Is Breast Augmentation surgery painful?

Most patients find Breast Augmentation surgery to be painless since it’s performed under anesthesia. You can expect some swelling, bruising, pain, and general discomfort during the early stages of your recovery. Dr. Pace will prescribe you pain medications to help manage any pain or discomfort. We will also provide you with directions to follow that will help ease your recovery and healing process to achieve the best results.

How many appointments will I need?

After your Breast Augmentation, Dr. Pace will have you return about a week post-surgery so he can monitor your recovery and remove any stitches and bandages. You can expect another appointment about a month or two later, followed by another one three months post-surgery, then again six months later. You may also have some photos taken at one of your final check-ups for a comparison photo. Dr. Pace will always let you know when he would like you to return at the end of each appointment.

How long until I see results?

While your Breast Augmentation results could be immediately noticeable depending on the change in your breasts’ appearance, it is a gradual process and you can expect to experience swelling and bruising for several weeks as you heal. Your breasts will continue to go through changes over the next few months (about three to four) before you see the final results once your implants have settled into their natural resting position.

Can I combine a Breast Augmentation surgery with other procedures?

Absolutely! Many women who undergo Breast Augmentation will combine it with a Breast Lift to improve sagging breasts and an overall better bust appearance, or another body contouring cosmetic procedure, such as a BBL , a Tummy Tuck , or Liposuction . If you have any particular aesthetic desires in mind, beyond breast enhancement surgery, do not hesitate to discuss them with Dr. Pace during your consultation. He will be able to use his expertise and knowledge to provide you with his recommendations for the right cosmetic procedures for you.

What are the risks associated with Breast Augmentation surgery?

As a plastic surgeon in Greensboro, NC, Dr. Pace prides himself on delivering safe and pleasing results to his Breast Augmentation patients. Since he is a firm believer in full disclosure, we choose to share the potential complications of every cosmetic breast enhancement procedure, which can include: Anesthesia risks Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) or other very rare cancers in the capsule around the breast, such as breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC) Bleeding Changes in nipple or breast sensation Fluid accumulation (seroma) Formation of tight scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture) Hematoma Implant leakage or rupture Implant malposition Infection Persistent pain Poor scarring Possibility of revision surgery Wrinkling of the skin over the implant Patient safety is incredibly important to our team, so if you experience any of the previously mentioned reactions.

Best Breast Augmentation In Greensboro, NC

woman leaning against counter in white bra and white underwear

What is a breast augmentation?
Who are the best candidates?
What are the benefits?
What’s the first step?
What to expect?
Recovery
How much does it cost?
Faqs

Introduction to Breast Augmentation

As the most popular cosmetic surgery in the world, Breast Augmentation allows many women the opportunity to achieve the bust size that they have always wanted. Whether it’s because of lost breast volume due to a mastectomy or otherwise, genetics, or general dissatisfaction, the size of a woman’s breast can have a negative effect on their self-esteem and confidence. Dr. Collier Pace offers Breast Augmentation at Greensboro Plastic Surgery in Greensboro, NC as a wonderful way to improve the size and volume of our patients’ breasts with natural-looking results. To learn more about this plastic surgery procedure, please continue reading the information below.

What is a Breast Augmentation?

Breast Augmentation (a.k.a. augmentation mammoplasty) is an FDA-approved surgical procedure that helps women who are dissatisfied with the contour, size, or fullness of their breasts.

There are many important decisions potential breast implant surgery patients will need to consider during their consultation, such as the type of implant (i.e. saline implants or silicone implants), the shape, and cup size. Dr. Pace will be sure to discuss all of your options during your consultation, as well as the pros and cons of each option to help you to make an informed decision.

Breast implants have an exterior silicone implant shell, filled with either saline or a silicone gel, both having their pros and cons. Saline breast implants generally have more rippling and the potential to leak, whereas silicone implants typically have a more natural feel.

woman wearing black sheer top with hair blowing in wind

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone gel breast implants are usually smoother and softer to touch and tend to have a more natural feel. The newer silicone gel filler is semi-solid or “gummy bear”, making the danger of breast implant rupture or leakage significantly lower than older breast implants. Highly cohesive implants tend to produce less rippling, even when placed in front of the muscle.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline-filled implants are filled with a sterile saline solution, very similar to the saltwater that’s in the human body. Unlike silicone implants, saline implants can either be pre-filled or filled to their ideal level once they are positioned inside the breast pocket. Some patients are more comfortable with the idea of saline filling their implants. Additionally, an implant leak is usually detected right away with saline implants, while silicone gel may take longer to identify.

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Not all Greensboro Breast Augmentation patients are comfortable with having a foreign object inside of them, but would still like larger breasts. In this situation, we can provide our patients with natural breast augmentation that uses fat cells from their bodies. After using Liposuction on areas of your body with sufficient excess fat, the cells are purified and then injected into your breasts for added volume and a more desired aesthetic breast shape. This technique offers a more subtle change in breast volume, so make sure to discuss your goals with Dr. Pace to clarify which procedure is best for you.

What Are The Benefits Of A Breast Augmentation?

Dr. Pace and his team have seen our Breast Augmentation patients enjoy the following benefits from their procedure:

Added volume to small breasts
Clothing fits better
Fuller breasts
Immediate and stunning results
Improved breast symmetry
Improved confidence and self-esteem
Low downtime
Provides lift after pregnancy and weight loss
Restores breasts after a mastectomy

Who Are The Best Candidates For A Breast Augmentation?

If you are wondering if you are a good candidate for a Greensboro, NC Breast Augmentation, you should have at least some of these characteristics:

Bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
Breasts are asymmetrical
Dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging
Have realistic expectations
Have had a mastectomy and need to restore breast volume
Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
One or both breasts failed to develop normally or have an elongated shape
Physically healthy

Also, Breast Augmentation at Greensboro Plastic Surgery should only be considered after a patient’s breasts have fully developed.

What’s the first step?

If you’re interested in getting Breast Augmentation in Greensboro, NC, the first step is to schedule an initial consultation. When you come in for your consultation with Dr. Pace, he will evaluate your health and explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you, based on the condition of your breasts, and be sure to discuss your expectations.

Dr. Pace will consider your body shape and proportions when determining your breast size because even though large breast implants are what many patients think of when it comes to breast augmentation, smaller breast implants can deliver excellent dramatic results as well. The two of you will also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of fat transfer, saline, and silicone implants.

Finally, you will decide on the breast implant placement, your desired cup size, and implant type. We can show you “before and after” photos of actual patients, and even offer you implant options and sizes, which will allow you to see what you would like with a larger implant size. One of the most effective ways to identify the volume implant you prefer is to use our implant “sizers” which can be inserted into your bra. This allows you to evaluate the appearance and feel the weight of different-sized implants.

Dr. Pace will compile all of the details to create your surgical plan. Our Patient Coordinator will help you schedule your appointment and provide you with pre-surgery instructions to help make your procedure as successful as possible.

What to expect on the day of Breast Augmentation surgery

We will start your procedure by administering your general anesthesia to provide you with a more comfortable experience. As far as what to expect of your surgery, the details and process will slightly vary depending on the kind of breast implants you are receiving. For example, natural tissue breast augmentation (fat transfer) may require more operative time depending on the extent of areas that are liposuctioned, as well as your desired breast size.

After you are sedated, Dr. Pace will make incisions hidden in your natural creases and folds to minimize visible scarring. Some incision placement options include:

In the breast crease (inframammary incision)
In the armpit (trans-axillary incision)
Around the areola (periareolar incision)

Depending on your augmentation, there are a few options for where Dr. Pace can insert breast implants, most commonly either under the pectoral muscle or directly behind the breast tissue, but over the pectoral muscle. The pectoral muscle can help smooth the transition from the upper chest to the implant when the implant is under the muscle. However, some patients are bothered by what is known as “animation deformity” where the implant moves with the contraction of the muscle. Implants placed in front of the muscle are not affected by muscle contraction. You need to discuss the details of the implant location with Dr. Pace at your consultation to identify what’s best for you.

After he is finished with the implant or fat graft, Dr. Pace will close the incisions using layered sutures in the breast tissue to provide extra support and close the external breast skin incisions with sutures, skin adhesives, or surgical tape.

The operation should take about one to two hours depending on the techniques used and your individual medical history.

Breast Augmentation recovery

After your Breast Augmentation, you will be kept in a recovery room for a few hours, during which time Dr. Pace’s staff will closely monitor you. Since this is an outpatient procedure, you will be able to go home at the end of the day. You will need to arrange a ride home with a family member or friend because you will still be under the effects of sedation. Before leaving the recovery facility, you will be provided with some recovery instructions and temporary prescription pain medication to make your breast augmentation recovery more tolerable.

You will be able to gradually resume an exercise routine about one week after your breast augmentation, except for chest muscle exercises, which can usually be resumed around six weeks. We encourage you to not rush your recovery by using your pectoralis muscle prematurely because it can lead to potential complications such as displacement of the implant to the sides, fluid collection, or an increased risk of capsular contracture.

Most patients can return to work, normal activities, and other daily duties within seven to 10 days. You should not exercise or perform any strenuous physical activities for up to four weeks. Dr. Pace will see you regularly to check on your healing progress. He will also show you various ways to massage your breasts so that your implants settle appropriately and give you the natural results you desire.

Dr. Pace will do his best to ensure any breast augmentation scars are mostly hidden, but the visible ones will naturally fade over time.

The cost of Breast Augmentation in Greensboro, NC can vary based on the specific procedure and treatment plan. During your consultation, we will thoroughly evaluate your unique needs and goals to create a personalized approach. After you and Dr. Pace agree on a treatment plan, our Patient Coordinator will be able to provide you with detailed pricing information based on the details of your breast implant removal procedure.

Why Choose Dr. Pace?

Given the number of plastic surgeons out there, we understand that choosing the best match for your treatment is a difficult decision. However, Greensboro Plastic Surgery is a practice that will make you feel heard and safe before even attempting to propose a treatment plan. Thanks to the guidance that comes from Dr. Pace’s breadth of experience internationally and from his rigorous training by leaders in the field and at reputable institutions, our patients have left him some glowing breast augmentation reviews.

Dr. Collier Pace is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and is an active member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He received his medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and is highly skilled in aesthetic/cosmetic plastic surgery, hand surgery, facial plastic, and reconstructive surgery.

Schedule your consultation

If you feel like a grown woman trapped in a girl’s body, or are just unhappy with the overall appearance of your breasts, a Breast Augmentation surgery from Dr. Collier Pace at Greensboro Plastic Surgery can produce the results you need. To schedule your one-on-one Breast Augmentation consultation, please contact our office to request an appointment by calling us or using our website, and a helpful member of our friendly and knowledgeable staff, will reach out to you and help you take the first step toward a more youthful appearance!

Breast Augmentation FAQs

Most patients find Breast Augmentation surgery to be painless since it’s performed under anesthesia. You can expect some swelling, bruising, pain, and general discomfort during the early stages of your recovery.
Dr. Pace will prescribe you pain medications to help manage any pain or discomfort. We will also provide you with directions to follow that will help ease your recovery and healing process to achieve the best results.
After your Breast Augmentation, Dr. Pace will have you return about a week post-surgery so he can monitor your recovery and remove any stitches and bandages. You can expect another appointment about a month or two later, followed by another one three months post-surgery, then again six months later. You may also have some photos taken at one of your final check-ups for a comparison photo.
Dr. Pace will always let you know when he would like you to return at the end of each appointment.
While your Breast Augmentation results could be immediately noticeable depending on the change in your breasts’ appearance, it is a gradual process and you can expect to experience swelling and bruising for several weeks as you heal. Your breasts will continue to go through changes over the next few months (about three to four) before you see the final results once your implants have settled into their natural resting position.
Absolutely! Many women who undergo Breast Augmentation will combine it with a Breast Lift to improve sagging breasts and an overall better bust appearance, or another body contouring cosmetic procedure, such as a BBL, a Tummy Tuck, or Liposuction. If you have any particular aesthetic desires in mind, beyond breast enhancement surgery, do not hesitate to discuss them with Dr. Pace during your consultation. He will be able to use his expertise and knowledge to provide you with his recommendations for the right cosmetic procedures for you.
As a plastic surgeon in Greensboro, NC, Dr. Pace prides himself on delivering safe and pleasing results to his Breast Augmentation patients. Since he is a firm believer in full disclosure, we choose to share the potential complications of every cosmetic breast enhancement procedure, which can include:
- Anesthesia risks
- Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) or other very rare cancers in the capsule around the breast, such as breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC)
- Bleeding
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Fluid accumulation (seroma)
- Formation of tight scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture)
- Hematoma
- Implant leakage or rupture
- Implant malposition
- Infection
- Persistent pain
- Poor scarring
- Possibility of revision surgery
- Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
- Patient safety is incredibly important to our team, so if you experience any of the previously mentioned reactions.

Contact us today for an appointment
schedule a
consultation

We're here to help
Patient resources

At Greensboro Plastic Surgery, we believe that knowledge is power, which is why we are open and upfront about every aspect of your procedure. We have created a page to address any of your concerns and help you make the best decisions for you and your body. Please read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out and set up your consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.

Insurance Policies

Financing

Reviews

Breast Augmentation in Greensboro, NC