Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Offering Customized Breast Implants in Upper Kirby, Houston
Dr. Steely performs your breast augmentation at his surgery center or First Surgical Hospital in Houston, TX.
Breast augmentation, also called breast enlargement surgery, can help improve breast volume, shape, symmetry, and overall body proportion. At Steely Plastic Surgery in Houston, breast augmentation surgery is performed by double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Lee Steely.
Dr. Steely has extensive experience in cosmetic breast surgery and customizes each patient’s procedure to her unique anatomy and aesthetic vision.
Why Consider Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery procedure that uses specialized implants and/or fat transfer to enhance the size and shape of the breasts.
Breast enlargement may be of interest to you if:
- You feel that having smaller breasts limits what fashions you can wear and have difficulty finding clothing to flatter your figure.
- You believe that having a small breast size creates a negative impression and causes you to feel uncomfortably self-conscious.
- You have lost a considerable amount of weight and consequently your breasts have lost size and shape.
- You experienced volume loss due to pregnancy or breastfeeding and want to restore fullness.
- You have significantly asymmetric breasts and desire a more balanced look.
Why Choose Steely Plastic Surgery for Breast Augmentation in Houston?
Dr. Steely is extensively trained and experienced in cosmetic surgery and widely recognized for his ability to provide natural-looking breast augmentation results. He is certified by both The American Board of Surgery and The American Board of Plastic Surgery, reflecting his surgical skill and commitment to continued education and the highest standards of patient safety.
One of the most important differences at Steely Plastic Surgery is that Dr. Steely and only Dr. Steely performs all aspects of your procedure. He does not use surgical assistants, residents, or medical students to perform your surgery. No one is “practicing” or “learning” on your breasts.
Breast Augmentation Before-and-After Photos
Viewing our before-and-after gallery is a great way for you to see what is possible with breast augmentation performed by Dr. Steely.
Your Initial Consultation with the Breast Surgeon
During your initial breast augmentation consultation, Dr. Steely will review your medical history and speak with you about the results you hope to achieve with surgery. He will also examine your breasts and the elasticity of the skin.
Using the information he gathers, he will provide personalized recommendations regarding:
- Saline vs. silicone breast implants
- Implant size and profile
- Implant placement
- Incision options
- Whether a breast lift may be needed
- Recovery expectations
He will also review breast augmentation costs and answer any questions you may have.
Am I a Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Candidates include women who want to increase breast volume to achieve fuller, more symmetrical, and/or more proportional breasts. Your breasts must be fully developed, and you must be physically and emotionally healthy to be considered a good candidate. Patients considering breast implants or fat transfer to the breasts should also be prepared to follow all pre-operative and post-operative instructions closely.
Patients who are concerned about low breast position, drooping, or downward facing nipples may require a breast lift with breast augmentation to best accomplish their desired outcome.
Choosing the Right Breast Implants
Factors such as your existing breast tissue, the distance between the breasts, skin quality, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals all play a role in determining the ideal implant type, size, and profile. During your consultation, Dr. Steely carefully evaluates your anatomy to recommend implants that complement your proportions and support a long-lasting result.
Saline Breast Implants vs. Silicone Breast Implants
Both silicone and saline implants can create beautiful results, but each offers subtle differences in feel, shape, and overall appearance.
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel. Many patients choose silicone implants because they tend to feel softer and more natural, particularly in patients with less existing breast tissue. Silicone implants are FDA-approved for patients age 22 or older.
Saline Breast Implants
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water after placement and can offer certain advantages in incision size and adjustability. Saline implants are FDA-approved for patients age 18 or older.
Dr. Steely will explain the benefits and considerations of each implant type and help you select the option best suited to your body and goals.
Choosing the Right Implant Size and Profile
Breast implants are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes, and choosing the right combination is essential for achieving attractive, natural-looking results.
In addition to variations in volume, implants are available in different “profiles,” which describe how far the implant projects outward from the chest wall versus how much fullness it provides side to side. For example, 275cc silicone implants all have the same volume, but the shape and distribution of that volume can be different.
- High profile implants create more forward projection with a narrower base width.
- Moderate profile implants distribute more volume across the width of the breast for a softer, broader appearance.
- Moderate profile plus implants provide a balance between projection and width.
Dr. Steely believes that successful breast augmentation requires careful attention to both implant size and implant profile. His recommendations are based on your breast tissue characteristics, body frame, chest wall dimensions, height, weight, and desired outcome.
To ensure the most personalized surgical plan possible, patients meet with Dr. Steely for at least two pre-operative visits before surgery. This process allows ample time to evaluate options and select implants that align with your anatomy and aesthetic goals.
Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer
Dr. Steely also offers breast augmentation with fat transfer. This technique uses liposuction to remove excess fat from the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or hips. The purified fat is then strategically injected into the breasts to improve volume, shape, and contour.
Fat transfer breast augmentation may be a good option for patients who:
- Want a modest increase in breast size
- Prefer enhancement without implants
- Desire a softer, more natural feel
- Would benefit from body contouring in donor areas at the same time
- Want to improve breast symmetry or refine implant results
Because fat transfer uses your body’s own tissue, there is no risk of implant rupture or implant-related complications. However, the degree of augmentation possible is more limited than with implants.
During your breast surgery consultation, Dr. Steely will evaluate your anatomy, available donor fat, and aesthetic goals to determine whether breast augmentation with fat transfer, implants, or a combination approach is best suited to your needs.
Preparing for Breast Augmentation Surgery
Proper preparation helps support a smoother surgical experience and recovery. During your consultation and pre-operative visits, Dr. Steely and his team will provide detailed instructions tailored to your procedure.
Patients may be advised to:
- Stop smoking and avoid nicotine products prior to surgery
- Temporarily discontinue certain medications or supplements that can increase bleeding risk
- Complete any recommended lab work or medical evaluations
- Arrange for transportation and assistance during the first stage of recovery
- Prepare a comfortable recovery space at home before surgery day
Patients undergoing breast augmentation with fat transfer may also receive instructions related to liposuction preparation and post-operative compression garments. Following all pre-operative instructions can help minimize complications and support optimal healing and results.
What to Expect During Breast Implant Surgery
Breast implant surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes about 40 minutes. At the start of your procedure, a board-certified anesthesiologist will administer your anesthesia.
Once the anesthesia has taken effect, Dr. Steely will make small incisions, so he can place the breast implants. Depending on your needs, the incisions will be made either along the breast fold, around the edge of the areola, or in the underarm area.
The implants are placed either partially under the pectoral muscle or on top of the muscle and under the breast glands. The most appropriate option will be determined based on the thickness of your tissue and its ability to adequately cover the implant.
Once the implants are placed, Dr. Steely will carefully close the incisions and will administer a special long-acting local anesthesia into your tissue to minimize discomfort after surgery. You will wake up wearing a sports bra with a small piece of surgical tape over your incisions. There are no drain tubes or bulky wrappings needed.
Recovery After Breast Augmentation Surgery
You will be able to go home the same day as your procedure. Plan for a trusted friend or loved one to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours of your recovery.
You may take a shower the following morning, and many patients feel comfortable returning to non-strenuous work within a few days. You will feel tired and a little sore for a few days.
Most patients only take pain medication for the first 24 to 36 hours, then do well with scheduled doses of Tylenol. Swelling is normal and will subside after a few weeks.
Patients undergoing breast augmentation with fat transfer should also expect some bruising and soreness in the liposuction donor areas. Compression garments may be recommended to help minimize swelling and support healing in these areas.
You will have a post-operative visit with Dr. Steely within a few days of your procedure. Within one week, you should be able to engage in non-strenuous activities and within four to six weeks, return to exercising.
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost in Houston?
All-inclusive breast augmentation surgery pricing at our Houston practice begins at $6,000.* As with any procedure, a consultation is necessary for an accurate quote. The total cost will depend on several factors, including whether fat transfer or implants are used, the complexity of your surgical plan, and anesthesia and facility fees.
Steely Plastic Surgery offers plastic surgery financing through CareCredit and Prosper Healthcare Lending to make breast augmentation more accessible to patients who prefer to pay for their procedure in monthly installments.
FAQs About Breast Augmentation
Does breast implant surgery hurt?
You will be completely asleep during breast implant surgery. Dr. Steely also uses a special, long-acting anesthesia to keep post-operative discomfort to a minimum. The majority of patients only take pain medication for the first 24 to 36 hours and return to work after a couple of days.
How long does breast implant surgery take?
The actual procedure time is only about 40 minutes. You will be at the surgical facility longer for preparation, anesthesia, and initial recovery before going home.
Do breast implants last forever?
Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices. While implants often last 10 to 20 years, some patients may choose or need implant exchange or removal, depending on implant condition and surgeon guidance. Dr. Steely can discuss long-term implant care and monitoring during your consultation.
Where in Houston will I have my breast augmentation surgery?
Dr. Steely performs breast implant surgery both in his office operating suite as well as in a hospital facility. Your personal preference, as well as the day you wish to have your procedure, dictates where it will be performed.
What are the risks of breast augmentation surgery?
Breast augmentation risks can include bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, changes in sensation, implant-related concerns, and the possible need for future surgery. Dr. Steely will review the risks associated with breast enhancement surgery during your consultation and help you understand what applies to your specific body and surgical plan.
Why should I choose a board-certified plastic surgeon for breast augmentation?
There are many physicians performing breast augmentation in Houston, including many without any formal training in plastic surgery or even general surgery. Breast implants are simply a medical device and unfortunately, in Texas, anyone with a medical degree can purchase them, rent a billboard, and call themselves a “Cosmetic Surgeon.”
The best way to ensure that you are being treated by a qualified provider is to check if they are certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is the only governing body recognized by hospitals that allow surgeons to perform these procedures in a hospital. If the surgeon you are considering is not on this web page, they are not a formally trained plastic surgeon.
Plastic surgery itself is a wide field, and many sub-specialize within this field. The ABPS web page is a great first test, but to make sure that you are using a surgeon who is not only a true board-certified plastic surgeon, but one that specializes in the cosmetic side of plastic surgery, they should also be listed here at The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
I love the look of breast implants I saw on another woman. She said she had 350cc silicone profile plus implants. Is that the size breast implant I should get?
There are many factors that need to be taken into account when choosing breast implants. Different women with the same sized implant can look vastly different.
Dr. Steely will take detailed measurements to help you choose an appropriately sized and shaped implant for your body and the look you are trying to achieve. While it is possible to mimic another person’s overall breast shape and size, it is very likely that a different size and shape implant is necessary.
How much size increase is possible with fat transfer?
Fat transfer breast augmentation is intended for subtle enhancement rather than dramatic size increases. Most patients can expect approximately a half cup size to one full cup size increase.
Because a portion of the transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed by the body during healing, final results can vary from patient to patient. Individuals with limited donor fat may not be ideal candidates for this procedure alone.
Patients seeking a more significant increase in breast size may be better candidates for implants or a hybrid approach that combines implants with fat transfer for additional softness and contour refinement.
Media Content
(Warning! This Video is Graphic and Portrays a Cosmetic Surgical Procedure.
If you find this subject matter offensive – Please Do Not View!)
Article
What you need to know about breast implants
Video
A video of Dr. Steely explanting a breast implant showing how intact it is, even years after surgery
Contact Our Houston Plastic Surgery Office
Don’t hesitate to contact our office to schedule a breast augmentation consultation if you’re interested in learning more about breast surgery in Houston. The Steely Plastic Surgery team welcomes patients from throughout the greater Houston area, including Katy, the Woodlands, and Clear Lake.
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