Endoscopic Breast Augmentation in Newport Beach, CA

Traditionally, breast augmentation has been an invasive procedure, often requiring large incisions and an extended recovery period. Today, however, women can undergo breast enhancement surgery with smaller, more discreet incisions, less trauma to the tissue, and a shorter recovery period. Breast enhancement specialist and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva is proud to offer endoscopic breast augmentation in Newport Beach, CA at LEA Plastic Surgery.

What is Endoscopic Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation surgery is the most popular plastic surgery performed in the U.S., continuing to surge in popularity year after year. Saline or silicone breast implants instantly replace lost breast tissue or add the volume for women with naturally small chests.

Women choose to undergo breast enhancement procedures for a variety of reasons including dissatisfaction with their natural breast size or changes caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding, weight gain and weight loss, aging, or mastectomy to treat breast cancer. 

During a traditional breast augmentation procedure, a plastic surgeon typically creates incisions around the nipples or within the breast crease to place the implants, depending on the type of implant the patient has requested. Whenever possible, Orange County endoscopic breast augmentation specialist Dr. Ho Taghva prefers to use an advanced surgical technique that involves the use of an endoscope (a tiny camera) to visualize beneath the skin. 

Through a small incision created in the patient’s underarm, the transaxillary endoscopic procedure can be completed with less harm to the tissues and virtually undetectable incisions. While this has become a routine technique in Dr. Ho Taghva’s practice, many other board-certified plastic surgeons do not yet offer endoscopic breast augmentation.

Why Choose Endoscopic Breast Implants?

Patients typically choose endoscopic breast augmentation in Orange County with Dr. Ho Taghva over the traditional approach because of the many benefits of this technique. Rather than using large incisions to access the underlying structures of the breast, the doctor can preserve many areas of the chest while preparing the implant site. 

Women can enjoy a shorter and more comfortable recovery after getting endoscopic breast implants in Newport Beach and tend to feel less self-conscious once healed because the small scars are cleverly hidden in the underarm. There are typically fewer complications with endoscopic breast augmentation surgery because nerves and blood vessels can be seen and avoided whenever possible.

Who is a Candidate for Endoscopic Breast Augmentation?

The best candidates for endoscopic breast augmentation at our Newport Beach practice are women who are seeking breast enlargement but are interested in a less invasive plastic surgery procedure. Any prospective patients must be healthy enough to be approved for the procedure since it is a cosmetic surgery and not medically necessary. 

Candidates must also be realistic in their aesthetic goals and should be willing to follow post-care instructions for the best results. Women who plan to have more children, are not at a stable weight, or have certain health conditions may be asked to postpone their endoscopic breast implant surgery until they meet Dr. Ho Taghva’s criteria for candidacy.

Your Endoscopic Breast Augmentation Consultation in Newport Beach

Each prospective patient must attend an endoscopic breast implant consultation in Orange County at LEA Plastic Surgery to determine candidacy and to establish goals for the procedure. 

Dr. Ho Taghva will collect and review the patient’s medical history, examine the breasts, and have a conversation with the woman about her size and shape preferences. Some women want natural-looking results while others are interested in dramatic volume and cleavage.

During the consultation, Dr. Ho Tagva will explain the procedure in full so patients can learn how endoscopic breast augmentation is performed, including the advantages and disadvantages of the method. Patients are encouraged to address any questions or concerns they may have. 

Before You Undergo Endoscopic Breast Implant Surgery

Patients can prepare for their upcoming endoscopic breast augmentation procedure in Newport, CA by booking their travel plans well in advance, if applicable. Dr. Ho Tagva typically recommends that women rest up for a week after surgery before returning to work and avoid certain physical activities for up to 6 weeks. This might require some advanced scheduling to prepare for the time away from everyday activities. 

Some patients may be required to undergo imaging of the breasts, lab work, additional testing, or have their doctor sign off on the endoscopic breast implant procedure before proceeding. Certain medications can interfere with the plastic surgery, and Dr. Ho Tagva will recommend safely decreasing the dosage or stopping the medication leading up to breast implant placement. 

Patients should also ask a family member or friend to remain at the facility during the surgery and drive them home or to their hotel. It is best if they can stay at least the first night after surgery in case the patient needs assistance. 

Endoscopic Breast Augmentation Procedure

Endoscopic breast augmentation in Newport Beach with Dr. Ho Taghva is performed on an outpatient basis at GALEA Center for Advanced Surgery, located directly adjacent to LEA Plastic Surgery. The facility is Medicare Accredited (the highest level of certification) and the surgical team ensures that patients feel comfortable and receive excellent quality of care.

When the patient arrives at the plastic surgery center, she will change into a hospital gown and meet with Dr. Ho Taghva prior to the procedure so the doctor can create surgical markings on the breasts and go over the specific goals of the surgery. 

If the patient has requested additional procedures performed to complement the breast enlargement, like a tummy tuck, breast lift, or a body contouring procedure, Dr. Ho Taghva will also explain the plan for the accompanying procedures. While this information is discussed during the consultation, it is also discussed before the surgery so that the patient is confident and informed.

The patient will be anesthetized and asleep from beginning to end of the breast enhancement and other elected procedures. The skin will be prepped, incisions created in the transaxillary region of the underarm, and an endoscope or small camera is inserted through a tube to guide Dr. Ho Taghva during the surgery. 

Implant placement may be under the chest muscle and closer to the chest wall or above the muscle, depending on the type of breast appearance the patient wishes to achieve. Saline implants are inserted empty and filled once in place, while silicone implants are pre-filled. The doctor may need to stretch the overlying tissue and skin with expanders before placing silicone breast implants. 

The breast augmentation procedure may include the placement of surgical drains so the patient can release fluid build-up once home. The small incision sites are sutured closed, and the patient is taken into recovery.

Healing After Endoscopic Breast Implants

After endoscopic breast augmentation in Orange County, patients can be driven home by a friend or family member. Patients may be fitted with a post-surgical bra or other support garment and will be provided with instructions on caring for their drains, if placed. 

Patients should have a family member or a friend with them to assist with postoperative care tasks as needed. Once home, patients may feel sleepy as the anesthesia wears off. It is usually recommended that patients rest on their back and at a 45-degree angle to prevent swelling. A cold compress may also be used as needed. Patients will likely be asked to avoid showering and bathing for the first 24 hours. Any bruising and swelling will gradually subside over the coming days and weeks.

The Possible Risks of the Surgery

Endoscopic breast augmentation surgery is associated with some side effects and risks, though they are rare when the procedure is performed by an expert Newport Beach plastic surgeon like Dr. Ho Taghva. Review the table below and discuss any concerns with Dr. Ho Taghva during the doctor-patient consultation.

• Bleeding
• Nerve damage
• Infection
• Undesired shape or size
• Capsular contracture
• Rippling

Choosing Dr. Ho Taghva to perform Endoscopic Breast Augmentation

Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva is one of Orange County’s top board-certified plastic surgeons. She differentiates herself by offering a female perspective and approach to anatomy and cosmetic surgery. After graduating from Brown University with a B.S. in Neuroscience and her M.D., the doctor completed a six-year residency at the University of Southern California in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Ho Taghva strives to create the best results for each individual patient and is dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized care.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Endoscopic Breast Augmentation

What is the preferred type of breast implant used in endoscopic breast augmentation in Orange County?

Dr. Ho Taghva offers her patients a range of breast implant options at LEA Plastic Surgery, including the SIENTRA gummy bear silicone implant and  the IDEAL implant, a modern saline option. The gummy bear implant is made from a cohesive silicone gel while the IDEAL implant is an advanced saline breast implant that was created to mimic the feel of silicone breast implants, which are usually the more natural option. 

During the consultation, implant types will be discussed to determine which brand and type a patient might prefer.

Can endoscopic breast augmentation be performed in an incision through the belly button?

Newport Beach endoscopic breast augmentation is typically considered a safer alternative to implant placement through the belly button (transumbilical or TUBA surgery). Because Dr. Ho Taghva feels that the TUBA approach is risky and provides less consistent results, she offers endoscopic breast augmentation only using the transaxillary approach through the armpit. 

How common is capsular contracture with the transaxillary approach vs. other incision patterns?

Many women are understandably concerned about the risk of capsular contracture after breast augmentation (scar tissue squeezing the breast implant). While this complication can occur with any incision pattern, it is most common with the periareolar approach. Dr. Ho Taghva’s patients rarely experience capsular contracture following a transaxillary endoscopic breast augmentation. 

Dr. Ho Taghva minimizes the risk for capsular contracture in several ways, including her use of the “no touch” technique with the help of a Keller funnel to place the implants. The reduced bleeding and trauma involved with the endoscopic technique also helps to keep complication rates low. 

Is endoscopic breast augmentation painful?

While some pain and discomfort are to be expected during recovery, Dr. Ho Taghva utilizes the endoscope to guide her around sensitive tissues that would otherwise be cut or disrupted during surgery. Patients will be anesthetized during the procedure and will be prescribed a pain management regimen. Positioning, cold compresses, and at-home breast massages will help to control post-surgical discomfort.

Will my breast implants feel natural?

There have been many recent advancements in breast implant design, including the introduction of IDEAL IMPLANTS, which provide women with safer, more natural-looking augmentation. Implant placement also influences the final appearance of the breasts. Dr. Ho Taghva inserts the implants beneath breast tissue for a better aesthetic. Once healed, women will usually look and feel as though they have naturally larger breasts.

Do breast implants have a “shelf life”?

Some older implant models were problematic causing issues like rupture, which required replacement. Some women elect to undergo a subsequent breast procedure like a breast lift later in life and may choose to upgrade their implants at that time. Complications like capsular contracture may also warrant a revision breast augmentation. Newer technology has minimized many of these concerns, with women choosing to replace implants due to a preferred change in breast size or shape rather than another concern.

This article was written by Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva, M.D. {About Dr. Ho Taghva}.