The choice can feel surprisingly challenging, especially when you’re sorting through conflicting information online. Some sources make fat transfer sound like the obvious winner because it’s “natural.” Others dismiss it as unreliable. 

The truth, as with most things in plastic surgery, is nuanced.

At The Swan Center, our board-certified plastic surgeons have performed tens of thousands of breast procedures. Dr. Bauer alone has completed more than 50,000 breast surgeries throughout his career. That level of experience has taught our team something valuable: there is no universal best option, only the best option for a specific patient.

Understanding Your Breast Augmentation Options

Breast Implants

Breast implants are silicone shells filled with either a saline (saltwater) solution or a cohesive silicone gel. They’re placed beneath your breast tissue or chest muscle to add volume and shape. At The Swan Center, we offer a full range of breast implants, including top-of-the-line Mentor implants chosen for their exceptional safety record and natural feel.

Implants give you a high degree of control over your outcome. You can select your size, shape, material, profile, and placement. For patients wanting a substantial change or very specific aesthetic outcomes, implants deliver predictable, lasting results.

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Fat transfer to the breast takes an all-natural approach. Your surgeon harvests fat from areas where you have excess (often the abdomen, flanks, or thighs), purifies it and strategically injects it into your breasts.

The appeal is obvious: you’re using your own tissue, nothing foreign. You also get the bonus of slimming the donor area. For patients seeking a modest degree of enhancement with a soft, natural feel, fat transfer can be an excellent choice.

Combining Breast Implants and Breast Fat Transfer

Breast implants and fat transfer aren’t mutually exclusive. Many patients actually benefit from combining them. 

The hybrid technique uses implants for the primary volume and structure, then adds fat to refine the result. Transferred fat can smooth visible implant edges and create softer transitions between the implant and natural tissue. The fat essentially camouflages the implant and fine-tunes the overall shape, giving you the benefits of an implant’s volume with the benefits of fat’s natural look and feel.

The Questions to Ask Yourself While You Decide

When you meet with Dr. Bauer, Dr. Fardo, or Dr. Catignani for your consultation, these are some of the topics you’ll discuss.

How Much Fuller Do You Want to Be?

This is the deciding factor for many patients.

Fat transfer can typically increase your breast size by one to two cup sizes at most. And that comes with a caveat: not all the transferred fat survives. Your body will reabsorb a portion of it over the following months, so your final result may be smaller than what you see immediately after surgery. If you’re looking for a subtle, natural result, fat transfer might be a perfect fit.

Breast implants offer more flexibility. Patients today generally request smaller implants than they did a decade or two ago. They want to look enhanced but not obviously augmented. Modern implants and surgical techniques make that very achievable, but implants can also give you a dramatic change if that’s what you’re looking for.

Do You Have Enough Fat to Harvest?

Fat transfer requires adequate donor fat. During your consultation, your surgeon will assess whether you have sufficient fat to achieve the goals you describe. Patients who are very lean may simply not have enough tissue to transfer.

If you don’t have much fat to spare, implants are the practical choice regardless of your preferences. Silicone implants often achieve the best result if you have little natural breast tissue to begin with.

What Feels More Important: Natural Tissue or Predictable Results?

Some patients feel strongly about not putting anything foreign in their bodies. If that sounds like you, using your own fat rather than an implant might be a no-brainer.  

Other patients prioritize predictability. Implants offer more certainty about your final outcome. You can try on sizers and view simulations, and implants won’t change size or shape once they’re in place. Fat transfer involves more variables, including how much fat is harvestable and how much survives the transfer.

Neither priority is right or wrong. It’s up to you to decide what you value most.

How Comfortable Are You With Scars?

Any time there’s an incision, there’s the possibility of a scar. With implants, the incision is placed so the resulting scar is easy to conceal under most clothing and swimsuits. Our surgeons typically use the inframammary approach, where the incision is hidden in the natural fold beneath the breast.

With fat transfer, there’s almost no scarring on the breasts themselves, and only small incisions are used to insert the liposuction cannula for harvesting fat. The incision lines are nearly invisible once they’re healed. If minimal scarring is a high priority for you, fat transfer has the advantage.

What About the Possibility of Future Surgery? 

Breast implants are not lifetime devices. While many women keep their implants for 10, 15, even 20 years without issue, you should go into the procedure understanding that replacement or removal is a possibility at some point in your future. 

Fat transfer eliminates implant-related complications. There’s no device that can rupture, harden or need replacing. However, fat transfer isn’t necessarily a one-and-done solution either. Because a portion of transferred fat gets reabsorbed, some patients choose to have a second fat grafting session to achieve their desired fullness. 

Neither option guarantees you’ll never need another procedure, but the nature of the potential future surgery differs.

What Risks Are You Willing to Accept?

Every surgical procedure carries some risk.  

Fat transfer tends to involve less extensive surgery with smaller incisions and typically a shorter recovery. The risks are primarily related to fat survival (unpredictable volume retention) and the possibility of fat necrosis (hardened lumps of fat that didn’t survive). There’s no risk of implant-related complications because there’s no implant.

Breast implants carry their own considerations. Capsular contracture, where scar tissue around the implant tightens and hardens, affects some patients. Implants can rupture, shift positions or become visible through the skin. There’s also increasing awareness of BIA-ALCL, a rare lymphoma associated with certain textured implants. 

Our surgeons stay current on all safety data and will discuss these considerations in detail during your consultation.

Will Your Results Stand the Test of Time? 

Both breast augmentation options are long-lasting.

Implants maintain their volume consistently over time. Your breasts won’t shrink if you lose weight or fluctuate with your body’s changes the way natural tissue does. The shape you achieve is the shape you keep, barring complications and the natural aging process.

Fat that successfully integrates into your breast tissue is there for good. However, like all fat in your body, it responds to weight fluctuations. Gain weight, and your breasts may grow. Lose weight, and you may lose some of that enhanced volume.

Consider your lifestyle and the kind of stability you want from your results.

What Our Breast Augmentation Patients Say

We could tell you that our patients leave happy, but we prefer to let them say it themselves:  

“Dr. Bauer saw my vision and he made it happen. My breasts look very natural and proportional to my body. This has given me a newfound confidence and I thank Dr. Bauer and his staff for all of their support.” — Van N.

“Having breast augmentation was one of the best decisions I’ve made for MYSELF!! I worked hard and lost a lot of weight on my own. I wanted to bring some curve and balance to my upper half. We went for a sexy yet conservative size and I could not be happier!!” — Sarah S.

“Dr. Fardo did my breast augmentation in September of 2022 and I couldn’t be happier! He came highly recommended from so many ladies I spoke with and he did not disappoint. I feel comfortable in my own skin now (after 3 babies). Forever thankful!!” — Katherine A.

“After three (breastfed) children I decided to get a breast augmentation. It was the best decision I could have made! I am back to feeling myself and more confident than ever! They look so natural and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.” — Amanda

“​​I’m obsessed with my results, they are even better than I could have imagined! Dr. Cat truly listened to what I wanted and delivered exactly that, while also using her expertise to make the best decisions for my body. Her eye for aesthetics is incredibly refined, and it’s clear she is an absolute expert in her field.” — Eve Y.

You can read more patient reviews and browse our before-and-after gallery to see the natural-looking results our surgeons achieve.

Schedule Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

Ready to explore your options with experienced, expert surgeons who can guide you with confidence? The Swan Center has been Atlanta’s trusted destination for breast surgery for more than 30 years. Call us at 770-667-0904 or contact us online to schedule your consultation.

Your beautiful, natural-looking results are waiting.

Related Resources:

• Interview With a Breast Augmentation Expert: Dr. Joseph G. Bauer
• Atlanta Plastic Surgeon Dr. Cat Shares 5 Secrets to Beautiful Breast Augmentation Results
• In the Age of the Bralette, Where Does Breast Augmentation Fit In?
• Breast Augmentation FAQ

Shaping the Evolution of Breast Augmentation

Dr. Bauer’s training, experience, and innovative techniques are second to none among breast augmentation specialists. During his career, he has performed more than 50,000 breast surgeries for patients who travel to The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery from throughout the world.

Dr. Bauer has also participated in multiple clinical trials involving breast surgery, where he had a direct role in improving breast augmentation techniques.

Dr. Bauer on Breast Augmentation

During a recent interview, Dr. Bauer discussed his approach to breast augmentation, what occurs during a consultation, and how the shaping and stabilization technique he developed improves breast augmentation results.

Q. When you first meet with a patient considering breast augmentation, what information do you want to learn?

A. I really like to get to know the person. I consider it like a cocktail party, where I ask questions about their lives and establish a trusting relationship. By the time of the consultation, they’ve already spoken with our patient coordinator, and many of the details have been documented.

Q. Do patients arrive with a specific size of breast implant in mind?

A. Some do, but it’s important that they understand that getting the natural-looking results that virtually all patients want depends on their unique body. Just because a certain size implant looks good on their friend doesn’t mean it’s right for them.

Q. The population of Atlanta is diverse. Are there physical differences that you need to account for during surgery?

A. Yes. For example, certain ethnic groups have denser breast tissue than others. Breast augmentation is never a one-size-fits-all procedure, and I take into account all factors when planning the surgery.

Q. Tell us about the breast shaping and stabilization technique you developed.

A. I developed the shaping and sculpting technique to achieve a better, longer-lasting result than traditional implant placement. A beautiful breast augmentation result involves creating an attractive, natural-looking breast shape.

My technique uses composite breast sculpting for more predictable, long-term results. During the procedure, I anchor the inframammary fold and use tissue for an internal bra that supports the implants.

Q. You served on the council for LEAD (Leadership, Experience, and Development in Breast Augmentation), which is composed of top breast augmentation specialists. What was that experience like?

A. The council included thought leaders with practices similar to ours. The meetings involved exchanging the best ideas and areas of research about breast augmentation. It was pretty awesome. The aesthetics field is a small world, and there are some really smart people out there.

Q. What are some of the most significant changes in breast augmentation preferences you’ve seen over the years?

A. A decrease in volume. Patients are getting smaller implants and don’t want to be quite as curvy as what you may have seen 10 or 20 years ago. The type of implants patients choose has completely reversed since silicone gel implants were reapproved for use (in 2006). For many years, more patients chose saline-filled implants. Now, 97% of breast augmentation patients at our practice choose cohesive silicone gel implants.

Q. What’s the best part of specializing in breast augmentation?

A. I’ve been very lucky. I work with amazing people, and we’ve made a lot of people smile over the years. I’m just blessed to see so many happy faces.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re considering breast augmentation and want to discuss your options personally with Dr. Bauer or another board-certified plastic surgeon at The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery, request a consultation using the online form or call us at (770) 667-0904. You can also view breast augmentation results in our gallery of before-and-after photos.

At The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery, our surgeons are skilled at creating natural-looking, beautiful breasts that enhance your body and boost your confidence. Every patient is unique, and a breast lift with augmentation is a highly personalized procedure designed to address your specific needs and goals.

Understanding Your Options: Implants & Customization

We’ll work closely with you during your consultation to understand your desired outcome. This goes beyond deciding implant size—we’ll discuss implant type, shape, profile, and placement to achieve the most natural look and feel for your body.

Learn about the longevity of breast implants in this related blog post.

Real Patients, Real Results

We’re proud of the transformative results we achieve for our patients. Here are 5 before-and-after case summaries, showcasing the diverse, beautiful outcomes possible:

Natural-Looking & Perky After Breastfeeding

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This 44-year-old patient wanted to restore the shape and volume of her breasts after having 2 children by C-section and breastfeeding. We performed a breast augmentation with lift and placed round silicone gel moderate profile implants. The results, shown at 6 months post-op, speak for themselves. Her breasts are now perkier and fuller, enhancing her confidence and overall body image.

Reshaped Breasts & Areolas

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This 35-year-old mom sought an uplifted appearance and a subtle size increase. We performed a breast lift with augmentation, including a reduction of enlarged areolas to give her a more youthful shape and appearance. The final result complements her physique perfectly with a cup size increase from B to C, proportional nipples, and increased upper pole fullness.

Rejuvenating Mature Breasts

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This 55-year-old mom wanted to regain a more youthful and uplifted breast appearance. We performed a breast lift with augmentation, placing round silicone gel moderate plus profile implants in a subpectoral position. This approach provided excellent support and a natural-looking enhancement, empowering her to feel more youthful, confident, and beautiful.

Restoring Curves & Symmetry

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Having breastfed two children, this 29-year-old patient desired fuller, more symmetrical breasts. We performed a breast lift with augmentation, using round implants to achieve a subtle increase in cup size from A to B. This transformation allowed her to embrace a curvier figure and feel more comfortable in her own skin.

Enhancing Natural Assets

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This 31-year-old patient wanted to add volume and improve the shape of her breasts. We performed a breast lift with augmentation, lifting the breasts into a higher position on the chest wall and using silicone gel implants to increase her cup size from B to C. The results are natural-looking yet dramatic, enhancing her innate beauty and boosting her confidence.

Ready To See What’s Possible for You?

These are just a few examples of the remarkable results achievable with breast augmentation with a lift at The Swan Center. If you’re considering this procedure and want to explore your options, we encourage you to call us at (770) 667-0904 or contact us using the online form to schedule a consultation/consultation] with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.

If you’ve undergone breast augmentation or are considering it, you might be wondering “how long do breast implants last.” It’s a valid concern, as breast implants are not designed to be lifelong devices.  

This blog post covers what you need to know about breast implant longevity, including when to replace them, the durability of different implant types, and the importance of breast implant warranties. We’ll also provide tips for preserving your breast augmentation results. 

How Long Do Saline Breast Implants Last? 

Saline breast implants are filled with a harmless sterile saltwater solution. For most women, saline implants can last between 10 and 20 years, though their actual lifespan will depend on factors such as your age, lifestyle, and changes in your body over time.

In the unlikely event of a rupture or leak, a saline implant will deflate, creating a noticeable change in the breast’s appearance. This creates a visible indicator of when you should replace your saline implant.

Still, it’s important to monitor your implants regularly through visual checks and routine scans and to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon if you notice any changes or have concerns. 

How Long Do Silicone Breast Implants Last? 

Silicone breast implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel that closely mimics the feel of natural breast tissue. They have a comparable lifespan to saline implants and can last 10 to 20 years or more. Again, the actual duration depends on individual factors. 

These implants tend to maintain their shape and feel, making them a reliable option for those seeking long-lasting breast augmentation results. However, implant aging will eventually affect the integrity of your implants—the risk of rupture often increases as the implants become older. This makes regular MRI or high-resolution ultrasound screenings and occasional checkups with your plastic surgeon vital.  

Silicone implants can rupture “silently,” so proactive, ongoing monitoring can ensure your implants are functioning correctly and haven’t developed any issues. 

What Does a Breast Implant Warranty Cover? 

Breast implant warranties provide peace of mind and financial protection in case of unexpected complications. While the specific terms and conditions vary between manufacturers, here are some common aspects of what breast implant warranties typically cover: 

• Rupture Coverage: Most warranties cover the cost of replacing the implant if it ruptures within a specified time frame. Some warranties may also include financial assistance for surgical fees. 

• Capsular Contracture: In cases where capsular contracture occurs (a condition where scar tissue tightens around the implant), warranties may cover implant replacement and related expenses. 

• Implant Malfunction: Warranties may also cover implant malfunction due to manufacturing defects. 

• Limited Lifetime Coverage: Some manufacturers offer limited lifetime coverage for certain implant types, providing reassurance over an extended period. 

At The Swan Center, we are proud to use MENTOR® implants, which come with a lifetime warranty for rupture or deflation.

Tips for Preserving Your Breast Augmentation Results 

Now that we’ve discussed the lifespan of breast implants and warranty coverage, let’s explore some tips for preserving your breast augmentation results: 

• Regular Checkups: Follow your plastic surgeon’s recommended follow-up appointment schedule to ensure your implants are in good condition and functioning correctly. 

• Keep Your Weight Stable: Significant weight fluctuations can impact the appearance of your breast implants.  

• Protect Your Chest: When engaging in physical activities or contact sports, use proper protective gear to minimize the risk of trauma to your chest area. 

• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: A healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise can help maintain your overall well-being, which can, in turn, contribute to the longevity of your breast augmentation results. 

• Stay Informed: Keep current on the latest developments in breast implant safety and technology. If there are updates or recalls related to your implants, proactively address any potential concerns. 

When you decide it’s time to get your implants replaced with a newer model or a shape or style that’s more aligned with your aesthetic preferences, you’ll schedule breast implant revision surgery. See for yourself how our patients can achieve beautiful, proportional, and natural-looking results—that are just as good if not better than the original procedure—in our before-and-after photo gallery. 

Ready To Enhance Your Confidence With Breast Augmentation? 

We understand the importance of feeling confident and comfortable in your own skin. If you’re considering breast augmentation or have questions about your existing breast implants (including whether you should get them removed), please request a consultation or call us at (770) 667-0904 today. 

If you’re considering breast implant removal, you likely have numerous questions! The answer to the question of whether or not an explantation procedure is right for you is certainly a personal one—but it’s best to make the decision with counseling from a board-certified plastic surgeon. 

Our Swan Center plastic surgeons have decades of combined knowledge on the subject and are here to explain some of the most critical things to consider when making this important decision about your body. Below, we’re covering the reasons certain patients may choose to reverse their “boob job,” plus what happens during the surgery and after, to help you decide if it’s time to speak with a plastic surgeon.

What are some reasons to have breast implants removed?

Patients may seek out breast explantation (another term for implant removal) because of personal preference, a change in their breasts’ appearance, to treat a complication, or for other health-related reasons. 

Following are some of the specific scenarios that may lead you to want to have your breast implants taken out:

• Personal preference or lifestyle
• Rupture and/or deflation
• Capsular contracture
• Health concerns
• Cosmetic changes
• Aesthetic irregularities
• Time since your implants were placed

Personal preference or lifestyle

Many breast implant removals boil down to personal choice. It’s completely normal to have your breasts implants out because they aren’t a good fit for your lifestyle, or you prefer to have your natural breast size and/or shape again! Some patients feel their breasts are too heavy, or their tastes have changed and they want a more natural aesthetic.

Rupture and/or deflation

A ruptured breast implant is an implant that has torn or developed a hole in the outer silicone shell. With saline-filled implants, you will typically notice that your implant has deflated: the saline (salt water) leaks out and is safely absorbed by the body. This is a common reason patients decide to have a breast explant since deflated implants change the appearance of your breast(s).

With the modern cohesive silicone gel-filled implants, however, a rupture can be asymptomatic—it usually doesn’t change your breasts’ appearance, and therefore can only be detected with an MRI or ultrasound scan, which (as of 2022) are recommended by the FDA after 5-6 years, with check-ups every 2-3 years thereafter. If a rupture is detected, then the compromised silicone implant should be removed or replaced because the silicone inside the implant is not meant to be exposed inside the body, and may interact with lymph nodes or surrounding tissues.

Capsular contracture

Capsular contracture develops when the capsule of scar tissue that naturally forms around an implant irregularly tightens and hardens, distorting the shape of your breast(s). There are several Baker grades of capsular contracture severity, and some scientists believe it may be caused by a bacterial biofilm that forms on the implant. To treat capsular contracture, some patients may choose explantation with capsulectomy (scar tissue removal), while many patients opt to replace their implants in order to restore their breasts to their previous augmented look (this option comes with a risk of recurrence, but surgeons have various techniques to help minimize the risk).

Health concerns

Breast implants have been the subject of ongoing studies exploring their connection with certain health conditions. Breast implant illness, or BII, refers to the experience of systemic symptoms like hair loss, memory loss, rash, brain fog, or fatigue that are thought to be caused by breast implants. BII is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that patients work with their providers to eliminate other possible causes of their symptoms before arriving at a diagnosis of BII. Research is currently underway to better understand BII, but currently BII is not a diagnosable condition. To alleviate symptoms, explantation surgery may be chosen as a treatment option. 

Nothing is more important than our commitment to the safety of our patients. We proudly offer  MENTOR® implants for our breast augmentation patients, which have an extensive warranty program and a high standard of quality and safety. MENTOR® has conducted decades worth of clinical studies to closely monitor long-term breast implant complications, which is why we trust using these implants for our patients.

Cosmetic changes

With aging, childbearing, and weight changes, the breasts’ appearance is likely to change. You may decide you want a change in the shape or size of your breasts with a revision cosmetic surgery, or simply to have your implants taken out—we understand! Whether you want to add a breast lift to your breast implant removal for a perkier appearance or you opt for a simple removal surgery, cosmetic change is a normal reason to seek an explant.

Aesthetic irregularities

Aesthetic complications include visible implant rippling, implant malposition, or asymmetry of your results, and any of these may lead you to decide to remove your implants. An experienced cosmetic breast surgeon can also help you to restore a natural-looking breast shape and size with a customized combination of procedures like breast lift to address breast ptosis and fat transfer to the breasts to add a small amount of volume and upper pole fullness, as needed. 

Time since your implants were placed

Time passed since getting your implants is another reason: according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and other experts, breast implants are not lifetime medical devices and may need replacement or removal after 10-15 years. That said, if you are happy with your look and aren’t experiencing a complication, there is no need to have your implants out within a specific time frame.

Alternatives to breast implant removal

As an alternative to explantation, breast implant revision with implant replacement is an option if you still want the look of implants: many patients switch to newer-generation silicone gel breast implants which are very durable, safe, and natural-feeling. You can also choose implant revision surgery instead of removal if you have a complication, such as capsular contracture, that needs to be treated.

It’s completely normal to have your breasts implants out because they aren’t a good fit for your lifestyle, or you prefer to have your natural breast size and/or shape again!

Most explants involve more than just removing implants 

Breast implant removal is performed under general anesthesia, and uses the same incision or incisions (if possible) used during your initial breast augmentation. However, implant removal typically involves more than just taking out the implants: depending on the state of your implants and any complications you may have, the capsule of scar tissue may need to be removed partially or completely in a procedure known as “capsulectomy.” Here are the capsulectomy options to discuss with your board-certified plastic surgeon during your consultation:

En bloc capsulectomy

In an en bloc capsulectomy, your surgeon removes the implant and the surrounding capsule of scar tissue in one unit. This technique may be necessary if the implant poses a health risk if exposed to the surrounding tissues. Still, it should only be used when critical to the patient’s health as en bloc capsulectomy can notably increase the risk of damage to surrounding tissues.

Total capsulectomy

A total capsulectomy involves first opening the implant capsule and removing the implant, then removing all of the capsule tissue second to that (sometimes in separate pieces). This is a somewhat less risky procedure than en bloc capsulectomy, yet still requires the surgeon to be vigilant working around surrounding tissues.

Partial capsulectomy

A partial capsulectomy involves removing any problematic portions of the scar capsule tissue  that could inhibit a good outcome. The surgeon will leave any part of the capsule that is deemed risky to remove.

Ultimately, which type of capsulectomy is best suited to treating your anatomy and concerns can only be determined in an in-person consultation. Your plastic surgeon will explain which options will be effective and safe based on your reasons for seeking an explant surgery.

You may also want a breast lift or fat transfer—here’s why

A breast lift is a plastic surgery that tightens stretched tissues, removes any excess skin that is contributing to sagging or drooping, and creates a firmer, lifted breast shape. It can also move the nipples higher on the breast mound, if needed, to help your breasts look more youthful. 

Since having large breast implants, pregnancy, weight changes, and aging can all contribute to stretched breast tissues, it’s fairly common to need a breast lift to restore an aesthetically pleasing breast shape after breast implant removal. We can perform a breast lift in the same surgery, under the same anesthesia as your explantation procedure, in most cases. Including a breast lift adds 1-2 hours to the total procedure time.

Additionally, a fat transfer to the breasts is a procedure that can add a modest amount of volume and shape, as well as help to provide volume where needed in a customized fashion. Fat transfer may even be able to help you to restore some degree of cleavage or upper-pole fullness.

That said, patients with minimal stretching of breast tissue can take a “wait and see” approach, having their breast implants removed first, then deciding later if they are happy with their breast shape. Our surgeons will be sure to educate you on any options that may provide a pleasing outcome and will support your ultimate decision, developing a tailored procedure plan.

Your breasts’ appearance after explantation

Your breast will lose volume and fullness after your implants are taken out, but they will likely still have a familiar shape to you. It’s common for patients to be worried about their breasts’ appearance after an explant, but for most, there is some amount of “bounce back” that you can expect to see over time as your breast skin adjusts to not having implants. Talk with your surgeon about these concerns, and based on your own anatomy, they can help you decide if an additional procedure like breast lift may truly be necessary (or not!) to help you see a result you love after surgery.

About The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery in Atlanta

The board-certified plastic surgeons at The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery are here to help you achieve peace of mind as well as your aesthetic goals. We understand that the decision to remove breast implants is a highly personal one, and we make it our goal to be here for you each step of the way. To learn more and meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon at our luxurious accredited private surgery center and medical spa, schedule your consultation today by calling 770-667-0904 or filling out our online form.

1. Prepare like a pro

The first secret to gorgeous results is having a productive, in-depth personal consultation with your plastic surgeon. And you’ll get the most out of that meeting if you prepare ahead: read about others’ breast augmentation experiences, look at before and after photos of patients who look like you in the ‘before’ images, and get a basic understanding of breast implant and surgical options.

Take notes, save examples, and write down the questions you want to ask. This will empower you to ask more detailed questions and help you receive personally relevant information. Patients who have prepared for their consultation are better able to clearly communicate their goals, helping them to get on the same page with their surgeon more easily.

As you research breast implants, take notes, save photos, and write down the questions you want to ask your plastic surgeon.

2. Pay attention to the details

Your surgical plan has a big impact on your results. Whether you want a subtle boost or notably bigger breasts, my goal is to create a volumetric look that perfectly suits your frame. Here are 3 key elements of the plan that I am thinking about when I meet with you:

• Breast implant options: There are a range of breast implant options, with variations in size/volume, profile, and material. During the consultation, you will have the chance to try on sizers and feel implant options for yourself. We’ll recommend a range of sizes and profiles of implants that we know will look good on you, and help you narrow down your options from there.
• Breast lifts: If your breasts sag, you may need a breast lift in combination with your breast augmentation. This is not always the case, as a little visible “lift” can be achieved with implants. But if your breast sagging is more than just mild, we may have to incorporate a lift in order to achieve your vision.
• Add-on procedures: You may desire add-on procedures (such as liposuction) to get ideal, comprehensive results.

Excellent surgeons customize the procedure for your anatomy, and discuss the details of the surgery with you. The best surgical outcomes happen when the surgeon and patient are collaborating—you bring your expertise about your body and goals, and I bring my expertise about breast surgery.

3. Optimize your health for a smooth recovery

The secret to an optimal recovery? It starts well ahead of surgery! Go ahead and start investing in your health to support your body’s ability to heal during recovery:

• Strictly abstain from smoking and vaping.
• Fuel a healthy recovery by eating a nutrient-rich diet full of protein, fruits and vegetables, healthy fats like nuts and seeds, and whole-grain carbohydrates.
• After breast augmentation, you will need to sleep on your back. So that you’ll be comfortable getting quality rest in this position after surgery, practice ahead of time! You may want to place pillows along your sides to support this position at first.

After recovery, follow these tips that are a key part of the secret to gorgeous results:

• Continue to refrain from smoking—and, ideally, don’t pick it back up! Smoking ages your skin prematurely, and therefore contributes to breast sagging.
• Continue to eat a nutrient-rich diet.
• Don’t do too much, too soon after surgery. Embrace this chance to rest and allow your body to do the work of healing!
• Wear soft, supportive surgical bras—no underwires until your surgeon gives you the OK.
• Sleep on your back.
• Take care of your incisions per the scar care instructions that we provide.
• Avoid the sun, which will darken your healing scars and contribute to early skin aging.

4. Do it for the right reasons

Breast augmentation is one of most genuinely confidence-boosting procedures available. Yet choosing breast implants is a personal decision, and the happiest patients we see post-op decide to have this procedure to feel like a stronger, more confident version of themselves—not to please someone else. Check in with yourself before booking your consultation to make sure that you are seeking breast augmentation as a gift of confidence to yourself rather than to make others happy.

Breast augmentation should be a gift of confidence you give yourself—not something you do to make others happy.

5. Choose a qualified plastic surgeon who gets you

Good rapport with your plastic surgeon may be the most important secret to your results. Look for someone who listens to you and works with you during the consultation to make sure they 100% understand what you want out of surgery. Find a surgeon who is board certified, has years of experience, has glowing reviews, and shows you stellar before-and-after results that resemble the look you’re going for. Trust your intuition, and if you don’t feel that your plastic surgeon gets you, get a second opinion!

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Cat at Swan Center in Atlanta

Female board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Cristen Catignani wants her Atlanta breast augmentation patients to feel empowered, safe, and listened to every step of the way. If you are ready to schedule your consultation and learn what breast augmentation with Dr. Cat can do for you, call 770-667-0904 or contact our practice online.

You are smart to do your research, as some basic principles of breast implant sizing will help you as you talk with your surgeon about the look you want. Here is everything you need to know to help you get gorgeous breast augmentation results in proportion with your figure.

How do you choose a breast implant size?

In collaboration with your board certified plastic surgeon, you will choose a breast implant size based on a number of factors. First and foremost, you and your surgeon will discuss the “look” you want. Do you want buxom breasts, or do you want a modest, more natural-looking augmentation? Before and after pictures of patients who resemble you can help at this stage. Then, your surgeon will examine you, considering a number of factors about your body:

• The measurement of your breast base (breast width)
• How wide-set your breasts are
• The width of your shoulders and hips
• Your height, weight, and overall shape
• Your current breast volume
• The quality of your natural breast tissue

Other considerations may come into play during this consultation, too. For example, athletes may want to choose more modestly sized implants for their comfort while active. Or, you may want a certain incision placement or type of implant that will affect your choice of size.

Finally, you will try on breast implant sizers in our office to get a sense of what different sizes look like on you. Once you and your surgeon reach an understanding of the result you want, they will still typically bring a small range of implant sizes into your surgery. This minor amount of leeway allows your surgeon to observe the specifics of your tissues during surgery and, based on that, select the most appropriate implants to achieve your desired look. This also helps surgeons to achieve greater symmetry between the breasts; often, one side will need a slightly larger implant.

What implant is best for broad shoulders?

If you have wide shoulders or a larger frame, you will most likely be happiest with low-profile implants. “Profile” refers to how much projection the implant has: high-profile implants are shaped more like gumdrops (a bit more “pointy”), with more volume projected out from the chest wall. In low-profile implants, volume is evenly distributed throughout the implant, filling out the breasts at the center and edges. Low profile implants tend to create a nice fullness in all directions for women with a wider chest, without needing to add so much volume that they are uncomfortably heavy; high profile implants, on the other hand, typically look more natural on patients with narrow or petite frames. Moderate profile implants are also an option that is ideal for many patients with wider chests.

The key to gorgeous breast augmentation results is breast implants that are in proportion with your figure.

Tall or broad-shouldered women also often find that they are surprised by the high implant volumes we recommend for them. This is normal; if you are tall, you will need a higher breast implant volume (measured in cc’s) to achieve a proportional look.

What should I consider before breast augmentation if I have a larger frame?

The most important choice you make before breast implants is your surgeon; if you have a wide frame, look for a surgeon who has patients who look like you in their before and after gallery—with results you like! Note that surgeons’ online galleries may be limited, but in your initial consultation, your surgeon should be able to show you many more patients with the kind of results you’re looking for. If their aesthetic is not right for you, there is no harm in scheduling a second consultation with another surgeon. Your results are (literally) in your surgeon’s hands, so make your decision with no less than 100% confidence they can give you the results you desire.

How many cc’s is equivalent to a breast cup size?

Bra cup sizing is not scientific, nor is a single “breast cup” on a 42 band size going to hold the same amount of volume as that on a 32 band size. This makes it difficult to use breast cup size to determine the implant volume in cc’s that will be right for you. While you can try to estimate your implant size ahead of time, it’s key to schedule your consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon and try on implant sizers. Each implant has a certain diameter, projection, volume, and fill material, so the best way to get a sense of how all these factors interact in a certain breast implant is to handle real implants and try them out!

Does my weight before breast augmentation matter?

If you are at a stable weight you expect to maintain, your weight before breast augmentation usually doesn’t matter. (You just need to be under a BMI of about 30 to safely undergo surgery.) However, if you are actively losing weight, or expect your weight to fluctuate by more than 15-20 pounds, hold off on surgery until your size and proportions are stable so that your surgeon can give you a gorgeous, proportional result that continues to look stellar far into the future.

Schedule your breast augmentation consultation at The Swan Center in Atlanta

You are not alone in choosing your breast implant size at The Swan Center! Our board certified plastic surgeons take their time and work with you to find the perfect breast implants for your body. From initial consultation to post-operative check-ins, we are on your team every step of the way. To schedule your consultation, call 770-667-0904 or contact us online today.

Read on for our Atlanta breast augmentation experts’ advice for three small procedures that can help enhance your breast implant surgery results, maximize the benefits of augmentation, and complete your transformation.

Banish the Bra Roll

While breast enhancement patients are typically focused on improving their front and profile views, we advise women wanting the most perfect results to take a 360° approach and consider all sides of the torso.

If you’re tired of fighting bothersome back fat with specialized bras, liposuction can banish the bra roll for good.

Women often develop stubborn pockets of fat in the mid- and upper back region, as well as on the sides of the torso. While you can fight bothersome bulges that show underneath form-fitting clothing with specialized undergarments, if you want to banish the bra roll for good, liposuction can do the trick! “Bra bulge” liposuction can be performed in an hour or two under local anesthesia, and the results are lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight.

Touch Up the Teacups

Once your breasts are the size and shape you’ve always wanted, you’re surely ready to rock a strapless dress—if only there weren’t those small pillows of fat underneath your armpits, a.k.a. the teacup area. Hello, liposuction!

This procedure removes fat pockets in the area right above your breast, near your armpit and shoulder, to create an appealing “frame” for the breasts and a smoother appearance in strapless dresses and tops. But there’s an even bigger added bonus: reducing the fat near your breasts will visually enhance the shape of your breasts, making them appear larger.

As an added bonus, reducing the fat near your breasts will enhance and draw attention to their new shape, making them appear larger.

This add-on procedure is an especially great choice for women who are on the fence about exactly what size of breast implants to choose. You may be satisfied with a smaller number of ccs if you can add visual oomph to the final result with liposuction.

Rounding it Out

Did you know that you can inject fat into the upper portion of your breasts to create a fuller shape? In a body sculpting procedure (a.k.a. fat transfer), we can remove unwanted fat from areas where you have an excess of fat cells (often the abdomen, flanks, or hips) and inject it into the area of your breast known as the upper pole. This helps to create round, curvy cleavage and natural-looking fullness in the upper breast, further enhancing your breast augmentation results.

Let the Swan Center team help you optimize your breast augmentation results

For the plastic surgeons and expert aesthetic staff at The Swan Center Atlanta, your safety and satisfaction are of the utmost importance. If you’re looking to enhance your breast augmentation—or get gorgeous breast implant results in the first place—we invite you to start the conversation with a virtual or in-office consultation. Learn more about our surgeons here, or call us at (770) 667-0904 to make an appointment!

If you are a little confused, or perhaps even worried, you are not alone. Word of the recall spread quickly, and as often is the case, the news raised more questions than it answered.

Your being confused is the last thing we want! Our board certified plastic surgeons have put together the following Q&A about the Allergan breast implant recall to help you understand what’s really going on, why, and what (if anything) you need to do.

First, a note to our patients: as a rule, we use Mentor implants at The Swan Center and have done so for years. If you had your breast implant surgery with us, it is highly unlikely that you are affected by the recall. Please see your Mentor Warranty Card or view warranty info here for more information.

• What breast implants have been recalled?
• What does a breast implant recall mean?
• Why were these breast implants recalled?
• Should I have textured implants removed?
• What should you do if you have implants affected by the recall?
• Will Allergan pay to have my implants replaced?

What breast implants have been recalled?

Only BIOCELL textured implants from Allergan have been recalled. This includes:

• Natrelle Saline textured breast implant styles 168, 363, 468
• Natrelle 410 anatomically shaped highly cohesive and 410 Soft Touch breast implants
• Natrelle INSPIRA textured breast implants
• Natrelle 133 (with or without suture tabs) and 133 Plus tissue expanders
• Other Natrelle silicone-filled textured breast implants. See a full list here.

Smooth-shelled breast implants of any kind are not impacted by the recall.

What does a breast implant recall mean?

When we hear the word “recall,” we automatically think of automobiles or toys—you take your car to the dealer or toy back to the store to replace the faulty part. The breast implant recall works differently. It means that BIOCELL implants may no longer be sold to or used by doctors and that any of these implants on the shelves must be sent back to the company. It may help to instead think of it as immediate discontinuation, or recall of unused BIOCELL products.

The recall does NOT mean that all patients who currently have these implants need to have them removed. This is because BIA-ALCL is such a rare condition. You simply need to be aware of breast symptoms that can be cause for concern and continue with routine follow-up care as recommended by your plastic surgeon.

Why were these breast implants recalled?

While the risk of developing BIA-ALCL is very rare (an estimated 1:2,207 to 1:86,029 if you have textured breast implants), BIOCELL implants have been shown to have the strongest association with the disease. In fact, the incidence of BIA-ALCL has been reported to be over 14 times higher in patients with BIOCELL implants vs. patients with other types of textured implants.

Importantly, the research indicates that it is the specific BIOCELL texturing method, not the presence of a breast implant itself, that raises the risk of BIA-ALCL. 

The texturing method of BIOCELL implants results in a very high implant surface area that can harbor significantly more bacteria than other types of textured implants. Studies show that a “chronic biofilm infection” results in heightened immune cell response. As BIA-ALCL is a cancer of the immune cells, it is believed that that the BIOCELL texture creates a more favorable environment for BIA-ALCL to develop compared to other types of implants.

Should I have textured implants removed?

It is currently not recommended that patients have BIOCELL or any other textured implants removed if they are not experiencing symptoms, such as breast pain or late-onset seroma (fluid accumulation in the breast 6 months or longer after implant placement).

If it seems odd to you that they would recall breast implants but say it’s okay for those who already have them to keep them, here’s the reasoning: the lifetime risk of developing BIA-ALCL, even for those with the recalled implants, is extremely low, about 1 in 2200, or 0.045%, at most. Worldwide, there are only 573 confirmed cases of BIA-ALCL out of tens of millions of women who have breast implants, and undergoing surgery carries its own risks. Additionally, if you are happy with the way your breasts look and feel with implants, having them removed may negatively affect your self-confidence.

All that said, if you would like your implants removed for personal reasons, we encourage you to discuss your options with an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon.

What should you do if you have implants affected by the recall?

The most important thing is to follow through on your recommended follow-up care after breast augmentation or reconstruction. Keep your appointments with your plastic surgeon, and get routine MRI or ultrasound imaging as recommended. Additionally, monitor your breasts for any changes or symptoms and report anything unusual or of concern to your primary care physician and your plastic surgeon.

Additionally, educate yourself about BIA-ALCL, including the risks, symptoms, and treatments. Here are a few resources to help:

• Breast Implant-Associated ALCL: The Facts About Your Risk (from the Swan Center)
• Questions & Answers about Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (from the FDA)
• BIA-ALCL Resources: By the numbers, and what they mean (from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons)

Will Allergan pay to have my implants replaced?

Allergan is offering a partial replacement warranty for patients who currently have BIOCELL implants. If you choose to have your implants replaced, Allergan will provide you with smooth Allergan implants for free. This covers the cost of the device only; you will still have to pay surgeons’ fees, operating room and anesthesia costs, and any other costs associated with surgery. This offer is valid for 24 months, from July 24, 2019, until July 24, 2021, and applies to U.S. based patients only.

If you choose to keep your BIOCELL implants, you will still be covered under the Natrelle ConfidencePlus® warranty program, which includes up to $1,000 in diagnostic costs and up to $7,500 in surgical fees in the unlikely event you need to be tested and/or treated for BIA-ALCL.

Please reach out if you have any questions

We hope reading this has helped you better understand the breast implant recall, but if you have more questions, or would like to discuss your safe options for breast augmentation, reconstruction, or revision, please reach out to us! Our Atlanta plastic surgeons will be happy to help. Call 770-667-0904 or contact us online.

Considering we’ve been one of Atlanta’s top plastic surgery practices for over 20 years in large part due to our surgeons’ reputation for achieving beautiful breast augmentation results, you may wonder what our surgeons think of this current shift in trends. They embrace it! Our surgeons pride themselves on their ability to achieve a very natural size, shape and feel for our patients through breast augmentation. This has long been an area of special expertise and interest at The Swan Center. That’s because we’re here to help each woman get the shape that feels just right for their own body—a shape which will look fabulous now as well as years down the road.

The goal of a natural breast augmentation has always been shape over size

While fashion trends—and the breast aesthetics they favor—come and go, our plastic surgeons have always prioritized shape, symmetry and proportion over size. Their skill for enhancing a patient’s overall figure with the appropriate size breast implants—whether small, average, or large—is something that our patients have long valued, ever since we opened our doors back in 1993.

It’s never too late to change your shape…

The other side of the “less is more” coin with regards to breast augmentation is that we are seeing more returning patients who want to refresh their silhouette by downsizing breast implants. While changing fashion trends may have some influence, more often than not it’s a personal shift in aesthetic preferences—how many of us have the exact same taste at age 40 as we did at age 20?

For these patients, a revision procedure to replace older, larger implants with smaller ones is often the answer. In some cases, a breast lift is also necessary to address excess skin that cannot contract to the new, smaller breast size. In all cases, the patient enjoys a fresh start on her breast augmentation with brand new implants.

Ultimately, breast augmentation remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries for women despite shifting fashion trends, and an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon will tailor the procedure to achieve the breast contour that suits your needs best, regardless of size.

Smaller breast implants can make a big difference, while maintaining a natural look

We specialize in meeting your goals with Atlanta breast augmentation

If you’re looking for a subtle breast augmentation in Atlanta, make an appointment with one of our board certified plastic surgeons at The Swan Center. They will help you understand what’s involved with breast augmentation surgery, and you’ll get to try on different implant sizes to see how you might look with a small breast size increase—or a dramatic boost, if you prefer. Start your breast enhancement journey by contacting us today. We look forward to meeting you!