Breast Augmentation

Serving patients from Salem, Roanoke and Cave Spring, VA

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For more than 20 years, Dr. Carol A. Wray has helped hundreds of women throughout Virginia and surrounding areas achieve shapelier breasts through breast enlargement. She and her medical staff at The Center for Plastic Surgery at Ridgewood Hill welcome you to schedule a consultation today. Our skill and compassion have enhanced the lives of breast augmentation patients across the Roanoke Valley area, including residents of Salem, Roanoke, Cave Spring and beyond.

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation, also known as placement of breast implants or breast enlargement, is perhaps one of the most common cosmetic surgeries in Virginia. Modern-day breast augmentation involves enhancing the size of a breast using silicone or saline implants. Prior to silicone implants, breast augmentation involved fat tissue, silicone injections, glass balls, ground rubber and other synthetic substances. Silicone and saline breast implants have been in use since the 1970s, replacing other, less-stable materials.

How is breast augmentation performed?

Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure performed in the Salem, VA Blue Ridge Surgery facility. Usually, a small incision is made under your breast (inframammary crease), and a pocket is created either directly under the breast or under the muscle. After Dr. Wray inserts the implant into the pocket, she will place you in an upright position so she can check for balance and appearance. Once she is fully satisfied with the results, the pocket will be closed. Small waterproof dressings will cover the incisions, and you will be placed in a supportive bra.

What types of breast implants are used?

There are two major kinds of breast implants used for breast enlargement. Saline implants were first invented in 1964 and are essentially a silicone elastomer shell filled with saltwater. Silicone implants are a composite of silicone elastomer shells filled with silicone gel. Both are available choices for most breast augmentation patients. As a board certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Carol Wray will help you determine if saline or silicone breast implants are the best choice for you.

Which implant is best for breast augmentation?

Several factors are taken into account when determining what type of implant to use for a breast augmentation. Silicone tends to feel more natural and is often preferred by thin women, since sometimes the implant can be felt around the edges.  Implants will eventually rupture.  Saline breast implants will essentially go flat when they rupture, only leaving behind the plastic bag. If a silicone implant ruptures, the thick gel does not go away which can become a localized problem. It has been determined by multiple studies, though, that the gel will not cause disease. Another aspect to keep in mind is the texture of the implant. The final choice of which implant to use will be determined by you and Dr. Wray together.

Is breast augmentation painful?

Breast augmentation is not categorized as “major surgery,” but like all surgery, there will typically be a certain amount of pain involved. The level will vary depending on the tightness of the skin and the size of the implants. Most women undergoing breast augmentation usually experience some discomfort while their body adjusts to the implants.

Can I choose where I want the incision?

In our Salem area, one of the most popular techniques of breast implant surgery involves the inframammary incision (under the breast). Occasionally the incision may be placed just under the nipple. When a breast augmentation patient is having a lift as well, the incision location may change to accommodate the additional procedure.

As part of your consultation, you and Dr. Wray will discuss your incision options. She has extensive experience guiding patients through the surgery process, having helped hundreds of women from Salem, Roanoke, Cave Spring and surrounding areas.

What complications can arise?

Bleeding and infection are risks of any surgery. There is about a 1 percent risk of infection. Bleeding, infection, asymmetry, change in nipple sensation, rupture of the implants, tightness of the internal scar and interference with mammograms -- these are some of the possible breast augmentation complications that Dr Wray will discuss with you.

What can happen if the implant ruptures?

If a saline implant ruptures, the breast will flatten and it is obvious there is a rupture. Silicone does not go away, so it is harder to detect a ruptured silicone implant. The breast may still look and feel the same. Studies have shown that the silicone does not seem to cause illness, even when it is loose in the body.

Will I get stretch marks after breast augmentation?

Stretch marks are subject to the elasticity of your skin. Although it is unlikely you will get stretch marks, it is possible. When stretch marks occur, it is typically because the skin is very tight or the implant is large. However, the incidence of stretch marks is very low; only a small percent of women develop stretch marks after a breast augmentation.

Will there be swelling after breast augmentation?

Swelling is one of the most common post-operative side effects of the procedure. As a result, a majority of breast augmentation patients experience some swelling. The breasts will initially feel tight but will soften over time, usually within a few weeks.

How long is the recovery period?

Breast augmentation is an outpatient surgery performed in the Salem, VA Blue Ridge Surgery Center. Most patients are back to work in a few days. The bruising and soreness can last several weeks, and it is usually four to six weeks before you can resume vigorous exercise.

For more information about breast augmentation in Virginia:

The professionals at The Center for Plastic Surgery and MediSpa are always available to answer any questions regarding our breast augmentation procedures. We welcome patients from across the region, including Salem, Roanoke and Cave Spring. Please give us a call at 540-444-4343 to schedule a consultation. You can also schedule a consultation online by clicking here: Schedule a Consultation Online for a Breast Augmentation.