Life-Changing Breast Augmentation in Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA
Breast augmentation is a great procedure for women who desire more volume or more symmetry. Confidence is daily, whether you are at the gym in a sports bra, at work in a professional suit, by the pool, or in a cocktail dress. Breast augmentation has even greater advantages in the summer, especially in Hotlanta!
If you’re ready to look better in your clothes and enjoy bikini season with newfound confidence, visit Dr. Amy Alderman for breast augmentation services in the Buckhead area of Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA.
What Can Breast Augmentation Do for You?
Breast implant surgery is a relatively easy procedure to recover from and can make such a big difference in your everyday quality of life. Clothing takes on a whole new meaning. You no longer have to figure out how to engineer a bra to fill your blouse, and the highly visible, awkward gap between your upper breast and bra is gone. You can wear camisole tops and sundresses without awkward strapless bras or heavy padding that always seems to migrate south. An afternoon at the pool no longer requires heavily padded bikini tops that often feel like flotation devices. You can finally wear that cute bathing suit top that shows your natural contour.
Breast augmentation can help:
Volume and Curves—Some Atlanta women are born with naturally small or flat breasts that don’t provide the curves and physique they desire. Breast implants especially add volume to the top portion of the breasts, making augmentation the perfect solution to adding volume and curves to your silhouette, making patients feel more voluptuous and feminine.
Symmetry—All women have some degree of asymmetry, which for many women can make the task of shopping for bras, tops, or bathing suits a bigger challenge. A breast augmentation can allow you to have more evenly matched breasts that fit well into your clothing.
Restore Breast Appearance After Pregnancy—Pregnancy and breastfeeding can take a significant toll on the appearance of the breasts. Mothers often end up with breasts that are sagging and have decreased in volume, particularly if they chose to breastfeed their babies. Breast augmentation is a fantastic way to restore the volume lost due to the effects of motherhood.
Increased Self-Confidence—For Atlanta women who are unhappy with the current appearance of their breasts, they can feel like they’re lacking in femininity and reduce their self-confidence. A breast augmentation with Dr. Alderman can provide a real confidence booster, making women feel more comfortable in their bodies.
Dr. Alderman’s patients often tell her that they wish they had done the procedure sooner.
Request a Consultation
If you’re in the Atlanta or Alpharetta, GA areas and have any questions about a Breast Augmentation or wish to schedule a consultation on a Breast Augmentation with Dr. Alderman, please contact our office.
Request a ConsultationSuperior Quality Breast Augmentation with Dr. Alderman
Dr. Alderman has always made breast surgery the primary focus of her practice. At the University of Michigan, her focus was on reconstruction for women with breast cancer. She transitioned from breast reconstruction to cosmetic breast surgery when she moved to Atlanta, which was motivated by her need to have better work-life balance and spend more time with her children. The same dedication to excellence that she had for her reconstruction patients has been transferred to her cosmetic breast patients. She strives to deliver the most advanced techniques in the safest manner possible. And, most importantly, she spends a lot of time listening to her patients so that she can fully understand their desired results.
Dr. Alderman is nationally recognized as an expert in breast surgery. She has performed “live” breast surgery at the prestigious Atlanta Breast Symposium, has given several teaching courses on breast augmentation at the American Society of Plastic Surgery Annual Meeting, has given countless talks at professional meetings on cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery, has more than 75 scientific publications mostly involving breast surgery, and has been involved in several national initiatives related to breast surgery such as the National Breast Implant Registry. There is no doubt that this is a significant passion for her.
In her research, Dr. Alderman found that breast augmentation had a larger impact on a patient’s quality of life than carpal tunnel surgery or hip replacement. The results of the study were highlighted in The Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and have been provided to the FDA to support the benefits of breast augmentation for women who desire the procedure.
Breast Implants and Quality of Life – Discover Newfound Self-confidence
Dr. Alderman is so excited about the research she did a few years ago that looked at changes in women’s quality of life before and after breast augmentation. The results were unbelievable! In her study, she found that breast augmentation had a larger impact on a patient’s quality of life than carpal tunnel surgery or hip replacement. The results of the study were highlighted in The Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and have been provided to the FDA to support the benefits of breast augmentation for women who desire the procedure.
Patient education is highly important to Dr. Alderman. She counsels patients in all stages of life, ranging from the younger patient in her 20s who is about to enter the workforce; to the mom of three kids who has lost all volume after breastfeeding; or the mature woman in her 50s who has always wanted the procedure but family demands required her to put her desires on the backburner. Patients report that the recovery was not as bad as they had heard and that they absolutely love the newfound confidence they feel with and without clothing. Dr. Alderman loves the six-week postoperative visit when she can tell patients to go have fun bra shopping; the smile on their face is priceless.
How Do I Choose the Size and Shape of My Implants?
Dr. Alderman spends a significant amount of time educating patients about their options, ranging from the surgical incision, where the implant will be located (above or below the muscle), and most importantly, the final breast size. Many of her patients are moms, professionals or both and want a very natural appearance – others want a fuller look. Dr. Alderman spends a lot of time trying to understand her patients’ stage of life and desired outcome so that she can achieve their desired results.
Dr. Alderman will take measurements of your current breast width, the width of your chest, and the width of your shoulders. Implants look most natural if they are close to the same width as your natural breasts. Projection is another consideration. This refers to how far the breast projects outward from the chest while you are in profile.
If all of this sounds confusing, don’t worry. Dr. Alderman will walk you through all of these choices so that you can feel confident about your surgery.
Breast Implant Options in Atlanta & Alpharetta
Dr. Alderman spends a significant amount of time educating patients about their options, ranging from the surgical incision, where the implant will be located (above or below the muscle), and most importantly, the final breast size. There are three different types of implants, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages:
Saline implants are FDA-approved for women who are at least 18 years old. They come in fewer size options and are only available in round shapes. They feel less natural, which is only a consideration if you will not have much natural breast tissue to cover the implant.
The shell is filled with saline after it has been inserted into the breast pocket, which allows for a smaller incision.
They are slightly more prone to rippling, but should a rupture occur, you will know fairly quickly without the need for medical detection.
Silicone implants are FDA-approved for women who are at least 22 years old. They feel natural, even if you have little natural breast tissue to cover the implant. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are less prone to rippling but harder to detect a rupture. Dr. Alderman offers annual follow-up for all of her breast patients and advises that the implants should be replaced in about 15 years before they become prone to rupture.
Gummy bear implants are FDA-approved for women who are at least 22 years old. These implants are filled with silicone, so they have most of the same advantages and disadvantages of the other type of silicone implants. The difference is that they are firmer to the touch because the gummy bear silicone solution does not move within the implant’s shell. For this reason, they are called “cohesive.”
If all of this sounds confusing, don’t worry. Dr. Alderman will walk you through these choices so that you can feel confident moving forward with your surgery.
How Long Do Implants Last?
Dr. Alderman’s top priority is your safety. She recently asked for data on her personal experience with Mentor implants over the past 12 years. Dr. Alderman is happy to report that her implant rupture and contracture rate is one of the lowest in the country and far below what is reported as the national average. She has used well over 3,500 implants and has had only 2 patients with an implant rupture (0.0005 % rupture rate) and only 26 patients with contracture (0.007 % contracture rate). However, she does stress that implants are not lifetime devices. Dr. Alderman encourages patients to come see her about 10-15 years after surgery and consider implant replacement.
What Type of Breast Augmentation Procedure is Best?
Breast augmentation techniques vary in terms of the location of incisions and whether or not the implant is placed in front of or behind the chest (pectoralis major) muscle. Dr. Alderman will suggest the method that she believes will give you the best result. This will largely depend on your particular anatomy and your choice of implant.
Inframammary incisions are made horizontally under the crease of the breast, so the scars are minor and largely hidden.
Periareolar incisions are made around the dark skin of the areolas that surround the nipples. Because this skin is darker, the scars are less noticeable.
Subglandular placement of the implants means that they are placed in front of the chest muscle.
Submuscular placement of the implants means that they are placed behind the chest muscle.
Implant Surgery with a Keller Funnel – Safe, Minimally Invasive Treatment
A funnel is an insertion sleeve that facilitates the insertion of a silicone gel implant into the breast pocket. The Keller funnel was the first insertion sleeve available, but a few more are now available. The funnel provides three main benefits: 1) a smaller incision can be made, 2) the implant won’t touch the skin, which minimizes bacterial exposure, 3) there is less trauma on the implant during insertion, thus prolonging the longevity of the implant.
What Happens During Breast Implant Treatment?
Breast augmentation is usually performed using general anesthesia, but hospitalization is not required. Most augmentations take about 1 hour.
After the incisions are made, a pocket is created inside the breast, and the implant is placed within the pocket (either in front of or behind the chest muscle). Dr. Alderman will shape your breasts and move the nipples, if necessary, to give you a beautiful result.
The incisions are then sutured with dissolvable stitches and dressed. After some time in recovery, you can go home, but someone must drive you, as you will be groggy for a period of time.
What Can I Expect During Recovery from Breast Augmentation?
Most women can return to work within 3 days, as long as their job is not physically strenuous. Most resume exercise and lifting in about a month.
You will feel more comfortable sleeping on your back for the first few nights, and you will wear a surgical bra for a few weeks.
You can continue to have mammograms after receiving implants, and you should be able to breastfeed if you become pregnant. Most implants last 10-20 years.
Do you want to increase the size of your breasts? Call us today to schedule a consultation to find out more about breast augmentation in Atlanta or Alpharetta, GA with Dr. Alderman.
Breast Augmentation FAQs
Breast implants vary in several different ways, ranging from the material used to fill the device, the texture of the shell, and shape. The material used to fill the implant is either saline (salt water) or medical-grade silicone. Both are great options, and outcomes of each will vary by the patient’s anatomy and amount of soft tissue coverage. The outside of the implant, known as the implant shell, can be smooth or rough in texture. There are pros and cons of each which Dr. Alderman will review with you. Lastly, implants come in a round and tear drop shape with different widths and projections. During your exam, Dr. Alderman will take specific measurements of your breast anatomy that will determine which implant is best suited for you.
There are several options for scar location with breast augmentation that Dr. Alderman will discuss with you. All are very small in size, usually just over an inch in length. Scars are designed to blend with your natural anatomy to minimize visibility. After surgery, you will be placed in 4 to 6 months of scar care to optimize your results. Over time, the scars tend to fade to a faint white, thin line.
Breast augmentation will not limit your ability to breast feed. Surgery does not injure the mechanism of milk production because the breast gland and milk ducts extending to the nipple are left intact.
Implants are not a lifetime device. They need to be replaced every 10-15 years. Overtime, the shell of the implant may weaken, resulting in a rupture. A saline implant deflation is easy to determine as the patient will immediately lose volume in the breast. Rupture of a silicone implant usually presents with a change in the shape or feel of the breast. Dr. Alderman recommends that her patients follow up with her in 10 years to determine the best time to schedule the replacement.
Absolutely! Breast implants do not limit your ability to have a mammogram. Dr. Alderman recommends waiting 6 months after breast surgery before having your mammogram. Your radiologist will perform 2 extra views so that the breast tissue can be adequately visualized. Just let the radiology center know you have implants.
Breast implants generally last 10-15 years, after which they will need to be replaced. There are different technologies available to evaluate the integrity of the breast implant shell, such as ultrasound, mammogram and MRI. Although MRI is the most accurate way to visualize the breast implant, it is also the most expensive test. Therefore, most physicians in the US do not recommend routine monitoring of the implants with MRI and try less expensive modalities first. Dr. Alderman always offers her patients complimentary annual exams for her patients with breast implants and highly encourages her patients to start thinking about an implant. exchange about 10 years after breast implant surgery
Breast implants do not cause breast cancer and, in fact, are often used in women with breast cancer for reconstruction after mastectomy. Breast implants also do not impair the detection of breast cancer, especially if the implant is placed under the muscle, which allows better visualization of the breast with mammograms.
There is a very rare form of lymphoma, called ALCL, which has been associated with breast implants that have a rough texture of the outer shell. Worldwide, there are less than 500 cases of ALCL, and the lymphoma is easily treated with removal of the implant and associated capsule. However, despite the extremely low incidence of ALCL, Dr. Alderman does not use textured implants. ALCL has never been found in a patient with the type of implants she uses which have a smooth, not rough, outer implant shell.
The result of breast implant surgery greatly depends on the patient’s amount of natural breast tissue. A patient who has very thin skin with little breast tissue will look more natural with a silicone gel breast implant. The silicone implants are softer and ripple less. Women who have more soft tissue coverage can do well with a saline implant because the overlying tissue is thicker and provides more coverage over the implant. Dr. Alderman will evaluate your specific anatomy and discuss which implant option is best for your particular anatomy and aesthetic goals.
Nipple sensation is rarely diminished with breast implant surgery. The majority of the nerves that supply nipple sensation are located on the outer side of your breast. During surgery, the dissection is limited in this area in order to protect the nerves. More commonly, nipple sensation is increased after surgery, similar to the feeling of breast feeding after pregnancy. This increased sensation normalizes after a month or two.
No. Drains are not used with routine breast augmentation.
All of your sutures are dissolvable, and therefore, will not need to be removed. The sutures stay in place under your skin for several months to provide support while your body heals.
Most patients require about 1 week off of work. If your job is mostly desk work, you should be able to return after 4-5 days. Jobs that are physically more demanding may require some initial limitations while you are healing.
You can start doing light cardiovascular work at 3 weeks after surgery and return to full activity at 6 weeks.
Your breasts will feel tight and swollen after surgery because the tissue over the implant is being stretched. This feeling will lessen over the first couple of weeks. Dr. Alderman does advise her patients to limit arm motion for the first couple of weeks in order to avoid tearing any internal sutures or chest muscle.
You will wear a bra that is provided to you by Dr. Alderman that is designed to provide support during the initial healing phase. This bra is to be worn day and night. At 6 weeks, patients are allowed to wear any type of bra they prefer, including underwire bras.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia in order to optimize your experience. Dr. Joiner, a board-certified anesthesiologist, has years of experience with outpatient aesthetic surgery and provides the safest, most advanced anesthesia techniques available.
Anytime a patient has general anesthesia, Dr. Alderman wants an adult to be with the patient the night after surgery. That person can help you have ice packs for your breasts and make sure you have food to take with your pain medication.
Breast implants last on average 10-15 years and will need to be replaced at that time. The replacement surgery is less painful than the original procedure since the chest muscle and breast tissue overlying the implant have already been stretched. Most patients can return to work 3-4 days after an implant exchange procedure.
View Gallery
Be sure to view our Before and After Photo Gallery of Breast Augmentation procedures to see real patient results at North Atlanta Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Alderman’s National Efforts on this Topic:
Subject Matter Expert for the FDA’s ALCL Implant PROFILE Study
Subject Matter Expert for American Society of Plastic Surgery initiative for U.S. National Breast Implant Registry
Surgical Editor, Cochrane Breast Cancer Group
American Society of Plastic Surgery Representative on the Plastic Surgery Foundation’s National Breast Implant Registry
American Society of Plastic Surgery Breast Subcommittee
American Society of Plastic Surgery Patient Safety Committee
American Society of Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery Education Foundation Breast Surgery Task Force
Vice Chairperson, ASPS Education Aesthetic Council
1. Alderman, A., Hall-Findlay, B. Breast Augmentation: Overview and Pearls for Practice. American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, San Diego, Oct 2013.
2. Alderman, A., Hall-Findlay, B. Breast Augmentation: Overview & Pearls for Practice. American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Chicago, Oct 2014.
3. Alderman, A., Hall-Findlay, B. Breast Augmentation: Analysis & Outcomes. American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Chicago, Oct 2014.
4. Alderman, A., Gutowski, K, Schwartz, M. Breast Augmentation: Analysis, Execution, and Outcomes. American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, Sept 2016.
5. Alderman, A. Live surgery telecast: Breast Augmentation. SESPRS 2017 Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium, January 20-22, 2017 Atlanta, GA
The Future of Breast Augmentation: The Breast-Q in Aesthetic Breast Surgery. 2012 Atlanta Breast Symposium, Atlanta, GA
Management of Early and Late Periprosthetic Fluid Collections. Challenging Complications in Plastic Surgery Symposium: Successful Management Strategies. Washington, DC, July 2012.
Augmentation Mastopexy Panel. Challenging Complications in Plastic Surgery Symposium: Successful Management Strategies. Washington, DC, July 2012.
Managing the Unfavorable Scar: When to Perform Surgical Revision. Challenging Complications in Plastic Surgery Symposium: Successful Management Strategies. Washington, DC, July 2012.
Periprosthetic Redness/Infection: Strategies for Treatment. Challenging Complications in Plastic Surgery Symposium: Successful Management Strategies. Washington, DC, July 2012.
Improving Outcomes and Reoperations in Breast Augmentation Surgeries: Minimizing Infection and Capsular Contracture. American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Oct 2012.
American Society of Plastic Surgery Presidents Panel: The PIP Crisis and International Perspectives on Implants and Registries: ASPS/PSF Vision for the National Breast Implant Registry. American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Oct 2012.
Reconstruction Bowl: Academic vs. Private Practice. American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Oct 2012.
American Society of Plastic Surgery/Plastic Surgery Education Foundation’s Vision for a National Breast Implant Registry. Georgia Society of Plastic Surgery Annual Meeting, Dec 2012, Atlanta, GA.
VTE Prevention in Cosmetic Surgery. Georgia Society of Plastic Surgery Annual Meeting, Aug 2013, Brasstown Resort, GA.
Patient Safety: Prevention of VTE in Cosmetic Surgery. QMP Aesthetic Surgery Symposium, Nov 2013, Chicago, IL
Prevention and Management of Capsular Contracture in Breast Augmentation. QMP Aesthetic Surgery Symposium, Nov 2013, Chicago, IL
Management of the Late Periprosthetic Fluid Collection. ASPS Management of Complications in Plastic Surgery Symposium. March 28-29, 2014, Chicago, IL
Management of Complications in Augmentation Mastopexy Panel: panel participant. ASPS Management of Complications in Plastic Surgery Symposium. March 28-29, 2014, Chicago, IL
DVT Prophylaxis in the Breast Patient. ASPS Management of Complications in Plastic Surgery Symposium. March 28-29, 2014,Chicago, IL
Moderator: Fat Grafting to the Breast. ASPS Management of Complications In Plastic Surgery Symposium. March 28-29, 2014, Chicago, IL
Webinar: ASPS Dueling Perspectives in Breast Surgery: “Subglandular Augmentation: The Good Often Outweighs the Bad”. May 13, 2014.
Optimizing Outcomes in Breast Augmentation. Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons, Greenbrier, West VA, June 6 – 8, 2014.
Alderman, A. Preoperative Evaluation for Aesthetic Breast Surgery. Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons, Callaway Gardens, GA, Aug 2, 2014.
Aesthetic Breast Surgery: Preoperative Analysis and Markings: How I Do It. ASPS Dueling Perspectives in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Symposium, Washington, DC, June 20-22, 2014.
VTE Prophylaxis in Breast Surgery. SESPRS 2015 Atlanta Breast Symposium, Atlanta, GA Jan 23-25, 2015.
Management of Late Breast Seromas. SESPRS 2015 Atlanta Breast Symposium, Atlanta, GA Jan 23-25, 2015.
Subpectoral Device Placement: Minimizing Complications. Aesthetica 2015, Las Vegas April 30-May 2, 2015.
Patient Safety and DVT Prophylaxis with Breast Surgery. Aesthetica 2015, Las Vegas April 30-May 2, 2015.
The Complex Scar: New Strategies to Improve Appearance. Aesthetica, June 2016, Washington, DC.
Tips and Tricks: Where to set your fold with form-stable implants. Aesthetica, June 2016, Washington, DC.
To texture or not to texture: deconstructing what we know about implant surface characteristics. Atlanta Breast Symposium, Jan 2018.
Strategies for setting appropriate NAC position with cosmetic breast surgery. Atlanta Breast Symposium, Jan 2018.
VTE and breast surgery: current recommendations for chemoprophylaxis. Atlanta Breast Symposium, Jan 2018.
Alderman, AK, Kerrigan, CL, Lemaine, V, Pusic, AL, Vidal, DC. Evidence-Based Medicine &Health Services Research in Plastic Surgery. In Plastic Surgery 1st Edition
Alderman, AK, Chung, KC. Outcomes for Surgical Guidance in Plastic Surgery: Measuring Outcomes in Aesthetic Surgery. Clinics in of Plastic Surgery, 2013:297-304.
Alderman, AK, Kerrigan, CL, Lemaine, V, Pusic, AL, Vidal, DC. Evidence-Based Medicine &Health Services Research in Plastic Surgery. In Plastic Surgery 4th Edition
Pannucci, C, Alderman, AK. Venous Thromboembolism and the Aesthetic Surgery Patient. Essentials of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Alderman, AK, Collins, ED, Streu, R, Grotting, JC, Sulkin, AL, Neligan, P, Haeck, PC, Gutowski, KA. Benchmarking outcomes in plastic surgery: national complication rates for abdominoplasty and breast augmentation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2009;124:2127-33.
Alderman, AK. Discussion: A Multi-Institutional Perspective of Complication Rates for Elective Non-Reconstructive Breast Surgery: An Analysis of NSQIP Data from 2006 to 2010, Aesthetic Surgery Journal: 33(3): 387-388, 2013.
Alderman, AK, Bauer, JB, Fardo, DF, Abrahamse, PA, Pusic, AL. Understanding the Impact of Breast Augmentation on Quality of Life: Prospective Analysis Using the BREAST-Q. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, April 2014.
Alderman, AK, Pusic, AP, Murphy, DK. Prospective Analysis of Primary Breast Augmentation on Body Image Using the BREAST-Q: Results from a Nationwide Study. Plastic and Reconstrustive Surgery, 137:954e, 2016.