Breast Augmentation

Women from Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula, and the Mat-Su Valley, including Wasilla and Palmer, seek breast augmentation for a range of highly personal reasons. Breast enhancement with implants can enhance femininity, boost your confidence, and give you the chance to expand your wardrobe. Our Alaska plastic surgeons, including Dr. Jana Cole and Dr. Daniel Suver, have years of experience performing cosmetic breast surgery and are known for creating results that look natural.

To schedule an appointment, please call (907) 563-2002 today.

What Is Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Breast augmentation, also called breast enlargement or a boob job, is a plastic surgery procedure that makes the breasts larger with saline or silicone implants. It is popular with women of all ages who want to feel more confident about their breasts.

Is Breast Augmentation Right for You?

Women consider breast augmentation because they:

• Want to increase the size of breasts that have always been small
• Are self-conscious about uneven breasts
• Lost volume in their breasts after having children

A good breast augmentation candidate also has realistic expectations about the results of the surgery and is in good physical health.

How Is Breast Augmentation Performed?

Our surgeons customize your breast augmentation procedure after listening to you describe your goals during a consultation and a thorough physical examination. They clearly explain your options regarding breast implants, incision locations, and where they’ll place the implants.

How Do You Choose Breast Implants?

Choosing implants is exciting but can also be a bit stressful, which is why having an experienced plastic surgeon help you is so important.

Breast Implant Size

Many patients express their goals in terms of an increase in bra size, such as wanting to go from a B cup to a D cup. That’s useful, but it’s important to remember that bra sizes aren’t standardized from one brand to another. Implants are measured in cubic centimeters (cc) and range from about 200 cc to 800 cc.

Just as important as size increase is the desire for results to look natural, meaning your breasts look proportional to the rest of your body. Remember that another woman with 400 cc implants may look completely different than you would with 400 cc implants.

Breast Implant Fill Material

Implants are filled with either a saltwater solution or cohesive silicone gel. The choice is based on personal preference, but most patients and surgeons believe silicone gel implants look and feel more like natural breasts. About 85% of the implants used in augmentation procedures in the U.S. are filled with cohesive silicone gel.

Within the category of silicone gel implants are different levels of cohesiveness, including some that are often called “gummy bear” implants because the consistency of the gel is similar to the gummy bear candies. Plastic Surgeons of Alaska offers patients round, smooth saline and silicone gel implants.

Breast Implant Shape

Breast implants can be round to provide allover fullness or anatomical (teardrop) to enhance the natural sloping breast shape with more fullness at the bottom of the breast.

Breast Implant Profile

Also called projection level, implant profile describes the amount the implant projects from the chest wall, which generally ranges from low to high.

Where Are Breast Augmentation Incisions Made?

Dr. Cole and Dr. Suver may make incisions in 1 of 3 locations based on their discussions with patients. Each option has unique advantages. The incision options include:

Inframammary

This location is the most common because it’s versatile and can accommodate any type or size of implant. Surgeons make a short, horizontal incision at the base of the breast, near where the skin connects to the chest wall. Because saline implants are filled after they’re inserted, the incision is slightly shorter than those made for silicone gel implants.

Periareolar

The main benefit of the periareolar incision is that it is potentially less visible. Your surgeon makes an incision just below the lower edge of the areola, the dark skin surrounding the nipple. There is a slightly higher chance of changes in nipple sensation. Additionally, larger silicone implants can’t be placed through a periareolar incision.

Transaxillary

This location is in the armpit, which conceals the incision well. Surgeons, however, need to use specialized instruments to create an implant pocket and then place the implant because they don’t have a direct view. This is also limited to saline or smaller silicone gel implants.

Dr. Cole is amazing! I had a breast augmentation about a year ago and I couldn’t be more happy with the way I look today, my breasts look so natural, they feel great, they look great and I truly appreciated her honesty on what to expect before and after surgery, she never promised miracles and was straight forward. 

Yukon 2008, via Google Reviews

What’s the Best Implant Placement?

Surgeons can place implants either behind the existing breast tissue but in front of the chest muscle (subglandular placement) or behind the chest muscle and breast tissue (submuscular placement). Most patients choose the submuscular placement because the location helps camouflage the implant, and it tends to behave more like natural breast tissue when a woman lies on her back. A subglandular placement might be appropriate for women with enough existing breast tissue to hide the implant’s edges.

Breast Augmentation Recovery

Recovery experiences vary with the specifics of the surgery and individual patient factors. Here is a general timeline of what to expect:

First Few Days

• Expect to be tired and sore.
• Discomfort peaks in 3 to 5 days and can be controlled with prescription medication.
• Take short gentle walks throughout the day to promote circulation and healing.

7 to 10 Days

• Sutures will be removed.
• Surgical dressings will be removed and replaced with a surgical compression bra.
• Return to nonstrenuous activities such as work and school.
• Sleep propped up with pillows or in a recliner to avoid putting pressure on your breasts.

3 to 5 Weeks

• Your breasts will be sensitive to physical contact.
• Bruising and swelling fade.

6 to 8 Weeks

• Return to strenuous exercise and your normal routine.
• Implants settle (drop & fluff) as skin and tissues relax.
• Achieve final results.

Several Months

Your scars will gradually fade, thin, and soften over a period of several months.

Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift

Breast augmentation adds volume to breasts that are naturally small or breasts that have lost fullness due to previous pregnancies or weight fluctuations. Breast lift surgery reshapes and lifts breasts that are sagging due to age, gravity, and loss of skin elasticity.

For those concerned only about the size of their breasts, breast augmentation is an excellent option. Others who want to improve the shape and position of their breasts will often choose a breast lift procedure. Our surgeons can combine breast augmentation and breast lift procedures to achieve excellent results for women with both size concerns and moderate to advanced sagging.

Can You Combine Breast Augmentation With Other Procedures?

As mentioned, we often combine breast lift (technically called mastopexy) with breast implants. Breast augmentation is also a popular choice to combine with other body contouring procedures such as a tummy tuck and liposuction for women getting mommy makeover surgery. Dr. Cole and Dr. Suver discuss all of your options and whether breast augmentation should be combined with a breast lift during the operation.

How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost in Anchorage, AK?

The cost of breast augmentation surgery in Anchorage depends on several factors, including the training and experience of the plastic surgeon, the type of implants used, fees charged for a board-certified anesthesiologist and operating rooms, and if you combine other procedures with the operation.

We offer financing designed specifically for elective surgery patients who want to spread out payments for breast augmentation.

Breast Augmentation FAQ

Are saline or silicone gel implants better?

Saline and silicone gel implants each offer their own advantages. Saline implants are approved for patients 18 or older and cost less than silicone implants. Saline implant ruptures, though rare, are immediately apparent and present no health risks. However, most patients prefer silicone gel implants for their more natural look and feel. Approved for women 22 and older, silicone gel implants are less likely to ripple or move unnaturally.

Will I eventually have to replace my implants?

As breast implants have an expected lifespan of 10 to 20 years, you will likely want to replace your implants at some point. Unless you are experiencing problems with your implants, though, you aren’t required to replace your implants within a specific time frame. As the years go by, many women choose to update their breast implants to fit their changing look and lifestyle preferences.

What if I want to remove my implants someday?

When breast implants no longer fit your lifestyle or if you’re experiencing problems with your breast implants, you may choose to have your implants removed. Depending on the size of the implants, the length of time you’ve had your implants in place, and your age and skin elasticity, removing your implants may make your breasts appear deflated and saggy. In these cases, some patients choose to have a breast lift after their implants are removed.

Is breast enhancement surgery safe?

Breast augmentation surgery is considered a low-risk procedure for most patients. Every surgery carries some risk, however, so it’s important to choose an experienced plastic surgeon to perform your procedure.

If I already have implants, can I change the breast implant type?

Yes, in most cases, you can replace your implant with a different type. Many women who had saline breast implants more than a decade ago are now replacing them with fifth-generation highly cohesive silicone gel implants.

Is breast augmentation surgery painful?

Most people are surprised by the ease of breast augmentation recovery. However, most breast augmentation patients experience some initial discomfort, swelling, and bruising that is well managed with pain medication.

Which brand of gel implants do we use?

At Plastic Surgeons of Alaska, we use Sientra silicone gel breast implants.

Sientra implants are FDA approved and have an unrivaled safety profile, with some of the lowest complication rates clinically shown through a robust 10-year study*. Not only are Sientra implants safe, but they are also backed by their Platinum 20™ year warranty which provides the longest length of coverage, most financial assistance, and least restrictions in the industry.

Sientra implants are designed to hold their shape while maintaining a remarkably soft feel. With two surface types, over 340 implant options, and 5 projection levels, Sientra breast implants can help you see the look you’ve always wanted.

*Stevens WG et al. Ten-year core study data for Sientra’s Food and Drug Administration–approved round and shaped breast implants with cohesive silicone gel. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018;141(4S);7S-19S.

Schedule a Consultation

Women in Anchorage and elsewhere in Alaska considering breast augmentation can schedule an appointment by calling us at (907) 563-2002 or request a consultation at our practice using the online form.