Breast augmentation is a personal and private decision that can potentially have life-changing effects on a person. Highly skilled plastic surgeon Alexander Ereso has performed breast augmentation procedures at his Mountain View location for many years. Dr. Ereso is known for his artistic touch and extensive surgical experience.
Explore These Topics
- Breast Augmentation Candidates
- Breast Augmentation Benefits
- Breast Augmentation Consultation
- Picking Out Your Breast Implants
- Preparation For Breast Augmentation Surgery
- Breast Augmentation Procedure
- Breast Augmentation Recovery
- Breast Augmentation Results
- Breast Augmentation Risks and Safety
- Complementary Procedures
- Breast Augmentation Cost
Breast Augmentation Candidacy
Women who choose to have breast augmentation surgery do so to improve their self-image. Some breasts never developed to a size that meets their expectation. Often, women want the breast augmentation procedure to restore their natural breast volume, which may have decreased as a result of pregnancy, weight loss or aging.
Any one of the following feelings or conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for breast implants:
- You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
- Weight loss has changed the size and shape of your breasts
- After having children, your breasts have become smaller and have lost their firmness
- Dresses that fit well around the hips are often too large at the bust line
- You feel self-conscious wearing a swimsuit or form-fitting top
In addition, there are several “musts” for anyone considering breast augmentation:
- Breast development must be complete
- Candidates must be emotionally mature and fully understand their motivations for wanting the procedure
- Candidates must have realistic expectations, knowing that the procedure can bring improvement, but not perfection
Patient Results
Before 
After 
Before 
After 
Before 
After Consultation With Dr. Ereso
A personal consultation at our Mountain View facility is the first step. Dr. Ereso will assess your physical and emotional health and discuss your specific cosmetic goals for breast augmentation surgery.
You should arrive at the consultation prepared to provide complete information about:
- Previous surgeries
- Past and present medical conditions
- Treatments you have received
- Medications that you are taking, including nutritional supplements and herbal remedies
- The results of mammograms you have had
- Any history of breast cancer in your family
If you would like to arrange a consultation to discuss breast implants or breast augmentation, contact our premier cosmetic plastic surgeon.
Picking Out Your Breast Implants
Breast Implant Sizing
To make sure you are happy with your breast augmentation procedure, we offer 4 separate opportunities for the sizing of breast implants. Dr. Ereso believes the most important sizing takes place in the privacy of your own home, and every patient is given specific instructions on how to best determine the appropriate size and shape of their breast implants.
During your initial visit, Dr. Ereso will discuss appropriate size and give you the opportunity to see what you would look like with different-sized breast implants. The second and most important sizing will occur at home. Dr. Ereso instructs breast augmentation patients in the San Jose Bay Area to create and experiment with their own home-made breast implants in order to determine what size works best for their body.
- Begin by cutting a 12-inch segment of old pantyhose (not the foot area), tying a knot on one end, filling the pantyhose with approximately 8-12 ounces of rice, and tying the other end in a knot. Remember, you pick the size, and one ounce = 30 cc’s.
- Purchase a Lycra bra (with no underwire) in the cup size that you are looking to achieve with surgery. Make sure the bra doesn’t fit too tightly and purchase several sizes if you are unsure of the look you are going for.
- Place the “rice implant” inside the bra, and add or remove rice until you find the most flattering size.
Now is your opportunity to try on clothes, bathing suits and lingerie in stores or in the privacy of your own home. Consult your friends, families and partners for advice, and spend as much time as needed. At your pre-op appointment, you can bring your rice implants to the office, and Dr. Ereso can measure the rice and compare it to the goals that were discussed during your initial appointment. You may discover that your preferences have changed, and your final implant size may be larger or smaller than what you initially desired. During your breast augmentation procedure, Dr. Ereso will have one final opportunity to adjust the size and position of your breast implants to best satisfy your desires.
Dr. Ereso offers this series of sizing steps for all of our San Jose Bay Area breast augmentation patients because we want to make sure they achieve their aesthetic goals. We believe that sizing at home gives you more control over your final result, and empowers you to experiment with size in a way that may have been uncomfortable in an office. When patients are comfortable with their breast augmentation treatment plan, they are more likely to be satisfied with their results.
Breast Implant Shapes
Breast implants are available in round or teardrop shapes. Round implants provide an equal amount of roundness and fullness at the top and bottom of the breasts. If you want the most cleavage possible, Dr. Ereso will probably recommend round implants. Another advantage to round implants is that because they are circular, if an implant were to shift around in the breast pocket, it would not affect the breast’s appearance.
Teardrop implants provide more fullness at the bottom of the breasts than round implants, making them the more “anatomically correct” choice. If you want the most natural and subtle result possible, Dr. Ereso will likely recommend teardrop implants.
Breast Implant Types
You have the choice of either saline or silicone implants. Saline implants contain a sterile saltwater solution encased in a silicone shell. Silicone implants contain a silicone material in a silicone shell. There are pros and cons to each type of implant, all of which Dr. Ereso will discuss with you during your consultation.
Gummy Bear Implants
This type of implant is sometimes referred to as the “gummy bear” implant because it is made with an extremely cohesive silicone gel. It retains its shape and reduces rippling, and recent studies have shown a reduced incidence of capsular contracture, which is responsible for firm breasts that can feel hard and cause pain. Gel leakage appears to be less than with traditional gel implants. In addition, the anatomic teardrop shape helps to produce a very pleasing natural result.
The most significant disadvantage of shaped textured implants is that they are TEXTURED! The use of textured implants has become extremely controversial in the past year. Why is this? The answer is ALCL.
ALCL is a rare type of lymphoma (cancer) that is found in the capsular scar tissue surrounding all breast implants. It does not ever involve breast tissue and it is NOT breast cancer. It is usually cured by removing all of the capsular scar tissue. ALCL has occurred in all areas of the world and to date has only been found in patients that have received textured implants. There does not appear to be any relation to the type of silicone gel or saline placed in the implant as well as to the shape of the implant. It is not known with certainty what causes the development of ALCL, but it is known that the textured surface implants usually cause a low level of inflammation, which is thought to play a role in the development of ALCL. The most common presentation of ALCL is the development of a large seroma (collection of fluid), usually in one breast, making the affected breast look and feel considerably larger than the opposite uninvolved breast. ALCL has been reported from 2 years to 28 years after breast implant placement!
Because of the controversy surrounding ALCL and textured implant, we are no longer utilizing these implants. If you have textured implants of any type, please consider calling the office to set up an appointment to see Dr. Ereso.
For more information regarding ALCL you may find www.plasticsurgery.org/alcl to be most helpful.
Breast Augmentation Procedure Details
The technique used for your surgery depends not only on Dr. Ereso’s preferences but also on your desired results. The incision is small and is usually made in one of three locations: underneath the breast just above the crease, around the lower edge of the areola, or within the axillary fold.
Once the incisions are made, our plastic surgeon creates the pockets into which the breast implants are inserted. This pocket is made either directly behind the breast tissue or more frequently beneath the pectoral muscle located below the breast tissue and above the chest wall.
Keller Funnel™ For Breast Implants
Silicone gel implants are a lot like really tough water balloons. Up until now, surgeons needed to poke the pre-filled breast implants by hand through small incision sites, potentially bruising surrounding tissue and weakening the implant shell. The Keller Funnel™ is a soft, cone-shaped, sterile device made of nylon. The Funnel allows Dr. Ereso to use a no-touch delivery technique, which is believed to reduce capsular contracture, a painful complication associated with breast augmentation procedures. The Funnel has a special interior coating that creates a super slick surface. Once the Funnel tip is placed through the incision, Dr. Ereso quickly propels the implant gently into place with minimal force, bypassing the implant’s contact with the skin.
The Funnel was introduced to surgeons in 2009, shortly after silicone gels were FDA-approved and re-entered the U.S. market. Designed by a plastic surgeon, The Keller Funnel™ improves the delivery of silicone gel implants during breast augmentation procedures. Now we can give you the aesthetic advantages of silicone gel implants, combined with a gentler surgical approach. Benefits of using the Keller Funnel™ include:
- Shorter incision lengths
- Improved comfort and faster healing
- No-touch technique
- More choices for incision placement
- Reduced force on the implant and incision
- Reduced risk of contamination and infection
The Keller Funnel™ allows our plastic surgeon to make smaller incisions, similar to those used in saline implant procedures.
Women and their surgeons have increasingly selected silicone gel implants for their natural look and feel, and today, according to the annual report provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgery, more silicone gel implants are placed than saline implants.
According to a recent survey conducted among surgeons with experience using the Funnel:
- 91 percent reported that use of the Funnel reduces incision lengths
- 92 percent of physicians using the Funnel believe use of the Funnel reduces force on the implant shell
- 43 percent feel that incisions heal better with the use of the Funnel, and believe patients appear less swollen and bruised
- 75 percent reported using the device reduced the risk of infection
- Nearly 70 percent believed it lessened patient bruising and may reduce the incidence of capsular contracture, a painful complication associated with breast augmentation procedures
EXPAREL® and Breast Augmentation
Recently, Dr. Ereso has begun to offer EXPAREL® to breast augmentation and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) patients. EXPAREL® in selected individuals can dramatically reduce post-operative discomfort.
To help control your pain after surgery, Dr. Ereso will inject EXPAREL® into your surgical incision just before the end of the procedure.
- EXPAREL® is a local analgesic that contains the local anesthetic bupivacaine. Local anesthetics provide pain relief by numbing the tissue around the surgical site.
- EXPAREL® is specifically designed to release pain medication over time and can control pain for up to 72 hours. This is fantastic!
- In addition to EXPAREL®, we may provide other pain medications to control your pain.
- Each patient is different and responds differently to pain medication. Depending on how you respond to EXPAREL®, you may require less additional pain medication during your recovery.
Be sure to ask our plastic surgeon or staff about this exciting way to reduce your discomfort, enhance your experience, and help you achieve the superior result that you deserve!
Breast Augmentation Recovery
Within a day after surgery, you should be up and around. Most of the discomfort that you feel can be controlled with medication prescribed by our surgeon. Although everyone heals at a different rate, you can expect that your recovery will follow this general time line:
Within The First Week
- Bandages will be removed, and you may shower 3 days after surgery
- Sutures will be removed at one week after surgery
- You may return to light activity, non-strenuous work usually at 5 days after surgery
- You can resume sexual relations (as long as the breasts are treated gently)
After Several Weeks
- You may resume exercise
- Most of the swelling will subside and you’ll start to see your ‘new shape’
- You may resume vigorous exercise and arm movements
Avoid straining, bending and lifting during the early postoperative period. You may resume most of your normal activities within several weeks.
Results Of Breast Implant Surgery
If you are like most women who have the procedure, you’ll be very pleased with the results of your breast augmentation. You will no longer need padded bras or other breast-enlarging undergarments. Your new, natural curves will let you wear a greater variety of fashions – even dresses with low-cut necklines and form-fitting tops. Many women find that their new figure gives them a greater sense of self-confidence, whether they’re on the beach or in the boardroom.
You are likely to be happy with your results for many years. However, keep in mind that breast implants are not immune to the effects of weight fluctuations or aging. The life span of breast implants is approximately 8-20 years. Therefore, you can expect to have at least one or two additional procedures during your lifetime even if your initial breast augmentation procedure has a perfect result.
Breast Augmentation Risks/Safety
Each year, thousands of people have breast augmentations and experience no major complications. However, it is important for you to be informed of the risks as well as the benefits. Breast implants have been used with great success for more than 30 years. Dr. Ereso has been performing breast augmentation for many years! Recently new medical studies have confirmed that breast implants do not increase the risk of breast cancer and they are not directly responsible for causing autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, fibromyalgia, etc.). In his opinion, both saline and silicone gel-filled breast implants are medically safe.
We will inform you of the possible complications of breast augmentation surgery. In addition to listening carefully to what we tell you, be sure to raise any questions you may have about the safety of the procedure.
By carefully following our advice and instructions – both before and after surgery – you can minimize some of the risks.
FDA Approves Silicone Gel Implants
Silicone gel implants have been reapproved by the FDA since 2006. Dr. Ereso has always believed that, for most patients, gel implants offer the most natural look and feel. They are particularly good for patients that are thin and have minimal breast tissue.
We use silicone gel implants in over 90 percent of our patients!
“Dr. Ereso was one of the only plastic surgeons I interviewed who took the time to discuss the medical details of the procedure and draw out WHY he does things in a certain way. He explained various options and described the likely aesthetic outcome. I am very pleased with the results. In all follow up visits, he sees me on time and spends as much time as I need to respond to my questions. He always asks me if I’m satisfied, have any discomfort, or if I have any questions. His office staff is one of a kind. Especially nurse Shelley.”
Complementary Procedures
Depending on what you ultimately hope to achieve from plastic surgery, you may benefit from combining breast augmentation with another procedure.
In many cases, breast lift is the ideal complement to breast augmentation. Breast lift elevates saggy, flat breasts higher on the chest wall for a more youthful profile. With the improvements made during breast lift, the breast tissue can perfectly support a pair of implants. The final result is larger, fuller and perkier-looking breasts.
Another great complement for breast augmentation is tummy tuck. Many mothers who have lost their breast fullness and flat abdominal contours combine breast augmentation and tummy tuck into a complete mommy makeover. Breast lift and liposuction are often incorporated into mommy makeover for a total transformation.
Breast Augmentation Costs/Financing
Your breast augmentation cost will depend on the type of breast implants you select and other details of your treatment plan. Combining breast augmentation with breast lift or another plastic surgery procedure will increase the price of your surgery. The best way to get accurate pricing information for your case is to meet with Dr. Ereso for a one-on-one consultation. After receiving a treatment plan, our surgical staff can go over your cost estimate and explain what is included.
If you qualify, you may choose to finance breast augmentation through CareCredit. For more information about their pricing plans, please visit their website or inquire with a member of our team.
To request a breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Alexander Ereso, please call or email Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center today.
