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Baumholtz Plastic Surgery
4083 De Zavala Rd
Shavano Park, TX 78249
Phone: 210-880-3708

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Considering Breast Augmentation? Know Your Options

Considering Breast Augmentation? Know Your Options


Curves are in! That’s the word from New York Fashion Week and Culture Map San Antonio, which featured a lineup of 2018 fashions making their debut on the catwalks earlier this season (you can get a sneak peak on their website). If you’ve been thinking about breast augmentation, now’s a great time: Designers worldwide are moving away from the androgynous look of the 1960s-early 2000s and embracing women’s curves, so you can look great and feel your confident best. Breast augmentation is the top cosmetic procedure in the U.S., with nearly 300,000 women opting for enhancement each year, according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. If you’re thinking about having breast augmentation surgery within the next few months, you’ve got some homework to do. One of the most important decisions is selecting the best surgeon for your needs (we talked about how to handle the selection process in one of our recent blog posts here). And you’ll also need to learn as much as you can about your options when it comes to the type of implants that will be used in your surgery. At Baumholtz Plastic Surgery, we offer the most advanced implants to help ensure you get the best results while also keeping your safety in mind.  Here’s a brief review of some of the breast augmentation options we offer at our practice:

Silicone Implants


Silicone implants have been around for many years, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t changed. Today’s silicone implants offer a more durable structure and construction to prevent damage and leakage, and they’re also available in an array of sizes and profiles to help women achieve a custom look that suits their body shape as well as their personal goals. Silicone breast implants have remained a favorite among patients throughout the years, thanks to a very natural feel that’s very much like natural breast material. The silicone material is inert, and free from risks of allergic reaction or rejection. Because of their size, silicone implants require a larger incision than saline implants, which are inserted “empty” and filled with saline after they’re in position. Under FDA guidelines, patients must be 22 years of age or older to have silicone implants used in their breast augmentation surgery.

Saline Implants


Saline implants are filled with sterile saline solution (salt water). While silicone implants are more gel-like, saline implants are filled with liquid, which means if they become damaged and leak, the implant will deflate. Saline implants use a silicone “shell” that’s inserted through a very small incision. Once the implant is in place, it’s filled with saline solution to achieve the desired size. If you have very thin skin, there’s a chance small “dimpled” areas or other minor imperfections may be felt beneath the skin. This is often referred to as “rippling.” Some patients find saline implants don’t feel as much like real breasts as silicone implants, but other women find the difference negligible. Saline implants are available for patients who are at least 18 years of age.

Allergan Implants


Allergan Natrelle® implants were approved by the FDA in 2016, capitalizing on recent advances in design and technology to provide women with multiple options and a natural feel and appearance. Allergan round implants are available in both a classic style and the INSPIRA® style for added fullness without compromising the soft, natural feel. Natrelle implants use a gel-like silicone material that retains its shape even if the implant is damaged. Sometimes, these implants are referred to as “gummy” implants because the consistency is more like a jelly candy than the more liquid-like material used in some other types of silicone implants. In the unlikely event an implant becomes damaged after implantation, the gel interior enables the breast to retain its curved shape until the implant can be removed and replaced.

Round vs. Teardrop


Teardrop implants are often marketed as the preferred shape for breast implants because the shape is more like the shape of your natural breast. The problem is, if a teardrop implant shifts, your breast contours will shift with the implant, resulting in an uneven appearance that can really detract from your results. Round implants eliminate the problem because even if they shift or rotate, the round shape will be maintained. Round implants also offer fullness in the upper portion of the breast, resulting in a more voluptuous contour which is a look many women prefer.

Smooth vs. Textured


Textured implants have a rougher surface texture, and when they were first introduced, most surgeons felt they might be an improvement over smooth implants. That’s because the textured surface helps the implant “grip” the surrounding tissue, helping the implants stay in place to prevent rotation and shifting. Some studies also indicated these implants were less likely to develop a tight “capsule” of scar tissue compared to smooth implants. However, more recently, textured implants have been linked with an increased risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare type of cancer that affects the lymph system. In fact, the FDA issued a statement regarding the possible link between textured implants and BIA-ALCL. As a result of these safety concerns, we use only smooth implants in our practice.

Fat Transfer: Adjunctive Option


Although some cosmetic surgery practices advertise fat transfer as a potential option for breast augmentation, it’s generally a better option for “touching up” or “fine-tuning” an augmentation using saline or silicone implants. Why? There are a few reasons:

  • Most women don’t have enough viable, “harvestable” fat to achieve the breast size they’re interested in. Not all fat can be used for fat transfer procedures, and for most women, fat transfer offers only a minor size increase that typically falls far short of the results they’re looking for.
  • Fat transfer typically requires two or three surgeries to transfer an adequate amount of fat. Even with the most advanced surgical techniques, not all grafted material is going to survive after transfer. That means you’ll probably need additional surgeries to transfer more fat to make up for the graft material that doesn’t “take” after the first surgery. More surgeries mean higher costs, more downtime and more discomfort – not only in the breast area, but in the areas where fat is harvested as well.
  • Fat alone doesn’t provide the rounded, natural breast shape that can be achieved with implants. As a result, you may not be satisfied with the end result.

Although fat transfer isn’t necessarily the best choice for complete augmentation, it can be very useful when used in conjunction with silicone or saline implants. For instance, fat transfer can improve modest differences in symmetry or shape, or it can be used to smooth out contours around the edges of an implant.

Learn more about breast augmentation options.

To learn more about the Baumholtz Plastic Surgery treatments and procedures performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Michael Baumholtz please contact us.

View our plastic surgery and med spa procedure pricing.

Dr. Baumholtz receives patients from San Antonio, Shavano Park, Texas and surrounding areas.

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irma gamboa
irma gamboa
My tummy tuck journey began about 3 1/2 months ago when I had my 1st office visit with Dr. Baumholtz. Dr. Baumholtz listened to what I wanted had done, he gave me his professional opinion and his recommendations and said “yes we can do it”, never pressured me to move forward with procedure, he told me when your ready you let me know. Dr. Baumholtz is an amazing Plastic Surgeon. I’m exactly 10 weeks post op - tummy tuck today, 3/18/22, I could not had asked for more, my results are amazing and could not be any happier. Dr. Baumholtz and his staff to date have gone above and beyond with my after care, they are always their for you and you are not left alone. Renee works with Dr. Baumholtz, she is very knowledgeable and always has an answer for you. Also, where I had my surgery was at emerge plastic surgery specialty center, awesome nurses and staff, always very attentive to me before and after surgery, facility was amazing. Thank you Dr. Baumholtz, you are awesome and thank for all you have done for me, I feel like I’m on top of the world. Anyone trying to get any plastic surgery procedure, go see Dr. Baumholtz, He WILL take care of you, he is awesome. 10 weeks ago today, 3/18/22, I’m amazed and beyond thankful, I’m just so happy with my tummy tuck.
Krystal Ausmus
Krystal Ausmus
The entire staff is amazing and everyone at the surgical center is attentive, kind, and very professional. Such a great experience!
Merlinda Valdez
Merlinda Valdez
There are so many reasons why I am extremely happy with Dr. B's work; one word keeps popping up is AMAZING. Dr. B performed a breast reduction and it's been several years that I have not felt this AMAZING physically and mentally. Dr. B thank you and your staff (especially Renee) for providing the most AMAZING service with honesty, availability, and making me feel safe. I would recommend all day everyday. TOP NOTCH SERVICE.
Kriezl Gutierrez
Kriezl Gutierrez
Dr. B and his team made my experience very comfortable. I was well informed even with my own research and they are available to you pretty much 24/7. Anytime I had a question , I was able to get an answer within the same day. I’m very happy and pleased with my results!
Valerie Zamora
Valerie Zamora
Super happy with my results! Doc was super nice & loved the 3D imaging to see what my possible results could be! 10/10
veronica duran
veronica duran
I couldn’t be any happier with my results!! The entire process was such an amazing & positive experience and one I will never forget. I was treated like a person rather than a number. Everyone, from the staff at Dr. Baumholtz’s office to the staff at the surgical center were so comforting and reassuring. Renee and Katherine at the office have been more than great, and the surgical center staff were so professional and caring. All my questions & concerns were addressed and I felt like part of a family. Thank you to all who were involved on my journey!!
Emma Cantu
Emma Cantu
Mommy Make-Over. Tummy Tuck/Breast Lift Best Plastic Surgeon! Dr. Baumholtz is highly regarded as an excellent surgeon among his peers in the medical community. Every expectation of my procedure was met and exceeded. After meeting different surgeons , I chose Dr. Baumholtz because he was the MOST honest about managing my expectations, and of course because of the fact that he is a highly skilled board certified surgeon! Trust your surgeon - Thank you Dr. Baumholtz and staff !
Lisa Rivera
Lisa Rivera
Dr.B is amazing. He will answer any questions you have, he will not pressure you to make a decision your not ready to make. Going to Dr B was the best decision I made! My results are beyond what I ever imagined! Dr B has the best bedside manner! I was nervous about my breast augmentation but he put me at ease and made me feel comfortable! I would recommend him to anyone! (Which I already have) Staff is also very professional and friendly! I love Dr B and his staff!
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