Breast Augmentation in Tampa

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular surgeries performed at Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center in Tampa, Florida. Our highly skilled cosmetic surgeons, Dr. Joseph Castellano and Dr. Mindi Giglio, have decades of experience between them performing breast augmentations in Tampa and the surrounding areas.

There are many reasons why women consider breast enlargement, including changes in breast size due to weight loss or pregnancy, or wanting to create a more proportionate figure in line with their natural body frame. Women may also choose breast augmentation to create symmetry in uneven breasts or to simply achieve a larger cup size and a curvier, more feminine figure. 

No matter the reasons you may be considering breast augmentation, our team is happy to help walk you through every step of the way, from your consultation to your final follow-up appointment. 

Use this guide as an overview of what you can expect before, during and after getting breast implants. If you are ready to discuss the specifics of your procedure with one of our sought-after Tampa cosmetic surgeons, request a consultation to take the first step of your breast augmentation journey.

The best candidates for breast implants will be in good physical and mental health and have realistic expectations about the results of their procedure. Other factors to take into consideration include your typical level of physical activity, whether you plan to become pregnant in the near future and whether you may want to breastfeed following your procedure. Discuss these and other goals with your cosmetic surgeon during your consultation to determine if breast implants could be right for you.

A breast augmentation first requires a consultation with one of our cosmetic surgeons. During this initial appointment, your cosmetic surgeon will discuss your goals and ideal results, as well as your breast augmentation options. Since most patients think of implants in terms of cup size, while surgeons refer to implants by their volume, or CCs, it’s important to make sure you are on the same page during this initial consult.

Some patients may bring in photos showing their ideal silhouette as a reference. This can help your cosmetic surgeon understand what you want to achieve. You’ll also discuss what type of implants you would like. If you are unsure, your cosmetic surgeon will explain the differences between saline and silicone gel and help you make the best decision based on your needs.

The breast augmentation procedure itself will take about an hour to complete, excluding the pre-surgical preparation time and the postoperative recovery. Incision size and placement varies depending on the size and type of implant used, as well as the placement technique. Every effort is made to minimize scarring, and incisions are usually placed where they will disappear within the natural contours of the breast after healing.

At Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center in Tampa, we specialize in breast enhancement procedures designed to help you look and feel your best. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized care and achieving natural-looking results tailored to your unique goals. 

Our lead cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Castellano, has been helping women in Tampa and beyond achieve their breast enhancement goals while maintaining a natural look and feel. Dr. Castellano is a member of several prestigious medical associations, including the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Board of Surgery, the American Medical Association and others. 

The extensive experience and dedication to excellence of both of our cosmetic surgeons ensure that you receive the highest standard of care in a state-of-the-art facility designed with your safety and comfort in mind.

When you meet with your cosmetic surgeon to discuss the details of your breast enhancement, you will find that there are several options to select to customize your procedure. Your cosmetic surgeon will discuss the two main breast implant types, breast implant sizing and placement and incision techniques.

The two main types of breast implants are silicone and saline. There are benefits and drawbacks to each, though silicone remains a popular option among many of our patients. 

Silicone breast implants are made of a silicone shell, filled with cohesive silicone gel. This gel tends to look and feel more like natural breast tissue than saline implants, making them a popular choice. Women who have little natural breast tissue often opt for silicone implants, since saline implants can sometimes create a rippling effect on the skin. Silicone implants are FDA-approved for cosmetic use in women ages 22 and older.

Saline breast implants are made of a silicone shell and filled with saline, a sterile salt water solution. Saline implants are available to women 18 and older. Saline implants may not yield as natural-looking results as silicone implants, but do offer their own set of advantages. One benefit is that saline implants can be inserted into the chest while they are empty, then filled afterward. This allows your cosmetic surgeon to adjust the size of the implants during the procedure. Women who already have a substantial amount of breast tissue may prefer to use saline implants, since the natural tissue present will help to conceal the appearance of the implant.

Many women also have questions about whether saline or silicone is safer. The answer is that there is nothing to indicate that one type of implant poses any particular risk above and beyond the other. Therefore, silicone and saline breast implants are considered to be equally safe.

Many factors go into choosing the best breast implant size and profile for your body type and goals. We recommend thinking in terms of proportion rather than size when considering how big your implants should be. 

Keep in mind that breast implants are not measured in cup sizes, but rather cubic centimeters (CCs) of volume. Cup size measurements are not consistent across brands and types of bras. Therefore, this is not an accurate way of determining sizes for implants. During your consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will help you translate the cup size you are looking for into the right volume of implant to help you achieve your goals while still remaining in balance with your natural body proportions.

Another aspect of breast implant sizing that many women find surprising is that the same size that looks great on someone else might not look right on their body. Many factors come into play when determining the exact implant size that would work best for you:

• The dimensions of your chest area. The size of your chest wall and the diameter of your breasts will be a major factor in what size of implants could be comfortably and attractively accommodated.
• Your height, weight and general body type. A petite woman with 350 cc implants might look totally different than a tall, curvier woman with 350 cc implants.
• The amount of existing breast tissue you have. How much breast tissue you start out with makes a difference, too. Women with very little are usually advised not to go too big, since this can make the skin appear stretched, and too-large implants can look very obvious.
• Your personal tastes. Of course, much of the decision comes down to what you like. Some women want a very subtle, natural look while others prefer something much more dramatic.
• Your lifestyle. When thinking about size, imagine how your implants might affect your daily activities. For example, a very active and athletic person may want to avoid getting overly large implants that could interfere with high-intensity exercise.

Finally, you will need to consider the profile or projection of your implants. This is how far your implants will protrude from your chest. There are four options when it comes to breast implant profiles:

• Moderate
• Moderate Plus
• High Profile
• Ultra-High Profile

The profile you choose will affect the way your final results look. For the subtlest look, you’d want to select a moderate profile implant. Ultra-high profile implants are at the other end of the spectrum. The most popular and commonly used type is Moderate Plus.

You’ve probably heard that breast implants can be placed either above or below the muscles in your chest, and you may have heard arguments about why one is a better option than the other. In truth, the best placement method depends on several factors, including your natural anatomy, your lifestyle and your aesthetic preferences.

For submuscular placement, implants are placed under the pectoral muscles. This is often the preferred placement for saline implants and for women who are thin and have smaller amounts of natural breast tissue. This is because the muscles help to camouflage the implant, creating a more natural look. The chance of breast implant rippling is also reduced with under-the-muscle implant placement.

For subglandular placement, implants are placed above the pectoral muscle and underneath the breast gland. This placement method tends to be ideal for silicone implants and for women who have substantial existing breast tissue. Athletic women getting implants may prefer subglandular placement, since the chest muscles are not disturbed and healing time is faster.

Split muscle placement offers a combination of submuscular and subglandular implant placement. As the name indicates, split muscle placement is when the implant is inserted partially under and partially over the pectoral muscle. The top half of the implant sits under the muscle, while the bottom half does not. This can allow for greater projection than full submuscular placement, and can help you achieve a “perky” look. This is also an attractive option for athletes, giving them more natural-looking results than subglandular placement would without having to opt for a full submuscular placement.

Your cosmetic surgeon will need to make incisions through which your breast implants are inserted. The placement of these incisions will depend on the type of implant you choose, as well as your personal preferences. The two most common breast implant incision techniques are:

• Periareolar incision. This is the preferred incision placement at Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center. The periareolar incision is made along the bottom of the areola, leaving the smallest scar possible. This incision can heal up so well that it can sometimes be nearly invisible after surgery. Choosing a cosmetic surgeon with a high level of technical skill is critical in ensuring the best results from a periareolar incision.
• Inframammary incision. For this technique, the incision is placed in the natural crease below your breast. This gives your cosmetic surgeon the most access to the breast pocket, and therefore also a great deal of control when it comes to exact placement.

A far less common incision method is the transaxillary incision. This incision is made through the armpit, leaving no visible scarring on the breast. However, this technique is only used in certain cases, as it limits your cosmetic surgeon’s access to the breast pocket, which can hinder precision.

A little preparation can go a long way toward helping you have a quick and comfortable recovery after breast augmentation. During your consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will go over in detail how to prepare for your upcoming procedure. However, it can be helpful to have some general tips in mind prior to your appointment. Below is Dr. Castellano’s general advice for breast augmentation preparation:

• Grocery shop and plan meals. Make and freeze some meals ahead of time or make arrangements to have someone help with the cooking while you recuperate.
• Stock up on essentials. Make a list of everything you might need in the first week or so of recovery so you don’t have to worry about arranging for someone to run to the store for you. This might include bandages, ice packs, lip balm, tissues, books, magazines and other entertainment.
• Fill prescriptions in advance. While you’re running errands before your procedure, get your prescriptions filled so you don’t have to worry about doing this afterwards.
• Get cleaning and chores done. Create a safe and pleasant atmosphere for your recovery by cleaning and organizing your house ahead of time. Make sure you have plenty of clean sheets, blankets, pillows and comfortable clothing.
• Clear your calendar. Put in for time off work well ahead of your surgery and cancel or reschedule any appointments or obligations that fall during your recovery period.
• Arrange for childcare if needed. If you have kids, particularly younger ones, it’s important to make arrangements for someone to help care for them in the first week or so of your recovery.

The initial recovery from your breast augmentation will take about a week, although it may be longer before the swelling dissipates enough to reveal your final breast shape. Most women do feel some discomfort at first, although the amount will vary. Everyone’s body handles surgery differently. However, most patients find they can resume a low-impact routine within the first week. Exercise and other vigorous activity needs to wait a little longer.

While everyone’s recovery timeline will vary slightly, here is a general breast augmentation recovery and results timeline to help you know what to expect:

Day 1

You will need a ride home from surgery, since you will still be under some of the effects of anesthesia used during your procedure. Someone should stay with you for the first 24 hours after your surgery. Expect to simply rest and relax once you get home, taking pain medications as needed to help keep you comfortable.

Days 2 – 7 

In the first week after getting breast implants, expect to experience swelling and some discomfort. At this point, you will likely want to continue taking pain medication to help keep you comfortable. Your cosmetic surgeon will ask that you wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling and aid in the healing process, and you won’t be able to drive or do much around the house. Take this time to rest and let your body relax and heal. 

That said, while you can’t exercise much during the early stages of recovery, it is important to periodically get up and walk around the house to promote healthy circulation.

Days 7 – 14 

You will probably be able to return to work at this point, depending on how physically demanding your job is. You will still have some activity restrictions, but can begin to gradually get back to your normal routine with the guidance of your cosmetic surgeon.

Days 14 – 30

During weeks 3 and 4, you should be able to do some light exercise. You will still need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous workouts, however. Your breasts will probably still seem tight and look like they sit too high on your chest. This is totally normal and should gradually resolve as you continue to heal.

6 Weeks and Beyond

By this point in your breast augmentation recovery process, the swelling will likely have gone down significantly and your incisions should start to look better. Wait for the go-ahead from your cosmetic surgeon before getting back into vigorous exercise. It can take 3 to 6 months before your implants drop and settle into place, at which point you will be able to enjoy your final results.