Louis C. Cutolo, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.
1557 Victory Boulevard
Staten Island, NY 10314
Phone: (718) 720-9400
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Breast Augmentation
Year after year in the United States, the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure is breast augmentation with implants. In Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island, an increasing number of women are also opting for that breast enhancement choice. Whether they always wanted larger breasts or have that “deflated” appearance from pregnancy or weight changes, these women recognize that breast augmentation by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Louis Cutolo, Jr. can provide them with the beautiful, natural-looking results they want.
Take the first step to achieving those fuller, beautifully shaped breasts. Request a complimentary consultation online, or call us today at (718) 720-9400 to schedule a visit.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Women considering breast augmentation vary in age, reasons for choosing this procedure, and expectations. What they share, however, is their goal: to enjoy full, natural-looking breasts to enhance their body’s contours. Women often choose breast augmentation to:
- Restore volume after pregnancy or weight fluctuations
- Create balance between asymmetrical breasts (different sizes)
- Improve breast shape and size
- Look and feel more attractive
If you also want to elevate your breasts to a more youthful position, Dr. Cutolo may recommend combining breast augmentation with a breast lift (mastopexy) – an option many women choose.
Dr. Louis C. Cutolo Jr.
Meet Dr. Louis C. Cutolo Jr.
A board-certified plastic surgeon in Staten Island, Dr. Louis Cutolo, Jr. is an active member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the... read on
Meet Dr. CutoloYour Breast Augmentation Options
Prior to the surgery, Dr. Cutolo provides a complete consultation to discuss choices related to breast implants and other options available at his practice. You’ll talk about such factors as implant size, shape, and material, as well as where your incisions will be and whether your implants will be above or below your chest muscle. Read on to learn more about these options.
Understand What’s Possible: Crisalix 3-D Imaging
Dr. Cutolo offers his breast augmentation patients the opportunity to preview their potential results using Crisalix 3-D imaging. With Crisalix, you can see how your breasts may look with different size and implant placement options. We find that it helps make those decisions more tangible for your breast augmentation, and patients often have more peace of mind about the direction of their procedure. You can also choose to share your 3-D images with loved ones online.
Dr. Cutolo uses the Crisalix system exclusively for breast augmentation patients. He uses the VECTRA® 3-D imaging system for facial plastic surgery patients.
How Do You Choose Breast Implant Size?
Dr. Cutolo offers a wide range of implant sizes to suit your preference. These are measured in cubic centimeters, or cc, rather than bra cup sizes, which can vary. It’s helpful to bring in photos of other women with the size of breasts you’d like to have. Dr. Cutolo can take measurements and make a recommendation to meet your goals.
Breast Implant Material: Silicone vs. Saline
Dr. Cutolo offers both saline-filled and silicone-filled breast implants. Check out some of the advantages of each:
| Silicone | Saline |
|---|---|
| Approved for patients 22 and older | Approved for patients 18 and older |
| Typically a bit more expensive than saline | Typically a bit less expensive than silicone |
| Require slightly longer incisions because they are pre-filled | Require shorter incisions because they are filled after being inserted |
| More natural look and feel, so appropriate for placement either above or below the muscle | Slightly less natural look and feel, so usually better for placement below the muscle |
| Silicone |
|---|
| Approved for patients 22 and older |
| Typically a bit more expensive than saline |
| Require slightly longer incisions because they are pre-filled |
| More natural look and feel, so appropriate for placement either above or below the muscle |
| Saline |
|---|
| Approved for patients 18 and older |
| Typically a bit less expensive than silicone |
| Require shorter incisions because they are filled after being inserted |
| Slightly less natural look and feel, so usually better for placement below the muscle |
Are Round or Teardrop Implants Better?
While we offer both round and teardrop (anatomically shaped) implants, the round moderate profile is the implant of choice for almost every breast augmentation patient.
- Round implants are dome-shaped, and they provide even fullness all around the breast, which creates a more dramatic transformation and more cleavage.
- Teardrop-shaped implants have more fullness at the bottom and provide a more subtle enhancement. It’s important to note that anatomically shaped implants can move after surgery, resulting in an uneven appearance.
Which Incision Is Best for Breast Augmentation?
While Dr. Cutolo generally recommends the inframammary incision, he will go over all of the following options with you during your consultation (see illustration):
- Inframammary: in the fold beneath the breasts
- Periareolar: along the lower border of the areola
- Transaxillary: in the armpit
Is It Better to Have Breast Implants Placed Above or Below the Muscle?
Most breast augmentation patients attain the most natural looking and feeling results with their implants placed below the chest muscle. The best implant placement for you depends on how much existing breast tissue you have, your goals for recovery, and which type of implants you choose. Dr. Cutolo can talk you through each factor.
Your Breast Augmentation Procedure
Dr. Cutolo performs this surgery on an outpatient basis at a hospital or in a state-of-the-art surgical facility. The patient is under general anesthesia and asleep during the procedure. To insert the implants, Dr. Cutolo makes a small incision in each breast. He inserts the implants and adjusts them to ensure symmetry and a natural look before closing the incisions with sutures. The procedure usually lasts from 1 to 2 hours.
Recovery After Breast Augmentation
During your consultation, Dr. Cutolo will discuss your post-operative instructions. In general, he recommends that you rest and limit your movements to speed up the healing process and recovery time. After your surgery, he applies bandages to facilitate your healing. Some patients experience moderate pain, which can be treated with prescription medication from Dr. Cutolo. To minimize swelling and provide support to your breasts as they heal, you will need to wear an elastic bandage for the first 4 days, and then a sports bra for the following 3 weeks.
Breast Augmentation Results and Benefits
After they have healed, most of Dr. Cutolo’s patients report feeling more self-confident and satisfied with their transformed figure. From shopping for new tops, bras and bikinis to enjoying an enhanced body image, these women say that they love their new proportions and shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any non-surgical alternatives to breast augmentation?
Besides using silicone bra inserts to create the illusion of a fuller bust, there’s no non-surgical option for significantly increasing the size of your breasts. Surgical breast augmentation is the only proven long-term solution. Moreover, today’s breast implants are more durable, safer, and more customizable than ever, not only adding volume but also improving the shape and projection of breasts for a result that’s tailored to your exact specifications.
How long does it take for breast implants to settle?
Immediately after surgery, your implants may appear to sit high on your chest. Additionally, the skin around them may look and feel tight. This effect is perfectly normal, especially among patients who have a small amount of natural breast tissue or those who choose large implants. Your body needs time to acclimate to the presence of the implants. Over time, your skin and tissue will naturally expand to accommodate them, and they’ll soften and “drop” to a lower, more natural-looking position. This process can take several months to complete, so patience is important. Your results should be clear after about 6 to 8 months. Dr. Cutolo evaluates the shape and position of your implants during your follow-up appointments to ensure you’re healing on schedule.
I work out a lot. What are my activity restrictions during breast augmentation recovery?
Any activities that require you to put undue stress on your chest muscles, including heavy lifting and upper-body strength training, should be avoided for up to a month after breast augmentation. This gives your body the opportunity to heal and ensures you get the best results possible. You should hold off on all vigorous activity, even that which doesn’t affect the chest, for at least 2 weeks after surgery. This is because exercise elevates your heart rate and blood pressure, which can exacerbate swelling, bruising, and bleeding. Dr. Cutolo understands that it can be difficult for very active people to delay exercise after surgery, but it’s important to listen to your body and not overexert yourself. Instead of high-intensity workouts, he recommends taking light, short walks a few times a day.
For more answers to your questions about breast augmentation, visit our Breast Augmentation FAQ page.
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