Breast Augmentation Riverside

Temecula breast augmentation surgeons have long known that local patients want fuller and firmer breasts. Patients often have a size in mind but is it as easy as that? One of the deepest secrets about this seemingly simple surgery is that differing breast implant sizes can also make the breast look different! Even nudging the volume of the implant up or down just a little bit can have a significant effect on breast fullness, cleavage and the overall appearance of a patient’s new form. It is therefore important to have a method to achieve these goals in each patient despite the fact that each patient is different in terms of the shape of their breast, different amounts of skin and differing chest widths. So how is the implant size chosen to get the best results for the patient and still satisfy the patient’s size wishes?

It Starts with the Patient

Women who seek consultation for implant surgery usually have an idea about the breast size they wish. They might not be focusing on the exact cup size but they often have a range in mind or, at least they have a size they don’t want. Some patients don’t have a wished size but rely on the recommendation of the plastic surgeon. By first listening to patients, the surgeon gets an unbiased opinion that helps to set the stage to satisfy not only what the patient wishes but to then open the discussion as to how size can affect shape. Dr. Newman has personally performed over 20,000 breast implant surgeries and has developed a specific protocol to get patients to their goal size and, at the same time get the best shape for each patient.
After the patient talks about their size needs and even looks at pictures of other patients to gain an understanding as to what the different cup sizes might look like on them, Dr. Newman examines the patient and makes a recommendation regarding the volume (in cc’s) that would be required to fill the breast with the new breast mound coming out to the breast’s natural edges. In this fashion, implant volume can be used to fill the entire breast and have the best shape in each patient. Patients with wider chests need more volume to get to the edge of the new breast and so need a larger implant.

Trying on Different Implant Sizes

It is very important for patients to try on differing sized implants under a special bra and under clothing to feel confident about the choice for the new volume. Patients can try on a variety of sizes and this really tests whether they really want to be the size they wish and to see what other sizes might be best in terms of getting the best shape. Implant sizing is great in terms of predicting the general size a patient wishes but some variation should be allowed at surgery to measure the volume that will give the best shape. There is no way to exactly measure or use a computer program to predict the volume that will be required to stretch the breast and muscle and to get to the edges of the breast necessary to create the optimal shape. Dr Newman prefers to work towards an exact number of cc’s at the initial consult but to have some “wiggle room” to choose the best volume at surgery for the patient.

The Magic of Surgery

It’s at surgery that the volume can be measured that will fill the breast and get the best shape. Dr. Newman draws on the skin prior to surgery with a marker for the volume he and the patient both finally agree to. The markings identify the edges of the breast the new volume needs to come to. At surgery, a space is made under the pectoralis muscle to the edges of the skin makings, thus transferring the marking into a newly created pocket with the same edges. Next, a special disposable “test implant” is placed and the patient is sat up while asleep and the sizer inflated to the maximum volume required to fill the new space which is, of course limited by the limits of the new pocket and the muscle and can only stretch so much. The size required to fill the pocket completely is measured, the sizer is removed and that size implant is placed. Dr. Newman has all the implant sizes above and below the estimated volume at his surgery center for each patient prior to surgery and much like an artist with different colors on a palate, the best size can be finally chosen for the patient.

Your Best Shape

Dr Newman does not use computer generated information or specific measurements at consultation but rather makes an estimate for the volume required to achieve the best shape based on a rich experience. This allows him to create the best shape for each patient by measuring the best volume at surgery. There is simply no way to know exactly what volume implant will fill the pocket other than to make the pocket and measure it with a measuring sizer at surgery. And a computer cannot predict this size either. Computers are programmed to show differing sizes for patients but don’t reveal the effect of different sizes on the patient’s shape.
Dr. Newman’s is a more artistic approach to breast augmentation because it doesn’t artificially narrow a choice for size but at the same time remains within what the patient wants in terms of size. It is a marriage of artistry supported by measurement so patients can have the best of both worlds.
Working with a doctor with a vision to create the best shape and satisfy size is an enjoyable process and helps patients get to their goals.