Dr. Sonderman is a board certified, award winning plastic surgeon, offering comprehensive cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in the Milwaukee area.
Many women with small or asymmetric breasts come to my practice considering breast augmentation with implants. Implants can increase the size of your breasts and create a fuller, more balanced figure. There are many different type and designs of implants, and Dr. Sonderman will help you choose the right option for your goals. Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure and requires only a limited time away from work.
Dr. Sonderman understands that every case is different and strives to give each patient a unique, one-of-a-kind experience. Dr. Sonderman has extensive experience with this procedure, utilizes board-certified anesthesiologists, and performs surgery in fully-accredited facilities in the greater Milwaukee area.
Your options
Dr. Sonderman is extensively trained and experienced in helping women feel satisfied with the look of their breasts. During your consultation, he will discuss many of the topics as they relate to your individual surgery. He will review your medical history and any lifestyle factors that could affect your surgery, as well as the cost of breast augmentation. Each procedure is completely customized to each patient’s needs, and no two experiences are exactly alike.
Dr. Sonderman offers various types of breast implants, as well as different options for incision placement, including:
Saline and silicone gel implants: Both of these materials come with their own advantages. For example, many women are drawn to saline implants because they are a bit less expensive than silicone. In the unlikely event of a tear or break, their sterile saltwater filling is harmlessly absorbed by the body. Saline implants may be more appropriate for women who have a good amount of existing breast tissue. On the other hand, most people agree that silicone gel implants look and feel more natural than saline. If a silicone implant breaks, which is highly unlikely, it retains its shape, and the filling does not travel outside of the breast pocket.
Different choices for incision location: Dr. Sonderman can place your incision under the breast where it meets the chest wall (an inframammary incision) or along the lower edge of the areola (a periareolar incision). The ideal choice for you depends partially on the type of implant you choose, as well as the condition of your natural breast tissue. Regardless, Dr. Sonderman works to ensure your incisions are very fine and discreet, so that your scars fade rapidly until they are nearly invisible.
Two placement options: Dr. Sonderman can place your implants either above or below the pectoralis muscle. This choice depends mostly on how much breast tissue you have. Placing the implants below the muscle conceals them better, particularly for those with little natural tissue. However, placing the implants above the muscle usually results in a slightly easier recovery period.
In addition to breast augmentation, Dr. Sonderman also performs breast lift surgery to enhance the shape of the breasts further. During your consultation, he can talk about the possibility of combining procedures, as well as other important considerations.
Breast Augmentation Procedure
Dr. Sonderman performs breast augmentation at an outpatient facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, or the surrounding area. The procedure is about 1 hour long, and you will be placed under general anesthesia so you can sleep comfortably for the duration.
Your surgery begins with Dr. Sonderman making an incision in the area discussed during your consultation – either along the fold where the breast meets the chest wall or along the lower edge of the areola. Dr. Sonderman then creates a pocket within your breast tissue to house the implants. If you have chosen saline implants, their shells will be added empty and filled with sterile saline once they are in place. Dr. Sonderman will carefully evaluate your breasts for symmetry before closing the incisions.
If scarring is a concern for you, you can rest assured knowing that all of your incisions are carefully closed with sutures placed beneath the skin so there is no chance of having “railroad track marks.” Instead, you will have a very fine, faint scar once fully healed. The sutures will not have to be removed as they are completely dissolvable.
Once your procedure is complete, you are moved to a comfortable recovery area where you are monitored as you begin to wake up. After a brief period of observation, you may return home with a trusted friend or loved one to drive you.
Healing At Home
The average recovery time is about three to five days before you may return to work or social activity, although some patients, especially those who chose implant placement under the muscle, may elect to take a full week off work. The swelling and bruising can last from three to ten days, and you will need to wear a special surgical bra to properly support your breasts during this time.
Although it is important to get up and walk around as soon as you feel comfortable, you should not pick up your usual workout routine immediately. Instead, it typically takes two weeks before you can get back to light cardio-type workouts. Strength training or any other exercise that involves your upper body should be postponed until you are cleared by your surgeon. Over time, your breasts drop, soften, and adapt a more natural look and feel as your body accommodates them.
To learn more about this procedure, visit our Breast Augmentation FAQ page.