Your Trusted Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Chicago for Natural, Beautiful Breast Augmentation
Choosing to enhance your silhouette with breast augmentation is a deeply personal decision, one that requires guidance and a clear understanding of your options. Whether you’re a resident of Chicago or the surrounding areas like Evanston, Oak Park, or Naperville, Dr. John Kim, a top-rated plastic surgeon in Chicago and Attending Surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Prentice Women’s Hospital, is here to guide you every step of the way.
His commitment to natural-looking results, patient safety, and customized care has made him a leading choice for individuals seeking breast enhancement in the Chicagoland region. Schedule your breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Kim by calling (312) 694-0879.
Why Choose a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Like Dr. John Kim?
Opting for a board certified plastic surgeon in Chicago, and an Attending Surgeon at prestigious hospitals such as Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Prentice Women’s Hospital, brings invaluable benefits:
- Expertise and Training: Board certification confirms rigorous education, training, and ongoing evaluation.
- Patient Safety: Certified surgeons adhere to stringent safety protocols and prioritize a quality surgical experience.
- Artistic Results: Their specialized training ensures aesthetically pleasing outcomes that respect individual anatomy.
With Dr. Kim’s dual hospital affiliations, patients gain access to the latest technology and protocols, reaffirming their choice in top care.
Take a look at Dr. John Kim’s article “A systematic review and meta-analysis of single-stage augmentation-mastopexy” here.
Which Breast Implant Types Are Best for Natural Results?
Understanding the unique features of each breast implant type is vital when aiming for the most natural outcomes. The main implant options include saline and silicone implants each with attributes that influence both appearance and feel.
Saline Implants are filled with sterile saltwater solution and offer adjustability during surgery with smaller incisions, making them a versatile choice for many patients. However, their feel can be less natural compared to other types.
Silicone Implants contain a silicone gel that closely mimics the softness and movement of natural breast tissue. These implants are preferred by many seeking a natural hand-feel and shape, though they require regular check-ups to monitor integrity.
Dr. Kim carefully advises patients on which implant type best suits their body frame and aesthetic vision, striving for results that look and feel authentically beautiful.
How to Choose the Right Implant Size and Shape for Your Body
Choosing the appropriate implant size and shape is a personalized process that takes into account your unique body frame, natural breast tissue volume, lifestyle, and desired look.
- Body Frame Considerations: Patients with smaller frames often opt for smaller implants to maintain harmonious proportions and comfort.
- Desired Outcome: Some prefer a subtle enhancement while others seek more dramatic volume; Dr. Kim’s expert eye helps match implant choices to these goals.
- Implant Shapes and Profiles: Round implants usually offer fuller upper breast curves, while teardrop (anatomical) implants provide a more gradual slope for a natural contour. Implant profiles vary from low to high, affecting how prominently the chest projects.
During your personalized consultation with Dr. John Kim, he uses 3D imaging and thorough measurements to help you visualize outcomes and select implants that enhance your natural beauty flawlessly.
What Should Patients Expect During Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Dr. Kim will perform your breast augmentation in Prentice Women’s Hospital in downtown Chicago on the Northwestern campus. Dr. Kim will visit with you in the pre-operative holding area so he may mark your body to identify his plans for operating. He will also review with you which incision and implant choices you settled on during your consultation. You will also meet with the anesthesiologist who will be the physician administering your medicine throughout the surgery.
Typically, the augmentation mammoplasty surgery itself takes Dr. Kim about 1-1.5 hours. First, he creates his incision. Then, he creates a pocket behind the breast tissue or behind the pectoral muscle where the implant will sit. The implant is then placed and filled (if not filled pre-operatively) and positioned properly. Finally, Dr. Kim will close the incision.
When you wake up from surgery, your breasts may be wrapped. You will be allowed to leave the hospital a few hours after you wake up, pending no complications or need for further monitoring. You will likely feel tired following surgery, and you may feel some soreness or pain.
You will pay your first post-op visit to Dr. Kim’s office in Galter Pavilion in downtown Chicago a few days after surgery. At that time, Dr. Kim will review your pain medications, instructions for any activity restrictions, what garments you should be wearing, etc. It will take a few weeks before your breasts are completely healed, at which time you will start to enjoy your new breasts!
Below are some websites you may like to visit prior to settling on breast augmentation surgery. Do your research! There are many quality resources available to you to make the best, most informed decision possible for YOU.
The Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline
Recovery is unique to each patient but generally follows a predictable timeline that supports a comfortable return to daily life:
- Initial Days: Mild to moderate soreness, swelling, and tightness are normal. Pain management and rest are essential during this period.
- 1-2 Weeks: Many patients resume light activities and return to work within this window, avoiding heavy lifting or intense exercise.
- 4-6 Weeks: Swelling subsides significantly and patients can gradually resume their normal fitness routines with Dr. Kim’s approval.
Regular follow-ups with Dr. Kim help monitor your healing and ensure a safe, smooth recovery that aligns with your health and cosmetic goals.
Life After Breast Augmentation
After surgery, you can look forward to renewed confidence and improved clothing fit. Many patients notice how dresses, swimwear, and tops enhance their shape more naturally. You will need to avoid strenuous exercise for several weeks, but light activity can typically resume within days. Long-term self-care includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle, attending follow-up visits, and wearing supportive bras to preserve your results. Over time, your implants will settle into a soft, natural position, allowing you to enjoy comfortable movement and balanced contours for years.
Combining Breast Augmentation with Other Procedures
For patients looking to enhance multiple areas simultaneously or achieve a more comprehensive transformation, combining breast augmentation with other cosmetic procedures can be an excellent option. Common combinations include:
- Breast Lift (Mastopexy): Often combined with augmentation to improve breast shape and firmness, especially in cases of sagging.
- Liposuction: Targeting areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs to complement breast enhancement and harmonize body contours.
- Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): Frequently paired with augmentation for a “mommy makeover,” restoring a youthful silhouette after pregnancy or weight loss.
Combining procedures can offer several benefits such as a single anesthesia event, consolidated recovery time, and overall aesthetic harmony. However, it is important to carefully plan the surgical approach based on your health, goals, and the complexity of procedures. Dr. Kim will thoroughly assess your individual situation during consultation and recommend a safe, effective combined surgical plan tailored to you.
Financing and Insurance Options for Breast Augmentation
While cosmetic breast augmentation is typically not covered by insurance, various financing options can make the procedure more accessible:
- CareCredit: We accept CareCredit to help make your procedure more accessible through convenient monthly payment plans.
- Consultation Support: Dr. Kim’s office is happy to discuss financial arrangements during your initial visit to ease planning.
These resources ensure that financial considerations do not stand in the way of achieving your desired look.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do breast implants last?
While breast implants are durable, they are not considered lifetime devices. Many patients enjoy 10 to 15 years of optimal results before considering replacement, though some implants last longer with no issues.
Will breast augmentation affect breastfeeding?
Many women successfully breastfeed after augmentation surgery. Incision placement and implant type can influence outcomes, and Dr. Kim will discuss options to preserve breastfeeding ability during your consultation.
Is breast augmentation painful?
Post-operative discomfort varies but is generally manageable with prescribed medication. Most patients experience soreness and tightness during the first few days, easing significantly within two weeks.
Trust Dr. John Kim for Safe and Beautiful Breast Augmentation Near Chicago
Breast augmentation is a significant step towards enhancing your body and self-confidence. With Dr. John Kim’s extensive credentials as a board certified plastic surgeon in Chicago and his role as Attending Surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Prentice Women’s Hospital, you can trust in a surgical experience that emphasizes safety, natural aesthetics, and personalized care. Whether you live in Chicago proper or nearby suburbs, Dr. Kim’s compassionate approach and surgical expertise ensure you receive top-tier treatment designed to meet your unique goals.
Take the first step towards your transformation by scheduling a consultation with the best plastic surgeon in the Windy City by calling (312) 694-0879 to discover how breast augmentation can beautifully enhance your life.