Is Breast Augmentation painful?

Your breast enhancement surgery will be performed while you are under general anesthesia only, so it should be a very comfortable and tolerable procedure. You can expect there to be some pain and tenderness for two to three weeks after your Breast Augmentation. You will be provided post-op instructions that will include incision care and ways to alleviate any discomfort. Dr. Bhat will also temporarily prescribe you pain medication to prevent infection and alleviate any pain.

Should I get Saline Breast Implants or Silicone Breast Implants?

It's important to remember that when choosing to undergo breast augmentation, you make the kinds of decisions that make you happy. During your consultation, Dr. Bhat will go through the pros and cons of both silicone implants and saline implants, which one is more popular with our patients, and what you can expect from each. Something to keep in mind is that silicone implants have been designed to feel like a more natural breast, being softer to the touch. Saline implants are usually firmer, but if you experience a full implant rupture, the saline solution will be safely absorbed by the body.

How many appointments will I need?

Dr. Bhat will have you return about a week after surgery so she can monitor your recovery and remove any stitches and bandages. You can expect another appointment about a month or two later, followed by another one three months post-surgery, then again six months later. Dr. Bhat will always let you know when she would like to have you return at the end of each appointment, as well as when your last follow-up will be.

How long until I see results?

Your results could be noticeable practically immediately depending on the change in the shape of your breasts' appearance. Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for a few weeks of your breast augmentation recovery, so even if you can notice a difference, your breasts will still be going through changes. It normally takes about three to four months for you to see the final results after your implants have settled into their natural resting position.

Can I combine Breast Augmentation with other procedures?

Of course! Many of our Tampa Bay area Breast Augmentation patients will combine their breast implant surgery with other body contouring procedures, such as a Breast Lift , Tummy Tuck , Body Lift , or Butt Lift . If you would like to achieve a certain appearance, whether you know what you want or not, please discuss it with Dr. Bhat during your breast augmentation consultation. She will be able to use her experience and artistic eye to help you find the right combination of breast augmentation procedures to meet your aesthetic goals.

Can I get a breast reduction with my breast augmentation?

Some patients desire a breast reduction but also want increased fullness at the top of their breasts (increased upper-pole fullness), which is best improved with breast implants. In these cases, Dr. Bhat can combine breast reduction with breast augmentation for her patients in the Tampa Bay area. While it is easier for you to have both procedures performed at the same time, some patients choose to wait on implants until they can see more visible results from their reduction.

Should I get Breast Implants if I plan on having more children?

While breast augmentation surgery won't affect your child, pregnancy can change the size and shape of your breasts, regardless if you've had a breast enlargement procedure or not. Dr. Bhat will typically suggest you wait until about six months after having children before committing to breast enhancement.

What are the risks associated with Breast Augmentation?

As a plastic surgeon in the Tampa Bay area, Dr. Bhat and her team pride themselves on practicing safe procedures that produce pleasing results for many satisfied patients. We believe in full disclosure, which is why we also discuss the potential complications of cosmetic surgery. Some of the risks and side effects associated with the Breast Augmentation procedure, which can include, but are not limited to: Anesthesia risks Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) or other very rare cancers in the capsule around the breast, such as breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC) Bleeding Changes in nipple or breast sensation Fluid accumulation (seroma) Formation of tight scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture) Hematoma Implant leakage or rupture Infection Persistent pain Poor scarring Possibility of revision surgery Wrinkling of the skin over the implant Wrong or faulty position of the implant If you do experience any of the previously mentioned reactions or long-lasting side effects, please contact our office immediately so that we can help.

What is capsular contracture and how can it be treated?

Every patient's body is different, so even if you choose board-certified plastic surgeons, follow all pre-op and recovery instructions, and live a mindful life, capsular contracture can happen to anyone. The "capsule" is formed from scar tissue as your body reacts to the inserted foreign object. In the case of breast implants, this is usually a good thing, as it can help keep the implant in place and prevents slippage. It becomes a cause for concern when the scar tissue becomes too hard, contracting around the implant. This can lead to not only aesthetic problems but also cause pain in the breasts. In the past, full breast surgery or implant removal was the only available option when treating Capsular Contraction. While this may still be required for some patients, there have been some noninvasive therapy treatments that have seen great success. If you have been feeling pain in your breasts from a previous full breast reconstruction or augmentation surgical procedure, please contact our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Bhat.

Can breast augmentation prevent breast cancer?

There have been some studies that suggest that women who have undergone breast augmentation surgeries have a lower risk of breast cancer. There is a partial belief that the reason the risk is lower is not because of the surgery itself, but because of the type of women who choose to get breast augmentation surgery, such as thin patients, so the risk is already inherently low. Although rare, there is a possible link to ALCL (Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma), which is a form of cancer of the cells of your immune system. While it's not "breast cancer", it will occur in the breast tissue, with the odds of affecting three in every 100 million women.

Breast Augmentation In Tampa | Ravive Plastic Surgery

Smiling brunette with hand on arm - Breast Augmentation

Introduction

Introduction to Breast Augmentation

As one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries available, Breast Augmentation helps so many women who are dissatisfied with lost breast volume, sagging breasts, or their overall breast size. Dr. Bhat closely works with each one of her Tampa breast augmentation patients every step of the way during their journey, ensuring they are comfortable and understanding of every aspect of their procedure. She understands how figuring out the right size, material, and shape for breast augmentation options can feel like a very daunting task, which is why she works with you, every step of the way. To get started, we recommend you read the information below to begin having a better understanding of what undergoing breast augmentation surgery in Tampa entails and determine if you’re a candidate for breast augmentation.

What is Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Breast Augmentation (a.k.a. augmentation mammoplasty) is an FDA-approved plastic surgery procedure that helps women who are dissatisfied with the contour, size, or fullness of their breasts, or would like to improve their breast asymmetry.

There are many important decisions to make when it comes to breast implants that our breast augmentation patients in Tampa must consider. Dr. Bhat will be sure to go over all of these decisions during your consultation and discuss the pros and cons to allow you to make an informed decision.

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Breast Augmentation Options

Breast implants have an exterior silicone shell, filled with either saline or a silicone gel, and they both have their strengths and weaknesses. Saline breast implants generally have more rippling and have the potential to leak, whereas silicone gel implants can have a different feel to both the patient wearing them and the person touching them.

Silicone gel breast implants are usually softer to the touch and tend to have a more natural feel. Silicone implants can also last longer since the new silicone gel filler is semi-solid, making the danger of breast implant rupture or leakage extremely low.

Textured implants are rarely used in the USA due to the risk of lymphomas such as BIA-ALCL. While it is a form of cancer, BIA-ALCL affects your immune system, not your breasts.

Insertion Technique

As with any surgical option, each technique will have pros and cons, but there are multiple different incisions that Dr. Bhat can use as insertion locations for your breast implants:

At the breast crease (inframammary incision)
Around the inferior aspect of the areola

Dr. Bhat prefers the inframammary crease incision due to the lowest risk of capsular contracture.

Woman in black lingerie sitting on end table - Breast Augmentation

What are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation?

Dr. Bhat and her team at Ravive Plastic Surgery have seen our patients enjoy the following benefits from their Breast Augmentation procedure:

Added volume to small breasts
Clothing fits better
Fuller breasts
Immediate and stunning results
Improved confidence and self-esteem
Provides lift after pregnancy and weight loss
Quick recovery
Restores breasts after a mastectomy
Improve breast symmetry

Who are the Best Candidates for Breast Augmentation?

If you are wondering if you are a good candidate for a Breast Augmentation, you should have at least some of these characteristics:

Bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
Breasts are asymmetrical
Dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging
Have realistic expectations
Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
One or both breasts failed to develop normally or have an elongated shape
Physically healthy
Unhappy with the upper part of your breast appearing “empty”
Your breasts are fully developed

Breast augmentation should only be considered after one’s breasts have been fully developed, but there is no age limitation for breast surgery later in life, as long as the patient’s health allows it.

What’s the First Step?

The first step in getting breast augmentation in Tampa is to schedule your Breast Augmentation consultation with Dr. Bhat. When you come into Ravive Plastic Surgery, you will be able to discuss your expectations for the procedure and have your body and breasts examined by Dr. Bhat. While performing her evaluation, she will take everything into account, including your body type and desired aesthetic. You will also be asked questions about your medical history and lifestyle, which not only provides more insight into your life but also helps avoid any unnecessary risks.

The next part is what most of our patients find to be the most fun, which is getting to choose the size and shape of their breast implant surgery themselves. You can see some before and after photos of actual patients, see mold examples of breast implant types, and listen to the pros and cons of each option. Once you and Dr. Bhat have agreed on the techniques, types of breast implants, and a few additional details, she will create your personalized surgical plan.

After you and Dr. Bhat agree on a surgical plan, our Patient Coordinator will be able to help you pick your surgery date, provide you with some important instructions to follow pre-surgery, and the total breast augmentation cost.

What to Expect on the Day of a Breast Augmentation Procedure

Your procedure will vary slightly depending on which type of augmentation you are receiving, but regardless of which one you are getting, we will start your procedure by administering you general anesthesia first to provide you with a more comfortable experience.

Once you are sedated, Dr. Bhat will start making inconspicuous incisions to minimize visible scarring. Depending on your augmentation, the implant will be placed either under the pectoral muscle or directly behind the breast tissue, but over the pectoral muscle. Natural augmentation (fat transfer) may require more operative time dictated by the extent of areas to be liposuctioned and the desired breast size.

When your breast implant placement is complete, Dr. Bhat will close the incisions using layered sutures in the breast tissue to provide the implants and natural breast tissue extra support and close the external breast skin incisions with sutures, skin adhesives, or surgical tape. You may also be outfitted with a compression garment to reduce swelling.

Each operation will take about one to two hours depending on the techniques used by plastic surgeons.

Implant Positioning

Breast Implants can be placed above the chest wall or below the pectoralis major muscle, with some being placed partly above chest muscles AND partly below the pectoral muscles. Every patient will have different requirements, but having the implants below the chest muscle helps the silicone gel breast implants to stay softer and produces better mammogram results. Dr. Bhat will help you choose the best option for you and your body type.

Cup Size

This portion of the discussion is usually most patients’ favorite topic to be considered, however, it can also be a more difficult category since, unfortunately, many cup sizes for bras are inconsistent. We encourage our patients to focus more on the visual appearance of a breast implant type and size, and not necessarily about which letter it is associated with.

Breast Augmentation Recovery

You will be monitored for a little while to ensure you don’t have any negative reactions. Since breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure, once you are released, you will be able to return home, however, we strongly encourage you to have a friend or relative available to give you a ride. We also advise our patients to consider having an adult caretaker available to help them with basic tasks during the first week of the recovery period. Your recovery from breast augmentation should be mostly painless, however, you may experience swelling, bruising, pain, and general discomfort during the early stages of your recovery. You should continue to wear a surgical bra that provides support and protection during the initial part of your full recovery process. Dr. Bhat can prescribe you some temporary pain medications to help manage any pain or discomfort.

Most patients tend to take about a week off of work or school to allow their bodies to heal. It will take the healing process of around two to three weeks before a normal routine with light exercise can be resumed. Heavy lifting and other strenuous activities will need to be avoided for around four to six weeks. You should expect it to take between six and eight weeks for the swelling to subside and your full breast augmentation results to appear. There may be a feeling of stiffness in the area, and the breasts may feel sensitive for a short time during the initial recovery period, but these issues should not be a concern. If you do experience anything concerning, be sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Smiling woman with hands above head - Breast Augmentation

How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost in Tampa, FL?

The average cost of breast augmentation in Tampa Bay, FL typically starts at $3,000 and can go up to around $10,000. The price can vary depending on factors such as anesthesia costs, additional procedures, and the type of implants chosen. For a personalized cost estimate, it is recommended to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bhat. During your consultation, our patient coordinator will provide a detailed quote tailored to your specific needs and desired outcome.

Why Choose Dr. Bhat?

Deepa Bhat, M.D. is a top choice for Breast Augmentation in Tampa, FL. With her exceptional skills and an artistic eye, she can improve your bust to provide you with the silhouette you’ve always dreamed of. Furthermore, Dr. Bhat is fellowship-trained in aesthetic procedures, meaning she did an additional year of training in exclusively cosmetic procedures after her seven years of training and completion of a plastic surgery residency. Dr. Bhat is one of the few aesthetic fellowship-trained plastic surgeons in Florida!

Dr. Bhat understands that every patient is unique, and she takes the time to listen to your goals and concerns to create a personalized treatment plan. Her compassionate approach will make you feel comfortable and supported throughout your journey. With Dr. Bhat, you can trust that you’re in the hands of a skilled surgeon who is dedicated to delivering natural-looking and beautiful results.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re dissatisfied with your breasts’ current size and shape, a Breast Augmentation can do so much to improve your body’s contours and even positively affect your self-esteem. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Bhat, contact Ravive Plastic Surgery today in Tampa, FL by giving us a call or using our website to request your appointment to find out if you’re a good candidate for breast augmentation. A helpful and knowledgeable member of our team will be more than happy to help you begin your transformation!

Schedule A Consultation

Breast Augmentation FAQs

Your procedure questions answered.

Your breast enhancement surgery will be performed while you are under general anesthesia only, so it should be a very comfortable and tolerable procedure. You can expect there to be some pain and tenderness for two to three weeks after your Breast Augmentation. You will be provided post-op instructions that will include incision care and ways to alleviate any discomfort. Dr. Bhat will also temporarily prescribe you pain medication to prevent infection and alleviate any pain.
It's important to remember that when choosing to undergo breast augmentation, you make the kinds of decisions that make you happy. During your consultation, Dr. Bhat will go through the pros and cons of both silicone implants and saline implants, which one is more popular with our patients, and what you can expect from each. Something to keep in mind is that silicone implants have been designed to feel like a more natural breast, being softer to the touch. Saline implants are usually firmer, but if you experience a full implant rupture, the saline solution will be safely absorbed by the body.
Dr. Bhat will have you return about a week after surgery so she can monitor your recovery and remove any stitches and bandages. You can expect another appointment about a month or two later, followed by another one three months post-surgery, then again six months later. Dr. Bhat will always let you know when she would like to have you return at the end of each appointment, as well as when your last follow-up will be.
Your results could be noticeable practically immediately depending on the change in the shape of your breasts' appearance. Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for a few weeks of your breast augmentation recovery, so even if you can notice a difference, your breasts will still be going through changes. It normally takes about three to four months for you to see the final results after your implants have settled into their natural resting position.
Of course! Many of our Tampa Bay area Breast Augmentation patients will combine their breast implant surgery with other body contouring procedures, such as a Breast Lift, Tummy Tuck, Body Lift, or Butt Lift. If you would like to achieve a certain appearance, whether you know what you want or not, please discuss it with Dr. Bhat during your breast augmentation consultation. She will be able to use her experience and artistic eye to help you find the right combination of breast augmentation procedures to meet your aesthetic goals.
Some patients desire a breast reduction but also want increased fullness at the top of their breasts (increased upper-pole fullness), which is best improved with breast implants. In these cases, Dr. Bhat can combine breast reduction with breast augmentation for her patients in the Tampa Bay area. While it is easier for you to have both procedures performed at the same time, some patients choose to wait on implants until they can see more visible results from their reduction.
While breast augmentation surgery won't affect your child, pregnancy can change the size and shape of your breasts, regardless if you've had a breast enlargement procedure or not. Dr. Bhat will typically suggest you wait until about six months after having children before committing to breast enhancement.
As a plastic surgeon in the Tampa Bay area, Dr. Bhat and her team pride themselves on practicing safe procedures that produce pleasing results for many satisfied patients. We believe in full disclosure, which is why we also discuss the potential complications of cosmetic surgery. Some of the risks and side effects associated with the Breast Augmentation procedure, which can include, but are not limited to:
- Anesthesia risks
- Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) or other very rare cancers in the capsule around the breast, such as breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC)
- Bleeding
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Fluid accumulation (seroma)
- Formation of tight scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture)
- Hematoma
- Implant leakage or rupture
- Infection
- Persistent pain
- Poor scarring
- Possibility of revision surgery
- Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
- Wrong or faulty position of the implant
If you do experience any of the previously mentioned reactions or long-lasting side effects, please contact our office immediately so that we can help.
Every patient's body is different, so even if you choose board-certified plastic surgeons, follow all pre-op and recovery instructions, and live a mindful life, capsular contracture can happen to anyone. The "capsule" is formed from scar tissue as your body reacts to the inserted foreign object. In the case of breast implants, this is usually a good thing, as it can help keep the implant in place and prevents slippage. It becomes a cause for concern when the scar tissue becomes too hard, contracting around the implant. This can lead to not only aesthetic problems but also cause pain in the breasts. In the past, full breast surgery or implant removal was the only available option when treating Capsular Contraction. While this may still be required for some patients, there have been some noninvasive therapy treatments that have seen great success. If you have been feeling pain in your breasts from a previous full breast reconstruction or augmentation surgical procedure, please contact our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Bhat.
There have been some studies that suggest that women who have undergone breast augmentation surgeries have a lower risk of breast cancer. There is a partial belief that the reason the risk is lower is not because of the surgery itself, but because of the type of women who choose to get breast augmentation surgery, such as thin patients, so the risk is already inherently low. Although rare, there is a possible link to ALCL (Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma), which is a form of cancer of the cells of your immune system. While it's not "breast cancer", it will occur in the breast tissue, with the odds of affecting three in every 100 million women.

I had my very first Botox and lip filler done by Dr. Deepa Bhat. She is very caring and is the sweetest. She made the process seamless and painless! I had no anxiety over what I’m going to look like after because I knew I was in great hands of an aesthetic plastic surgeon. I LOVE the natural results! I look more youthful and refreshed. I highly recommend her!

- Angela

Dr. Bhat is an amazing surgeon (and person)! I had an extended tummy tuck and lipo 360 and I have never been happier with the way I look. I healed without issue, my scar looks fantastic and most importantly, Dr. Bhat was there for me every step of the way. I would recommend Dr. Bhat to anybody looking to gain self confidence through surgery.

- Rachel

I had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Bhat for lip filler and botox and it was a wonderful experience. She walked in the room with a warm smile and instantly put me at ease. She was very attentive and I felt that she really listened to my goals and desired outcome. She was gentle and meticulous and my lips turned out absolutely beautiful! My botox was placed perfectly as well. She made the experience easy and enjoyable. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone and will be going to see her for my future cosmetic needs!

- Amanda

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