Natural-Looking Breast Augmentation has been one of the most sought-after cosmetic surgeries since 2006. In 2021 alone, there were 365,000 breast augmentations performed during a year that saw a 54% jump in requested cosmetic procedures overall.
Breast augmentation or “boob job” is a cosmetic procedure that can be performed with breast implants, fat grafting, or both. The first breast implant procedure was performed in the early 60s, but breast augmentation did not become a cultural phenomenon until the 80s. In fact, the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s have come to be known as the Big Breast Boom by cosmetic surgeons. Not only were celebrities getting breast implants, but everyday women were, too, such as mothers who craved a confidence boost.
Today, women from all walks of life have the ability to choose the size and shape of breasts they like best. Unlike the early days of breast implants, women are not only opting for the bigger is better breast implant or fat transfer. Subtle improvement is the order of the day, as women covet more natural-looking breast augmentation results.
If you are looking to increase the size and shape of your breasts, the following information will keep you informed of what’s popular and how to achieve results that look as natural as can be. With natural-looking breast augmentation, you will have breasts that suit your figure and that make you look and feel the most confident in yourself.
Let’s get started.
Why Do Women Get Breast Implants?
English actress Helen Flanagan reportedly “couldn’t be happier” with her breast augmentation procedure after she claims breastfeeding changed her figure. As reported in Yahoo! News, Flanagan said, “[Getting breast implants] was something I wanted to do for a really long time, and by doing so, I’ve really got my confidence back.”
Flanagan said she went for a size 340cc breast implant because she wanted her results to be “supernatural.” That is the size doctors recommend when you want to increase your bust by a single cup size. Flanagan posted a video that showed her before breast implants and after to her Instagram page.
Like Flanagan, many women request breast augmentation because they want to feel better about their bodies. Mothers who experience breast sag following childbirth and breastfeeding can regain perkiness and fullness to their breasts in many cases.
Is There a Way to Make Breast Augmentation Look Natural?
Many women who request breast augmentation do not want to necessarily advertise that they had work done. They want a gentle increase. They want the increased confidence that comes with having cosmetic surgery without making it known they had a boob job.
What do we mean when we say natural-looking breast augmentation results? When we refer to breasts with a natural look and shape, we are referring to proportion and symmetry. Proportion refers to the size of the breasts relative to the size of the woman’s torso. For this reason, you won’t hear cosmetic surgeons talking about the best size or the ideal size. It’s about what size works for you.
What Breast Implant Size is Right for You?
With regards to size, bigger is not always better. Large breasts sag easier than smaller breasts. Cosmetic surgeons always think in terms of the future. They want to help you choose a breast implant size that will help you look great ten years from now. Smaller, more modest breast implants will enhance your features quite well.
Breast Implant Location
In addition to finding the right implant, the location where the implant is placed is of equal importance. In the past, surgeons placed breast implants over the muscle. Today, it is customary for surgeons to place breast implants underneath the muscle for a more natural-looking breast augmentation appearance. The under-the-muscle technique is also effective for preventing visible scarring, stretching, and drooping that can occur following breast augmentation surgery.
Breast Implant Shape
You also need to think about shape. When natural-looking breast augmentation results are wanted, breast shape is far more important than size. The various shapes breast implants come in include teardrop and round, with the latter producing the perkiest look with the most cleavage.
Type of Breast Implant: Silicone Implants vs. Saline implants
You can obtain natural-looking breast augmentation results by choosing the suitable type of breast implant. Saline implants are budget friendly and can be used for younger patients. However, patients who want natural results should go with silicone breast implants. These implants both look and feel natural. Silicone is also less likely to ripple under the skin than saline breast implants can.
Natural-Looking Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting
Breast implants are not the only suggested method for augmenting breasts. Autologous fat grafting can also be used to give the breasts a subtle boost in volume. You may be familiar with fat grafting of the buttocks during a procedure known as Brazilian butt lift (BBL). The procedure begins with liposuction, used to extract fatty tissue from a donor site on the body, such as the abdomen. That fatty tissue is sterilized before the cosmetic surgeon injects the tissue strategically into the breasts. Breast augmentation with the fat transfer technique involves several injections to achieve the desired shape.
The benefit of this procedure is that you effectively slim the area at the donor site. The downside is that some fatty tissue is lost through the extraction and preparation stages before the tissue is injected into the breasts.
The process of sterilizing the fat results in the loss of over half of the fat removed from the donor site. The grafting process can result in further loss of fat as the tissue becomes absorbed naturally by your body. For the procedure to be effective, one liter of fat is required at a minimum. Some women may not have that volume of fat available to spare. You also need to have enough breast volume to accept the grafted fat. The smaller the breast is, the smaller the volume of fat that the breast can take and retain permanently.
Ideal patients for the fat transfer technique have minimal sagging and a desire for a modest size increase with a natural shape. A one to two-cup size increase is a reasonable expectation with natural-looking breast augmentation using the fat transfer technique.
Choose Your Cosmetic Surgeon Wisely
Achieving natural-looking breast augmentation begins with your choice of a cosmetic surgeon. You’ll want to choose the best board-certified cosmetic specialist in your area with extensive training and experience in breast augmentation surgery, such as Doctor Babak Moeinolmolki of Healthy Life Bariatrics in Los Angeles, California.
Does Breast Augmentation Feel Natural Too?
Augmented breasts can feel natural when you opt for silicone breast implants. These tend to be softer than silicone and feel more like natural breast tissue once placed below the muscle.
Can People Always Tell When You’ve Had Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation patients often want to know if it will become obvious that they have had work done following surgery. Many are worried about their coworkers knowing. They don’t want to become fodder for water cooler gossip. Having breast augmentation is also a private matter to help you feel better about yourself. It’s no one else’s business but your own.
You can rest assured that natural-looking breast augmentation is not obvious. Even if you go with significant augmentation, as long as you don’t wear form-fitting clothes, it is unlikely that anyone will notice the change.
After surgery, there is going to be swelling in the upper poles of the chest. But any swelling that does occur can be easily hidden by a bra or clothing. An intimate partner may be able to tell that you have had work done, but most people will not see you in your birthday suit. If you wear clothes, you can make it difficult for them to know that you have made changes to your body. When you are ready, you can make it obvious with more form-fitting clothes, if that’s your choice.
How Is Breast Augmentation Performed, and How Do Cosmetic Surgeons Achieve the Most Natural Results?
The process of breast augmentation is akin to the cosmetic surgeon sculpting your bust like a work of art, creating the perfect curves in proportion to your body.
Breast augmentation surgery begins with general anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Because anesthesia is used, you may experience nausea, grogginess, and other mild side effects for a few hours after the procedure. You can usually return home the same day after the side effects of the anesthesia have worn off, though you should have someone drive you home from the medical center.
Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the cosmetic surgeon places incisions in predetermined locations. These cuts will be placed inside the natural folds of your body, or in your armpit so that they are as discreet as possible.
Natural-Looking Breast Augmentation with Breast Implants
Breast implants are placed underneath the muscle, which offers the most realistic appearance. Once the implants are in place, the surgeon carefully closes the incisions with removable or absorbable sutures. Temporary drain tubes will be placed under the skin at each incision site. These tubes will be removed during a follow-up visit to your surgeon’s office. The surgeon will also provide you with after-care instructions for keeping incision sites dry as well as how to avoid the risk of infection. Follow these steps carefully for the best results.
The initial bandages are replaced in a day or two with a surgical bra. You should wear this special garment for several weeks. The constricting nature of the bra aids with healing and helps retain the desired shape of your newly augmented breasts.
Fat Grafting Breast Augmentation
Fat grafting can be used alongside breast implants or as a sole procedure. The cosmetic surgeon uses a low-pressure liposuction technique with a syringe to extract fat from a donor site on your body. Common donor sites include the abdomen, thighs, flanks, lower back, and knees.
The fat is processed, sterilized with saline, and grafted into the breasts. Your cosmetic surgeon may opt to overfill each breast since some of the tissue will become absorbed by your body. It may take multiple fat grafting procedures to ensure your breasts settle into the shape and size you desire.
When the fat grafting is complete, the surgeon will cover the area with a compression garment and bandages. These are meant to minimize swelling and offer support during the healing process. Most patients return home the same day. After returning home, you will wear your support garment day and night. You will also take prescription medications to prevent infection and minimize discomfort. Your doctor will advise that you rest during the initial healing period. While the pain usually subsides within a week, you may have soreness and swelling that persists for several weeks at the donor site.
You should be back to your usual routine within six weeks following your breast augmentation procedure, whether breast implants or fat transfer were used or both were employed during the same surgical session.
Does Breast Augmentation Leave Scars?
Some women are concerned with breast scarring. Cosmetic surgeons do their best to hide incision marks (and resulting scars) within the natural folds of your body. This is not always possible. Scars can remain visible after surgery. It really depends on how well your body heals. Follow your cosmetic surgeon’s after-care instructions to minimize scarring following your breast augmentation procedure.
How Much Does Natural-Looking Breast Augmentation Cost?
Breast augmentation surgery costs between $6,000 and $12,000. This includes fees for the medical facility, surgeon’s fees, anesthesia, lab test fees, and prescription medications. Your cost may vary depending on the type of implant you choose and if you are having additional work done, such as a tummy tuck, facelift, or Brazilian butt lift. You will receive an itemized quote for your breast augmentation surgery during your initial consultation with your cosmetic surgeon.
Does Insurance Cover Breast Augmentation?
Health insurance companies are unlikely to cover the costs of breast augmentation because the procedure is aimed at cosmetic adjustment rather than for healthful reasons.
Are You Ready for Natural-Looking Breast Augmentation Results?
Breast augmentation is like putting on the perfect accessory to enhance your overall look. With a boost in size, shape, and symmetry, breast augmentation can give you a surge of confidence, allowing you to feel more comfortable and secure in your own skin. As Bobbi Brown, professional makeup artist, author, and founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, once said, “Feeling confident, being comfortable in your own skin – that’s what really makes you beautiful.”
Are you ready to feel beautiful in your skin? Schedule a breast augmentation consultation with Doctor Babak Moeinolmolki by calling Healthy Life Bariatrics in Los Angeles, California, at (310)694-4486.