For the past few decades, plastic surgery has continued to increase its out-of-this-world popularity across the globe. People have grown more accustomed to cosmetic surgeries than ever before, and while this level of acceptance is incredibly high, when it comes to risks and side effects, there's still limited information out there.

Cosmetic procedures allow people to become their most authentic selves and portray that image or figure that they've always wanted. Standard cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation, for example, carry several risks and side effects patients should know about when choosing what procedure to get. 

Breast Augmentation: What Options Are Out There?

There are a variety of ways to achieve more massive, perkier breasts — such as traditional breast implant surgery or newer, safer solutions such as the AirSculpt®  Up A Cup™ Breast Enhancement. Both of them will give you dramatic results, but it is crucial to understand the differences between them and the risks they could carry.

Breast Augmentation with implants is a cosmetic procedure that enhances a woman's natural breast size and shape with the addition of either silicone or saline implants.

Implants are silicone shells filled with either silicone gel or saline. Many patients here in D.C. choose silicone gel implants because they are durable and seem to look and feel almost natural.

AirSculpt® Up A Cup™ Breast Enhancement is an innovative and modern procedure where the surgeon uses a patented cannula to pluck unwanted fat, cell by cell, and then transfer it to the breasts. This process uses no needles or scalpel, as everything is done through an entryway thinner than a #2 pencil. This artistic and meticulous process creates natural-looking and perkier breasts, and better yet, does not require the use of general anesthesia, a potentially hazardous requirement.  

Risks and Side Effects of Breast Implants and Liposuction Fat Transfers

Before looking at implants, let's talk about traditional fat transfers to the breasts. While these do not involve the risk of putting a foreign substance in your body, they do involve traditional liposuction, a harsh and potentially dangerous procedure. Liposuction requires large incisions and involves an abrasive cannula that manually sucks fat with little-to-no precision. 

With AirSculpt®, the risks and side effects are minimal because no implants, foreign substances, or harmful objects go inside your body. 

Your own natural fat is meticulously transferred from one part of your body to your breasts. We use a tiny tool called a biopsy punch to create an entryway rather than using a scalpel—which means we don't use stitches or leave you with prominent, everlasting scars. Soreness and minor pain from the procedure should be expected for just a few days, and patients return to work within three to five days. 

If you received a natural fat transfer using traditional liposuction, you're likely to have a large, permanent scar on the area from where fat was grafted. Plus, the downtime following your transfer will be considerably longer — potentially up to a month. 

With silicone implants, side effects are also vast, as they may include swelling, severe pain, bleeding, capsular contracture, or even infection around the implant. Some patients suffer from severe infection due to the breaking or leakage of the implant, which requires a second surgery to resolve these issues. Evidently, surgeons have noticed a significant rise in the number of patients asking for implant removal, mainly due to these types of complications. There's also a risk of rippling and visibility through the breast tissue, which also can cause severe pain and possibly necessitate the removal of implants if they're too large for the body. Visible stretch marks and scars can also appear, affecting the aesthetic result of the procedure.

The recovery process can take longer than most expect, as well. According to women that have undergone a breast enhancement with implants here in Washington, you will need at least three weeks in bed to recover. During this period, you must avoid any major motion or activity, so if you have a full schedule, this surgery is not your best option.

Where in Washington, D.C. Can I Get AirSculpt®?

The decision to undergo breast augmentation is a personal one. Invasive surgeries may affect your immune system, not deliver the expected results, and leave you bedridden for weeks or even months.

We always recommend conducting extensive research to ensure you choose the right option that leaves you feeling refreshed, ready to continue with your routine, and happy with the results after the procedure. If you want to know more about AirSculpt® in the nation's capital, come and visit us at our brand new Elite Body Sculpture D.C. Medical Spa, mere minutes from Fairfax square.