Fairfax County, Virginia - Breast Implants and Augmentation in the Washington, D.C. Area

At our Fairfax County, Virginia offices, we offer patients breast augmentation and breast implants. In addition, our Washington, D.C. area offices also perform breast lift (mastopexy) and reduction as alternative ways to enhance the bust line and give women body contours in which they can be confident. We also perform breast reconstruction surgery for women who have undergone a mastectomy.

• Breast Augmentation
• FDA Approves Silicone Breast Implants
• Breast Lift and Breast Reduction

In Fairfax County, Northern Virginia, breast augmentation and breast implants procedures can fix a loss of breast volume following pregnancy, correct an asymmetry in breast size, or simply increase the size of breasts. If you think that you may be a candidate for breast augmentation, contact our Washington, D.C. area offices. Following surgery, women will enjoy new contours that can allow clothes to fit and look better. New contours can also provide a boost to self-confidence, though expectations for results should be realistic.

In contrast to breast augmentation, breast reduction and breast lift procedures focus on contouring the breasts and creating a more pleasing shape. Women with very large or sagging breasts often suffer from feelings of self-consciousness and dress to hide their figures. Very large breasts can also cause medical problems, such as back or neck pain. Cosmetic concerns about sagging breasts or breast size may be alleviated through breast reduction or lift. Reduction can also alleviate medical problems associated with large breasts.

In a consultation with Dr. Roberta Gartside, you can see what breast enhancement through augmentation, lift, or reduction can do for you. By expressing your breast enhancement goals to Dr. Gartside, she can formulate a plan for your treatment that will give you the best results. Together, you will decide on incision and implant placement, as well as the extent to which breast size should change. If you live in or around the Fairfax County, Virginia area and are interested in breast implants and breast augmentation, visit our Washington, D.C. area office today.

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The Breast Augmentation Procedure

Prior to breast augmentation at Dr. Gartside’s Washington, D.C. area offices, the surgeon and patient will discuss both placement of the incision and the implant. Depending on the anatomy of the patient, the surgeon’s recommendation, and the patient’s cosmetic goals, incisions will be placed in the crease where the breast meets the chest, in the armpit, or around the areola. The placement of the incision determines the appearance of scars.

The surgeon works through this incision to make a pocket for the placement of the breast implants. Prior to surgery, the patient and surgeon will decide whether the implant should be placed just behind the breast tissue or behind the pectoral (chest) muscles. This latter placement option may reduce chances of capsular contracture, or the hardening of the breast tissue around the implant. However, when breast implants are placed behind the pectoral muscles, recovery time increases.

After Breast Augmentation

Following breast augmentation surgery at our Washington, D.C. and Virginia area offices, patients will experience swelling, bruising, and some pain around the breast implants and should avoid strenuous activity for several weeks. Swelling will go down as breasts heal, and after several months, new body contours should be evident.

A small percentage of breast augmentation patients may experience capsular contracture. This occurs when the scar or capsule around the soft implants shrinks, causing the breast to feel hard. This condition is sometimes treated by removal of scar tissue or by implant replacement. A smaller percentage of breast augmentation patients who visit our Washington, D.C. area offices may experience infection, implant breakage, or loss of feeling in the nipples. During your consultation, Dr. Gartside will review the potential risks and complications so that you understand them fully.

The majority of patients at our Virginia offices, however, experience no complications with their breast implants or the breast augmentation procedure. Our Washington, D.C.-area patients will usually be completely satisfied with their choice to undergo breast enhancement and will enjoy how their new contours look and feel.

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Breast Reduction and Breast Lift

The breast reduction and breast lift procedures require general anesthesia. You and your surgeon will decide on the extent of the procedure and incision placement during your consultation. Some scarring will occur, but incisions will be made in discreet places, so scarring will not be immediately noticeable.

From the incision, the surgeon will work to remove excess skin and/or breast tissue. Once the breast has reached the desired size or contour, the incision will be closed.

The majority of women who choose to undergo the breast lift or reduction procedures are incredibly happy with their results. Breast lift patients enjoy their youthful new contours, while breast reduction patients are happy with the alleviation of back or neck pain.

Most importantly, breast lift and breast reduction procedures have improved the self-confidence of many patients by enabling them to feel more comfortable in their bodies.

If you live in Fairfax County, Virginia and are interested in breast augmentation, implants, breast lift, or breast reduction surgery, contact Washington, D.C. area plastic surgeon Dr. Roberta Gartside today to schedule a consultation.