Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation with Silicone Gel Implants: $8,900

Breast Augmentation with Saline Implants: $7,800

*Above prices include facility, anesthesia, implants, and surgeon fees. These are average costs, and may be different depending on the complexity of the case. Silicone gel implant price is with Mentor MemoryGel or Allergan Natrelle INSPIRA Responsive implants. Breast augmentation using implants such as MemoryGel Xtra, Allergan Natrelle INSPIRA SoftTouch, or Cohesive implants cost extra.  A consultation is needed in order to more accurately determine cost.

The Responsive implant is filled with a less cohesive (slightly softer) gel then the SoftTouch; the Responsive tends to give a more sloped upper pole of the breast. The SoftTouch is a bit more cohesive (firmer), and gives a fuller upper pole. The Allergan Natrelle Cohesive implant is the most cohesive (firmest), and gives the most upper pole fullness.

A breast implant comes in many different profiles. The profile is related to the volume of the implant and its width, or base diameter. For example, a 350cc breast implant may have a diameter of 12.5cm (moderate plus profile), 11.7cm (high profile), or 10.1cm (ultra high profile). For any given volume, a higher profile means a narrower diameter and more projection. One profile is not necessarily “better” than another, it just depends on each woman’s individual anatomy.

Silicone Gel Filled Breast Implants are the most natural feeling breast implants available.  If the implant is appropriately sized for the patient’s anatomy, in a patient with normal tissue, a saline or silicone gel implant will look about the same.  The new Ideal Implant, which a saline filled implant with internal silicone shells, feels almost like a silicone gel filled implant.

Fat transfer works for small increases in breast volume or for correcting irregularities in breast contour.  The problem with attempting large increases in breast volume with fat transfer is survival of the fat grafts which can be unpredictable.  Areas of fat that do not survive can become firm as well.  This is an area of current research.  The most consistent and reliable method of breast augmentation is still by placement of a breast implant.

As cup size is not a standardized measurement between bra makers, it is not possible to guarantee a particular cup size after surgery.  You can shop and be measured for bras at five different stores and be told you are five different cup sizes.  What is important is how your breasts appear, not what the cup size stamped on the label is.

It is very rare to have permanent loss of nipple sensation after a breast augmentation.  There may be temporary sensory changes to the nipple ranging from hypersensitivity (nipples that are more sensitive than usual), to decreases in nipple sensation.  These changes in nipple sensitivity are due to stretching of the sensory nerves from the implant as well as swelling from surgery.  These sensory changes almost always resolve with time.

No drains are used after breast augmentation.

Sutures for breast augmentation are absorbable – no sutures need to be removed after breast augmentation.

On average, a breast augmentation takes approximately one hour.  

This depends on the type of work you do.  Very light activity is recommended for the week after breast augmentation, with no heavy lifting for six weeks.  People with sedentary, low activity types of work can be back to work very soon after surgery, even the next day in some cases.  The great majority of women are back to work with days to one week after surgery.

Safety and effectiveness has not been established in patients with an existing autoimmune disease or a weakened immune system.

A breast implant can be placed either under the pectoralis muscle, or on top of it.  The pectoralis muscle is a muscle on the chest wall that attaches to the upper arm.   There are several advantages to placing a breast implant under the muscle:  Having some muscle on top of the implant places more natural soft tissue over the implant which makes the implant look and feel more like natural soft tissue.  Secondly, placing the implant under the muscle greatly reduces the risk of developing a capsular contracture, which is thickened, firm, scar like tissue that is not desireable.  Lastly, placing the implant under the muscle facilitates interpretation of mammograms.  Dr. Weinrach nearly always recommends placing a breast implant under the muscle for primary (first time) breast augmentations.   Patients who already have implants above the muscle with good soft tissue coverage who desire implant exchange for simple reasons such as size change are an occasion when Dr. Weinrach may decide with you to leave the new implant on top of the muscle.

Yes, it is possible for a breast implant to rupture.  This is an unusual occurrence.  This is obvious when a saline breast implant ruptures as the saline is absorbed by the body and there is a noticeable difference the volume of the breast.   A silicone gel breast implant rupture may not be obviously noticeable; for this reason it is recommended to have an ultrasound or MRI at 5-6 years after your initial implant surgery and then every 2-3 years if you have no symptoms. If you have symptoms at any time or uncertain ultrasound results for breast implant rupture, an MRI is recommended.

Yes.  It is still recommended to have mammograms after breast implants are placed.

You will not hurt anything by moving after breast augmentation surgery; in fact moving is recommended – arm exercises are helpful to prevent spasm and discomfort after surgery; Dr. Weinrach will teach you these exercises before surgery.

Yes, it is very important to wear a bra after breast augmentation.  Breast implants add weight to the breasts, and support is needed to help keep the breast implants in good position.  Not wearing a bra after surgery can cause breast implants to stretch out the skin and get lower with time.

Yes, breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia.

Yes, because the surgery is performed under general anesthesia, it is recommended to have a responsible adult stay with you for at least 24 hours after surgery.

Possibly but not certainly.  There is no evidence or recommendation that a breast implant has to be replaced after a certain amount of time.  If the size and shape of the breast remain acceptable and there is no sign of implant rupture, than it is not mandatory to replace the implants.

We offer MENTOR MemoryGel, MemoryGel Xtra, MemoryGel BOOST and MENTOR Saline, Allergan Natrelle INSPIRA Responsive, SoftTouch, and Cohesive, Sientra OPUS Luxe, and IDEAL IMPLANT. Dr. Weinrach uses only smooth shell implants; he does not use textured breast implants.  The implants are all available in different profiles and volumes.

While there are countless types of insurance plans, to the best of our knowledge the great majority if not all of them will not cover the costs of breast augmentation surgery. We are not a contracted provider of any private health insurance plan; we are not able to send insurance companies any requests for coverage or letters of medical necessity in order to obtain insurance authorization.

After breast augmentation, Dr. Weinrach places a water-proof dressing over the incision.  You may shower any time, but only after you are fully awake and alert, after the effects of anesthesia have worn off.

This depends on the size and type of breast implant being placed.  Most silicone gel implants and all saline implants can be placed through an incision of 3.5cm, which is about 1 and 1/3 inches.  Larger implants may require slightly longer incisions.

The ideal location for a breast augmentation is in the inframammary crease, which is the area were the lower part of the breast meets the chest skin.  Placing the incision at the areola, in the armpit, or belly button has the disadvantage of being in areas with more bacteria.  Incisions in these areas probably increase the risk of developing a capsular contracture, which is a firm scar than can develop around a breast implant known to be associated with bacteria.  Incisions in the armpit can also be visible with swimwear.  The inframammary crease incision is well hidden by swimwear and its location, and is the best location for a breast augmentation incision.