Model on beach demonstrates possible breast augmentation results | lavinia k chong m D

Many women are unhappy with their size and feel that their breasts are disproportionately small for their figures. Other women find that as they get older, especially after pregnancy and nursing or significant weight loss, their breasts decrease in size. Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery procedure that enhances the size of your breasts. In some cases, women may even use breast augmentation in combination with other procedures to enhance one breast that is smaller than the other breast in cases of severe breast asymmetry. Lavinia K. Chong, M.D. helps women in Newport Beach meet their unique goals through this procedure.


Breast Augmentation Explained

Breast augmentation and the implants used for the procedure are not one-size-fits-all solutions. During your consultation with our female plastic surgeon, Dr. Lavinia Chong, she will review your goals and help you explore the breast augmentation options available to assist you in achieving those goals. Aesthetic goals, anatomy, and customary activities are all areas of consideration during the selection of implant filler, surface and profile type, and volume.

We enjoy guiding patients in Newport Beach through the consultation and sizing process, selecting the ideal configuration:Breast implant comparisons | lavinia k chong m D

  • Filler type: Saline vs. Silicone
  • Profile type: Standard, Mid-Range, High or Ultra-High
  • Volume: A variety of sizes are available to fill the needs of all patients based upon aesthetic ideals, profession, and level of activity.

There has never been a better time to become the beauty you love! Recent innovations in breast implant technologies have provided prospective patients with the advantage of choice. Advances in technology have seen the expansion of saline implants for breast augmentation, which now offer mid-range and high-profile implants, reducing the possibility of lateral edge palpability. The industry has also seen the reintroduction of “responsive” and “cohesive” (gummy bear) silicone gel implants for breast augmentation patients who are 21 years of age or older.



Am I a Candidate to Receive a Breast Augmentation?

There are many reasons why women elect to undergo breast augmentation. Some include:

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Congenital Hypomastia
Breast volume never developed to a patient’s satisfaction.

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Postpartum Atrophy
Breast volume decreases after pregnancy and lactation. Typically, the area between the nipple and collarbone appears “empty”.

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Weight Loss
Breasts experienced a loss of volume due to weight loss.

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Aging
Breasts experienced a loss of volume due to aging.

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Pronounced Asymmetry
Differences in volume or nipple position exist between each breast. Asymmetry is common but can be worsened by weight change, aging, and pregnancy.

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Cosmetic
Many women simply want additional breast volume and projection, occasionally to “balance” their torso with their hips.

Additional areas of consideration prior to breast augmentation include:

  • Personal or family history of breast cancer. Baseline mammograms may be recommended before the breast augmentation procedure.
  • Preferred sports and activities. Most of our patients in Newport Beach have vigorous and varied athletic lifestyles, from runners to yoga enthusiasts. We have even seen an uptick in weightlifting and CrossFit. In choosing the type and volume of the implant, patients are advised to review their current activities with Dr. Chong and discuss how they can expect their implants to perform in conjunction with those activities.
  • Quality of breast skin envelope. Individuals with excessive breast skin, who do not desire breast lifts, will be counseled on the limitations of sub-muscular placement for breast augmentation.
  • Previous breast surgical procedures or infections (mastitis).
  • As applicable, the amount of time elapsed between when the patient stopped lactating and when they would undergo their breast augmentation procedure.
  • Whether you are interested in revising a previous breast augmentation.

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What Should I Expect From Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is most frequently scheduled under “twilight” (monitored anesthesia care). The procedure averages 1.5 hours. All aspects of surgical planning, incision choice, implant choice, and implant placement will have been previously reviewed with you during your pre-operative appointment.

The relative advantages and disadvantages of the incisions used for breast augmentation will be discussed during your consultation appointment. Options for incisions include:

  • Periareolar: the lower junction of pigmented nipple complex and breast skin
  • Inframammary Fold: the base of the breast

A “no-touch” technique utilizing Keller funnels (single-use devices) is used by Dr. Lavinia Chong to facilitate the placement of silicone gel implants. Drains are rarely needed for primary breast augmentations. All incisions are repaired in multiple layers of dissolving sutures.

Breast Augmentation incision types


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Other Things to Consider Before Getting a Breast Augmentation

Gummy Bear Implants and Breast Augmentation

Gummy Bear implants are, in fact, silicone breast implants. “Gummy Bear” was a term coined by a surgeon as their consistency bears (no pun intended) such a strong resemblance to the cohesiveness of Gummy Bear candy. If a plastic surgeon were to cut open a Gummy Bear implant, you would find that the silicone gel stays contained within the shell of the implant, and maintains its form. You can squish down on it, and while it is pliable, the silicone gel remains bonded and retains its shape. It is this higher level of cohesiveness that makes a Gummy Bear Breast Implant different from a traditional Silicone Gel Breast Implant.

How Long Have Gummy Bear Implants Been Around?

These higher cohesive silicone gel implants “Gummy Bear” breast implants have been available for quite some time. Over the years the availability of styles has expanded. Natrelle Inspira silicone gel breast implants offer patients three different levels of smooth cohesiveness: Responsive (“Gummy”), Soft Touch (“Gummier”), or Cohesive (“Gummiest”).


“I left my consult with Dr. Chong so happy. I left feeling understood, safe and felt like every possible question and concern had been addressed. Most importantly I felt she really wanted to help me achieve exactly what I wanted, which I hadn’t seen in other consults. A huge thank you to Dr. Chong and her staff!” -C.D. (Patient since 2016)

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Why Have “Gummy Bear” Breast Implants Become so Popular in Breast Augmentation Surgery?

  • Reduced rippling effect;
  • Cohesive gel provides consistent breast shape;
  • Silicone gel retains its bond even if the external shell becomes ruptured; and/or

Your consultation allows an opportunity for you to “try on” various implants, thereby giving you a better understanding of the options available to help you achieve your goal. During your “sizing” you have the opportunity to feel the weight of the implant, as well as see the projection. Ultimately, your breast augmentation should make you look and feel more confident and well-proportioned.

Breast Augmentation and Breast Asymmetry

Uneven breasts may be subtly different, or incredibly noticeable. For many Newport Beach women, it is a desire to improve breast symmetry that prompts them to seek the knowledge and skill of female plastic surgeon Dr. Lavinia K. Chong. During your consultation for breast augmentation surgery, Dr. Chong works diligently to understand your goals and works with you to develop a surgical plan to improve the appearance of your breasts. This plan may include enlarging the smaller breast to match the size of the larger breast, reducing the size of the larger breast to match the smaller breast, or even enlarging the size of both breasts to achieve an even size. Breast augmentation surgery for asymmetrical breasts can help women feel more comfortable wearing bikinis, wearing tight-fitting clothing, or during intimate moments.


What Should I Expect in Terms of Recovery After A Breast Augmentation?

You may feel tired and sore for several days, but many patients return to normal activities within a week. Post-op medications, bowel programs, activity schedules, use of ice, massage techniques, and scar therapy will be discussed during your post-operative visits. All patients are encouraged to contact the office with any concerns. Warranty information, including options for an extended warranty of breast implants, is fully disclosed.

Breast Augmentation FAQ’s

  • Is Silicone a Safe Implant Material for Breast Augmentation?

    Yes. Silicone is one of the most studied materials and is used in many products we use, daily, such as cosmetics, hair grooming products, and antacids.

  • Is It Better to Have Breast Implants Positioned Under rr On Top of the Muscle?

    Technically, under the muscle is a “dual plane” approach, which has theoretical long term advantages of:

    • Decreased rate of capsular contracture (CC)
    • Improved soft tissue coverage and drape in the upper pole (area below the collarbone and above the nipple)
    • Better visualization with mammography
    • Potential for better support of the implant weight (however, it may be initially more uncomfortable than placement on top of the muscle)


    Patients are better served with sub-glandular (on top of the muscle) positioning when the following characteristics are present:

    • Tubular or constricted breasts which refuse breast lift
    • Ptosis (droopiness or majority of the breast volume and/or nipple lies below the breast fold)
    • Adequate breast tissue to camouflage possible wrinkles and or palpability
    • Bodybuilders who cannot accept the possibility of “animation” deformity (movement of the breast implant upon chest muscle flexion)
  • How Long Will I Have Stitches?

    Absorbable sutures are typically used, making routine suture removal unnecessary. While your body heals, it will slowly dissolve the sutures. This process can take up to 3-6 months. Minor delays in this wound healing process, while not common, occur when the body extrudes the stitch. This “spitting stitch” may feel like a little bump and may have a bit of discharge. If this occurs, simply call the office and we will set a time at your convenience to remove the stitch.

  • At What Point Will I Be Released to Resume My Regular Activities?

    Your activity restrictions will be based upon the type of procedure performed. You will likely be released for activity in increments, with full resumption of activity typically occurring 6-8 weeks post-operative. During each follow-up appointment, activity restrictions will be released based upon what is acceptable at each given point in your recovery process.

    • Adult activity: We recommend avoidance of vigorous physical activity, and any activity which may raise the heart rate, until 4 weeks post-operative. It is important that all incisions be healed prior to resuming such activity so as to reduce the risk of infection at the incision site and delay wound healing.
    • Fitness: As a general guideline, expect activity the first 2-4 weeks to be restricted to low-impact. Examples include: lifting no more than 2-5 pounds, walking, and lower body activities.
    • Caring for children: We suggest having a strong support system in place following surgery. In order to achieve optimal results, you will be weight restricted for the first 2-4 weeks of your recovery with a maximum weight restriction of lifting/carrying no more than 2-5 pounds.
  • After Surgery, When Can I Go Back to Wearing a Normal Bra?

    As soon as the implants have settled, you can resume wearing your bra of choice. Underwire bras are recommended for women who have both implants and lifts because although the breast skin is contoured to fit the implant, the intrinsic stretchiness of the breast skin has not been altered and definitely benefits from external support.

  • Will I Be Able to Go without Wearing a Bra?

    Occasionally. Like in everything, moderation is key. Bras aren’t always compatible with certain clothing and/or activities. Just an observation, some of the patients who have enjoyed the greatest longevity of their results (softness, good positioning, and no recurrent sag), confide that they “support the girls”.

  • How Long Will It Take the Implants to Settle?

    The amount of time it takes to achieve final results ranges from 3-6 months with “dual plane” placement (creating a pocket for the implant partially sub-muscular, behind the pectoralis major muscle). This can depend, in part, on the size, shape, and fill of the implant. During this time of “settling”, it is not uncommon for mild asymmetry to occur as the pectoralis slowly relaxes and stretches.

  • Can I Breastfeed if I Get Pregnant?

    Aesthetic breast surgery is intended to improve a woman’s appearance but also conserve her option to lactate. Many women will opt for an inframammary fold incision (below the breast base) to prevent any injury to either the nerves or milk ducts, however, I have had many patients who have successfully breastfed with scars on the nipple-areolar complex.

  • Is It safe to Do a Mammogram After? How Long After?

    Absolutely! Mammography is a vital screening tool for breast cancer. Follow the ACS (American Cancer Society guidelines) or your Gynecologist’s recommendations. Additional views (Eklund protocol) are required, but all radiologic facilities routinely ask about the presence of breast implants. We recommend scheduling routine screening mammograms at least a year post-op. Of course, if a mass is identified, diagnostic mammography should be done sooner.


Choose Dr. Lavinia K. Chong in Newport Beach for Breast Augmentation

As a female plastic surgeon serving women across Orange County, Dr. Chong provides a patient-first approach to breast augmentation that has helped many women feel comfortable in their bodies. Contact our office in Newport Beach with our online form or by calling (949) 644-1400 to schedule your breast augmentation consultation today.