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Breast
Augmentation

Breast Augmentation
in Chicago and Oak Brook

Peter D. Geldner, MD is one of Chicago’s best plastic surgeons with over 25 years experience helping women look better, feel better and live better. Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and named a Top Doctor by Chicago Magazine, Castle Connolly, U.S. News and World Reports, and New Beauty.

Dr. Geldner has been a top 500 provider of Allergan Aesthetic products in the US since 2016. This means that Dr. Geldner has been trusted by Chicagoans to provide more Allergan breast implants and other Allergan products than 99% of practices in the United States.

Allergan Partner: Top 500

Breast Augmentation Results
In Chicago and Oak Brook

Dr. Geldner has performed over 10,000 breast procedures. Take a look at the results for yourself in our Before and After Gallery. You can even use our MyFavorites tool to create a collection of the results you’d like to achieve and the cases you wish to discuss during your consultation.

Chicago Breast Augmentation: Patient 1 - Before and After

This woman from Chicago wanted to improve the appearance of her breasts. We used implant sizers to help her determine the volume she desired. We then...

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Chicago Breast Augmentation Natrelle Smooth Gel Implants 2067 - Before and After

This 45 year old woman wanted to improve the appearance of her breasts following childbirth. She wanted to look better but not too big. We used...

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Chicago Breast Augmentation 2066 - Before and After

This 37 year old woman came to me with the desire for larger but very natural looking breasts. She has asymmetry and very little native breast tissue....

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Breast Augmentation Lake Shore Dr, Chicago 2057 - Before and After

This 60 year old woman came to me with a few concerns. She had prior subglandular breast augmentation many years before and the left...

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Breast Augmentation Streeterville, Chicago 2071 - Before and After

This 31 year old from Chicago wanted a breast augmentation. She wanted the most discrete incision possible so we chose transaxillary. We used several...

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Breast Augmentation Revision Patient - Before and After

Ten years previously this patient had a breast augmentation with saline implants. She wanted to change to silicone. She also felt that her breasts...

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Breast Augmentation Hinsdale, Chicago 2055 - Before and After

This 70 year old woman always wanted larger breasts. She was in excellent health and desired breast augmentation. She had pre-existing...

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Chicago Breast Augmentation 2053 - Before and After

This 31 year old woman came to me wanting to correct the physical changes which occured from her pregnancy and childbirth. We performed a breast...

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Breast Augmentation Lake Shore Dr, Chicago 2283 - Before and After

This 32 year old had a history of prior submuscular placement of saline implants performed by another doctor. She was dissatisfied. Her implants...

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Breast Augmentation Steeterville, Chicago 2292 - Before and After

This 31 year old had a prior subglandular augmentation with 390 cc saline implants. Her breasts felt firm, but she wanted to look better. The implants...

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Reviews

“I saw a bunch of plastic surgeons and they all were nice, but then I went to see Dr. Geldner. He took a great deal of time with me explaining the different types of implants and incisions. All the information I wanted, all the time I needed and no pressure.”
~ Patient Review

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that enhances the size, shape, and fullness of the breasts through the placement of implants or fat transfer. Good candidates are women in good overall health, have fully developed breasts, and are looking to:

  • Enhance naturally small breasts
  • Restore breast volume lost after pregnancy or weight loss
  • Improve breast asymmetry
  • Boost self-confidence It’s important that candidates have realistic expectations and seek augmentation for personal reasons, not external pressures.

There are three main types of implants used in breast augmentation:

  • Saline Implants: Filled with sterile saltwater, these implants can be adjusted in size during surgery and provide a firmer feel.
  • Silicone Implants: Filled with silicone gel, these offer a more natural look and feel similar to real breast tissue.
  • Gummy Bear (Highly Cohesive Silicone Gel) Implants: These implants retain their shape even if the outer shell is damaged. They offer a firmer feel and are often teardrop-shaped to provide a more natural breast contour. Your surgeon will help you select the implant type that best suits your body and aesthetic goals.

Choosing the right implant size is a personal decision based on your aesthetic goals, body frame, and natural breast tissue. Surgeons typically measure implant size in cubic centimeters (cc), ranging from 150cc to 600cc or more. During your consultation, the surgeon will guide you through a sizing process, sometimes using 3D imaging technology, to help you visualize how different sizes would look on your body. It’s important to balance the desired volume with your body’s proportions and breast tissue.

Implant placement can be made through one of several incisions (links go to before and after cases): under the breast (inframammary), at the edge of the areola (periareolar), through the armpit (transaxillary) and even through the navel (trans-umbilical). Each incision has advantages and disadvantages. Implants can be placed below the breast tissue (sub glandular), or below the breast tissue and the overlying pectoralis major muscle (sub muscular). The decision is made based on the patient’s anatomy and the patient’s activities. How a breast augmentation is performed for any individual patient is based on the patient’s desires, expectations, and anatomy. No two patients are exactly alike, so no two operations are exactly alike. With Dr. Geldner’s superior skill, 25 years of experience, and his experienced and compassionate staff, we exceed our patients’ expectations.

  • Above the muscle (Subglandular placement): The implant is placed directly behind the breast tissue but above the chest muscle. This results in a shorter recovery time, but may be less suitable for women with thin skin or limited breast tissue.
  • Below the muscle (Submuscular placement): The implant is placed under the pectoralis major muscle. This option typically results in a more natural slope and a reduced risk of visible rippling, but the recovery may be longer. The choice depends on your anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals.

In most cases, breast augmentation does not interfere with breastfeeding, especially if the implants are placed under the muscle and the incisions are made under the breast or in the armpit. However, certain incision locations (such as around the areola) may increase the risk of affecting milk ducts and nerve sensitivity, potentially impacting breastfeeding. If you plan to have children and breastfeed in the future, it’s important to discuss this with your surgeon before the procedure.

Recovery varies, but most patients can return to work and non-strenuous activities within 5-7 days. During the first few days post-surgery, you may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication. Patients should avoid lifting heavy objects, strenuous exercise, and upper body activities for several weeks. Typically, full recovery takes about 4-6 weeks, after which you can resume normal activities, including exercise. Your surgeon will provide specific post-operative care instructions, including how to care for your incisions and when to schedule follow-up visits.

Breast implants are long-lasting but not lifetime devices. On average, implants last between 10 to 20 years, but they may need to be replaced sooner if complications occur, such as implant rupture or capsular contracture (hardening of scar tissue around the implant). Routine follow-up appointments with your surgeon and self-monitoring are crucial for ensuring your implants remain in good condition. If problems arise or if you want to change size or type, revision surgery may be needed.

Breast augmentation is generally safe, but like any surgery, it carries some risks, including:

  • Capsular contracture: Hardening of scar tissue around the implant
  • Implant rupture or leakage: More common with saline implants (the body absorbs the saline safely)
  • Infection: Usually occurs within days or weeks of surgery
  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation: Temporary or permanent loss of sensation
  • Scarring: Incisions leave scars, though they typically fade over time
  • Implant displacement: Movement of the implant, requiring revision surgery Your surgeon will explain these risks and take steps to minimize complications.

Breast implants can make mammograms slightly more challenging, but they do not prevent the detection of breast cancer. When scheduling a mammogram, inform the technician that you have breast implants so that they can use special techniques to ensure clear images. Additional imaging, such as MRI or ultrasound, may be recommended in some cases to monitor the integrity of the implants and ensure accurate breast cancer screening.

The cost of breast augmentation varies depending on factors such as the surgeon’s experience, the type of implants, the location of the practice, and whether additional procedures (like a breast lift) are combined. On average, breast augmentation costs range from $6,000 to $10,000, which typically includes surgeon fees, anesthesia, facility fees, and the cost of implants. Keep in mind that cosmetic procedures are not usually covered by insurance, but many practices offer financing options to make the procedure more affordable.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons released procedure data that showed more than 193,000 patients had breast augmentation surgery in 2020. This operation has remained one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures in America for many years, however there are risks in any operation. Capsular contracture (hardness) can occur, but can be treated and most often resolves. Infection and bleeding are uncommon, and we take great precautions to lessen their incidence. Sensory loss (numbness) is rare and usually resolves. Breast implant breakage is uncommon but requires a surgical correction.

Preview Your New Look

Visualize your breast augmentation in 3D. During your consultation, you’ll be able to create a 3D computer model of your breasts with our VECTRA 3D imaging system. With the computer model, you can change the cup size of your breasts to “preview” your look. In the interim, you can try out our breast augmentation simulator.

Request your consultation with Dr. Geldner and discover the possibilities.

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Vectra 3D breast augmentation preview

Learn More About
Breast Augmentation

Watch a presentation that explains the procedure, preparation and recovery details.

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