Breast Augmentation Overview

Expertise, Precision, and Safety With Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa

The decision to undergo breast surgery is personal, as breast augmentation may be desired for a number of reasons, including asymmetry, breast changes due to weight loss or pregnancy, and more. At Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa, we can help you achieve more flattering, natural-looking breast contours with expert surgical precision and the highest standard of care.

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Breast Augmentation in Charlotte Before & After

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What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a popular cosmetic surgery used to enhance the size of the breasts. Most commonly, breast augmentation is performed with the use of saline or silicone breast implants, which are customized to the individual’s preferences in terms of size, shape, and profile.

About Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can also be done using a process called fat transfer, which involves removing excess fat from a different part of the body and injecting it into the breasts. This method offers a more natural alternative for patients seeking subtle volume enhancement.

Additional Advantages

In addition to boosting breast size, augmentation can also improve breast symmetry, restore volume lost after pregnancy or weight loss, and enhance overall body proportions, helping patients feel more confident and comfortable in their appearance.

This was absolutely the best experience I could have ever imagined for my Breast Augmentation with Dr. Criswell. The doctors and staff are wonderful and I am very pleased with the results.
I had breast augmentation in 2014 and again in 2020 after my implant ruptured. Both times Dr. Kara Criswell was my surgeon.This facility has a very attentive staff. Dr. Criswell is the best. She listens to what you want and tells you what can realistically be achieved. Her and the staff are very professional and always get back to you when you have concerns or questions. I have never had a bad experience with her. I have been using them since 2014 and I will never forget answering my door to find Dr Criswell had sent me flowers!! I am always confident I will get the best results and treatment from this office.
I would highly recommend Dr. Kara Criswell. She did a great job with my breast augmentation. She listened to what I was looking for and gave great post surgery and follow up care. The staff at Criswell and Criswell were super nice and helpful as well.
I highly recommend Dr. Criswell for breast augmentation/lift . She is by far the most compassionate and knowledgeable surgeon among the many that I consulted prior to my procedures. Dr. Criswell delivered amazing results and I could not be more pleased.
Dr Kara Criswell did a fantastic job on my breast augmentation and nipple correction. She was very thorough and helped me understand the entire process and answered all of my questions. Her entire team throughout the whole process were very friendly, professional and comforting when I was a little nervous about surgery. I am very happy with my results and I would highly recommend Dr Criswell.
I have always wanted a breast augmentation, but especially wanted one after having 2 kids and breast-feeding both of them. My breasts had shrunk and lost their volume. I went from a small B cup to a D cup with 421cc and the results are amazing! I have zero regrets and wish I would've done the surgery sooner!!

Dr. Kara & Brian Criswell on Gummy Bear Breast Implants

Dr. Kara and Bryan Criswell talking about liposuction and love handles

Who Is a Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Women who would like to restore breast volume or enhance their breast size and shape are typically candidates for breast augmentation in Charlotte, NC. Breast augmentation surgery achieves fuller, more shapely breasts. Ideal candidates for breast augmentation should meet the following general requirements for the surgery:

  • Are in good health, both physically and mentally
  • Feel their breasts are too small
  • Breasts are sagging, deflated, or uneven
  • Do not smoke
  • Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have realistic expectations about what breast augmentation can achieve
  • Do not have any active infections
  • Over the age of 18 (or 22 for silicone breast implants)

What Are the Benefits of Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a transformative procedure that can enhance your breast size, shape, and symmetry, helping you achieve a more balanced, youthful silhouette. Whether you seek subtle enhancement or a dramatic change, the benefits of breast augmentation include:

  • Fuller, more naturally proportionate breasts
  • Improved breast shape and overall contour
  • Correction of noticeable breast asymmetry
  • Restored breast volume after pregnancy or weight loss
  • A more youthful, lifted breast appearance
  • Boosted self-confidence and body image
  • Increased wardrobe options
  • Customizable, long-lasting aesthetic results
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It’s Your Choice Silicone or Saline Breast Implants in Charlotte, NC

Every woman wants to feel that her breasts fit her body. For some women, that perfect picture may be of small, firm breasts. For others, it might be a look of voluptuousness that fills out their natural curves. No matter what look you would like to see, there is a type of breast implant that can transform your shape. During your consultation for a breast augmentation in Charlotte, the size of the breast implants that will be placed is always discussed. A recommendation for breast implant size is made by one of the board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Bryan Criswell or Dr. Kara Criswell. You and the surgeon will work together to ensure your goals are met.

Silicone Implants

Silicone breast implants are the traditional type of implants used for breast augmentation. These implants feature a silicone shell filled with silicone gel, and they’re known for their natural look and feel. However, if silicone breast implants leak, it can pose slightly more of a risk than a leaking saline implant. Silicone implants can only be used for patients who are over the age of 22.

Learn More about Silicone Implants

Saline Implants

Saline implants also feature a silicone shell, but instead of silicone gel, they’re filled with saline solution. Typically, saline implants do not provide quite as natural of a look or feel when compared to silicone implants. However, when saline implants leak, the saline is simply absorbed and expelled by the body. Saline implants can be used for patients who are over the age of 18.

Learn More about Saline Implants

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Breast Augmentation Procedure Options

Every breast augmentation in Charlotte is customized to the patient's anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals. During your consultation, Dr. Kara Criswell and Dr. Bryan Criswell will help determine the ideal implant type, implant placement, and surgical approach to achieve natural-looking, balanced results.

Implant Placement

Breast implants can be placed:

  • Above the muscle (subglandular): Positioned beneath the breast tissue but above the chest muscle. This option may provide a shorter recovery and can work well for patients with adequate natural breast tissue.
  • Under the muscle (submuscular): Positioned partially beneath the pectoral muscle for additional implant coverage and a natural upper-breast contour.
  • Dual-plane placement: Combines the advantages of both techniques and is commonly used to create natural-looking breast augmentation results while optimizing implant position and shape.
    Incision Options

Several incision techniques may be used during breast augmentation surgery, including:

  • Inframammary incision: Hidden within the natural crease beneath the breast.
  • Periareolar incision: Placed around the border of the areola.
  • Transaxillary incision: Hidden within the underarm.

The best approach depends on implant selection, anatomy, and your desired outcome.

Choosing the Right Implant

Dr. Criswell offers several implant options, including:

  • Silicone implants: Known for their soft, natural feel and realistic appearance.
  • Saline implants: Filled with sterile saline solution and FDA-approved for patients 18 and older.
  • Gummy bear implants: Highly cohesive silicone implants designed to maintain their shape while providing natural-looking results.

During your consultation, your surgeon will recommend the implant type, size, profile, and placement that best complements your figure and long-term goals.

Gummy Bear Implants

Gummy bear implants, also called form-stable implants, are breast implants known for maintaining their shape even when the shell is broken. Gummy bear implants contain a thicker silicone gel than traditional silicone implants, which makes them firmer and more durable. These implants are tapered near the top and have more projection at the bottom, giving them the shape of a teardrop.

spikey looking building

Customized Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation surgery may include:

  • Breast enhancement
  • Breast contouring
  • Implant placement

Breast augmentation surgery is a highly customizable procedure tailored to each patient’s unique needs. During the initial consultation, patients can discuss their concerns, including implant type, desired breast size, and overall goals for the procedure. The plastic surgeons at Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa offer a variety of implant options, including natural-looking silicone gel implants and traditional saline implants. Whether your goal is to enhance breast size, restore volume after pregnancy or weight loss, or achieve improved symmetry and shape, breast augmentation can help you achieve your desired results.

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Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift

Although breast augmentation and breast lift surgery are often performed together, they address different concerns.

Breast augmentation increases breast size and fullness using implants or fat transfer. It is ideal for women who are happy with their breast position but want more volume, improved symmetry, or restoration of fullness lost after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss.

A breast lift (mastopexy) focuses on reshaping and elevating the breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the nipple to a more youthful location. A breast lift improves sagging and drooping but does not significantly increase breast size.

Some patients benefit from a combination of both procedures. For example, women who have experienced pregnancy, breastfeeding, aging, or major weight loss may have both volume loss and breast sagging. In these cases, combining a breast lift with breast augmentation can restore fullness while creating a more youthful breast shape and position.

During your consultation, Dr. Kara Criswell or Dr. Bryan Criswell will evaluate your anatomy, skin quality, nipple position, and aesthetic goals to determine whether breast augmentation alone, a breast lift, or a combination procedure will provide the most natural-looking and long-lasting result.

Breast Augmentation Recovery and Care

Immediately following your surgery, the first step is to relax in our recovery room, overseen by our licensed registered nurse. You can remain there until you are fully awake, at which point you will be released to go home. Transportation should be arranged beforehand, as you will not be permitted to drive for 24 hours following the surgery.

Recommendations During Your Recovery

While we recommend waiting a full week before returning to work, some patients are able to do it in 5 or 6 days, provided the work does not require physical strain. Normal bras and bikini tops may be worn once two weeks have passed.

Exercise and any sort of strenuous activity are prohibited for the first five days following surgery. Light exercise may be resumed at this point, but more vigorous physical activity should not take place until three weeks after surgery.

Follow-Up Appointments

Your relationship with our office is not over once the procedure is complete. For the weeks and months following the surgery, we are at your disposal and you are more than welcome to call whenever you like with any questions or concerns.

Additionally, there will be several follow-up appointments with your surgeon to check on the healing process. This will include information regarding breast health, including self-examination, exercise, sleeping habits, and any future need for imaging or mammography. For more information, check out our useful patient education guide.

Why Choose Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa for Breast Augmentation in Charlotte, NC?

Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa are a husband and wife team of board-certified plastic surgeons dedicated to achieving superior results in breast augmentation. They strive to stay on the leading edge of breast augmentation techniques. They have created an exclusive environment that is welcoming and relaxing.

Choosing Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa is a natural choice, as they have the artistry and techniques that will give confidence that your breast augmentation will be a success and will enhance your life experience. Schedule a consultation today for a breast augmentation in Charlotte, NC.

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Procedures Commonly Combined With Breast Augmentation in Charlotte, NC

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is often combined with other cosmetic procedures to create more comprehensive, balanced results. Depending on your anatomy and aesthetic goals, Dr. Kara Criswell and Dr. Bryan Criswell may recommend combining your breast augmentation in Charlotte, NC, with additional breast or body contouring procedures.

Breast Lift

Many women experience both loss of breast volume and breast sagging after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or aging. In these cases, a breast lift can be performed alongside breast augmentation to restore fullness while elevating the breasts to a more youthful position. Combining these procedures often creates improved breast shape, projection, symmetry, and overall breast rejuvenation.

Liposuction

Liposuction is commonly paired with breast augmentation in Charlotte to improve body proportions and enhance overall contours. By removing stubborn pockets of fat from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or back, liposuction can help create a more balanced silhouette that complements your breast enhancement results.

Tummy Tuck

For women seeking more comprehensive post-pregnancy body rejuvenation, a tummy tuck may be combined with breast augmentation to address loose abdominal skin, weakened abdominal muscles, and loss of breast volume. Together, these procedures can restore confidence and create a more sculpted figure.

Mommy Makeover

Many patients choose to combine breast augmentation, a breast lift, liposuction, and a tummy tuck as part of a customized mommy makeover. This comprehensive approach addresses multiple areas affected by pregnancy and childbirth while allowing patients to complete their transformation with a single recovery period.

During your consultation for breast augmentation in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Kara Criswell and Dr. Bryan Criswell will discuss your goals and determine whether combining procedures can help you achieve the most natural-looking, balanced, and long-lasting results.

Frequently Asked Questions Breast Augmentation

Will breast augmentation look natural?

Yes. Modern breast augmentation is highly customizable, allowing patients to achieve results that complement their body proportions and aesthetic goals. Factors such as implant size, implant profile, implant placement, and existing breast tissue all influence the final appearance. During your consultation, Dr. Kara Criswell and Dr. Bryan Criswell will help you select the implant and surgical approach that create natural-looking breast augmentation results that enhance your figure without appearing overdone.

Can breast augmentation correct breast asymmetry?

Yes. Breast augmentation is one of the most effective ways to improve breast asymmetry. Many women naturally have differences in breast size, shape, or position. By carefully selecting implant size and placement, Dr. Kara Criswell and Dr. Bryan Criswell can create a more balanced, symmetrical appearance while maintaining natural breast contours. The degree of correction depends on each patient's anatomy and goals.

How do I choose the right breast implant size?

Choosing the right breast implant size involves more than selecting a cup size. Factors such as your height, weight, chest width, existing breast tissue, skin elasticity, and desired outcome all play a role. During your breast augmentation consultation in Charlotte, Dr. Kara Criswell or Dr. Bryan Criswell will evaluate your anatomy and discuss your goals to recommend implant sizes that provide balanced, proportionate, and natural-looking results.

When will I see my final breast augmentation results?

While your breast augmentation results are visible immediately after surgery, swelling and implant positioning will continue to evolve during the healing process. Most patients notice significant improvement within the first few weeks, but implants typically take several months to fully settle into their final position. Final breast augmentation results are usually visible within three to six months, once swelling has resolved and the implants have softened and settled naturally.

What happens during breast augmentation surgery?

Considered an outpatient procedure, breast augmentation surgery involves placing either silicone breast implants or saline breast implants behind the breasts. Breast augmentation surgery may also include a breast lift, which involves gently lifting sagging breasts and skin for a perkier appearance.

During this procedure, the areola can also be reshaped to achieve symmetry or a specific size. Another important aspect of breast augmentation surgery is breast contouring, which can add or remove breast tissue in strategically selected areas to restore symmetry and balance to the breasts.

Are there any risks involved in breast augmentation?

With any invasive surgery, there are always potential risks. When you are under the care of our highly-rated, board-certified surgeons at Criswell & Criswell, you can be confident that we focus on patient health and safety. Risks from surgery include infection, capsular contracture (uncomfortable scarring around the breast implant), or other rare complications. We strive to ensure our patients achieve genuinely superior results in every augmentation we perform.

Will I have scars From my breast augmentation?

Our plastic surgeons strive to ensure the most precise and discreet placement of your incisions to reduce their visibility, and for most patients, the scars fade over time. While we are sensitive to aesthetic concerns, breast augmentation is surgery, so it’s impossible to perform the procedure without any scarring.

How much bigger can breast augmentation make my breasts?

The knowledgeable plastic surgeons at Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa can increase your bust size by one or more bra cup sizes. During your consultation, you can discuss your desired cup size with Dr. Kara Criswell or Dr. Bryan Criswell, and trust that they will provide you with guidance based on their aesthetic and surgical expertise.

Can I still get a mammogram after breast augmentation?

Yes. In fact, we recommend that you continue to get regular mammograms. Just make sure that you inform the technician that you’ve had breast augmentation surgery prior to your mammogram.

Will I be able to breastfeed if I get breast augmentation surgery?

For most patients, our breast augmentation surgery does not hinder the ability to breastfeed. However, if your breasts are lifted or reduced in size, there is a small chance that it might be more difficult to breastfeed. Most women do not experience difficulties with this, though.

How much downtime is involved after breast augmentation surgery?

Because this is performed as an outpatient procedure, you should be able to return home a few hours after your breast surgery. A few days after your breast surgery, you should be able to return to work or your regular day-to-day activities.

Soreness and swelling are common for up to two weeks following breast surgery, though every patient is different, so you may feel these side effects for a longer or shorter period of time. We will provide specific care instructions and prescribe medications to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection.

How long do breast implants usually last?

Breast implants do not have an expiration date, but most come with a 10-year warranty, and typically last longer. Breast implants may need to be replaced under certain conditions:

  1. An implant has ruptured

  2. You want a smaller or larger size implant

  3. You have had your implants for many years and want to replace them

  4. You need revision surgery to correct a complication, such as capsular contracture

  5. You are unhappy with the look of your breasts after augmentation surgery

  6. The implants have shifted and are uneven on the chest wall

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