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Baltimore, MD Breast Augmentation Patient Decision Guide

If you’re wondering, “Which type of breast augmentation is right for me?”, read this guide for more information:

1. Start with Your Main Goal

Every breast augmentation procedure can enhance breast size, but different techniques are designed to achieve different goals. The best place to start is by thinking about what you would like to improve most, whether that’s increasing volume, restoring shape after pregnancy or weight loss, creating a more natural look or a more augmented appearance, or maximizing the longevity of your results.  Implants come in all different shapes and sizes so having an idea of what your goals are can help determine implant and augmentation type.

A. Improve breast size, enhance cleavage, and address size asymmetry

  • Breast Augmentation: This surgical procedure involves small incisions, followed by creation of a tissue pocket in each breast. Either a silicone or saline implant is placed in each tissue pocket, and the incisions are then closed with sutures.

B. Add breast volume while also lifting sagging breasts and addressing size and shape asymmetries

  • Breast Augmentation with Lift: This combination procedure pairs breast augmentation with a breast lift (mastopexy), restoring perkiness while increasing breast size. It’s also known as augmentation mastopexy. The breast lift aspect of the procedure involves creating incisions, followed by the strategic removal of excess skin and the recontouring of the underlying breast tissue.

C. Create a fuller appearance while preserving natural breast movement, sensation, and shape

  • Preservation Breast Augmentation: This advanced approach is designed to preserve as much of the natural breast anatomy as possible while enhancing breast volume with implants. By minimizing disruption to the surrounding tissues, many patients experience a smoother recovery while maintaining natural breast movement and sensation whenever appropriate.

Dr. Tag has specialized training in preservation breast augmentation and offers this technique to appropriately selected patients throughout the Baltimore area.

D. Achieve the longest-lasting high-quality breast-augmentation results

  • Internal Bra Technique: This approach uses a specialized supportive mesh to reinforce the breast tissue and help support the implants during healing. It may be recommended for patients seeking additional implant support, those with weaker tissues, or patients who want to help maintain their breast shape over time.

Dr. Tag offers the Internal Bra Technique for appropriately selected patients who may benefit from additional soft-tissue support and long-term implant stability.

2. Evaluate Which Areas Need Contouring

Minimal downtime

  • Preservation breast augmentation is designed to minimize tissue disruption, allowing many patients to experience less bruising, swelling, and discomfort during recovery.

Standard surgical recovery (3-4 weeks)

  • Breast augmentation, breast augmentation with lift, internal bra technique

3. Evaluate Surgical Complexity vs. Your Needs

Breast augmentation on its own is a moderately complex surgical procedure. Including additional techniques increases the procedure’s complexity.

Most complex: Breast augmentation with lift, internal bra technique, preservation breast augmentation

Moderate complexity: Breast augmentation

4. Check Your Eligibility

Generally, most patients are excellent candidates for all breast augmentation techniques. Due to various factors, certain techniques may be a better fit for certain patients.

Age

  • 18+: Patient is eligible for saline breast implants.
  • 21+: Patient is eligible for silicone or saline breast implants.

Amount of Existing Breast Tissue

  • Less natural breast tissue: Submuscular implant placement is best for these cases but subfascial placement may be an option depending on the amount of tissue .
  • More natural breast tissue: Either subfascial or submuscular implant placement is acceptable for these cases.

Medical Conditions

  • Pre-existing health conditions: Discuss all health issues with Dr. Tag during your consultation. Certain pre-existing conditions can increase the chance of bleeding and other complications.
  • Smoking: Baltimore patients must quit smoking ideally 6 weeks before the date of their breast augmentation procedure. Smoking can result in an increased risk of complications and a prolonged recovery process.

5. Think About Expected Longevity

Modern breast implants are designed to be long-lasting, and many patients enjoy their results for well over a decade. While implants are not considered lifetime devices, they do not need to be replaced on a predetermined schedule. Replacement is typically recommended only if concerns such as implant rupture, capsular contracture, or changes in cosmetic goals arise.

  • Long-lasting: Breast augmentation, preservation breast augmentation, breast augmentation with lift
  • Longest-lasting: Internal bra technique

6. Budget Considerations

  • Moderate: Breast augmentation
  • Higher: Internal bra technique, preservation breast augmentation, breast augmentation with lift

The exact cost of your breast augmentation procedure will depend on a number of factors. The specific techniques performed can affect the overall price, as can anesthesia fees, total surgical time, and the chosen breast implants.

Schedule Your Consultation

Contact us to arrange a breast augmentation consultation with award-winning board-certified  and fellowship trained plastic surgeon, Dr. Maakan Taghizadeh. During your consultation, Dr. Tag will evaluate your anatomy, discuss your goals, and recommend the breast augmentation technique that best aligns with your desired outcome and lifestyle.

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