achieve great results
At Village Institute of Plastic Surgery our goal is to help each and every patient achieve great results. And for most, this means a comfortable and natural appearance with lasting results.
We strive to deliver the best breast augmentation The Villages has to offer. Dr. Yi consistently achieves this goal by employing only the safest techniques to avoid infections, reduce scarring, and correctly position the industry's most respected breast implants. If you are considering breast augmentation, we would like to share the following information and options associated with the breast augmentation procedure, breast implants, and recovery.
Visit the Breast Implant Photo Gallery to see before and after images of our patient’s results.
Bespoke Approach
Today, breast augmentation is the most frequently performed plastic surgery procedure. Patients who choose breast augmentation do so for a variety of medical and aesthetic reasons, including replacing breast mass lost after pregnancy, improving symmetry of the breasts, and correcting a congenital breast defect.
Enhance your Natural Curves
At VIP in The Villages breast augmentation candidates are women who:
During your consultation, your surgeon will assess your breasts and determine the proper size and type of breast implant for you.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Imagine being able to see the results of your breast augmentation surgery before surgery. It’s now possible with Plastic Surgery 3D Imaging! Learn more about how we use this amazing technology to understand your cosmetic desires and goals and show you a digital 3D image of how you will look after surgery.
your desired appearance and firmness
The right breast implant for you is usually based on preferences such as your desired appearance and firmness. Dr. Yi will provide you with information regarding what options are available and help guide you in deciding what fits your needs.
Breast implants can be filled with saline (salt water), silicone, or shaped gel. During your consultation with Dr. Yi, you will be able to hold and feel the differences between the various types of implants before making a final decision. However, if you would like to learn more about the breast implants we use for breast augmentation at Villages Institute of Plastic Surgery before your consultation, we encourage you to visit the manufacturers’ websites below for some initial information and an idea of which implant you might prefer.
Discuss Your Choices with Dr. Yi
When you meet with Dr. Yi, you will discuss your outcome goals and your options for implants. Saline and silicone implants are both made with silicone elastomer shells. The inside, or fill, differs. Both types of implants are safe for breast augmentation and reconstructive surgery.
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water that is of the same concentration as that in the human body. The benefits include being less costly, a smaller incision for insertion, and less long-term maintenance. When saline implants rupture, your body absorbs the saline, and the implant and breast deflate and flatten, making it easy to detect rupture. There is no necessary routine implant imaging needed after surgery. They also have a lower risk of capsular contracture (scarring) than silicone. Disadvantages include less natural appearance and feel and a higher likelihood of being able to feel the implant (palpability) or see rippling. Saline implants are FDA approved for women 18 years and older.
Silicone implants are now filled with cohesive silicone gel, resulting in less oozing in the case of rupture. Silicone gel is an inert polymer with no known human allergies, sensitivities, or reactions. Silicone implants are made with varying cohesiveness allowing for more options in results. Silicone implants look and feel more natural and have less rippling. Disadvantages include that they are more costly and may require a longer incision. Since silicone implants do not deflate with rupture, they should be screened (i.e., MRI, ultrasound) 5 years after they are placed and every two to three years thereafter. Silicone implants are FDA approved for women 22 years and older.
Dr. Yi exclusively uses smooth breast implants. Textured implants have been associated with breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA ALCL), a form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that develops in the scar tissue around some textured implants. While the chances of developing BIA ALCL are low, it is a serious condition that requires prompt attention and treatment. For this reason, Dr. Yi uses only smooth breast implants. If you have textured implants and have no changes in your breasts, you may continue routine care and monitoring of your implants. If you have any questions or concerns, you can discuss your specific needs and options with Dr. Yi.
two most common incision
The two most common incision locations used in breast augmentations today are the periareolar incision made at the outer edge of the areola and the fold incision where the lower area of the breast meets the chest. Both locations have their benefits which you should discuss with Dr. Yi during your initial consultation.
The periareolar incision is made at the outer edge of the areola, where the darker pigmented skin tone of the areola meets the lighter skin tone of the breast. This strategic location, while more complicated to perform, allows any scarring to be almost invisible due to the camouflage provided by the dramatic edge of the areola and the change in skin tone. This incision does carry a higher risk of capsular contracture compared to the fold incision and potential interference with breastfeeding. The periareolar incision may be indicated in specific breast types to allow for the reshaping of the breast or reducing the size of the areola. Placing the implant through the center of the breast also allows the surgeon to place the implant under all four muscles behind the breast.
A fold incision is made in the natural crease under the breast where the breast meets the abdomen and is typically well hidden from sight. In smaller breasts, it may be visible without clothing on. The fold incision offers the benefits of being relatively hidden and carries a much lower risk of capsular contracture compared to the periareolar or armpit incisions. It is also commonly used in revision surgeries, so if you were to want or need additional surgery, you might not need additional scars.
Your Breast Augmentation Procedure
At VIP in The Villages breast augmentation is performed in our on-site state-licensed ambulatory surgical center by Dr. Yi and a full staff of nurses and technicians. Dr. Yi will begin by making a small incision either under the breast (fold incision) or partially around the areola (periareolar incision), which will allow for the insertion of the breast implant. The location of the incision depends on the patient’s anatomy and preferences and is decided during your initial consultation with Dr. Yi. Read more details on the incision location above.
After the incision is made, the implant is inserted either under your breast tissue and over your chest muscle (sub-glandular placement) or completely under or partially under your chest muscles (sub-muscular placement). Sub-glandular placement (above the muscle) can allow for a faster recovery time and be less painful during recovery than sub-muscular placement. However, sub-glandular placement may make the implant easier to see and feel through your skin. This also carries a higher chance of capsular contracture, which is thickening and tightening of normal scar tissue and may make the breast appear hard or change its shape.
Sub-muscular placement may result in a longer recovery time with more pain (that can be controlled with medication). However, sub-muscular placement can reduce the risk of problematic scar tissue development around the implant (capsular contracture). Sub-muscular placement is less likely to cause visible rippling, and can result in a more natural appearance and feel. Both placement options have their benefits and will be discussed during your initial consultation.
Ensure Your Best Results
In order to help your body recover and heal as soon as possible after surgery, it’s a good idea to plan a few days of downtime. Dr. Yi will advise you on how much downtime is needed depending on your procedure. The following guidelines offer some general expectations. However, you will receive detailed and specific instructions after your breast augmentation surgery. Following these instructions closely will ensure that your recovery goes smoothly.
5. Expect to experience some pain and discomfort in your breast area. But again, this can be mitigated with pain medication. Expect some swelling of the breasts, bruising around the breasts and in the chest area, and small spots of blood on the dressing and bandages. It is also possible that you will feel a little nauseated. Dr. Yi will prescribe medications to reduce or eliminate nausea.
6. Expect to make a series of follow-up visits to our office after your surgery. We want to make sure you are healing properly.
7. In the first 2-3 days, you will be asked to go easy! No lifting, no driving, and no vigorous activities. From there, Dr. Yi will ease your restrictions depending on your recovery rate. Most often, breast augmentation patients are able to return to normal daily activities and to work within a few days.
Best Results
Even though your breasts may look bigger or higher at first, this is not how they will look in the end. Most of the time, it takes between a few months to a year for your breasts to drop and get to their final position. During this time, the swelling goes down, and the tissues loosen up, which lets the implants soften and settle inside the breast pocket. As this happens, the breasts start to look and feel more like they should. Eight to 12 weeks after surgery, many people feel good enough to put on a swimsuit.
Considering Breast Augmentation?
The right breast implant for you is usually based on preferences such as your desired appearance and firmness. Dr. Yi will provide you with information regarding what options are available and help guide you in deciding what fits your needs.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about breast augmentation and the techniques Dr. Yi uses to help patients achieve natural and beautiful breasts. Call us at (352) 259-8599 or use the form below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
There is no time limit on implants - while they typically have a lifespan of about 10-15 years, replacement is not necessary unless there are concerns or issues. As implants age, the risk of developing complications also increases, so the longer you have them, the more likely it is they will need to be replaced. However, individual results may vary.
Every breast augmentation procedure is uniquely tailored for each patient. After your consultation, your patient coordinator will discuss your surgical cost based on your treatment plan.
Your breast implants will not impede the breastfeeding process.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
At Village Institute of Plastic Surgery, we offer our patients a wide variety of plastic surgery techniques.
We specialize in facial plastic surgery, offer more laser cosmetic procedures than any other regional provider, and are Central Florida's premier cosmetic injectors. VIP is the best option for plastic surgery and advanced cosmetic procedures in The Villages and throughout Central Florida. Plastic surgery from our experienced and highly-trained plastic surgeons can lead to incredibly positive and life-changing results. Schedule your consultation today.