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About Breast Augmentation in La Jolla
If you have the opportunity to consult with Dr. Robert A. Shumway, who specializes in breast augmentation surgeries in San Diego, CA, you will have the chance to address your concerns with one of the leading cosmetic surgeons on the West Coast. Dr. Shumway specializes in breast augmentation, and he has helped renew the confidence of thousands of women by giving them beautiful, new breasts they are proud to show off. He can help you, too.
A woman’s breast size, shape, and proportion play a significant role in how attractive, feminine, and confident she feels. But not every woman is blessed genetically with the breasts she wants naturally. If you’re unhappy with your breasts because they’re too small, underdeveloped, oddly shaped, asymmetrical, or deflated due to aging, pregnancy or weight loss, breast augmentation may be a fit for you. With the help of breast implants or fat grafting, this cosmetic treatment improves breast size and shape. The implants can produce a gorgeous and balanced outcome. Dr. Shumway has more than 20 years of experience and has performed over 3,500 surgeries, including specializing in the saline implant with the TUBA approach, and the silicone gel implant with the use of the Keller Funnel. He takes a personal interest in meeting and consulting with every client so you are sure to get the shape, feel, and look you want. Call to schedule your free consultation today.
Meet Dr. Shumway
San Diego board-certified facial plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Robert A. Shumway is the Medical Director of Shumway Cosmetic Surgery. With over 20 years of experience, he offers advanced face, breast, body, and skin procedures tailored to each patient’s goals. He is especially known for his expertise in transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA), a scar-free implant technique performed through the navel, and was the first to bring it to Europe in 2018.
TUBA TECHNIQUE
Every woman who opts for breast augmentation usually does so because she wants to feel beautiful both in and out. But for some, the idea of even the tiniest incision scar left on or near the breast after the procedure can be a deal-breaker. Trust us, we get it. If you’re going to take the time (and spend the money) to have breast augmentation, the last thing you want is to feel insecure about showing off your new breasts. That’s why we’re proud to offer the revolutionary transumbilical breast augmentation or TUBA procedure.
TUBA is a safe and highly effective breast augmentation procedure wherein a saline breast implant is inserted through the navel or belly button. Dr. Shumway is the premier physician on the West Coast performing the TUBA procedure, and it’s the procedure of choice for the majority of Dr. Shumway’s breast augmentation patients. He is the only surgeon south of Los Angeles, CA to perform TUBA since 1998.
How TUBA works:
After making a small incision around the upper rim of the belly button, Dr. Shumway inserts a slender instrument to create a narrow tunnel through the subcutaneous fat up to the breast. He then uses inflatable tissue expanders to create and shape surgical pockets at the implant site. The deflated implants are rolled up and inserted into the surgical pockets via the same tunnel and filled with saline through soft plastic tubes. The revolutionary TUBA breast augmentation procedure is performed with IV sedation and has a number of benefits over traditional breast augmentation surgeries, including:
- Quicker procedure time (under two hours)
- Less bleeding
- Faster recovery (back to work in as few as three days)
- Less breast trauma
- Lower risk of breast infection
- No breast scars
La Jolla Breast Augmentation Reviews
Breast Augmentation Ideal Candidates
The decision to undergo breast augmentation in San Diego surgery is a personal one, if you are considering this surgery, it is essential you do it for yourself. You should be healthy and at a normal weight with breasts that are formed, and be the right age to receive implants. If you are unhappy with the aesthetics of your chest because they look flat, you could benefit from this surgery. Moreover, if your breasts have changed due to age, pregnancy, or weight loss, this surgery can give them life with increased shape and fullness. It is a welcomed answer if you weight train or have limited native breast mass.
Schedule a Consultation
Ready to take the next step? Schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Shumway today and discover the best options to achieve your aesthetic goals.
Breast Augmentation in La Jolla – Our Implant Options
During your consultation with Dr. Shumway, you’ll explore the most suitable implant for your body type and desired outcome. As a leader in San Diego breast augmentation, Dr. Shumway carefully considers implant shape, size, profile, and texture to ensure natural-looking, customized results. Still, the most commonly chosen breast implants are silicone or saline, both widely popular and approved to use per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). An important fact is that women considering saline breast implants must be at least 18 years old while patients must be at least 22 years of age in order to undergo surgery with silicone. Two other types of augmentations include a form-stable implant known as a gummy bear implant and an autologous approach through fat grafting. In addition to the type of implant used, there are other notable factors to decide.
Silicone breast implants
Silicone implants are made with an outer silicone shell pre-filled with silicone gel in a range of sizes (based on the amount of gel in the implant). The consistency of the silicone gel results in a look and feel similar to that of the natural breast. Cohesive gel silicone implants are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Saline breast implants
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water after being inserted, which allows for smaller incisions and minimal scarring. Dr. Shumway is particularly known for using saline implants with the TUBA technique, which makes him a preferred choice for San Diego breast augmentation.
Size
Breast implant size is chosen based on the cubic centimeters (CCs) of saline or silicone used. To choose the correct volume, Dr. Shumway will decipher how much native breast tissue exists and the size you wish to attain. You can discuss at length what size of implant you would like to have and look through before-and-after photos at our office. Dr. Shumway will discuss options with you that he thinks would be a healthy, suitable fit for your current body frame.
Shape
Implants are produced in either a teardrop or round shape. Both of these shapes are widely used; however, the majority of our patients choose a round shape. It generally appears more natural while adding a fullness to the top portion of the breast that many patients want.
Volume
Implant profile references how full or far out the implant looks in volume or projection. In other words, this is what you see from the side angle. Most projections include a profile that ranges from low to extra high.
Symmetry
When you have asymmetrical breasts, you have one breast that is larger than the other or hangs lower than the other. Simply put, asymmetrical breasts are not the same size. When you have breast augmentation, Dr. Shumway can make your breasts symmetrical. This also works for patients who have considerable differences in breasts size (it is not just for women who have a small deviation from the other breast).
Breast Augmentation Surgical Technique
Incision placement, as well as implant location, are factors that will need to be made prior to surgery. During breast augmentation, the chosen incision is created and then the chosen implant will be placed into its position. There are two techniques that may be applied for implant placement. These are either under the pectoral muscle or behind the breast tissue but over the pectoral muscle. Where to insert the breast implant depends on varying factors, including the size and type of implant, plus the expertise of Dr. Shumway. Regardless of incision type, scarring is usually minimal. Placement and location are based upon your implant size, activity level, and body type.
After surgery, you should wear a bra that is a variable cup size, stretch type, without an underwire, and with a clasp or zipper in the front. A sports bra works best. Swelling usually peaks at 72 hours post-surgery and will usually subside in 2 – 3 weeks. However, swelling may continue for several months (up to a year). You will be given special instructions or treatment if swelling persists. You will need to perform daily massages (manipulation) of the breast implants following surgery in order to properly keep the “pocket” open. This involves moving the implants up to the collarbone at least twice a day as instructed post-operatively by Dr. Shumway. This manipulation will be a daily necessity for the life of the implants.
Breast Augmentation What to Expect
Cosmetic breast surgery is an outpatient procedure with the patient under general anesthesia. After completing the incision, the chosen implant will be placed through the incision opening and deposited into a surgically created pocket, and then secured into its correct position. Following the placement of the implant, the incision is carefully secured with skin adhesives or sutures. Each patient will be taken into a recovery area and monitored prior to being released. You will be instructed to continue wearing a medical sports bra to help reduce swelling. Several days after surgery, the swelling will begin to dissipate, and the breasts will start to look and feel normal as they get used to their new position. Most patients can resume everyday activities within several days; however, physical exertion, such as exercise, should be delayed for approximately a couple of months. Breast augmentation surgery produces gorgeous outcomes that feel and appear normal. This procedure oftentimes can be a life changer for many individuals, offering them the opportunity to feel more confident.
La Jolla Breast Augmentation FAQs
Why do I have to stop smoking for implant surgery?
Cigarette smoking and the use of tobacco and/or other smoking products affects the blood supply to your tissues and skin, which in turn contributes to a much slower healing time. Smoking also increases the risk of bleeding, infections, capsular contracture (scar tissue buildup around the implant), and numerous other complications.
Do I have to sleep on my back forever after breast augmentation?
You are able to sleep on your back or either of your sides following surgery, but you must refrain from sleeping on your tummy for four weeks.
Do I need a breast lift or a breast augmentation?
Your plan might include implants, a lift, or both. Breast lift surgery removes loose skin and raises the breasts while implants enhance the shape and size. In your consultation with Dr. Shumway, he will listen to your concerns and goals before discussing your treatment options. An augmentation and lift are usually included in a mommy makeover to revitalize the breasts after breastfeeding and pregnancy.
Should I wait until after I have children to get implants?
You can have your breast augmentation procedure before or after you have children. Keep in mind that your body will change after you have children no matter what. Some women prefer to wait until after they have been pregnant to correct loss of volume and sagging.
Can I breastfeed with implants?
If you might want to breastfeed after augmentation surgery, talk to Dr. Shumway during your consultation. It’s usually possible to breastfeed after augmentation surgery with the right placement and technique. Breastfeeding and pregnancy can affect your results, which is why it is better to wait until your family is complete to get breast surgery.