Phone: 425.285.2112
Fax: 425.803.0218
Kirkland Office
Everett Office

Breast Implants & Augmentation in Seattle

Also serving Bellevue, Kirkland, & Everett

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure which enhances the size and shape of the breasts through the placement of breast implants, either above or below the pectoralis major chest muscle.

Breast Augmentation
Breast implant patient, before and After photo
Before   After
View Breast Augmentation Before and After Photos

Most of the patients seen in our office for breast enhancement wish to obtain improved balance and symmetry of their breasts, to look better in everyday clothes and swimwear, and to have a natural appearance. Many of our Seattle breast augmentation patients have lost breast tissue as a result of pregnancy and breast-feeding or significant weight loss. These patients wish to regain the attractive body they once possessed (see our Mommy Makeover section). Others were born with significant asymmetry in size and/or shape and wish for improvement in the appearance of their breasts.

Is breast augmentation right for me?

If you suffer from loss of breast tissue following pregnancy or weight loss, or have naturally small or asymmetrical breasts, you would probably benefit from Breast Augmentation surgery in Seattle.

Are you a good candidate for breast augmentation in Seattle?

At Pratt Plastic Surgery we are here to help you decide if you are a good candidate to undergo breast augmentation surgery with one of the top plastic surgeon specialists in the Seattle area. You may be a good candidate for breast augmentation if you:

  • Are in good physical and mental health
  • Are not pregnant or currently breastfeeding
  • Have realistic expectations of results
  • Feel that your breasts are too small
  • Have breasts that are fully developed

If you were able to answer positively to any of these statements then you might be ready to undergo breast augmentation with Dr. Pratt. Take the next step into achieving your dream body by scheduling a consultation today!

What is the best type of breast implant for me?

In addition to saline and silicone breast implants, Dr. Pratt is now offering a new alternative which is called the ideal Implant. This revolutionary implant design offers the best qualities of both saline and silicone implants. Learn more on our ideal Implants page.

Where will the scars be?

Dr. Pratt usually inserts the implants through an incision in the crease beneath the breast using the Secret Scar approach in order to minimize the chance of having a visible scar. Dr. Pratt may also advise you to participate in our Scar Reduction Program, depending on your skin type and history of scarring.

How much discomfort will I have?

Following breast augmentation surgery, patients experience varying amounts of discomfort. Much of the discomfort results from spasm of the chest muscles which are stretched during placement of the implant under the muscle. Prior to closure of the incisions, Dr. Pratt makes sure to inject a long acting numbing medicine into the chest and breast tissues in order to add to your postoperative comfort. Dr. Pratt will also prescribe both an oral pain medication and a strong muscle relaxant. Learn more about our PainBuster Program. Nausea and vomiting can contribute significantly to postoperative pain, thus Dr. Pratt will prescribe an anti-nausea “patch” prior to your surgery (Learn more about our No Nausea protocol.

My Initial Consultation

You will have the opportunity to view an extensive collection of Dr. Pratt’s Before and After photos. Dr. Pratt will examine you and assess your breasts with regard to shape, symmetry, size, and the height of your areolae. He will then view the before and after photos you have picked out as your favorites and review them with you in order to understand exactly the look you are wishing for. Once he fully understands your wishes and goals he will share his expert opinions with you and the reasoning behind those opinions. One of Dr. Pratt’s main objectives during your consultation is to fully explain the procedure, as well as its risks and benefits, so you will feel comfortable and confident about going forward with your big day!

How does Dr. Pratt perform Breast Augmentation?

The surgery is performed in the main operating room of the Pratt Plastic Surgery Surgicenter in Kirkland or a hospital outpatient surgicenter under general anesthesia or “twilight anesthesia” (IV sedation). Pockets are created surgically and the implants are placed either above or below the pectoralis muscle. You will then be wrapped in a gauze dressing and ace wraps. Surgery usually lasts about two hours and recovery from anesthesia takes approximately one hour.

My preparation for Breast Augmentation

Prior to your surgery, you will attend your preoperative appointment with Dr. Pratt, at least two weeks prior to your surgery date. At that time, our staff will review your consent forms with you, answer any questions you might have, and the risks and benefits of surgery will be thoroughly reviewed. You will be given your prescriptions to be filled prior to your surgery. You will be given a list of medications and supplements to avoid for two weeks before and after surgery. If you are a smoker, you will be instructed to stop smoking at least two weeks prior to surgery. You should not smoke for at least two weeks following surgery.

What decisions need to be made prior to my Breast Augmentation?

Dr. Pratt has vast experience in performing Breast Augmentation in women with various body types, and therefore he understands that each Breast Augmentation procedure needs to be “customized” in order to achieve the best results for each individual. There are many choices to consider prior to undergoing breast enhancement surgery. Dr. Pratt and his highly qualified staff can help you work through these crucial decisions.

  • Should the implant be saline, silicone or the new ideal Implant which combines the best of saline and silicone implants?
  • What size implant would look best on you?
  • What is the best incision site for you?
  • Would it be better for you to have the implant placed above or below the chest muscle?
  • Should the implant have a smooth surface or a textured one?
  • Should it be round or teardrop-shaped?
  • Will a Breast Lift also be necessary?

Dr. Pratt will help you determine which of these choices makes sense for you and your body type. Much of his decision making will be based on your desires and goals, thus he will listen very carefully to you in determining exactly what to do.

Post Breast Augmentation Recovery

You will be discharged to home from our surgicenter in Kirkland Washington when you are fully recovered. Light activity is encouraged for the first two weeks following surgery, but you may go back to regular non-strenuous activities within a few days. Heavy lifting or strenuous activity should be avoided for at least two weeks. Full recovery will take six to eight weeks, at which time activities such as skiing, wakeboarding, and contact sports can be undertaken safely. Your first follow-up visit with Dr. Pratt will be at approximately one week

Will I have stitches that need to be removed?

No, Dr. Pratt utilizes only dissolvable sutures, thus avoiding anxiety produced by a potentially painful suture removal.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

Normally, breast augmentation surgery lasts a very long time. However, as years go by it is recommended to frequently check up on your implants and see their current condition. It can be done by simply giving yourself a self-evaluation. The FDA recommends breast augmentation patients with silicone implants to undergo an MRI scan every 2-3 years to see if everything is in order. If anything appears to seem abnormal you might consider seeing Dr. Pratt. Leaks can happen and they must be addressed as soon as possible.

Does insurance cover the cost of Breast Augmentation?

Insurance does not generally cover the cost of breast augmentation unless it is related to reconstruction after breast cancer.

Why should I consider Dr. David Pratt to perform my Breast Augmentation surgery?

Dr. Pratt is widely recognized as an extremely talented board-certified plastic surgeon in Seattle with many years of experience in performing breast augmentation procedures, kin addition to breast lift and breast reduction surgery. His dramatic, yet natural-appearing surgical results certainly speak for themselves. Dr. Pratt offers a full array of breast implant types including saline, silicone and the new ideal implant with combines the advantages of both saline and silicone. Dr. Pratt and his staff are passionate about cosmetic surgery, compassionate, and dedicated to patient education. Dr. Pratt’s main concern is the comfort and safety of each and every patient. Our state-of-the-art Seattle cosmetic surgery facility offers a warm and friendly atmosphere and the most advanced technology available today.

More Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Augmentation

What are my choices for increasing size and adding proportion to my breasts?

Trusted Seattle area plastic surgeon Dr. David Pratt magnifies volume and dramatically improves the aesthetic appeal of breasts by using silicone gel or standard saline implants, or the innovative new IDEAL IMPLANT. The silicone filler may be a traditional cohesive gel or the newer “gummy bear” variety that has a lithe, supple feel. The IDEAL IMPLANT is filled with saline and features a structured interior design that provides additional firmness and limits the wave-like movement of saline within the implant. Each filler is contained within a flexible silicone shell.

All implants come in a variety of sizes and shapes, giving you many options to discuss with Dr. Pratt and visualize with practice bras, computer modeling and reviewing his many before-and-after pictures. Using advanced technology, Dr. Pratt makes it possible to turn your dream size and shape into a beautiful reality.

Will I need to stay in a hospital?

Dr. Pratt has performed hundreds of breast augmentation surgeries as an outpatient procedure in his Everett and Kirkland locations, using general anesthesia or “twilight” IV sedation. Depending on individual circumstances, the operation takes one to two hours. There is no need for an overnight stay. Your comfort, convenience — and satisfaction — are always priorities for Dr. Pratt.

Will there be scarring?

Breast augmentation requires the surgeon to make incisions, so some scarring is inevitable. New techniques help to minimize permanent marks, however. For example, implants can now sometimes be inserted by making the incision in the belly button or under the armpit. More extensive procedures will use an incision under the breast or around the nipple. Insertion of an IDEAL IMPLANT leaves a scar of just 1.5 inches. The reason for such a small mark is that, unlike other implants, only the shell is surgically inserted into the chest. Once in place, the IDEAL IMPLANT is filled with saline using a tube through the incision.

What is recovery like?

Breast augmentation is major surgery, and that means your body will need time and space to fully recover. During the first two days of your recovery, you will experience significant swelling. It will actually take several months for all of the swelling to disappear. You can also expect to feel pain and soreness, especially if your implant has been inserted beneath chest muscles.

When you arrive home from your outpatient procedure, you will be wearing a surgical bra to provide firm support as your tender breasts heal. You may also need tubes to drain blood or other fluids that may pool at the site of incisions. After a week, the tubes will be removed and you will wear a less restrictive support bra. Although you will probably feel well enough to return to work or school at this point, you will need to avoid any physical activity that can put stress on your chest muscles, and should continue to sleep on your back.

Will the feel and firmness of my breasts change?

Many patients report the most natural feel with silicone gel implants or the IDEAL IMPLANT, with its interior “baffles” that provide stability and structure. With saline implants, a similar consistency can often be achieved by overfilling the shell and implanting it behind the chest muscle. You will notice new strength and firmness in your breasts as a result of the surgery, and this will help them resist sagging, depending on the size you choose.

I am interested, what do I do next?

Seeking reliable answers to your questions about breast augmentation surgery? Schedule your confidential consultation with Dr. David Pratt to find out if you are a good candidate for this or other procedures. Be sure to ask about our fee reduction program.

Dr. Pratt’s Kirkland and Everett office locations serve the greater Seattle area, including Snohomish county, Bellevue and Tacoma, with office hours that suit your busy lifestyle. Go ahead and live your dreams!

425.285.2112

10413 NE 37th Circle, Kirkland, WA 98033

4005 Colby Avenue, Everett, WA 98201

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