Breast Augmentation

Skilled double-board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Carmen Kavali has years of experience performing breast augmentations. If you’ve been curious about enhancing your breast size and projection, Dr. Kavali will be happy to tell you more about the procedure. She offers personalized consultations at our Sandy Springs office, not far from the LEGO Discovery Center and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

See this video from Dr. K for more info:

What Is Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Breast augmentation surgery, also called augmentation mammoplasty, is a way to increase the volume and projection of the breasts. This procedure can also be used to correct breast size asymmetry. The process typically involves insertion of specialized prosthetic saline or silicone breast implants into the chest tissues.

Dr. Kavali’s Specialized Breast Augmentation Techniques

Thanks to Dr. Kavali’s years of experience, she’s able to perform a number of specialized breast augmentation techniques for Buckhead patients. One of these techniques is total subpectoral breast implant placement.

The traditional implant-placement options are subpectoral (below the pectoralis muscle) and subglandular (beneath the glandular breast tissue and above the pectoralis muscle). During traditional subpectoral placement, the surgeon raises the edge of the pectoralis muscle and places the implant partially beneath it. The bottom third or sometimes even half of the implant isn’t covered, and because of this, it’s only supported by the patient’s natural breast tissue.

But in a total subpectoral breast augmentation, Dr. Kavali splits some of the middle fibers of the muscle (while leaving the attachments in place) in order to create a pocket in the muscle. This allows for the implant to be completely enveloped, resulting in total muscle-based implant support. It doesn’t rely on the patient’s skin or breast tissue to hold up the implant in any way, making it much more effective.

Especially athletic patients can particularly benefit from this technique. They’re constantly engaging their pectoralis muscles, and when traditional subpectoral implant placement is used, this constant contraction can push the implant down and out towards the armpit. By enveloping the implant completely, contraction has no negative effect.

Total subpectoral placement also greatly minimizes the likelihood of animation deformity (where the implant visibly moves whenever the patient contracts the muscle).

Why Is Dr. Kavali the Ideal Choice for Breast Augmentation?

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Carmen Kavali is the expert breast surgeon Sandy Springs patients deserve for their breast augmentation. She has created natural-looking breast augmentation results for countless patients, and her numerous positive online reviews speak volumes.

She has received a number of accolades, including being named a Top Doctor by The Atlantan magazine and Atlanta Magazine. Castle Connolly has named her an Exceptional Woman in Medicine since 2020 and a Top Doctor since 2017. The Consumers’ Research Council of America has recognized her as one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons for a number of years.

Dr. Kavali has delivered several lectures on the topic of breast augmentation at national and international medical conferences. She has shared her plastic surgery knowledge on radio shows and in magazines. She has also written a number of medical journal articles.

Dr. Kavali is a member of medical societies like the Atlanta Women’s Medical Alliance, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Medical Association of Atlanta, and the Medical Association of Georgia.

At the start of her career in medicine, she attended Mercer University in Macon, GA, earning her Doctorate. She then moved to Chicago for her general surgery residency at the University of Illinois. After this, she pursued a plastic surgery fellowship in Michigan at Wayne State University.

Dr. Kavali is on staff at Northside Hospital and Atlanta Outpatient Surgery Center. These surgical centers are fully accredited and are staffed with Registered Nurses and board-certified anesthesiologists.

At Dr. Kavali’s practice, our staff is supportive and professional. They create a welcoming atmosphere for breast augmentation patients, providing caring assistance every step of the way. Our Sandy Springs clinic is near the Fox Theatre and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, along with coffee shops like Just Love Coffee Cafe, Zambawango, and Bagel Boys Café.

Good Candidates for Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation may be right for you if you are uncomfortable with the size of your breasts. Maybe your breasts never developed to the size you would like, or maybe you lost breast volume after childbearing or breastfeeding.

Maybe you’ve lost a lot of weight and your breasts have gotten smaller as part of that process. Or maybe your breasts developed unevenly, and you have one that is smaller than the other. Basically, if your breasts are smaller than you would like, for whatever reason, breast augmentation may be the right option for you.

Ideal breast augmentation candidates are in good overall health and don’t have any health conditions that could lead to surgical complications. During your consultation, you’ll be able to go over any pre-existing conditions and find out if they will affect your candidacy.

The best candidates for breast augmentation in Buckhead and Sandy Springs are non-smokers. Smoking damages the health of skin tissues and affects circulation, both of which negatively impact the healing process after surgery. They can also greatly increase the chance of complications during surgery.

Because of this, if you smoke, you’ll need to quit for several weeks before the date of your breast augmentation procedure. You’ll also need to avoid smoking until the augmentation mammoplasty healing process is complete.

If you’re currently pregnant or breastfeeding, it will be best to postpone your breast augmentation procedure.

Your Consultation

A breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Kavali will take place at our Sandy Springs office. If you’re in town visiting, consider taking a trip to nearby downtown Atlanta, which features attractions like the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, and SkyView Atlanta. Downtown Atlanta is home to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, The Sun Dial Restaurant, The Curb Market, and Centennial Olympic Park. Patients often enjoy visiting galleries like the MET Atlanta, ZuCot Gallery, and the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. 

The consultation time is meant to be comfortable and educational. We want you to feel completely informed so you can make your own personal best decision.

When you contact our office for a consultation regarding any surgery using breast implants, we will enroll you in EMMI, a free online educational program regarding breast implant surgery. You can go through the EMMI program at home, at your leisure, prior to your consultation. EMMI will give you a good baseline of information related to implants and implant surgery and will allow you to have a very informed conversation with Dr. Kavali during your consultation.

After you arrive at our office, you’ll first meet with one of Dr. Kavali’s Physician Assistants. They will begin the consultation process by reviewing your medical history, establishing your goals for the surgery, and by taking relevant photographs for your medical record.

Dr. Kavali will complete the consultation process by meeting with you to personally hear about your goals for surgery. She will ask about your desired breast size and anything else related to the appearance of your breasts that you feel is important. This conversation will help Dr. Kavali understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be met.

Dr. Kavali will examine your breasts. She will be looking at the size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin, and the location of your nipples and areolas (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipples). If your breasts droop, she may recommend a breast lift along with the breast augmentation.

The two of you will then discuss your options in terms of breast implants. She will recommend the implants that will help you achieve your cosmetic goals most effectively. Dr. Kavali will also use Vectra 3D Imaging technology to show you three-dimensional images of your potential breast augmentation results. These images can be adjusted based on the characteristics of your desired breast implants and the details of your breast augmentation.

Once all your questions have been answered during your consultation, you’ll meet with Ali, our Patient Coordinator, who will put together the financial and scheduling information you’ll need. We never want you to feel pressured to schedule any surgery. Dr. Kavali prefers that you gather all the information you need and take all the time you need to feel comfortable with your decision to proceed. 

Once you are ready to schedule your surgery, just let us know. We’ll coordinate a surgery date with you, then we’ll see you again for your preoperative appointment, which will take place a couple of weeks before your surgery date.

Of course, we know that many people (like our out-of-state clients) have special circumstances that may require their preoperative appointment to take place closer to the surgery date, and we’re happy to oblige.

On the morning of surgery, Dr. Kavali will meet with you again to confirm your final implant choice. 

Breast Implant Sizes

The question of implant size is nearly impossible to answer before your consultation. Certainly, you should look at before-and-after photos to get an idea of what you like. However, it’s important to realize that there are many variables that affect what implant size will work best for you—your starting breast size, what size you want to be, your ribcage width, and your starting breast width, for example.  

Dr. Kavali takes your measurements, then chooses a range of implant sizes that will work for you. 

From there, you make the final decision by actually trying on the implants in the office. Be sure to bring a bra that you want to be able to wear after you have your surgery. It should have no padding, and it should be a full-coverage cup (not a demi-cup).

Breast Implant Types

With the FDA’s approval of silicone gel implants in November of 2006, women can now choose between saline and silicone implants.

Dr. Kavali participates in two implant post-approval studies, called BIFS (Breast Implant Followup Study) and PAS (Post Approval Study). These studies are important because they allow us to continue to collect data related to breast implants and their safety. There is financial consideration offered for study participants and participation is completely voluntary. Dr. Kavali will talk to you about these studies and how you may participate.

In general, silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants. Silicone implants also have a lower risk of wrinkling and rippling than saline implants. Saline implants are still a fine option, though.

You’ll be able to see and feel both types of implants during your consultation. You’ll also have a lot of information from the EMMI educational program, and Dr. Kavali will help you make the final decision that’s right for you.

Breast Implant Profile, Shape, and Texture

The profile, shape, and texture of breast implants can greatly affect a patient’s results in terms of aesthetics and feel. The right profile, shape, and texture for you will depend on your goals.

Breast implant profile is an implant’s amount of projection from the chest wall, along with its base diameter. Higher-profile implants have more projection and a narrower base, whereas lower-profile implants have less projection and a wider base. Typically, implants are available in low, moderate, moderate plus, high, and ultra-high profile, though this varies. 

A breast implant’s shape can also have an impact on results in several ways. Breast implants can either be round or anatomical (teardrop-shaped). Anatomical implants have a natural slope, similar to the natural slope of the breasts. They improve volume in the lower pole (the bottom of the breast).

Round implants are ideal for patients looking to improve their cleavage, since they enhance the breast’s upper pole (the top of the breast). Round implants also help to prevent appearance changes in situations where implant rotation occurs.

In terms of texture, implants can either be smooth or textured. Textured implants adhere better to the surrounding tissues, preventing implant rotation and drift. Smooth implants are better for simulating natural dynamic movement, and they have a softer feel that more closely mimics natural tissue. They’re also ideal when implants are placed above the muscle, because textured implants can potentially result in rippling in the skin.

Breast Implant Placement

There are good reasons for placing an implant below the muscle—there’s less wrinkling and rippling, there may be a lower risk of capsular contracture (hardening of scar tissue around the implant), and there may be a more natural breast shape and less breast droop over the years.

There are also good reasons to place an implant above the muscle. If you do a lot of chest exercises and don’t want to feel the implant move, you should consider placing the implant above the muscle. If you have a small amount of breast droop now but don’t really need a formal breast lift, you might have the implant placed above the muscle to give it a better shape.

Dr. Kavali will help you decide which placement option is right for you.

Breast Implant Incision Options

Incisions for breast augmentation can be made in the crease under the breast (inframammary incision), around the lower edge of the areola (periareolar incision), or in the armpit (axillary incision).

In general, silicone implants require incisions that are a little longer than the incisions for saline implants. This is because saline implants are filled after they are in place, but silicone implants are pre-filled before placement. All the incisions tend to heal quite well.

Natural Breast Augmentation

When patients are interested in a breast augmentation but don’t like the idea of breast implants, Dr. Kavali may recommend a natural breast augmentation instead. This option creates new volume in the breasts using fat transferred from other areas of the body.

Also known as a fat transfer breast augmentation, fat grafting breast augmentation, or lipofilling, a natural breast augmentation involves removal of excess fat from areas like the thighs and the abdomen. This process is conducted using gentle liposuction, which offers the benefit of contouring and sculpting these areas. After the fat has been purified, it’s injected into the breasts at various locations and depths to create natural-looking results.

With a fat transfer breast augmentation in Sandy Springs, patients can increase their breast volume by around one cup size, or 150 to 300 cc. Patients looking for a larger size increase will benefit more from a breast augmentation with implants.

What Is Augmentation Mastopexy?

Augmentation mastopexy is the technical term for a procedure that combines breast augmentation with a breast lift. This pairing of breast plastic surgery procedures involves placing implants in the breasts and trimming away excess skin during a single session. A breast lift with implants can provide comprehensive results by enhancing breast size and shape, symmetry, projection, and perkiness.

Including a Breast Augmentation in a Mommy Makeover

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect the appearance of the breasts, making them look smaller than they used to. To help restore the appearance of the breasts and body, Dr. Kavali can perform a procedure called a mommy makeover.

During a mommy makeover, Dr. Kavali performs several breast and body procedures during the course of a single surgical session. This saves patients time and money by requiring only one surgical session and one recovery period.

If you’re interested in including a breast augmentation in a mommy makeover, bring this up with Dr. Kavali during your consultation at our Sandy Springs clinic. We’re conveniently located near hotels like the Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, the Sheraton Atlanta Perimeter North Hotel, and the Hyatt Place Perimeter Center.

Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift

Many people mistakenly assume that a breast augmentation and a breast lift are the same surgery. These two procedures are quite different in terms of the results they’re designed to achieve and the techniques involved.

A breast augmentation is specifically intended to increase breast size and projection, while a breast lift is instead focused on improving breast shape and perkiness while reducing sagging.

A breast augmentation involves placement of implants or fat transfer to the breasts, whereas a breast lift features removal of skin using a scalpel.

Preparing for Breast Augmentation

It’s vital to follow Dr. Kavali’s breast augmentation preparation instructions very closely; this will help ensure that your procedure goes according to plan and creates satisfactory results. If you have any questions regarding preparation, please feel free to contact us and ask at any time.

The details of your augmentation mammoplasty preparation process will be based on your surgical plan and the other specifics of your case. Generally, you’ll need to avoid NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and certain herbal supplements for around two weeks before the surgery. You’ll also need to avoid drinking several days before the surgery. Taking these precautions will help you avoid bleeding-related complications and minimize post-surgical bruising.

You’ll need to take time off from work to rest and recover. To ensure that this crucial time is available, contact your work and request as much time off as is recommended by Dr. Kavali.

You will not be able to drive home following breast augmentation surgery. Instead of taking a rideshare, we highly recommend arranging for a ride in advance with a trusted friend or a family member. Once you’ve arrived home, they should stay overnight with you to help out as needed for the first night. You will also need to arrange for petcare and child care during your recovery.

Having a comfortable recovery area during the breast augmentation healing process is vital. To ensure that this is taken care of beforehand, gather blankets, pillows, towels, cold compresses, bottles of water, snacks, and entertainment options in an area of your home, preferably one that’s close to a bathroom.

The Procedure

A breast augmentation from Dr. Kavali usually takes around one to two hours. Typically, general anesthesia is administered, though in some cases, a combination of local anesthesia and sedation can be used instead.

Once the anesthesia has taken effect, Dr. Kavali will create the breast augmentation incisions. She will create pockets in the chest tissues, and then she will insert the implants through the incisions and into the tissue pockets. She will position them appropriately and then close the incisions with the help of stitches. The incisions will then be dressed.

Breast Augmentation Recovery

You’ll be able to go home the same day as your surgery. Our staff will monitor you for a time and then clear you to return home once your vitals have stabilized. A friend or family member will then drive you home.

During the breast augmentation recovery process, it’ll be incredibly important to follow Dr. Kavali’s post-surgical care directions very closely. This will help to avoid complications and reduce the length of the healing process.

As part of recovery, you’ll need to wear a surgical bra without underwire. Underwire can damage the temporarily weakened tissues of the breasts as they’re healing. 

Your stitches will be under the skin, and they will dissolve, so you won’t need to have any stitches removed. There will be no drains, except in some very special circumstances (you’ll know before your surgery).

Experiencing swelling and bruising is a normal part of breast augmentation recovery. These side-effects will fade in time, and you can help treat them by applying ice packs as directed.

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