Leo Lapuerta, MD Plastic Surgery - Houston, TX
Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a Houston breast augmentation surgeon who has provided countless women in the greater Houston, Katy, and Pearland areas with fuller, shapelier breasts. Breast augmentation surgery, which ranks as the most common and most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the U.S., uses saline or silicone breast implants to increase the size and shape of the breasts.
Breast augmentation is one of the most requested plastic surgery procedures. Many women want to increase the size of their breasts because they have a smaller cup size than they desire, or because their breasts have lost volume over time. It may also be part of breast reconstruction surgery after cancer treatments.
Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a Houston breast augmentation surgeon who has provided countless women in Texas with fuller, shapelier breasts. Breast augmentation surgery, which ranks as the most common and most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the U.S., uses saline or silicone breast implants to increase the size and shape of the breasts. For optimal results with fewer complications, you want to find the best breast surgeon in Houston – Dr. Lapuerta.
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that increases the size and may change the shape of the breast. You can increase your size by one or two cup sizes (or even more) with breast surgery, depending on your goals. Breast augmentation is often done in conjunction with a breast lift, which reduces sagging that can occur with pregnancy or age.
Breast implants are an excellent option for any woman who wants to alter the size or shape of her breasts. Breast augmentation can increase breast size, restore any volume lost after losing weight or pregnancy, and improve the symmetry between the left and right breast. This popular outpatient procedure can pay immediate dividends and improve the patient’s appearance, as well as provide a boost in self-confidence and self-esteem.
While the benefits of breast augmentation are undeniable, it is not for everyone. It is important to take the time to consider whether breast implants are right for you. Good candidates for breast augmentation in Houston, TX, with Dr. Lapuerta will be women who match these criteria:
There are two distinct types of breast implants that you can choose from. You can choose either silicone breast implants or saline breast implants, but for most patients, it is best to trust Dr. Lapuerta to help you make this decision. Silicone and saline implants have distinct differences and characteristics. Below, you can learn more about the difference between silicone and saline implants, as well as the situations best suited for both types of breast implants.
Silicone breast implants are filled with a gel substance that looks and feels similar to natural breast tissue. They are ideal for women who are thin-chested. Silicone implants are specially engineered so that if the shell should become compromised (a surface crack), the silicone will remain intact within the implant (known as cohesive gel implants). Silicone implant defects are rare and can only be found through an MRI, unlike saline implants, which can deflate. Patients must be at least 22 years of age to receive silicone implants.
Saline breast implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution and offer no risk to the patient in terms of extracapsular spread or silicone leakage. Saline implants are appealing to many because they generally cost less than silicone implants. In some patients, silicone may be a better option due to the rippling that may occur along the edges of the saline implant that can be visible in thin-chested women. Patients considering saline implants must be at least 18 years of age.
Patients have a variety of options when it comes to breast implants. As breast augmentation procedures have continued to develop, breast implants have come to look and feel more realistic. Before undergoing breast augmentation in Houston, Dr. Lapuerta will work with you to determine whether saline implants or silicone implants will best achieve your cosmetic goals.
In terms of which type of breast implant is best, it all depends on your personal medical history, goals for breast augmentation, body type and weight, breast tissue size and structure, and personal preferences.
Beyond the broad categories of saline and silicone implants, there is other implant information to consider before undergoing breast augmentation surgery. Learn more about the different breast implant manufacturers, shapes, and other important information below:
When considering breast implants in Houston, you want to know your implants are made by a reputable manufacturer. While there are several companies that develop implants, some brands have a long history and have developed a solid reputation.
Saline: MENTOR® or Allergan (branded as Natrelle®)
Silicone: Allergan (branded as Natrelle® Gel), Mentor (branded as MemoryGel®) and Sientra, known simply as Silicone Gel Breast Implants
An implant profile depicts the distance the breast will project forward from the chest wall. Implants are made in low, moderate, high, and extra high profiles.
Breast implants come in two shapes. Round implants tend to offer more fullness on the top of the breast, while teardrop implants are touted to mimic the shape and look of natural breasts. Dr. Lapuerta prefers round implants and finds that more naturally-shaped implants can be problematic for some patients while not offering any benefit over a round implant.
Breast implants are made with a smooth or textured surface. Regardless of the type of implant, all have a silicone outer shell as the material. Round implants can be chosen with either surface, while teardrop implants are made with a textured surface only. Dr. Lapuerta’s preference is to use smooth surface breast implants.
Smooth implants have a thinner surface, which helps them feel more natural. They normally last longer than textured implants and cost less. These implants are less likely to ripple once they are in place. Textured implants are designed to stay in place because of the rough surface. It has been suggested that they reduce the risk of capsular contracture, which occurs when scar tissue hardens. There has been no medical evidence to support the claim.
During breast augmentation surgery, if an implant is needed the plastic surgeon has several implant placement options. For the best outcome from breast augmentation surgery, Dr. Lapuerta takes into consideration many factors when deciding where the implant should be placed, including the patient’s desired implant size, the amount of natural breast tissue, the patient’s weight and chest muscle anatomy. After an in-depth consultation with the patient, Dr. Lapuerta will determine which of the following implant placement options will give the patient the results they desire:
Breast implants come in two shapes. Round implants tend to offer more fullness on the top of the breast, while teardrop implants are touted to mimic the shape and look of natural breasts. Dr. Lapuerta prefers round implants and finds that more naturally-shaped implants can be problematic for some patients while not offering any benefit over a round implant.
One of the challenges with a teardrop implant is that it can cause issues if it moves around. Even though the implant may be textured to reduce the risk of displacement, movement can still happen. If this happens with a teardrop implant, it will make the breast look distorted. Misshapen breasts aren’t an issue with round implants.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the size of your breast implant. First, you should consider your lifestyle. Are you someone who loves to be active, exercise, and take part in physical activities? If so, you will not want oversized implants, as they can limit your ability to comfortably exercise, and can result in future back problems or other health issues.
Next, you should consider the goals of your breast implant procedure. Are you merely trying to alter the size and shape of your breasts so that they are proportional to the rest of your body, or do you want breasts that will catch the eye of every person you walk by? If you are looking to attract more attention from potential partners, then you might want to opt for larger implants. If you are more low-key, you likely will want to focus on changing the shape of your breasts over adding considerable size.
Regardless, the key to choosing the ideal implant size is having an open line of communication with your plastic surgeon. Dr. Lapuerta is renowned for his ability to clearly communicate with patients, helping them understand every step of the procedure. He aims to partner with the patient to help them achieve their aesthetic goals, and part of that partnership is helping you decide what implant size best suits your needs.
Breast augmentation surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which allows the patient to feel no pain or discomfort during surgery. For safety, convenience, and privacy reasons, most of Dr. Lapuerta’s patients choose to have their surgery in the accredited outpatient facility, PSI. Regardless of location, breast augmentation surgery is considered an outpatient procedure.
Dr. Lapuerta will make a small incision near the breasts, creating a pocket to house the implant. Then, the saline or silicone breast implant will be carefully positioned in the pocket, either underneath the pectoral muscle or on top of the pectoral muscle, but beneath the breast tissue. Where the breast implant is positioned will ultimately be determined by Dr. Lapuerta depending on a variety of factors.
Breast augmentation doctors in Houston typically complete breast augmentation surgery in one to two hours. Based on the surgical approach and the type of breast implants used, the length of the surgery can vary. Oftentimes, plastic surgeons will combine breast augmentation surgery with a breast lift, and if that is the case, the procedure will likely take longer than two hours.
During a consultation, Dr. Lapuerta will provide you with a custom treatment plan that includes an estimate for how long the surgery will likely take.
After about one week of recovery, patients should be able to return to work. However, patients should hold off on resuming their normal exercise routines for at least four to six weeks, and during this time patients should avoid any strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting. It typically takes around six months for the breasts to fall into their final position. The result is a softer, more natural-looking breast appearance.
There will be some bruising and discomfort, but there should be only a minimal amount of pain during breast augmentation recovery. If you find yourself in significant pain during the recovery period, then Dr. Lapuerta can prescribe pain management medication in order to make your recovery more comfortable.
It can be difficult to estimate the cost of breast augmentation in Houston since each patient brings about a unique set of circumstances. However, breast implants from Dr. Lapuerta generally cost somewhere between $5,500 and $7,500. The cost for breast augmentation surgery will vary depending on whether saline implants or silicone implants are used. The average cost for breast augmentation using saline implants is about $6,000. Silicone implants generally run about $1,000 more. In order to get an accurate estimate for the cost of breast implants, contact Dr. Lapuerta’s office to schedule a consultation today.