Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a procedure that can enhance the size, shape, and fullness of your breasts using either silicone or saline implants or autologous fat. ⁽¹⁾

Throughout your life, several factors will alter breast shape, appearance, and composition. Pregnancy, the natural aging process, hormonal fluctuations, weight loss, and more can leave lasting impacts that are often difficult to address through traditional means. With breast augmentation, you can effectively address each change with ease and restore both your curves and your self-confidence.

Dr. Paul Vanek is a board-certified plastic surgeon and board-certified general surgeon at Mentor Plastic Surgery. Dr. Vanek brings a wealth of experience in medicine and a unique background as a general surgeon, plastic surgeon, and biochemist to each procedure. He specializes in a wide variety of breast augmentation techniques and has previously participated in FDA studies and research on the safety of breast implants.

To explore what you can achieve with breast augmentation, please request a consultation online or call (440) 205-5750.

Before and After Photos

View More Photos

About Breast Augmentation With Implants

Breast augmentation is a surgical breast-enhancing procedure that uses synthetic breast implants to enhance chest appearance and fullness. This procedure is one of the most common in the country, and has been since 2006, ⁽²⁾ as it effectively addresses breast concerns such as unevenness, hypomastia, and post-pregnancy breast sagging.

Types of Breast Implants

Dr. Vanek offers both saline and silicone breast implants, with both materials offering their own set of advantages and disadvantages. During your consultation, Dr. Vanek will help you determine what type and size of implants will flatter your figure the most.

About Breast Augmentation With Autologous Fat

Autologous fat is fat from your own body. Many surgeons, Dr. Vanek included, now consider autologous fat to be an ideal filler medium. ⁽³⁾ It is completely biocompatible (as it is your own tissue), is readily available, and provides a dual benefit of contouring one body area while enhancing another. ⁽³⁾ This technique is ideal for patients with a sufficient donor fat supply who desire more subtle enhancements and/or who want to avoid the use of implants. However, fat grafting can also enhance implants with extra support and volume.

Dr. Vanek has extensive experience with autologous fat grafting, especially to the breasts, and his refined techniques allow him to create exceptional results. In select circumstances, he will discuss your candidacy for Renuva.

About Renuva®

Renuva is an injectable fat filler (allograft adipose matrix) that offers an effective alternative for leaner patients with less available fat. ⁽⁴⁾ In breast augmentation, Renuva is also ideal for correcting minor breast defects or irregularities, especially those that arise from past liposuction or mastectomy procedures.

Breast Augmentations for Drooping Breasts

At Mentor Plastic Surgery, Dr. Vanek utilizes advanced surgical techniques to deliver exceptional yet natural-looking results for patients possessing unique anatomical challenges, such as glandular ptosis or “droopy breasts.” Traditional augmentation techniques simply cannot achieve the level of support or lift that these concerns require, especially in patients whose breasts rest lower on the chest wall. To address this, Dr. Vanek may employ the Level III muscle release approach in combination with the use of Strattice Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) or GalaFLEX, an absorbable breast support matrix.

About Level III Muscle Release

Level III muscle release is a surgical technique that eliminates the frustrating animation deformity that many patients see with traditional submuscular placement. It also enables a more ready breast pocket expansion in patients with a shorter nipple-inframammary fold distance who desire a more enhanced appearance. It also creates a near-perfect result almost immediately, avoiding the “raised” implant effect and patients having to wait for implants to settle (or “drop”). This technique creates breasts that look great as soon as patients leave and for many years after. With this technique, Dr. Vanek releases the lower structures and attachments of your pectoralis muscle in a careful, structured way that will better sculpt your breasts to achieve a greater breast contour, projection, and fullness.

About Strattice®

Strattice is a reconstructive tissue matrix that can reinforce your internal soft tissues in weak or damaged areas. Strattice is a biological, porcine-derived mesh that has applications in reconstructive, primary, and revision breast surgery. Strattice attaches to the breast wall and promotes cell ingrowth and tissue remodeling, helping to naturally stabilize the implants in your breasts. ⁽⁵⁾

Dr. Vanek often includes Strattice in breast augmentation when patients require more structural support at the bottom portions of the breasts or when implants risk dropping too low, especially due to weak tissue or during revision augmentation.

About GalaFLEX™

GalaFLEX is a bioresorbable soft mesh that Dr. Vanek may place instead of Strattice. It acts as internal scaffolding to support the breasts, and in doing so, this reduces complications, refines results, and prolongs your new appearance.

“Your breasts are like a bridge. It has support systems, and over time, through pregnancy, aging, and weight loss, it weakens. Acellular matrices, internal bras, and mesh scaffolding enhance this support to extend the lifespan of your results.”

Candidates

Ideal candidates for breast augmentation include women interested in enhancing the size, shape, symmetry, and fullness of their breasts using implants or body fat. Many women undergo this procedure to effectively:

Candidates for Level III Muscle Release

In selected cases, Dr. Vanek will recommend including Level III muscle release in your breast augmentation. This technique is especially beneficial if you:

Level III muscle release is ideal for correcting implant malpositioning or bottoming out. A bottom-out occurs when the implant descends in the breast and droops, thus expanding the distance from the nipple to inframammary fold and causing the nipple to point upward. Level III muscle release raises the muscles to better support the implant, both as a corrective technique and preventative measure.

After physical examination, measurements, and considerations of tissue attributes, goals, and other factors, Dr. Vanek will determine whether Level III muscle release will be appropriate and effective for your goals with breast enhancement.

Personal Consultation

Attending a personal consultation lays the foundation for enhancing your breasts. During this consultation, Dr. Vanek will assess your breasts, carefully examining their shape, size, volume, and skin elasticity to select techniques that deliver optimal, long-lasting results. He will also evaluate your medical history and listen to your goals and desired results.

If you meet with Dr. Vanek over a video call, you will need to meet in person to finalize your candidacy and receive your treatment plan. He will determine the most effective surgical methods and help you explore implant options. Throughout this planning phase, he will explain each step to provide a full understanding of your upcoming procedure. He will also dedicate time to answering any questions you may have.

If you are ready to schedule this consultation, please contact us online. You may also call (440) 205-5750.

“I think my individual attention to the patient is extraordinary and defining, and sets me apart from other board-certified surgeons with my experience. I will spend lots of time with you, not only finding out what you want, but making sure that it’s right for you – that your outcome is something that you carefully consider in the context of your own personal, medical, and emotional situation.”

Selecting Your Ideal Implants

Dr. Vanek is proud that his meticulous implant selection process is a distinguishing feature of his practice. You and Dr. Vanek will spend significant time carefully selecting your ideal implants. You will review base dimension, implant volume, shape, and weigh certain trade-offs to find the pair that delivers exactly what you want.

Dr. Vanek recommends bringing a neutral T-shirt and any other tops that make you (and your breasts) look good. You will wear implant sizers under a well-fitting sports bra and examine the enhanced shape, fullness, volume, and silhouette in a mirror. You will repeat this process until locking in your perfect pair.

This sizing appointment is about taking your time. Dr. Vanek wants you to weigh your options and explore all possibilities when selecting your implants, as his goal is to create the ideal chest that you truly love.

Preparation

After confirming your procedure date, you will need to begin making certain preparations. To help, Dr. Vanek will provide you with a full set of pre-operative instructions, which may direct you to:

Procedure

Dr. Vanek performs each breast augmentation on an outpatient basis at his surgical center. When you arrive, Dr. Vanek will meet with you one last time to reconfirm each detail of your treatment plan. You will receive general anesthesia and long-acting, supplemental local anesthesia.

Dr. Vanek often jokes that he will “see you in five minutes!”; once you are under anesthesia, that’s about as long as it will feel!

He will make an incision according to your individual anatomy and indications, and then perform the breast augmentation procedure that you and he planned.

Once Dr. Vanek has placed the incisions, he will create a pocket for the implant to rest in, either beneath the pectoralis muscle or above the pectoralis muscle (submuscular or subglandular placement, respectively). ⁽¹⁾ Dr. Vanek will then place the implants into the pockets and suture each incision shut.

Breast Augmentation with Autologous Fat

Breast augmentation with autologous fat, or a fat transfer breast augmentation, first uses liposuction to harvest fat from a donor site. ⁽³⁾ Most patients choose to take fat from their abdomen, flanks, or thighs to simultaneously hone their silhouette. First, Dr. Vanek will inject tumescent fluid into the donor area, then use VASER and/or ultrasound-assisted liposuction to remove fat without damaging surrounding tissues. After this fat goes through a purification process, he will carefully, artfully deposit it into several points in the breasts to increase volume.

Level III Muscle Release

If you are undergoing a Level III muscle release, Dr. Vanek will perform the first few steps of your procedure similarly to a conventional breast augmentation. However, the steps will start to vary after he places your incisions.

Dr. Vanek will create a pocket beneath your muscle by strategically releasing certain lower muscle attachments. After releasing the inferior pectoralis muscle, he will suture Strattice to the chest wall to create an internal bra. The Strattice will support your implants and provide a greater amount of structure to the lower and lateral breast to avoid animation deformity, minimize reoperation necessity, and prolong the lifespan of your full, beautiful breast appearance. ⁽⁶⁾ He will then place the breast implants within the pockets using a Keller funnel no-touch technique. With the implants in place, he will carefully suture incisions closed and apply a Tegaderm™ bra. Tegaderm™ is a state-of-the-art polyurethane medical tape dressing. With careful, precise placement, Dr. Vanek uses it to create a supportive “bra” around the breasts. Although it can be slightly inconvenient, it creates a better final breast shape when patients wear it for 7-20 days post-procedure.

Recovery

During your procedure, Dr. Vanek performs a PECS I and II block. This anesthesia technique is long-lasting and will minimize discomfort for up to two days post-procedure. After your procedure, you will need to take some time to rest and recover. You can expect some swelling, bruising, or tenderness throughout your chest. These effects are temporary and will subside on their own, but you may also manage them with prescribed medications and plenty of rest. Dr. Vanek will have you wear a light compression front-clasp bra during this time, which will prevent further swelling and maintain the new shape of your breasts as they heal.

You may return to most of your daily activities beginning the next day. Dr. Vanek instructs you not to lift anything heavier than 8 pounds during the first week and no more than 20 pounds by week three. However, you will be able to walk; patients feel well enough to walk up to a mile the first day after their procedure and up to five miles five days after. Additionally, Dr. Vanek recommends avoiding thermal stress, like hot tubs and saunas, for two to three weeks or until fully healed. Dr. Vanek’s refined techniques allow patients to recover comfortably with a normal range of motion from the first day.

Dr. Vanek will provide you with a full book of post-operative instructions that will outline normal recovery progressions each day. He will review it with you during your pre-surgical consultation.

Results

You will be able to notice immediate improvements after your procedure, but the full results of your breast augmentation will become more apparent as any residual swelling subsides. Your breasts will appear fuller, more symmetrical, and sculpted, which can result in a more alluring figure. These enhancements can also foster a greater sense of self-confidence and body positivity.

You will be able to enjoy the results of your breast augmentation for several years, as this procedure yields lasting effects. Still, it is important to remember that breast implants are not permanent and you will eventually need to replace them.

“No one can guarantee a perfect result, but if it’s an outcome that is possible, I will strive to achieve that outcome.”

Cost of Breast Augmentation in Cleveland, Ohio

The cost of your breast augmentation will vary, as Dr. Vanek personalizes each procedure to the patient’s unique goals. Factors affecting price include the type of breast implants you receive, the surgical approach he employs, the complexity of your procedure, and more. Once Dr. Vanek has met with you and finalized your treatment plan, he will give you a comprehensive cost estimate.

To learn more about our pricing, please request a consultation online or call (440) 205-5750.

References

1. Fardo D, Sequeira Campos M, Pensler JM. Breast Augmentation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482206/
2. ASPS. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
3. Moustaki M, Papadopoulos O, Verikokos C, et al. Application of adipose-derived stromal cells in fat grafting: Basic science and literature review. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2017;14(3):2415-2423. doi:https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.4811
4. Gold MH, Kinney BM, Kaminer MS, Rohrich RJ, D’Amico RA. A multi‐center, open‐label, pilot study of allograft adipose matrix for the correction of atrophic temples. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(5):1044-1056. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13363
5. About STRATTICETM Reconstructive Tissue Matrix. Stratticetissuematrix.com. Published 2024. Accessed April 24, 2026. https://hcp.stratticetissuematrix.com/en/about
6. Macadam SA, Lennox PA. Acellular dermal matrices: Use in reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery. Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2012;20(2):75-89. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/229255031202000201