Breast Augmentation and Implant Surgery in Toronto

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is surgery in which a silicone implant is placed within the breast area to make the breast appear larger. Breast augmentation can also have beneficial effects on breast shape and position, and only requires an inconspicuous scar. It can be combined with a breast lift when significant changes in breast and areola shape are necessary.
At our cosmetic clinic in Toronto, our surgeon Dr. Michael Kreidstein has over 2 decades of experience offering cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. If you need breast implants or breast augmentation in Toronto, call us or fill out a form on this page to get in touch.

Who is a good candidate?

Anyone in Toronto seeking the cosmetic benefits of breast augmentation can be considered for this surgery, but there are some relative contraindications to surgery. If significant changes in your breast appearance are anticipated (e.g. through weight-change or pregnancy), surgery should be delayed until conditions are stable so that the cosmetic benefits of your surgery are not compromised. Breast augmentation is most productive for women years before planned pregnancy once child-bearing is complete. Cancer surveillance, especially any anticipated need for breast biopsy, must be factored into the decision process if family history or genetic testing suggests you may be at risk. Chronic illnesses should be optimized, and periods of high-stress should be avoided before any elective surgery. Recurrent infections (e.g. dental infections) must be overcome, as circulating bacteria can infect a breast implant.

Consultation essentials

If you are considering breast augmentation or breast implants in Toronto, you should understand some unique aspects of this procedure so you can properly share in the decision-making process.

1. Breast implants do last forever in some patients, but you must accept the likelihood that further breast surgery will eventually be necessary. This is more likely with saline-filled implants that deflate when they rupture, and with large implants (D size or larger) that will put a bigger strain on your tissues as you age.
2. “Capsule”, the fibrous wall our bodies form around any foreign body, is a natural consequence of breast implant surgery. Problems can arise when it is too flimsy, allowing the implants to move around too much, or too hard causing deformity and pain. Be sure to discuss this issue at your consultation.
3. Size matters, as larger implants do cause more strain on tissues and are more likely to necessitate future surgery. It is helpful to bring a photo to your consultation that demonstrates what size you would hope to be after surgery.
4. Saline implants allow for smaller incisions, but feel ‘fake’ (compared to silicone gel implants) in patients who are very thin or if implant is placed over muscle. Don’t choose a saline implant to avoid silicone, as the shell of a saline implant is made of the same silicone material as gel implants. A saline implant will fully (and dramatically) deflate if a hole develops in the implant. Textured implants are generally avoided in cosmetic cases to reduce the risk of ALCL, a lymphoproliferative disorder that can behave like cancer if not treated.

Alternatives to Breast Augmentation

Fat grafting is an attractive option if you have good ‘donor sites’ with excess fat, and would be satisfied with a one-cup size augmentation. Larger augmentations are possible, but repeat fat graft procedures would be necessary. The option of breast lift must be considered if you are seeking a smaller or higher positioned areola, or tightening of the skin envelope.

Costs

Fees for Breast Augmentation or breast implants at our Toronto Cosmetic Plastic Surgery office (including facility and anesthetist) range from $8-10,000, depending on the type of implant chosen and the extent of surgery that is necessary.

Preparation for surgery

We provide thorough written instructions on preparation, and will review these with you well before surgery. We provide a bra or compression garment for your use after surgery. This is a day surgery procedure performed under general anesthetic. If you don’t live near our clinic in Toronto, you will need someone to help you get home. will need someone to help you get home,

The Operation

Implants may be placed partially under muscle. This helps to hide the rippled texture of even firm gel implants in patients who are very slim. Implants place over muscle are considered when there is an adequate (at least 1 cm thick) layer of padding under the skin to camouflage the implant, or if the patient is a high-demand athlete for whom muscle distortion will be a problem (e.g. body builders).

Short incisions are made through the skin to introduce the implant through the areola edge, axilla (armpit) or the fold under the breast.

Variations on Breast Augmentation

Breast asymmetry in which one breast is significantly smaller than the other is a special challenge in which we have great expertise. Tuberous breast deformity can also be improved greatly with breast augmentation combined with special maneuvers to allow the lower pole of the breast to expand.

Revision of Breast Augmentation

Common problems we are referred include capsular contracture, or if inadequate capsule is formed, rotating or shifting implants. Bottoming out, double-bubble, and symmastia are some of the problems we have been asked to treat. We do offer enbloc capsulectomy (with and without breast lift), and augmentation breast lift surgery.

Safety and Risks of Breast Implant Surgery

Immediate risks from breast implant surgery are very unusual. In the long term, implant deflation, hard capsule formation, or breast changes arising from weight-changes or pregnancy may require revision surgery. Breast Implant Illness is considered in those rare cases in which people suffer medical symptoms that defy other explanation, and implant removal may be considered as a last resort. Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) has become a concern in patients with textured implants who develop progressive breast enlargement from fluid accumulation (estimated risk is 1/3000 patients with textured implants).

Recovery process

Breast augmentation allows for an almost immediate return to daily activities, and light exercise can be resumed within two weeks. Chest exercise should be delayed for 6 weeks.

Results

Cosmetic results are evident immediately, although relatively large implants may cause skin tension that takes 6 weeks to relax. Axillary augmentation often results in high-positioned implants that require massage to achieve optimal position.

Breast Augmentation & Implants from Toronto’s Top Cosmetic Clinic

We deliver superb results in a safe and supportive private surgical facility. Come in for a consultation at our Toronto office, and you will leave wiser, and perhaps scheduled for a beautiful transformation.