes a satisfied patient. In addition to his exceptional skills and experience, his patients’ positive breast augmentation results and reviews come from clear communication and agreed-upon expectations.
Give your surgeon as much specific information as you can about your surgical goals. Ask questions, and expect direct and helpful answers. Work with your surgeon to make the right decisions on implant type, size and positioning, as well as incision locations.
When you enquire about breast augmentation Palo Alto & San Jose plastic surgeon Dr. Boudreault will carefully review your medical history and ask you about all previous surgeries. You may require some lab work, and you may also need to have a pre-surgical “baseline” mammogram. This will be used to make sure your breasts are healthy and to assess your “before and after” changes following your procedure. For a specified period before and after your procedure, you will need to stop taking aspirin or any other substance that might elevate bleeding.
The safety and success of your breast augmentation will be determined by the training, skill and experience of the surgeon you choose. Dr. David Boudreault at Illuminate Plastic Surgery is board-certified and consistently considered one of the best plastic surgeons in the Bay Area.
A breast augmentation is typically performed in about one hour under general anesthesia at our state-of-the-art AAAASF accredited surgery centers in Palo Alto and San Jose. It is common for the breast augmentation procedure to be combined with other breast surgeries, such the breast lift, fat transfer, nipple/areola reduction, and correction of an inverted nipple, so that the optimal outcome is achieved with a recovery period that is consolidated all in one timeframe.
Breast augmentation patients should factor two days of time away from any work and even more time before exercise. Generally, patients will have bandages over their breasts for one week. After the first week and after approval by your surgeon, you may wear a wireless bra if it feels comfortable.
Following two weeks after surgery you can begin with light cardio exercise (heart rate < 90 bpm), progressing to normal cardio (heart rate >120) exercise in about 4 weeks. It’s a good idea to minimize heavy-lifting, planking, pushups, and other chest exercises in order to avoid displacement or malposition of the implants for up to eight weeks. Make sure that you have arranged for some help at home as needed. Follow-up appointments are needed within the first few days after surgery and the following week to remove bandages and outside sutures.
Most patients do not require narcotic pain medication and do well with OTC pain relievers such as Tylenol and NSAIDs (Advil). Patients are also encouraged to massage their implants as instructed and occasionally wear a breast band that is provided to help their implants settle. Follow-up appointments are also very important to your recovery. Your trusted surgeon Dr. David Boudreault will see you periodically after the procedure to monitor your progress and results and help you with an optimal healing process.
You will notice the results of your breast augmentation immediately after surgery. The implant placement generally looks high right after post-op, but in six to 12 weeks’ time, the implants will position into place to where they ultimately will rest. You’ll be excited to shop for an updated wardrobe to showcase your beautiful new shape!
The Illuminate Plastic Surgery team has helped hundreds of women throughout the Bay Area to realize greater self confidence and happiness through breast augmentation surgery.
As with all surgeries, there are some risks involved. During your consultation, Dr. Boudreault will discuss any risks with you prior to the procedure and make sure all your questions or concerns are answered. Potential risks include:
It is much less painful than many patients anticipate! Over-the-counter medications are typically sufficient to control post-surgical discomfort, and most patients are able to return to work within a couple of days.
Some breast implants can last an entire lifetime, and some may require replacement. Generally, implants are replaced about every ten years, but this varies on a case-by-case basis. We see some patients who get a replacement after 30 years!
That varies from woman to woman. Some moms are able to successfully breastfeed after their augmentation, but others have reported difficulty. Be sure to discuss this with your surgeon at your consultation.
The rule is not so much age, but that breast augmentation should not be performed until a woman’s breasts have reached maturity. Statistically, women in their 20s and 30s are most likely to seek augmentation, but we have helped breast augmentation patients of all ages beginning at age 18.
Because breast augmentation is considered a cosmetic procedure, your insurance unfortunately will not cover the costs.
The average cost for Breast Augmentation is between $9,500 and $10,500. For a Breast Augmentation with Mastopexy, the average cost starts at $20,000. This estimate includes anesthesia and facility fees. If you would like to space out payments in smaller monthly increments to be paid over time, we encourage you to apply for financing through CareCredit or Alphaeon . Many patients have also applied for credit cards with longer terms at 0% interest.
At Illuminate we’re with you during every step of your journey toward greater self-confidence. Schedule a consultation with us today and let Illuminate’s expert team listen to your concerns and guide you through treatments and procedures to help you reach your individual goals. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating your renewed appearance and realized potential.
