Breast Augmentation Surgery in Eugene Oregon

• Why choose breast augmentation surgery?

Breast volume changes with age, weight loss, breastfeeding or hormonal changes. Some women naturally develop small breasts. Breast augmentation surgery is one of the top two cosmetic surgeries performed in the US. It is a safe and successful option to address those concerns and add or bring back the volume to the breasts and make them match the rest of your body while still looking natural. 

• What are the types of breast implant?

Breast implants are classified based on different features (shape, filling and surface). The main two types of implants based on the filling are silicone and saline. The silicone breast implant has a silicone shell as well as silicone filling. The saline breast implants are made of a silicone shell that is filled with saline.

The new generation of silicone implants are engineered to provide a natural feel and ideal shape to the breast. The silicone is highly cohesive and often called “gummy bear”. Silicone implants provide a more natural look and feel. They are also frequently used for breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

The saline implants feel less natural and are prone to have more visible rippling. 

The most commonly used breast implants are round, smooth silicone that provide the most natural shape and feel.

• How long does the surgery take?

The surgery takes about 1-1.5 hours. It is done as an outpatient surgery under general anesthesia.

• Where is the incision and how big is the incision?

Breast augmentation procedure is performed through a small incision (~2 inches) well-hidden along the breast fold (inframammary incision). Dr. Najafian performs breast augmentation using the non-touch technique using a Keller Funnel that allows insertion of the implant through a small incision without even touching the implant. This helps to significantly reduce risk of infection and other potential complications.

Some surgeons use incisions through the areola (periareolar) or through the arm pit, but since those areas or naturally colonized with bacteria, these techniques have higher risk of infection  and capsular contracture.  Also, incisions through nipple or armpit are eventually more visible that the incision underneath the breast where breast tissue covers the incision.

Here is an example of an IMF incision that is barely noticeable:

Incision from breast augmentation, 6 months after surgery

• Over the muscle on under the muscle?!

The best answer is somewhere in between!

Dr. Najafian most commonly performs breast augmentation using the “subfascial” technique. In this technique, only a very thin layer of pectoralis muscle (chest muscle) is raised, and implant is placed on top of the muscle underneath the natural breast tissue. 

This provides the best natural outcome both in short term and long term without sacrificing the function of the pectoralis muscle. The recovery is much faster, and the results are more satisfactory.

A very well-designed study published in the most prestigious plastic surgery journal in 2021 demonstrated that subfascial breast augmentation has superior long-term outcomes compared to simply going over the muscle. Going under the muscle is mostly an old technique that is now only preserved for very rare cases of very minimal native breast tissue. 

Submuscular (under the muscle) placement of the implant is associated with “animation deformity” (lateral displacement of the implant into the armpit with contracting the pectoralis muscle) and “waterfall deformity” or “Snoopy deformity” (downward displacement of nipple and breast tissue over the muscle and implant over time). These deformities do not happen with subfascial placement.

• Do I need a breast lift with breast augmentation?

Not necessarily. It really depends on the position of your nipples in relation with the breast fold as well as the amount of breast tissue hanging below the fold. The decision is made after Dr. Najafian examines you and will discuss whether you need or do not need a lift. If a lift is needed, the appropriate technique will also be discussed with you depending on the examination findings. 

• What is the recovery process like after breast augmentation?

Dr. Najafian has a particular technique and pain control regimen that helps patients to have a quick recovery. Most patients would need minimal pain medication and are comfortable after surgery and describe their experience much better than what they expected!

However, in order to have a smooth recovery and avoid potential complications related to trauma, high blood pressure or heart rate, we require our patients to take one week off to focus on healing and avoid any vigorous activities for 6 weeks. We will go over all the instructions in detail at your preop visit and will give you a handout with all the information that you would need.

• How long will it take to see results?

The results of the breast augmentation are immediate. However, it will continue to settle down over the first year after surgery. Initially, the breast is fuller on the upper pole and over time, the implant settles down and the lower pole of the breast assumes a more natural slope providing a nice balance between upper and lower pole fullness.

Here you can see an illustration of breast shape changes from before surgery until 6 months after surgery based on real patient photos.