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Excellence in Orange County Breast Augmentation
SEE YOUR JOURNEY IN EXQUISITE DETAIL
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overview
Cost: $7,000-$14,500 Recovery: 5-7 days Anesthesia: General
Classification
Breast Types: 7 types determined by degree of breast sag
Design your look
Shape: Natural, dramatic Size: Bra, cup size Implant Type: Saline vs. Silicone
The Look I Have
Shape:Natural, dramatic Size:Bra, cup size Implant Type:Saline vs. Silicone
Surgical options
Incision Placement:Areola, Breast Fold, etc.
Muscle Placement:Complete vs. Partial
RECOVERY TIMELINE
Breast Augmentation: At a glance
Breast Lift: Healing details
Mommy Makeover: Breast & Tummy
BEFORE & AFTER’s
Beast Augmentation, Breast Lift Breast Reduction, Breast Revision,Mommy Makeover
FAQ
Implant Warranty Breast Feeding Mammogram Possible Complications
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Joseph T Cruise, MD, Breast Augmentation Specialist
Year after year, breast augmentation remains the number one cosmetic surgical procedure performed in the United States. Women have breast augmentation for many reasons, including, to obtain better body proportion, enjoy better fitting clothes and bikinis, improve self-confidence, feel more feminine and sexy. Women who want breast augmentation are looking for the best plastic surgery results to achieve their aesthetic goals, which is why they come to Orange County breast augmentation surgeon, Joseph T. Cruise, M.D.
The Look You Want
During the consultation with Joseph T Cruise, MD at his Newport Beach practice, he will use the patient's personal information and desired goals to help determine the "Look You Want" to achieve with breast augmentation surgery. This aspect of Joseph T Cruise, MD's software program allows women to visualize the different results possible with surgery and gives him a clear picture of the "Look You Want." This feature bridges the gap between patient-surgeon communication and greatly reduces the need for revision surgery due to unclear expectations.
Elite Credentials
Dr. Joseph T. Cruise is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, which is limited to cosmetic surgeons specializing in aesthetic surgery. In addition, Joseph T Cruise, MD has joined the Orange County Society of Plastic Surgeons, an esteemed local group dedicated to safety, excellence, and integrity in cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation.
Dr. Joseph Cruise realizes that an important aspect of any surgery is the anesthesia and that many women are sensitive and suffer unpleasant effects from it. In order to offer patients, the most comfortable plastic surgery experience possible, Joseph T Cruise, MD only works with Orange County Board Certified Anesthesiologists who are specialists in cosmetic surgery and provide gentle, outpatient anesthesia. Below you can learn more about Joseph T Cruise, MD's primary anesthesiologist, Dr. Cedric Choan 
Procedure Details
Below we have categorized the most important and popular breast augmentation topics into sections. Reading through this information will help you become further educated about the breast augmentation procedure details.
Are you a candidate?
Ideal Candidates for Breast Augmentation
Unlike many other cosmetic procedures, most patients are good candidates for breast augmentation. There are very few reasons which would cause a patient to be an unsuitable candidate. The two primary reasons someone is unable to have breast augmentation surgery:
- Serious medical issue
- Patient takes regularly a prescribed medication, which is not allowed when having surgery and cannot be stopped.
Candidates with Sagging Breasts
While most patients are a candidate for a breast augmentation, there are some women who may also need a breast lift to achieve their desired result. If you have experienced significant weight gain and/or loss, pregnancy, breast feeding or just naturally have breast sag, Joseph T Cruise, MD may recommend a breast lift with augmentation. Measurements will be taken during your consultation to determine whether or not an implant alone will provide the lift you need or if a breast lift with augmentation is needed.
Consultation & Physical Exam
During your consultation with Joseph T Cruise, MD, not only will he review your health history, he will also provide a physical exam which will include measurements of your breasts and chest wall. This evaluation will help determine the best procedure, implant type, and incision location. Please visit our physical exam page for more information.
Additional information:
Implant Options
Augmentation Videos: Silicone & Saline
Saline breast implants
Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. They are inserted empty into the breasts, and then filled once they are in place. The fill amount can be customized within a specific volume range based on the size of the implant.
Silicone breast implants
Silicone breast implants are pre-filled with silicone gel, which is a thick, sticky fluid that is very similar in feel to human breast tissue. Many women feel that silicone implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue. More information and frequently asked questions, click here.
Additional info about Silicone and Saline Implants
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Implant Placement
Implants can be placed in three different ways: (Implant placement image to the right)
- Subglandular implant is placed on top of the muscle and under the breast tissue (gland) only.
- Partial Muscle Coverage, a.k.a. Dual Plane. Only part of the implant is covered by the muscle.
- Complete Muscle Coverage - the entire implant is covered by the muscle.
Joseph T Cruise, MD's preferred placement method is Complete Muscle Coverage. For more information about this technique, visit: Complete vs. Partial Muscle Coverage
Understanding Implant Placement
Early in breast augmentation history, placing the implant above the muscle was very common. However, due to high incidences of capsular contracture, rippling, and an "implanted look", placing the implant underneath the pectoralis major muscle became the preferred method for most board certified plastic surgeons. Placing the implant below the muscle has been shown to decrease capsular contracture and rippling. In addition, it softens the margins on the implant so that it looks more natural. However, most patients do not realize that even with below muscle coverage up to half the implant is not covered by muscle. This is referred to as partial muscle coverage.
Partial muscle coverage is the most common technique. Complete muscle coverage requires that the pectoralis minor, serratus anterior, and usually a portion of the external oblique also be included so that the lower, outer part of the implant is covered as well. The images below illustrate the anatomic differences as well as the aesthetic differences between the two. In summary, complete muscle coverage adds support and coverage over the lower, outer part of the implant. This has the advantage of less rippling, less bottoming out, less migration of implant into the arm pit. In addition, this lateral support essentially pushes the implant toward the midline creating closer cleavage.
Partial vs. Complete Muscle Coverage
Partial Muscle Coverage
Inside view of masculine chest
Joseph T Cruise, MDs's Complete Sub-Muscular Coverage
To provide the best, longest-lasting breast augmentation results for his patients, Joseph T Cruise, MD performs his surgery by inserting the breast implants under complete breast muscle coverage. This means instead of placing the implant under just the pectoralis major muscle, as most plastic surgeons do, Joseph T Cruise, MD places the implant under additional muscles as well.
This complete muscle coverage technique has several important purposes, especially for Newport Beach breast augmentation patients who desire close cleavage. Over time, breast implants often shift to the sides as breast tissues weaken, but full muscle coverage allows for closer cleavage with a reduced risk of cleavage widening. Joseph T Cruise, MD likes to reference this as the "book end" technique. Full muscle coverage acts like "book ends" supporting the implants so they don't move laterally into the armpit. These stronger muscles are less likely to allow the implants to shift, and they provide a thick buffer that effectively reduces or prevents the skin rippling effect that can occur with other types of breast augmentation.
Partial vs. Complete Muscle Coverage
Partial muscle coverage
50% of implant uncovered
Complete muscle coverage
Complete lateral coverage of implant
Partial muscle coverage
Complete muscle coverage
Partial muscle coverage
Complete muscle coverage
Better cleavage as muscle prevent implants
from sliding
Joseph T Cruise, MDs's Complete Sub-Muscular Coverage
As demonstrated above, complete muscle coverage adds muscle coverage and support over the other part of the implant. This does two positive things. One, it prevents the implant from sliding outward particularly when laying on the back. Two, it acts as a "bookend" to push the implants toward the midline providing better cleavage.
The lower an implant is placed the more the implants will separate. Placing an implant low has the advantage of lifting the nipple slightly. Lowering the implant too much may cause "bottoming out" and sliding of the implant toward the armpit.
Two examples are shown below. One with the implant placed higher on the chest and the other with the implant placed lower.
- High implants create more upper breast fullness and the appearance of a longer, thinner abdomen, and a perkier look.
- Low implants create lower breast fullness, a more concave slope to the upper breast, and give more lift to the nipples. However, lower implants mean less upper breast fullness, less cleavage, and a shorter abdomen.
Cleavage and Implant Placement
Implants High/Partial muscle coverage
Implants High/Complete muscle coverage
Implants Low/Partial muscle coverage
Implants Low/Complete muscle coverage
How is upper breast shape/fullness affected by implant position?
Implant position has a significant impact on the overall shape of the breast. Placing an implant in a high position actually means it is placed in the normal location of breast tissue. The implant is placed at the level of the breast fold. However, the breast fold is not lowered significantly. This will create more upper breast fullness and better cleavage. Placing an implant in a low position means that the implant is placed somewhat below the breast tissue. Lowering the breast fold a little will create a concave shape to the upper breast as demonstrated below. In addition, it will cause the nipple to elevate slightly. This may be useful in the borderline cases where a formal breast lift is trying to be avoided. Lowering the fold too much will create a heavy, maternal look with no upper breast fullness. In general, if the nipples or the breasts are sagging it is best to put them back up where they below. This will give the sexiest, perkiest look.
Upper Breast Shape/Fullness and Implant Placement
Implants placed lower
Notice the softer appearing upper breast and elevated/lifted nipples. 
Implants placed higher
Notice the enhanced upper breast fullness and lower nipples
Incision Placement
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here are several places where the incisions can be placed when having breast augmentation. In many cases, the incision is determined by the preference and experience of your plastic surgeon. There can also be circumstances pertaining to your breasts or implant choice, which will also impact placement of the incision.
- Inframmamory fold: Within the fold at the bottom of the breast.
- Peri-areolar: Exactly at the margin of the areola where the lighter skin meets the darker skin.
- Axillary: Within the axila (armpit).
- Transumbilical (TUBA): Upper inside edge of the belly button
- Breast Lift Incisions: Donut, Lollipop, Anchor
More information is available on our Breast Augmentation Incisions Page.
Minimizing Breast Augmentation Scarring
Women do not want scars that make their breasts look “operated on,” and as an experienced, skilled Orange County cosmetic surgeon, Joseph T Cruise, MD goes to great effort to minimize scarring. With silicone implants, Joseph T Cruise, MD uses a funnel insertion device which eases the effects of the surgery and decreases the size of the incision and of any potential scar. Furthermore, he puts meticulous detail into closing breast augmentation incisions and tapes them after surgery to reduce tension, so the scars are more likely to remain thin and flat.
Design Your Look
Joseph T Cruise, MD has designed the "Look You Want" interactive diagram below to help his patients visually show what they want their breasts to look like after breast augmentation surgery.
Click the images below to select the look you want in each category and complete the submission process. You will be contacted by a member of Joseph T Cruise, MD's staff who will review your selections. You can also click TLIW in PDF format to print for your own use.
Healing Progression
Recovery Timeline - Understanding what to expect during recovery, as well as how long it will take you to be fully healed, is key when deciding when to having your surgery.
Breast Massage Videos
Below are two instructional videos about post-operative breast massage. One is for asymmetrical breast healing and other other for general healing.
Before & After Photos
Joseph T Cruise, MD has an extensive gallery of Breast Augmentation before and after photos. You will see examples of his trademark "close cleavage,"as well as various results showing upper fullness vs. lower fullness and conservative vs. dramatic. Achieving "The Look You Want" is the ultimate goal and can be achieved with top breast augmentation surgeon, Joseph T Cruise, MD.
Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift
Breast Reduction
Breast Revision
Mommy Makeover
FAQ
Breast Implant Warranty
Most people aren't aware breast implant manufacturers offer warranties on both silicone and saline implants. Read about the different warranty programs available from the two most popular implant manufacturers.
If you are seeing Joseph T Cruise, MD for a complication resulting from a breast surgery performed elsewhere, and with an issue covered under a warranty from another implant manufacturer (Sientra, Ideal), you will still receive your benefits.
Risks and Possible Complications
There are various surgical risks and complications you will want to be familiar with when deciding whether or not to have breast augmentation surgery.
Understanding Capsular Contracture
One of the complications associated with having breast implants is capsular contracture. We advise you to educate yourself about what it is and how it can be treated.
Breast Feeding After Breast Augmentation
Women who plan to have children in the future want to know whether or not breast augmentation will interfere with breast feeding. Read through comments from plastic surgeons who weigh in on this important topic.
Mammogram & Detection of Breast Cancer with Implants
A valid concern for those considering breast augmentation. Read this article for information on this important topic.
History of Breast Implants
A timeline outlining the regulatory history of breast imlplants in the United States provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Are Silicone Implants Safe
Silicone implants were taken off the market in 1992. After 14 years of rigorous testing, more than any other medical device in history, the FDA deemed the implants safe and allowed them back on the market. We have provided a Silicone FAQ page for those who would like more information about silicone implants.
For a full list of Breast Augmentation FAQ's, Click Here.
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