Breast Augmentation
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure for enhancing the size and shape of your breasts. It is among the top 5 most popular plastic surgery procedures in North America. Breast augmentation can be accomplished with either breast implants for a more dramatic, long lasting result or fat transfer for a more subtle and natural approach. Breast augmentation can additionally be used to restore volume after weight loss, pregnancy or age, or even reduce breast asymmetry. It may sometimes need to be combined with a breast lift to achieve the best possible aesthetic result. At Valespring Cosmetic Surgery Institute, Dr. Stephanie Dreckmann will develop a surgical plan unique to your needs and will help you achieve your vision for your body. Dr. Dreckmann is a board certified, highly talented plastic surgeon performing breast augmentations in the Greater Toronto Area.
Why Get a Breast Augmentation?
Increase breast volume
Boost self-confidence and self-esteem
Achieve a more feminine look
Reduce breast asymmetry or correct uneven breasts
Restore breast fullness
Enhance breast shape
Increase cleavage
Achieve more aesthetic proportions between your breast and body
Am I Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Valespring Cosmetic Surgery Institute follows all guidelines from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to maximize patient safety, and Dr. Dreckmann will personally perform any necessary physical assessments during a consultation to evaluate your eligibility as a candidate. The following are a general set of requirements to be an eligible candidate for breast augmentation surgery:
Generally fit and healthy
Body mass index (BMI) less than 35
You can calculate your BMI here
Smokers should quit smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery
Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Realistic expectations
With a consultation at Valespring Cosmetic Surgery Institute, Dr. Dreckmann will help provide realistic expectations by aligning your desired breast size and shape with your age, lifestyle, physique and proportions so that you have a clear idea of what you can expect in your final result.
Valespring reserves the right to turn down patients who do not meet the necessary physical or psychological criteria for cosmetic surgery, and would do so only because we make your health and safety our top priority.
A Breast Augmentation Surgery Overview
Procedure
The procedure usually takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
For implants, a ~4 cm incision is made at the incision site (usually the breast crease), the implant is inserted, positioned and then the incision is stitched up.
For fat transfer breast augmentation, liposuction is performed on desired areas and the harvested fat is injected to the breasts to increase volume.
Anesthesia
General Anesthesia is most commonly used so that the patient is fully asleep for the procedure.
Recovery
5 - 7 days off work
4 weeks avoiding heavy exercise
4 weeks of wearing a specialized surgical bra
These numbers serve as a rough guideline, but you should always follow your surgical team’s specific and individualized recovery plan, as recommendations may vary from patient to patient
Breast Implant Types
Saline Breast Implants
Saline implants are made of a silicone shell filled with sterile salt water and tend to have a firmer feel. In the event that an implant were to rupture, the saline water would be safely reabsorbed into the body. One drawback is that it has an association with “rippling”, which is where the implant can be seen beneath the skin.
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone implants are made of a silicone case filled with a silicone gel which has a consistency similar to breast tissue, producing a more natural look and feel. Silicone implants are typically smooth and round with a variety styles and sizes available. These are the most common implant type used at Valespring.
Breast Implant Shapes
Round Implants
Round implants are circular in shape, but when upright, gravity will pull a portion of the implant towards the base, providing a natural look, while still providing more fullness to the upper part of the breast.
Tear Drop Implants
Teardrop implants were intended to mimic the natural shape of the breast with more fullness at the base of the breast. Given their asymmetrical shape, they had to be textured on the outside to prevent them from rotating. However, we now know that the textured exterior is associated with an increased risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Textured devices, including teardrop implants, were recalled from the market. For this reason, Valespring does not offer teardrop implants.
Breast Implant Sizes
Breast implants come in various volumes, diameters and projections. A patient's recommended implant size is influenced by many factors, such as current breast anatomy and volume as well as desired breast volume. Valespring offers free consultations including implant sizing to help you find your ideal breast implant shape and size. Our expert plastic surgeon will guide you through all the breast implant sizing decisions so you know exactly what you can expect from your breast augmentation surgery.
Breast Implant Placement
Breast implants can be placed above or below the pectoralis major muscle. There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. Implants placed above the muscle avoid an animation deformity, which is a motion deformity where you can see the pectoralis muscle contracting over the implant. With the above-muscle approach, there is no violation of the underlying muscle and often a faster recovery. Submuscular placement of the implant is often necessary in very thin patients, to provide enough tissue coverage over the implant and minimize the risk of complications. The breast implant placement is ultimately at the discretion of your surgeon to achieve the safest and most aesthetic result.
Breast Implant Incision Placement
There are 3 different incision methods for breast implants:
Inframammary Incision
A discrete incision is made under the breast crease which will nicely hide the scar.
Transaxillary Incision
An incision is made inside the armpit with the natural fold and can only be seen when the arms are lifted.
Periareolar Incision
An incision is made following the edge of the areola to hide the scar along the natural colour transition between the areola and the skin.
Dr. Dreckmann uses the inframammary incision for a vast majority of her breast augmentations. An advantage of this approach is that it gives the surgeon the most control over breast implant placement, which is important for achieving the ideal shape and symmetry between the breasts. To find out which incision would be best for you, book your free consultation today.
Let us guide you through the decision
Book a Free Breast Augmentation Consultation Now!
How Much Does a Breast Augmentation Cost?
Traditional Breast Augmentation with Saline or Silicone Implants
$9000+
Cost Includes:
2 implants
Breast augmentation procedure on both breasts
Surgical bra
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
$10000+ or $3000+ with Liposuction
Cost Includes:
Liposuction to harvest fat for transfer
Fat transfer to both breasts
Surgical bra
Breast Augmentation Revision
$10500 - $15000+
Cost Varies Based On:
If old implants need to be removed
If new implants are required
Extent of revision
Breast Augmentation and Lift
add $4000+
Cost includes:
Breast lift for both breasts when added to a traditional breast augmentation
Optional Overnight Stay
$4000
Patients normally return home on the same day of the procedure, but some would like the extra peace of mind of staying in an overnight bed in our medical facility, under the supervision of 2 attendants.
Cost Includes:
Overnight stay in one of our beds
Nurse supervision for the length of your stay
Meals for dinner and breakfast the following morning
Consultations are free with no obligation
If you have any questions about our pricing or have specific needs, do not hesitate to contact us
Prices serve as a guideline only. Fees will be adjusted based on each patient’s individual anatomy and the complexity of the case.
Prices do not include HST and may vary based on amount of work required
Get your breast augmentation now, make payments later!
See Our Other Procedures Related to Breast Surgery
Breast Lift
Breast Reduction
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Mommy Makeover
FAQs about Breast Augmentation
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Most women can still safely and successfully breastfeed with implants. A very small percentage of women may have decreased milk supply or inability to breastfeed after implant placement. Breastfeeding generally will not damage or ruin the implant.
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It varies from patient to patient. Modern implants are designed to last over 10 years, and in many cases last an entire lifetime. Occasionally some patients require a replacement or revision procedure sooner than 10 years from their original surgery. There are a number of reasons why this may be necessary, such as to replace a ruptured implant or to treat capsular contracture (or scar) around the implant.
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Choosing the correct implant size involves a number of factors, like your lifestyle, body shape and frame. Generally the implant should not exceed the borders of your chest. During a consultation, Dr. Dreckmann will help establish a size range, and provide a number of implant samples and sizers to help you find the look you desire.
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Valespring offers financing through Medicard for those who require financial assistance for their medical procedures, including breast augmentation. You can learn more at https://valespring.ca/pricing-and-financing
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While not a medically recognized term, some women and doctors use it to refer to a range of symptoms that can occur after undergoing a breast augmentation with implants.
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This varies from patient to patient. Many patients recover quickly and feel nearly normal after a few days. Implant swelling or tightness tends to subside for most patients by the fourth week after surgery. It can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months for breast muscles to completely relax and for the implants to settle.
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All breast implants sold in Canada undergo a scientific review for safety and effectiveness before Health Canada issues a medical device license. Valespring only uses devices from manufacturers approved to sell breast implants in Canada, such as Mentor (Johnson & Johnson) or Allergan (AbbVie).
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Pregnancy will not affect the integrity of the implants, but it can affect the appearance of the results. Pregnancy, weight changes and aging can all change the distribution of the breast tissue, whether implants are present or not. Often, these changes may lead to breast sagging. A breast lift or additional surgery may be required to obtain the optimal aesthetic result and correct breast ptosis (sagging) if present.
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The most common symptoms after breast augmentation are soreness and swelling for a few weeks after surgery. Some bruising is possible too. Scars are likely to fade but not disappear completely. Most individuals are able to return to work after about one week. Post-operative patients will have to wear a surgical bra for about one month after surgery. During that time, heavy lifting or strenuous exercise should be avoided.
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Valespring will provide comprehensive preparation instructions prior to surgery. Some of the common preparation instructions are outlined below.
A couple weeks before surgery, you will want to arrange for someone to drop you off on the day of surgery. Someone will also need to pick you up after your procedure, drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. If you have any dependents, you may want to arrange for their care as well. Do not consume alcohol. Do not smoke or use any recreational drugs. Do not take herbal supplements unless advised by your surgeon.
A few days before the surgery, you may want prepare some well-balanced post-surgery meals. These should contain protein, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables and also ideally be low sodium to avoid swelling after surgery. Additionally, you’ll want to pick out clothing which is easy to put on after breast surgery, like button up shirts, zip up shirts or a robe.
Sleep well the night before your surgery. The morning of your surgery, you should wash your whole body with antibacterial soap, and do not eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to surgery (including sips of water). On the day of surgery, wear comfortable clothing, and do not wear any contact lenses, makeup or jewelry. While you are having your procedure done, you may want to arrange for the person accompanying you to pick up the medications you will need post-operatively.
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If you are having symptoms or issues related to your breast implants, you should contact your surgeon immediately. Some common things to look for are:
a ruptured or deflated implant
breast tenderness, pain, redness, or new-onset loss of sensation
an implant is out of position
an implant is directly visible
breast asymmetry or abnormal shape
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“Gummy bear implant” is a colloquial name for a cohesive silicone gel breast implant which mimics the texture of a gummy bear.
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Yes. Typically a ~4 cm scar is created which is hidden in the breast crease. The scar will generally fade over time and is often not very noticeable.
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It can depend on a variety of factors, including whether the implant is placed above or below the muscle. The most discomfort is experienced in the first 3 to 5 days, and your doctor will prescribe medication to help control the pain. Many patients describe their pain level after breast augmentation surgery as mild.