Breast Augmentation in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Don't worry about making a premature decision now on the specific breast implants you would like to receive. There are so many misconceptions about breast implants that Dr. Bengtson, Dr. Alfonso, or Dr. Horriat will clarify them with you.

During your consultation for a breast augmentation Grand Rapids plastic surgeons at the Bengtson Center will walk you through your options and explain the benefits of each one for your specific situation. Your body type, current breast size and shape, desired increase, current firmness of your breast, and other factors will all play a part in determining the implant options for you.

For now, it's a good idea to learn some breast implant basics, which essentially boil down to saline and various cohesivities or firmness of silicone fillers.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline is the technical term for salt water, a sterile, safe fluid that has long been used in breast implants, either round or teardrop-shaped, that are inserted empty into the body and then filled to the appropriate volume to achieve breast augmentation.

The water-filled silicone shells are often noted as feeling firmer to the touch than the alternative and may create more visible wrinkling and rippling. Ruptures are possible — the chance is about 1 percent per implant per year — and would lead to a gradual deflation as the harmless saline fluid is absorbed by the body. This is really the only advantage of a saline implant, aside from cost.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone is a thicker substance, closer in consistency to human fat than saline. Silicone devices come in both round and anatomical/teardrop shapes, which are filled before insertion.

In the case of a fold-flaw or shell tear, the extremely thick gel remains in the implant shell and the amount that may extrude out of the shell remains inside the capsule or "internal zip-lock bag" that forms around the implant. On our breast implant page, you can see videos of Dr. Bengtson cutting implant shells so you can visualize how thick the silicone gel is.

Profile refers to how far your implants project forward from your chest wall. The options range from low to ultra-high, with moderate and high profiles in between. A lower profile creates a subtler enhancement, while higher profiles offer more forward projection. Your surgeon will assess your natural breast dimensions and recommend a profile range that can achieve proportional results for your frame.

Smooth implants have a soft outer shell that can move within the breast pocket. Textured implants have a slightly rough outer surface designed to help them stay in position. The textured surface is most common with teardrop implants to prevent rotation that would distort the shape of the breasts.

Round implants provide even fullness throughout the breast, particularly in the upper pole, which creates cleavage. They can look natural in most body types.

Teardrop implants mimic the natural breast slope with more volume at the bottom and less in the upper pole. Dr. Bengtson was a lead FDA investigator for shaped "gummy bear" implants and has some of the most extensive experience in North America with these devices.

The right choice depends on your existing breast shape, tissue characteristics, and preferences. We’ll use VECTRA® 3D imaging to help you decide.

Most patients choose the inframammary approach, which places the incision in the natural crease beneath the breast. This provides excellent access for implant placement and typically heals with minimal visibility. Additional options include the periareolar incision (around the nipple border) or transaxillary incision (in the underarm).

Implants can be placed in the subglandular (above the chest muscle, beneath breast tissue) position or submuscular (partially beneath the pectoral muscle) position. Submuscular placement is the most popular choice because it provides additional tissue coverage that may lead to a more natural look and feel. Your optimal placement depends on your breast tissue thickness, lifestyle, and implant choice.

Breast augmentation adds volume, while a breast lift (mastopexy) addresses sagging by tightening and repositioning the breast tissue. If your nipples sit at or below your breast crease, or you've lost firmness after pregnancy or weight loss, you may benefit from a lift. A lift is often combined with implants for both shape and fullness.

Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia, so you’ll be fully asleep and comfortable during the procedure. After surgery, most patients describe the sensation as tightness or pressure rather than sharp pain. It is usually manageable with the medication we prescribe.

With our Fast-Trak Recovery program, most patients return to daily activities in 24 to 48 hours with minimal restrictions. You'll need a capable adult with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. Light activity resumes quickly, followed by full exercise in approximately four weeks. Our concierge program assists out-of-town guests with accommodations at one of the premier hotels nearby, including the JW Marriott or Hampton Inn.

You can return to the gym within days of surgery, but with limitations. Light lower-body exercises and walking are typically fine almost immediately. However, you'll need to avoid bouncing movements and chest-focused exercises for about four weeks. High-impact activities such as running can generally resume around the four-week mark.

Breast augmentation incisions are commonly placed in the inframammary fold (the natural crease beneath your breast), where they're concealed by most clothing and swimwear. Scars typically fade significantly over 12 to 18 months. We'll provide incision care instructions to optimize the healing process.

Like all surgical procedures, breast augmentation carries the potential for risks, including infection, bleeding, changes in nipple sensation, capsular contracture (scar tissue around the implant), and implant-related complications. These will be discussed in detail during your consult.

You'll notice an immediate change in the size and shape of your breasts. The size may look exaggerated at first due to swelling. As the swelling subsides and the implants settle into their final position (a process sometimes called "dropping and fluffing”), your results will refine. Expect to see your final results between three and six months post-surgery.

Cup size is not the best way to think about your breast augmentation. Because cup sizes vary significantly between bra manufacturers, we focus on achieving proportional results for your body rather than targeting a specific letter.

Breast augmentation results are long-lasting, but your breasts are not expected to look the same forever. Weight loss, weight gain, or pregnancy may change your results, and normal aging and gravity may affect your results over time.

Dr. Bengtson has won national research awards in plastic surgery using high resolution ultrasound for the detection of breast implant shell failure and has found it superior to MRI for that task.

MRI sessions cost $3,500, with insurance companies not paying for this test for breast implant follow-up. The FDA has recommended MRI check-ups at three to five and seven years following breast augmentation; this schedule would cost more than the actual procedure for most patients.

We wrap the ultrasound follow-up into the surgical fees, and this gives patients great reassurance. Shell failure — if it happens — usually does not occur until seven or eight years following surgery, so we begin imaging patients at that time or when there are any noticeable changes or trauma to their breasts. See our high resolution ultrasound webpage and our published articles for additional information.

Breast augmentation pricing varies based on the details of each patient’s surgical plan. At the Bengtson Center, your quote includes surgeon fees, anesthesia, facility costs, implants, and our lifetime ultrasound follow-up program (a value that can save thousands compared to requiring costly MRIs). We offer financing options to make your investment manageable.

Weight changes will not affect the breast implants themselves, but they can change the way your breasts look. Weight gain may increase your breast volume further and change your overall proportions. Weight loss can reduce your natural breast tissue and might affect how natural your implants look and feel.

Modern implants are quite durable, but rupture is a possibility. Saline implants deflate noticeably if the shell fails, and the body safely absorbs the saltwater. Silicone gel implants may experience "silent rupture," where the cohesive gel stays contained but the shell is compromised. We monitor your implants with our complimentary lifetime ultrasound follow-up program to detect any changes early and plan revision surgery if necessary.

Most women can breastfeed successfully after breast augmentation. Incisions in the breast crease (inframammary incision) and submuscular implant placement generally preserve milk ducts and nerves better than other approaches. If breastfeeding is important to you, share this with your surgeon during consultation.

Breast implants don't have an expiration date, and the old "replace them every 10 years" rule is outdated. If you're happy with your results and have no complications, your implants can stay in place. That said, implants aren't lifetime devices. Every patient should be prepared for the possibility that they may eventually need implant replacement or implant removal.

Breast augmentation pairs beautifully with many of our other procedures, including breast lift, liposuction, tummy tuck, and Brazilian butt lift. Many women combine multiple procedures into a custom mommy makeover to restore their body after pregnancy.