Breast Implants

Breast implants are a popular method of achieving larger, fuller, and perkier breasts. Many women seek out rejuvenation techniques to achieve the ideal chest size that allows them to feel like their most confident selves. There are many options available for breast augmentation, so it is important to choose the best fit for your body and your goals. If you aren’t properly informed, it can be incredibly easy to get overwhelmed by the choices! 

Dr. Gregory Fedele is pleased to offer his in-depth training and expertise to help you achieve your most beautiful breast augmentation results. As a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Fedele incorporates the latest techniques for breast augmentation, ensuring that each patient has a safe and personalized experience. As a member of several surgical organizations, he stays updated with the most recent research to provide the most exceptional care possible. If you want to explore our options for breast augmentation, contact his office in Cleveland, OH at (216) 464-1616 or use his contact form to get in touch with a staff member who can assist you in scheduling your consultation. 

What Are Breast Implants? 

Breast implants have a flexible silicone shell filled with silicone gel or saline fluid. They are placed into the chest through a cosmetic procedure using a small incision to add volume and shape to the female breast for 10 to 20 years, depending on the quality of the implants, how the body adapts to them, placement, and more. Implants will not only enhance your breasts, but they will also improve your overall appearance and the harmony of your body contours. At Dr. Fedele’s office, we only offer implants designed with durability and realism in mind. They come in a wide variety of different shapes and sizes so that Dr. Fedele can provide a customized look tailored to your dream vision!

Silicone Implants 

Silicone implants have both a silicone shell and silicone gel, so they can provide a much more natural feel similar to breast tissue- making them the most popular option among women seeking augmentation. Some are considered highly cohesive “gummy bear” implants that have the soft characteristics of other silicone implants, but more resilience against gravitational forces and deformation over time, making them one of the highest quality options available. ⁽¹⁾  

Cohesion, in general, refers to the density of the silicone gel within the implant. Silicone with low cohesion is fluid-like and runny- not the kind you can find in implants. Sometimes, patients prefer moderate cohesion in which the silicone is more similar to gelatin. However, highly cohesive silicone is the most sought-after option. This type of silicone is defined by more cross-links, or chemical bonds, between the silicone molecules themselves, making them more firm with a gummy bear-like texture. 

Saline Implants 

Although saline implants have a silicone shell, they are filled with saline (sterile saltwater). Dr. Fedeles uses smaller incisions to insert saline implants since they require filling after they are inserted into the fashioned breast pocket. He then fills them to the desired volume, allowing the surrounding tissues to slowly adapt to the implants. Though the rupture rate of these implants is between 7 to 10% around 10 years after the initial surgery, the saline isn’t harmful to the body; it can be easily metabolized if a rupture occurs. ⁽²⁾ 

Profile 

All of Dr. Fedele’s implants come in different profiles, reflecting different levels of projection from the chest. He helps his patients choose between low, medium, and high profiles, keeping other anatomical factors in mind- including their overall body shape and breast width. For example, many slimmer women may not get natural-looking results from high-profile implants, but they may work much better for those with a larger frame. 

Round Shape 

Round implants provide consistent shape over the entirety of the breast. Many women choose round-shaped implants because they not only improve the shape of the breasts, they improve the cleavage of the chest as well. Research shows that women with round implants have lower rates of infection when compared to those with teardrop-shaped ones. ⁽³⁾ 

Teardrop Shape

These implants are thicker at the bottom and thin on top. They are shaped similarly to teardrops and will provide the breasts with a thicker base, so they are more anatomically correct. These implants are ideal for women who desire higher breast projection.

Smooth v.s. Textured 

Implants either have a smooth or textured surface, but Dr. Fedele only uses smooth implants due to their safety profile. In July 2019, popular breast implant brand, Allergan, recalled its textured implants due to their connection to BIA-ALCL, an extremely rare type of cancer that attacks the immune system. Current research suggests that textured surface implants, particulates, and genetic factors all contribute to the likelihood of developing BIA-ALCL. ⁽⁴⁾

Candidates for Breast Implants

If you are a healthy woman who has been wanting to enhance your breasts for a while, you may be a great candidate for this type of breast augmentation. You should have realistic expectations for what this surgery can accomplish and be close to your ideal weight. If you are a smoker, you should be willing to quit temporarily to allow your body to heal without the negative effects of nicotine impacting your circulation. We encourage you to look through our breast augmentation before and after gallery to see Dr. Fedele’s skill in this procedure. 

Personal Consultation

You and Dr. Fedele will work together to choose the best implant size that reflects your ideal aesthetic and also naturally improves your frame. We recommend patients wear an unpadded bra and a thin, tight shirt to the consultation so they can have an accurate perception of the different implant sizes they try on. During this personal consultation, you will have the opportunity to look through implant sizers and try them on, ensuring that you have an accurate vision of the results you’re looking for. Dr. Fedele also utilizes Vectra® 3-D imaging software technology which generates actual 3D models from your digital image of the implants you select and displays a realistic outcome based upon gravity, the shape and placement of the selected implant. He will also give you detailed information about your breast measurements and implants selected, including a simulated before and after print out from your digital image. He will also inquire about your health and your medical history. 

You will be able to ask Dr. Fedele questions about the breast augmentation procedure itself, the preparation steps you should take, and what to expect during your recovery. He will also take the time to walk you through the pros and cons of each implant characteristic, ensuring that you make an educated decision for your body. To get started, dial his Cleveland practice at (216) 464-1616 or fill out our consultation form, and we will help organize an appointment date that is most convenient for you. 

If you would like to learn more about other procedures Dr. Fedele performs, browse through his blog. 

Breast Augmentation Procedure Steps 

Dr. Fedele can complete a breast enlargement procedure in just about an hour. Though it requires general anesthesia, he will perform the surgery on an outpatient basis. The surgery itself will require meticulous work and an eye for detail. Dr. Fedele will utilize one of these incisions to insert the implants: 

Implants are either placed above or below the pectoral muscle. If placed below the muscle, they interfere less with mammograms and will project your natural breast tissue contour. The “submuscular” placement also helps reduce capsular contraction (scar tissue formed around the implant), keeping your breasts softer for a longer period of time. Implants placed on the pectoral muscle can be felt along with the breast tissue. Only women who have enough breast tissue to sufficiently cover the implant should opt for placement above the muscle.

Recovery and Results 

Your chest will be swollen and sensitive after surgery and for about 4 days after. During this time, you can take pain medication to control discomfort. Dr. Fedele encourages patients to get up and start moving around as soon as they feel able to. Brief walks will improve circulation, help bring down swelling, and minimize your downtime. You will need to sleep on your back for a few weeks. Placing pillows on either side of you or sleeping while sitting up can help you remain on your back. You will likely be able to return to work after about 1 week, but you will have to refrain from working out for at least 1 month. 

Following surgery, you will notice an improvement in the size of your breasts. As swelling decreases, you will notice the improved shape, cleavage, and projection of the breasts. Breast implant surgery is a long-lasting treatment. With a healthy lifestyle and consistent weight, you will be able to enjoy your results for years!

How Much Do Breast Implants Cost in Cleveland? 

Breast implants come in all shapes and sizes. Because of our customized approach, the cost of each surgery will be unique to your aesthetic goals. If you are interested in this enhancement, give us a call today at (216) 464-1616 or go online to request your consultation. During your consultation with Dr. Fedele, he will give you a comprehensive breakdown of all the costs involved. If you are interested in alternative payment options, consider visiting our financing page, and take the first step toward attaining a fuller, more voluptuous chest. 

References

1. Shridharani SM, Bellamy JL, Mofid MM, Singh NK. Breast Augmentation. Eplasty. 2013;13:ic46. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3685325/ 
2. Baek WY, Lew DH, Lee DW. A Retrospective Analysis of Ruptured Breast Implants. Archives of Plastic Surgery. 2014;41(6):734. doi:https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2014.41.6.734 
3. Khavanin N, Clemens MW, Pusic AL, et al. Shaped versus Round Implants in Breast Reconstruction. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2017;139(5):1063-1070. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000003238 
4. Swanson E. Textured Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2023;91(3):321-323. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/sap.0000000000003628