Black and White Photo of Woman's Chest with Black Bra Reads Breast Black and White Photo of Woman's Face with hand on chin reads Face Black and white photo of woman's lower body reads Body Black and white photo of man's muscular chest reads Male Black and White Photo of Woman's Pregnant Stomach Reads Mommy Makeover

Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation Richmond, VA - Breast Implants Richmond & Charlottesville VA
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Matthew G. Stanwix, MD FACS

Breast augmentation, also known as mammoplasty, is a surgical enhancement procedure of Board Certified (American Board of Plastic Surgery) Dr. Matthew G. Stanwix expertise which accentuates the size and shape of a woman's breasts. Breast augmentation is tremendous help to patients who desire a fuller profile, who have lost breast volume due to pregnancy or nursing, or who have undergone breast reconstruction and want to gain a more natural look again.  While breast augmentation will make the breasts larger, the surgery will not move the breasts closer together and only occasionally will lift sagging breasts.  For this reason, Dr. Stanwix combines breast augmentation (enhancement) with advanced breast lift (mastopexy) or other procedures if he feels that your body requires this for the best result.

 CALL US: (804) 724-7244  REQUEST APPOINTMENT

Reasons for Considering Breast Augmentation:

  • Enhance body shape if breasts are too small.
  • Increase breast volume after pregnancy and nursing.
  • Equalize a difference in breast size (cup size) to gain breast symmetry.
  • Reconstruct breasts following a mastectomy or injury.

General Procedure

Dr. Stanwix makes a small incision underneath the breast fold or around the aroela  to insert a breast implant. Dr. Stanwix then places the implant underneath the chest muscle, either parial (dual plane) or fully (submuscular), in order to enlarge the breast. The surgery is commonly performed on an outpatient basis at a hospital or state-of-the-art surgical unit while the patient is under a general anesthesia and asleep. There are several possible locations for the small incision that will be used for inserting the breast implant. The most frequent technique utilizes an incision made in the lower portion of the breast. Another technique, involves making an incision in the armpit. A third technique makes an incision around the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). A newer technique uses an incision in the belly button, thus reducing the chance of scarring in the breast area. The best technique will be decided together between the patient and Dr. Stanwix during the consultation.

During surgery, Dr. Stanwix creates an open pocket under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle. Inserting an implant behind each breast can increase a woman's breast size by one or more bra cup sizes. Implants typically contain a saline solution (similar to saltwater) although in special cases the implants can contain a silicone gel. In some circumstances, particularly those in which there is breast asymmetry (uneven breast size), an inflatable implant may be used to allow the Dr. Stanwix to adjust the level of inflation to attain breast symmetry and balance. Surgery typically lasts from 1 to 2 hours.

Recovery Process

Dr. Stanwix will go in detail over the postoperative care and activity level you may proceed with. Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. Dr. Stanwix applies bandages right after surgery to aid the healing process and to minimize movement of the breasts. Once the bandages are removed, a specialized surgical bra will need to be worn for several weeks. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with the surgery. This pain can be treated effectively with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions Dr. Stanwix provides you after surgery.