Breast Augmentation in Portland

Dr. DeMars has helped many women in Portland improve their appearance and confidence through breast augmentation. Below, you will find common breast augmentation questions and facts to help you decide if this popular procedure is right for you.

What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure designed to increase the breast size, volume, and fullness through the use of saline or silicone breast implants. The procedure can also correct or improve other aesthetic concerns a patient might have. Breast augmentation is also commonly referred to as breast enlargement surgery, breast implant surgery and augmentation mammoplasty. The procedure is often combined with breast lift surgery. Breast augmentation surgery should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in this particular procedure.

I would highly recommend Dr.DeMars for surgery. We felt very comfortable after leaving our consultation appointment. He took his time and answered all of our questions. It was nice knowing that I had options. This has helped me feel more confident. Recovery time was minimal and never had any complications.” – Jen M., Yelp Review, 1/17/2014

How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?

In general, the price of a breast augmentation procedure is between $7,000 and $8,000 dollars. This an all-inclusive price, meaning it includes the cost of the breast implants as well as fees for services provided by the facility, surgeon, and board-certified anesthesiologist. The cost of a breast augmentation procedure performed by Dr. DeMars can, however, vary depending on several factors, including breast implant type, the complexity of the procedure needed, and if a breast lift is also needed.

For example, silicone breast implants are often more expensive than saline implants. There are different advantages and disadvantages to each type, which Dr. DeMars can explain to you during a consultation.

The complexity of the procedure can affect the price. This includes revision breast augmentation surgery or removing outdated or ruptured breast implants.

Finally, during a consultation, Dr. DeMars may advise that a breast lift in conjunction with an augmentation may be necessary to achieve the look you want. In this case, the price may be affected as well.

Am I a Breast Augmentation Candidate?

Common reasons for undergoing a breast augmentation procedure are:

  • The desire for larger, fuller or shapelier breasts, or more balanced  proportions throughout the body
  • To reduce asymmetry and correct different-sized breasts
  • To improve breast volume or breast shape, often changed as a result of    pregnancy, weight loss or aging
  • To have more freedom with fashion, or simply to fit better in dresses or fill out   swimsuit tops
  • To improve self-esteem and confidence

An ideal breast augmentation candidate should make the decision to have the procedure by herself and for her own reasons. She should be able to understand all aspects of the procedure and have carefully thought them through. Patients should have realistic expectations for the surgery, be in good physical and mental health, ideally be nonsmokers, and should not be pregnant or breastfeeding. Young women should be at least 18 years old before considering the surgery.
Undergoing breast augmentation surgery involves many important decisions, including choosing breast implant size and type. Dr. DeMars discusses how to make sure you get the best results for you.

Breast Augmentation Specialist Portland

Click here to view more breast augmentation cases

What to Expect During a Breast Augmentation Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. DeMars will listen to your goals for your breast size and appearance, answer questions and address any concerns you may have. He will then examine and measure your breasts, and discuss with you what can reasonably be accomplished with surgery to achieve your goals. Factors such as sagging breasts are important to take into consideration, as a breast lift procedure may also be necessary in order to achieve the best results.

The breast implant type and augmentation technique will also be determined during the consultation, and you will also learn about what to expect the day of the surgery, during your recovery, and during the weeks and months afterward.

During this meeting, please inform Dr. DeMars of any medical conditions, medications, allergies or family medical histories that may be relevant.

Silicone vs Saline Breast Implants

Saline and silicone breast implants are both available at Dr. DeMars’ Portland plastic surgery practice.

WATCH VIDEO
How do you choose the right type of breast implant?

Silicone implants have a silicone shell and are pre-filled with a silicone gel that mimics the feel of human fat. Many patients say that silicone gel has a more natural feel than saline. Silicone breast implants come in a broad range of preset sizes, so each person can meet her individual goal. Silicone implants can be slightly more expensive than saline implants. The FDA recommends that women choosing silicone implants to be at least 22 years old and that they have periodic MRIs every two to three years, starting about three years after the initial breast augmentation surgery, to ensure the breast implants’ structure and integrity.

Saline implants are comprised of a silicone envelope that is empty when placed into the breast. They are filled with sterile saltwater during the surgical procedure until the desired breast size is achieved. Therefore, saline implants can be filled to any reasonable size, as determined by the doctor and patient. Dr. DeMars will help you choose the best type of implant for you and your goals.

Summary of differences between saline and silicone

  Saline Silicone
Incision length Approximately 3-4 cm Approximately 5cm
Outer shell Silicone Silicone
Implant Fill Saline Silicone
Implant Surface Smooth and textured surfaces are available. Dr. DeMars usually places all implants in a submuscular pocket and uses primarily smooth implants. Smooth and textured surfaces available.  Dr. DeMars places most implants in a submuscular pocket and uses primarily smooth implants.
Risk of “rippling” Rippling more common than with silicone implants especially in very thin patients Less rippling than with saline implants
Feel Soft particularly in patients that are not very thin.  In thin patients, may feel firmer and ripple more than silicone implants. Soft and more natural feeling than with saline implants.  Consistency more like breast tissue.
Average implant lifespan Implants are not expected to last a lifetime and are warrantied by the implant company. Patients are told there is .5% chance per year of having an implant-related issue. Implants are not expected to last a lifetime and are warrantied by the implant company. Patients are told there is .5% chance per year of having an implant-related issue.
Rupture Easy to detect Harder to detect
Cost Cost less than silicone Costs slightly more than saline implants

How to Choose the Best Implant Size

Determining breast implant size is an important decision that you will make during your consultation. It is important to be frank about your ideal size, so the goal size is clear between the doctor and patient. Many Portland patients bring photos to help illustrate their aesthetic goals. When doing so, it is best to bring breast augmentation before & after photos (or regular photos, if before-and-after photos are unavailable) of women who have the same body type and proportions as you and whose breasts are the size and shape that you desire.

Determining Augmentation Placement and Technique

Both kinds of implants (saline and silicone) can be inserted through an incision on the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple) or under the bottom fold of the breast and can be implanted under or above the pectoral muscle. Dr. DeMars will carefully explain these details to help you determine which is best suited for you, based on your goals.

What Will the Breast Augmentation Procedure Be Like?

For most Portland patients, our breast augmentation procedure takes about one hour, during which the patient is put to sleep under anesthesia. The incision will be made on the bust, and the implant will be inserted through the incision and centered behind the nipple. If the patient chose a saline implant, the implant will be filled to the desired volume, and then the incision is closed with stitches that will dissolve on their own, over time. Surgical tape is placed over the stitches, and then a special implant bra is applied to help keep the implants in position during the beginning of the healing process. Patients will wake up at the office, where the nursing staff and Dr. DeMars will examine them one more time before being released to a family member or friend who can drive the patient home, the same day.

Breast Augmentation Recovery

You can expect to feel a bit sore and uncomfortable for a few days following a breast augmentation procedure; however, your pain can be managed with a “pain pump” and medication. Recovery time is minimal, and women are often able to return to work within a few days. You may do very light exercise after a few days, such as walking, but should not engage in moderate to strenuous physical activity (such as jogging or doing any heavy lifting) for about four weeks. It is also recommended that you come in for your scheduled follow-up exams and avoid traveling (if not necessary) for the first few weeks after surgery.

Recovery Chart

Consult Day During the consultation the patient meets with Dr. DeMars and goals are reviewed, an exam is done, and surgical plans are made. The patient will have prescriptions for pain medications, antibiotics and muscle relaxants mailed to them.
Day of Surgery Patient meets with Dr. DeMars, anesthesiologist, and nurse. A primary augmentation takes about one hour. The patient receives an intravenous antibiotic prior to beginning the procedure.
Recovery Room Approximately 1.5 hours. The patient must be sent home with a responsible adult who should plan on spending the night.
After Surgery Patients are sent home in a surgical bra with incisions covered with steristrips and gauze. No heavy lifting or exercising. Patients are able to shower 48 hours after surgery after removing the gauze but leaving the steristrips in place (usually the night after).
Postoperative Visit #1 Typically 7 days after surgery. Any sutures requiring removal are removed. Steristrips are replaced on the incisions as needed. Continue to wear a soft bra or underwire bra depending on implant position. Begin medial massage of implants. Instructions are given for use of scar treatments.
Postoperative Visit #2 Typically 6 weeks after surgery. Incisions are checked. Silicone scar therapy is begun. The patient is able to return to the gym. May wear a bra of choice during the day and no bra at night.
Further Visits Further visits are at patient discretion and there is never a fee.

Breast Augmentation Financing Options

Hundreds of women have trusted Dr. DeMars to perform this procedure, which many tell us is a “priceless” investment in their own self-image and confidence. Price shouldn’t have to stop you from achieving your aesthetic goals.

Plastic surgery is not just for the rich. Average women have been able to get the breasts they desire by financing their plastic surgery. Dr. DeMars’ office offers 100% financing through CareCredit which has 24-, 36-, 48-, and 60-month plan options! Visit our Financing page to learn more about this opportunity.

Periodically, Dr. DeMars offers limited-time breast augmentation specials. Be sure to “like” us on our Facebook page to be updated on our cosmetic surgery special offers!

Learn More About Breast Implants in Portland

If you have been considering a breast augmentation procedure and would like to learn more, contact Dr. Ronald DeMars to schedule a consultation. Dr. DeMars is one of the best plastic surgeons in Portland, specializing in breast enhancement and body contouring procedures. During your consultation, Dr. DeMars will walk you through the breast implant process and describe what you can expect from the surgery and recovery period.

Related Breast Augmentation Posts