Breast Implants in Charleston, SC

Whether you are seeking a more natural look with breast enlargement or if you want to really stand out in a crowd, you have many breast implant options that allow you to get the look you desire. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse offers breast implants for patients who live in Charleston, Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, Summerville and the surrounding communities in South Carolina.

What Are Breast Implants?

Breast implants are prostheses placed within the breast or below chest muscles to increase breast volume. They are made of a silicone casing, and two types of breast implants available for breast enlargement procedures include saline and silicone implants.

Saline breast implants are filled with a sterile salt-water solution. They look and feel less natural than silicone implants, but give good results, especially when placed under the muscle. They are less expensive than silicone implants.

Silicone breast implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel. They look and feel more natural, and are recommended when a woman has little breast tissue to conceal the implant, especially when placed over the muscle. The breast generally maintains its natural look and feel. “Gummy bear” breast implants are the popular name for the newest generation of silicone breast implants. Also known as a gel, memory gel or cohesive implants, these implants are the most natural looking and feeling implants on the market.

Both types of implants are safe. A consultation with Dr. Widenhouse will help determine which implant is right for you. Size is a very personal decision that you can discuss with Dr. Widenhouse during your consultation.

How Much Do Breast Implants Cost in Charleston?

The cost of breast implants varies based on the type of implant and volume selected. Before your breast implant surgery, you will be informed of the cost. For your convenience, we accept cash, credit cards, and personal checks. Financing is also available to aid you in covering the costs of your procedure.

What Types of Breast Implants are Used?

At Port City Plastic Surgery, we use MENTOR® breast implants. MENTOR® believes that choosing breast implants is a personal, important and life-changing experience that can empower women to own each day on their own terms. We trust MENTOR® breast implants, as their innovations are backed by solid research, high-quality design, and thorough testing. Their increasingly popular MemoryGel® breast implants have made waves in breast augmentation for providing a soft, natural feel in a wide range of sizes and profiles, so women can get the best breasts that truly fit their form.

What To Expect After Breast Implants?

Following breast implants, patients usually need four to six weeks to recover while performing only limited activities. You may experience swelling and soreness in the breast area. Swelling is normal and will decrease over the few months following surgery. Wearing a snug sports bra for the first-month post-op can help minimize breast swelling.

Will I Have Scars After Getting Breast Implants?

Yes, scars will be present following breast implant surgery. Incisions must be made to position breast implants. The incisions are strategically placed around the areola or beneath the breast in its crease to minimize the appearance of scars.

When Will I See The Results?

Breast implant surgery results in some swelling. It can take four to six weeks for swelling to fully resolve. Breast implants are also positioned higher on the patient’s chest, allowing the implants to settle lower naturally. Due to swelling and settling, it can take approximately six months to fully see the results of breast implants.

What Are Possible Complications Of Breast Implants?

Breast implant surgery does have the possibility of complications, which include:

• Bruising or hematoma
• Swelling
• Rupture
• Capsular contracture
• Wrinkling of the breast skin
• Asymmetry
• Numbness of the breasts and nipples

How Long Will The Results Of A Breast Implants Last?

Breast implants have a lifespan of approximately 20-25 years. At this time, patients may choose to have them removed, replaced with new implants, or replaced with new implants of another size or makeup. Longevity of results vary from one patient to the next and can be affected by many factors, such as weight loss or gain and pregnancy.

Benefits of Breast Implants

Breast implants given women total control over the size and shape of their breasts. If one is not pleased with the natural volume of their breasts, breast implants allow the volume to be altered to the patient’s liking. Small, moderate, and large breast implants are available to create the desired look.

With breast implants, volume and shape can be improved without impairing the functionality of the breasts. Women with breast implants can still breastfeed a child, and breast health can be screened using a mammogram or X-ray despite implants.

Who Is The Ideal Candidate For Breast Implants?

Most women are able to undergo breast implant surgery. If you desire to change the shape and volume of your breasts and have realistic expectations for the procedure’s results, breast implants may be appropriate for you. Your medical history will also be evaluated to determine if you are a good candidate to receive breast implants.

If you are pregnant, lactating, or undergoing breast cancer treatments, you should not go through with breast implant surgery until your circumstances have changed.

What Do I Need To Do Before Breast Implants?

During your initial consultation, Dr. Widenhouse will give you instructions to follow to prepare for your breast implant surgery. These instructions will include any medications you may or may not be able to take in the days or weeks before surgery. You should also quit smoking at least four weeks prior to surgery, as it can inhibit healing. Nicotine patches and gums, as well as e-cigarettes, should also not be used. Once your breast implant surgery is scheduled, you’ll be told when to cease eating or drinking on the night before or morning of your surgery.

What Should I Expect On The Day Of My Breast Implants?

Dr. Widenhouse uses three different incisions to perform breast enlargement. The most common incision is the inframammary, an incision under the breast. This incision is recommended for silicone breast implants. The scar is concealed under the breast. This incision is also recommended for women trying to correct breast asymmetry because it gives Dr. Widenhouse the best view of the breast structure.

Periareolar incisions are made below the nipple. The scar will be concealed in the color and texture change of the breast to the areola.

The transaxillary incision ensures that you have no incision or scar on your breast. It can only be used for saline implants, which are inserted then filled. This may not be a good incision for women with a personal or family history of hypertrophic scarring because it is a very visible location.

Dr. Widenhouse can place breast implants either under the breast but over the muscle (subglandular Board-certified placement) or under both the breast and the muscle (submuscular placement). Subglandular placement gives more dramatic changes in breast size and shape and accommodates larger breast implants. Women with little breast tissue who want subglandular placement should consider silicone breast implants to get the best results.

Submuscular placement of breast implants gives more natural results but often requires a larger implant to get the same size increase. Submuscular placement of implants gives less interference with mammograms. Another advantage is that it decreases the risk of capsular contracture, a complication that can affect your results and require revision surgery.

How Long Does It Take To Perform Breast Implants?

You’ll be placed under IV sedation before Dr. Widenhouse begins your breast implant surgery. The length of the procedure varies a bit due to the type of implant chosen and techniques used. Breast implants typically take one to two hours to place and to complete the surgery.

Breast Implant FAQs

Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse is passionately committed to reflecting your inner beauty. Using the latest and most advanced procedures for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, our team offers full body plastic surgery, emphasizing overall health and wellness to the residents of Charleston, Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, Summerville and the surrounding communities in South Carolina. Contact Port City Plastic Surgery today!