Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bruce Van Natta is one of the top breast surgeons in the country. He loves performing breast augmentations precisely for the fact that a pair of new breasts can have such a positive impact on a woman physically and emotionally. Furthermore, from a surgical perspective, breast augmentation resides at the crossroads of art and science. In order to have an exemplary result, it is important to see a surgeon who can think in 3D. Your breasts don’t live in isolation. They interact with your entire torso so your surgeon needs to have the eye of a sculptor. But he or she must also have a firm understanding of the technical aspects of the procedure.

Dr. Van Natta prides himself on being an early adopter. He is at the forefront of the most cutting-edge techniques in breast surgery. In fact, he is often the guy who other surgeons come to in order to learn these techniques. His goal with every breast augmentation is to obtain the best possible outcome for your individual anatomy.

Are You a Candidate for a Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation surgery uses breast implants and/or your own fat (fat grafting) to make your breasts fuller or to restore breast volume that’s been lost after losing weight or having children. Breast implants may also be used to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy or injury.

A breast augmentation can:

• Increase or restore breast fullness
• Fix subtle breast asymmetries
• Bring balance to your figure
• Improve your confidence and self image

A breast augmentation cannot :

• Correct breasts with excessive droop or sag
• Fix severe breast asymmetries

For these issues, you will need a breast lift either alone or in conjunction with an implant. All of these options will be discussed with you in detail during your initial consultation.

Choosing the Right Breast Implant for You

New breast implants are constantly hitting the market. It’s one of the biggest areas of innovation in plastic surgery. But newer doesn’t necessarily mean better. The right implant for you is going to depend on your anatomy, your goals, your lifestyle and your personality. Dr. Van Natta begins every breast surgery consultation in his Indianapolis office by listening carefully to what it is that bothers you about your breasts. Next, he performs a physical exam to assess your natural breast tissue, skin tone and elasticity as well as the location of your nipples in relation to the inframammary fold or crease beneath your breasts. Then, together, you come up with the treatment plan that works best for you.

Type of Implant: There are two types of implant: silicone and saline. Both are completely safe. The new silicone gel breast implants are literally the most tested medical device in the world. With their heavier outer membrane and thicker fill, their rupture rate is actually lower than that of saline. Most patients also find them to feel more natural. With saline breast implants, however, if they do break, you know it immediately as your breast deflates. On the downside, they can feel “watery”. 

Size, Surface & Shape of Implant: Just as there are two different types of breast implants, there are also two different shapes: round and anatomic or gummy bear implants. In addition, any implant can be either smooth or textured. The right one for you is going to depend on a multitude of factors which will be discussed in detail during your initial consultation. In general, Dr. Van Natta uses a round, smooth implant. In terms of size, this is where your anatomy plays an important role. The width of the breast implant has to fit the width of your chest. Dr. Van Natta strives to deliver on your aesthetic goals, but sometimes what you want simply won’t work with your body. Managing expectations is a crucial component of any successful outcome.

Bottom line, breast implants are not one-size-fits-all. Every patient’s body is different. This is why Dr. Van Natta works closely with his patients during the consultation to help you choose the breast implant that’s not just appropriate for your anatomy, but which will deliver the best result.

Breast Augmentation Procedure

Breast augmentation surgery uses breast implants and/or your own fat (fat grafting) to make your breasts fuller or to restore breast volume that’s been lost after losing weight or having children. Breast implants may also be used to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy or injury.

A breast augmentation can:

• Increase or restore breast fullness
• Fix subtle breast asymmetries
• Bring balance to your figure
• Improve your confidence and self image

A breast augmentation cannot :

• Correct breasts with excessive droop or sag
• Fix severe breast asymmetries

For these issues, you will need a breast lift either alone or in conjunction with an implant. All of these options will be discussed with you in detail during your initial consultation.

Breast Augmentation Rapid Recovery

Dr. Van Natta takes a unique recovery approach called Rapid Recovery for his breast augmentation patients. This approach allows his patents to return to their daily lives almost immediately. You will go home after surgery and, after a brief rest, you can take a shower, get dressed and even go shopping or out to eat. Every hour, you will perform overhead arm stretches. You will not need any pain medication other than ibuprofen, which means that you can drive the day after surgery.

You can expect to be bruised and swollen for the first couple of weeks following surgery and will need to wear a sport bra to aid in healing. Most patients are able to return to light exercise immediately, and more intense aerobic exercise at 2 weeks post surgery. Dr. Van Natta does request that you avoid any strenuous pectoralis exercises such as real pushups, pec flies or bench presses for several weeks following your surgery.

While you will notice an improvement in your body contour immediately, it can take anywhere from 3-6 months for your swelling to completely resolve and for your implants to drop into their final position. So, patience is a must. But really, before you know it, you’ll feel confident about your new breasts.

To find out more about a breast augmentation with Dr. Bruce Van Natta at Meridian Plastic Surgeons in Indianapolis, contact us today or call (317) 575-0330 to schedule a consultation.