Breast Augmentation Baltimore

The best candidates for breast augmentation are women who are looking to enhance their breast size, restore lost volume or improve overall breast symmetry. Candidates should be in good overall health, not smoke and have the ability to take some time away from work and other daily responsibilities to focus on rest and relaxation after breast augmentation.

Women who are looking to address significant breast drooping or sagging may be better suited for a breast lift or combination breast lift with implants, depending on their specific goals.

Breast augmentation costs in Maryland vary based on several factors, including the type of breast implants chosen and the techniques used during the procedure. While cost is a factor for virtually all women who are considering getting breast implants, we recommend not using price as the most important consideration when choosing a surgeon. Instead, make your selection based on experience, qualifications and board certification to ensure you get the seamless, high-quality results you are hoping for.

Please call us or ask about our attractive financing options during your consultation. We aim to help make your breast augmentation as affordable and stress-free as possible.

At Columbia Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, you will find a warm, relaxing and refined environment, along with a team who will treat you both as a person and as a patient. At your consultation, you will have all the time you need to ask any questions you might have about breast augmentation, as well as address any concerns you might have. 

After learning about you and your specific goals, your plastic surgeon will describe in plain language the 1- to 2-hour outpatient procedure, including potential risks and complications, and will discuss your options:

• Breast implant type. Silicone and saline are your two breast implant options. While silicone is a popular choice for many of our patients, saline also offers advantages.
• Size and shape. Your plastic surgeon will work with you to help you decide on the right size of implant, as well as the best implant profile for your body shape and type.
• Incisions. You’ll have three incision technique options: around the areola, under the breast or in the armpit. 
• Placement. Breast implants can be placed either above or below the chest muscle, called subglandular and submuscular placement. 

All of these options are explained in more detail on our dedicated breast implant page. Head over there to learn more, or jot down specific questions you’d like to ask about these options at your breast augmentation consultation.

In addition to the breast implant options described above, your plastic surgeon will discuss other options that you might consider to further customize your breast enhancement procedure. For example, some women choose to combine multiple procedures into one in order to achieve their desired results. 

A breast lift is one of the most common procedures to include with breast augmentation. If you are looking for a boost in volume and also want to address breast ptosis or sagging, you could be a good candidate for a combined breast lift and augmentation. Some women also choose to include body contouring procedures, such as a tummy tuck or liposuction, with their breast augmentation to achieve an hourglass figure.

Another unique option that we offer here at Columbia Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is the ability to opt for sedation anesthesia vs. general anesthesia. There are a number of benefits to sedation anesthesia, making it a popular option among many of our Baltimore patients.

Sedation Anesthesia Benefits

Our practice offers sedation anesthesia as a safe, effective alternative to general anesthesia for breast augmentation, ensuring a smoother experience while maintaining optimal results.

Unlike general anesthesia, which renders you completely unconscious and requires the use of a breathing tube, sedation anesthesia allows you to remain in a relaxed, sleep-like state while breathing on your own. Also known as “twilight anesthesia,” sedation anesthesia reduces risks associated with general anesthesia, such as nausea and prolonged grogginess, and allows for a faster recovery and increased comfort.

Once you’ve discussed and carefully selected your surgical options with the help of your plastic surgeon, next is time to schedule and start preparing for your upcoming breast augmentation. Our team will provide you with detailed preparation instructions and guidelines, and we are always available to answer any questions or concerns that might arise at any point along the way. 

To help give you a general idea of what to expect when preparing for breast augmentation, below are a few general tips:

• Follow all pre-op guidelines. Your plastic surgeon will send you home with a detailed list of pre-op instructions. This will include things like quitting smoking for several weeks before and after your procedure (if you are a smoker), pausing certain supplements or medications, when to start fasting from food and fluids prior to your procedure and other guidelines. 
• Arrange for transportation, childcare and support at home. You will need someone to drive you home on the day of your procedure. You’ll also need to arrange for extra help with childcare and household duties for the first few days after getting breast implants.
• Prepare your recovery space. Get cleaning, laundry and other chores done before your procedure so you can simply focus on resting when you get home. Make sure you have enough pillows, blankets and entertainment items like books, magazines or movies. 
• Grocery shop and meal prep. Eating healthy, balanced meals and drinking enough fluids are essential parts of helping your body heal after surgery. Plan out your meals ahead of time and get grocery shopping done so you know you’re fully stocked with healthy foods to eat.
• Fill prescriptions in advance. Your plastic surgeon may provide you with prescriptions that you can have filled prior to your procedure so you don’t have to worry about stopping at the pharmacy on your way home.

You will return home after your breast augmentation surgery with your chest wrapped in a surgical bra. The majority of pain or discomfort usually subsides after the first few days and can be controlled with prescription pain medication. It is important to get up and walk around several times each day to promote healing and circulation.

Within a few days, you will return to our office for a post-op checkup. During this time, we will remove your dressing and instruct you to wear a surgical bra for a few weeks. Your plastic surgeon will answer any questions you have and address any concerns.

Of course, everyone will recover at their own pace and may have slightly different experiences in the days and weeks following breast augmentation. Generally speaking, however, swelling typically peaks within the first 5 days and subsides significantly over the first 4 to 6 weeks. It will take about 3 months for your breasts to reach their final shape and size, once skin and tissues relax and swelling disappears.

Most of our breast augmentation patients usually feel ready to return to work or school within a week or two. However, you will need to limit strenuous physical activity for about a month, gradually reintroducing exercise under the guidance of your plastic surgeon. Around 6 months after your procedure, you should be able to resume all normal physical activities.

Don’t be alarmed if you don’t see the results you were hoping for right away. Swelling and bruising can conceal initial results quite a bit, and it can take up to around 3 months for your breast implants to “drop and fluff.” This refers to the process of your implants softening and settling into a lower, more natural-looking position on your chest. Be patient with this process, allowing your body the time it needs to heal. 

Around the 3-month mark, you should have a good idea of what your final results will look like. However, it can take up to 6 months to enjoy your full breast augmentation results. 

Visit our Breast Augmentation FAQ page for more information about this procedure.