Sacramento Breast Augmentation Specialist
Dr. Donald Hause

From his premier Sacramento plastic surgery center, Dr. Donald Hause treats Modesto and Sacramento breast augmentation patients. In the paragraphs below, Dr. Hause describes the options available when considering the breast augmentation procedure.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants are made of a silicone rubber shell and are inflated at the time of surgery to their appropriate size with saline (0.9% salt water). If they leak (rupture), the body just absorbs the water with few side effects other than volume loss (some patients wake up with a "flat tire"). This safety feature is one big advantage of Saline-filled implants. A second advantage is that they come deflated and therefore require a much smaller incision for placement. However, as you will see during your consultation, saline-filled implants do not feel anything like silicone gel or normal breast tissue. This is why we recommend placement of these implants under the pectoralis muscle. This is a sculpting technique to hide this implant under the normal soft tissue. In this way, the implant is less visible and feels more natural. They are still not as natural feeling as silicone gel but they are acceptable in appearance and feel for patients with adequate soft tissue (breast and muscle tissue). Another interesting thing about saline-filled implants is that the rate of Capsular Contracture (becoming hard) is about the same for textured and smooth implants.

Because saline-filled implants require a smaller incision, there are 3 standard options for placement of the incision.

1. Trans-Axillary Incision: Placing the incision in the armpit may be considered advantageous because there is no incision on the chest. The most critical part of breast augmentation is placement of the implant in the fold below the breast. Since this incision is the farthest from the fold, it is technically more difficult to place the implant precisely.
2. Infra-mammary Incision: Under the breast fold is the traditional method most plastic surgeons were trained to do because it is straight forward and can be used with all implant types.
3. Peri-areolar Incision: Most surgeons prefer an incision around the nipple, if possible - this is called the peri-areolar approach.

Silicone Breast Implants

The FDA has concluded that Silicone Gel is safe enough for routine use (patients must be at least 22 years of age, have no active infections, not pregnant, no active cancer). Silicone Gel is far and away the most natural feeling and looking breast implant available. The most noticeable disadvantage of Silicone Gel implants is that they require a larger incision (2 inches) for placement. This is because they come pre-filled from the manufacturer. Although using Gel implants requires a larger incision, most patients can still have a periareolar incision when done with a special placement device. Because they feel more natural, some patients elect to have them placed above the pectoralis muscle, which may decrease post-operative discomfort and recovery. In contrast to saline breast implants, the maintenance of the gel is more involved. The manufacturer recommends routine follow-up with MRI scans (added costs) at various intervals to detect rupture.

The Procedure

Breast augmentation is performed as an outpatient procedure. In this practice, it is performed under general anesthesia. Although some practices perform breast augmentation with sedation and local anesthesia, I believe that it is a much more pleasant experience and can be done more precisely while you sleep. We always see you the day following surgery. We will give you a post-operative bra at that time. We will see you again in 7-10 days to remove sutures and again at 8 weeks after surgery to make sure the implants are settling well into their pockets and everything is progressing normally.

Financing for your breast augmentation

We are pleased to offer CareCredit, the nation's leading patient payment program. With CareCredit you can finance 100% of your cosmetic surgery and there are no upfront costs, no annual fees and no pre-payment penalties. So you can schedule your procedure today and conveniently pay with low monthly payments.

In addition to performing the breast augmentation procedure, Dr. Hause also treats Sacramento breast lift and breast reduction patients. Please visit these pages to learn more about Dr. Hause, who serves patients from Sacramento and Modesto.

downloadable documents

• Breast Augmentation Letter