Hunstad Center Charlotte, North Carolina Breast augmentation, breast augmentation

Breast Augmentation
(Augmentation Mammoplasty)

Breast augmentation is the most popular procedure performed at the Hunstad Center. We offer all methods of breast augmentation and incision placement. These include the endoscopic technique, periareolar (the incision is placed under the nipple right inside the color change of the areola), inframammary with the incision under the breast, and the TUBA technique (a saline implant is placed via an incision located inside the navel). Breast augmentation is also used alongside some breast lifting procedures. One of the most popular methods of breast augmentation is the endoscopic technique. This procedure is performed through an inconspicuous incision in the apex of the armpit. A natural crease is selected and the incision length is only approximately 1 in. Implants are placed below the muscle and the incision is closed with dissolving sutures leaving the best scar. The procedure takes less than one hour and most patients can return to normal activities within a few days.

We also offer several options as far as placement of the implant is concerned. Three options offered at the Hunstad Center are subglandular, where the implant is placed directly under the gland of the breast, submuscular, whereas the implant is placed under the pectoralis major muscle, and subfascial. The newest of the three placement options is subfascial. In this, the implant is placed below a thin, but strong layer of connective tissue that covers the pectoralis muscle. With this technique, you get a little of the "internal bra" benefit of the submuscular technique without implant animation (the implants move while muscles contract).

Vigorous exercise is limited, particularly lifting, for a few weeks following breast augmentation. At the Hunstad Center, we encourage our patients to personally select their desired breast implant size based on implant tester placement which is done during consultation. During our consultation with you, we thoroughly discuss and offer guidance on your personal options. The final decision on size and placement is ultimately yours-- as it should be.

**Relating to a ten-year study, in which Dr. Hunstad has been an ongoing participant, the FDA has just recently released the use of silicone gel implants to include all patients and all breast augmentation procedures.

Breast Augmentation Pages
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Breast Implant Safety

Also, for more information on breast implants, visit

http://www.natrelle.com

Before & After: Breast Augmentation

Endoscopic (Video-assisted) Breast Augmentation

Before

After

As you can see from the photo on the right, the incision for endoscopic breast augmentation is very minimal. It will fade to white and become virtually invisible within months.

Endoscopic breast augmentation subglandular ( above the muscle ) 330cc Gel

Breast augmentation with a periareolar approach. This procedure leaves only a scar around the lower border of the areola, which blends in nicely as the scars fade.

Before After

Breast augmentation with a pursestring mastopexy proves to be a gratifying procedure for many patients. It is recommended whenever an augmentation may require higher placement of one or both nipples. A beautiful result can be achieved with the a final incision only around the areola. The implants are placed below the muscle. Saline or silicone gel can be used. Silicone gel breast implants are very popular because of their natural feel. This procedure can usually be completed within two hours and all sutures are woven beneath the skin allowing for the finest scar.

Before After

A Full Mastopexy is an excellent option particularly for patients who have had children and breast-fed or who achieved weight loss with a significant loss of breast volume. Placing implants below the muscle in this situation offers a benefit of muscular support for the implants, lessening the chance of subsequent droop overtime. All patients at the Hunstad Center choose their final implant volume. In addition, we use delicate plastic surgery techniques to offer you the very finest scar possible using technically advanced absorbable long-lasting monofilament sutures which eliminates the need for any removal of stitches. Also, we utilized Scar Guard within the first week to further improve scar quality. This is a mixture of silicone, hydrocortisone, and vitamin E which helps us achieve the very best scar possible.
The patient below underwent a submuscular saline breast augmentation and a full mastopexy. She achieved an excellent lift and improvement in shape, projection, and volume. She also had an excellent result with an arm lift.

Markings are made preoperatively to determine the amount of excess skin to be removed. A new nipple position is also marked.

Before After

**All patients individually select their implant size and technique with guidance from Dr. Hunstad and his staff. This is a very personal choice, so we want our patients to become active members in this decision-making process.

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