Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia. However, as with any surgery, there is some discomfort during recovery.

In the first few days after surgery, you may experience swelling, bruising, and tightness in the chest area, but these symptoms typically subside with time. Dr. Rivera will prescribe pain management medications to help keep you comfortable. Most patients report that the discomfort is manageable and significantly decreases after the first week. Full recovery takes about six weeks.

For breast augmentation, you’ll typically need a few essential appointments:

• Consultation: This is your initial meeting with Dr. Rivera, during which he will discuss your goals, evaluate your anatomy, and help you choose the right implants.
• Surgery Day: The procedure itself, which is performed under general anesthesia and takes 1-2 hours.
• Follow-Up Appointments: After surgery, Dr. Rivera schedules follow-up appointments to ensure you’re healing well, address any concerns, and monitor the final results. These are typically at 1 week, 1 month, and 3-6 months post-surgery.

Scarring from breast augmentation is minimal and typically well-hidden, thanks to Dr. Rivera’s precise technique and careful incision placement. There are several common incision locations, including:

• Inframammary (under the breast) is the most common and effective incision site. It’s placed in the natural fold beneath the breast, so the scar is discreet and often barely noticeable once healed.
• Periareolar (around the nipple): This incision is made around the lower half of the areola, blending well with the natural color transition.
• Transaxillary (in the armpit): This option avoids breast tissue incisions, but depending on the desired implant size and placement, it may not be suitable for all patients.

While scarring is inevitable in any surgery, Dr. Rivera uses advanced techniques to minimize it, ensuring that scars are discreet and fade over time. Most patients find that the scars become less noticeable after a few months, and with proper care, they can continue to fade over the course of a year.

Easing back into exercise after breast augmentation is important to ensure proper healing. For the first couple of weeks, it’s best to focus on rest and light movement, avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activity. Cardio-like walking is usually fine for around three to four weeks post-surgery, but anything that engages the chest muscles should still be avoided. Most patients can gradually return to more intense workouts, including strength training and upper body exercises, after about six weeks, depending on how their bodies are healing.

Dr. Rivera will monitor your progress and let you know when you can return to your full routine. Taking it slow and allowing your body to recover fully will help protect your results and ensure the best outcome.

Yes! Several of our clients pair their breast lift with liposuction or a tummy tuck to refine contours for a sculpted, confident silhouette.

Dr. Rivera tailors each surgical plan to your unique goals, ensuring beautifully balanced and natural-looking enhancements.

Potential complications include swelling, bruising, and temporary discomfort, which are common and typically resolve within a few weeks. There is also a small risk of infection, changes in nipple sensation, implant shifting, or capsular contracture. In rare cases, implant rupture or the need for revision surgery may occur over time.

When it comes to finding the best breast augmentation surgeon in Miami Beach, we suggest doing thorough research and ensuring you know exactly what to look for.

Start by reviewing different surgeons’ credentials, ensuring they are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Then, make sure they specialize in breast procedures and have extensive experience in augmentations.

Finally, check out patient reviews, before-and-after photos, and testimonials before scheduling a consultation with a few top surgeons.

Gel thickness is also known as “cohesivity.” Typically, there are three levels of cohesivity, ranging from softer to firmer (more cohesive). There are different degrees of implant gel cohesivity: mildl, moderatelye, and highly cohesive. The more cohesive the gel, the more perkiness you will see in the upper part of the breast. On the other hand, the less cohesive the gel, the more natural the look. The latest generations of implants feature a more cohesive gel that is less likely to leak if the shell ruptures. The gel inside resembles the consistency of a “gummy bear.” This provides more upper pole fullness, helps the implant maintain its shape better, and further reduces the chances of gel leaking out if the implant ruptures. There are a few more topics to cover about breast implants, including implant projection, which will be discussed during the consultation with Dr. Rivera-Serrano.

The implant’s placement depends on the breast’s initial size and the thickness of the breast fat under the skin. Most implants in the United States are placed partially under the muscle (also called “dual plane”). Dr. Rivera-Serrano may also place implants over the muscle (“subfascial” or “sub-glandular”) in selected patients. A dual plane placement can reduce the risk of capsular contracture, which occurs when a fibrous capsule forms around the implant and thickens over time. Note that a capsule always forms around the implant, but it usuallyt remains soft, supple, and not noticeable.

Most breasts are asymmetric, and perfect symmetry is rare. We often tell our patients that their breasts are more like “siblings rather than twins.” Therefore, results may not lead to fullysymmetricalc breasts, but the goal is to improve balance and proportions. A personal consultation with Dr. Rivera-Serrano will determine what is best for you.