Almost all of my patients ask me this. The short answer is, yes. I cannot perform surgery without cutting through your skin and tissue, which will heal into a scar. There is no such thing as “scarless surgery.” However,I think the more important question to ask is, “What will my scar look like and why?”. Ideally, we want scars to heal into a thin, pale line or are camouflaged or imperceptible. I design my incisions so that the final scar will be hidden in natural skin folds, wrinkles or creases, along hair lines or hidden by clothing. Scars are the body’s natural way of healing and repairing damaged tissue. The great thing about elective surgery is that the damage to tissue is controlled. I am making a linear cut with a scalpel and dissecting carefully, constantly analyzing the surgical area. The tissue is not being damaged by an unpredictable trauma such as a fall or a burn. The process of any scar formation, known as wound healing, typically occurs in several stages: Hemostasis: The body initiates a process called hemostasis to stop bleeding. Platelets in the blood form a clot at the site of the injury, which helps to seal the wound and prevent further blood loss. Inflammatory phase: Following hemostasis, the body triggers an inflammatory response to remove debris and bacteria from the wound. Inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, help clean the wound and promote tissue repair. Proliferative phase: During this phase, new tissue is generated to fill in the wound. Fibroblasts, specialized cells responsible for producing collagen, migrate to the wound site and lay down a framework of collagen fibers, which provide strength and structure to the healing tissue. Blood vessels also grow into the wound to supply nutrients and oxygen to the developing scar tissue. Remodeling phase: In the final stage of wound healing, the scar tissue undergoes remodeling to strengthen and refine the wound site. Collagen fibers are reorganized and cross-linked to improve the integrity of the scar. Over time, the scar may become flatter, lighter in color, and less noticeable. This phase can last 1 -2 years. The appearance and quality of a scar depends on various factors, including the size and location of the wound, the individual’s skin type and genetics, surgical technique, activity and movement of the area, and how well the wound is cared for during the healing process. After surgery, I will focus on optimizing the remodeling phase so that your scars mature as seamlessly as possible. To help improve the appearance, I may recommend sun protection, silicone gel sheets or paper taping for several months, scar massage, topical tretinoin, microneedling with SkinPen, decreased activity or compression garments, corticosteroid injections, laser therapy or even surgical revision. During your consultation, I will review all of this in detail with you and establish your expectations.

Breast Augmentation

Accentuate Your Natural Breast Anatomy

A breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. It involves the placement of implants either behind the breast tissue (subglandular) or beneath the chest muscle (submuscular) or fascia (subfascial) to achieve the desired volume and contour. Patients desire breast augmentation for many reasons, including enhancing breast size, restoring volume lost due to pregnancy or weight loss, correcting asymmetry, or improving overall proportions.

Augmenting The Breasts

Currently, there are three options for augmenting the breasts: silicone implants, saline implants, and fat grafting. Silicone implants are the most common technique used for breast augmentation. However, saline implants remain an option for many patients.

Incision Location

Inframammary

Most common technique; incision made beneath the breast, providing direct access to breast tissue, good visibility for implant placement, and often results in well-hidden scars.

Periareolar

Incision along the lower half of the areola; preferred for patients needing areolar resizing or desiring minimized scar visibility. Can increase risk of capsular contracture.

Transaxillary

Incision in the armpit’s natural crease; tunnel created to breast for implant insertion; no breast scarring but may be challenging for precise implant placement.

Transumbilical

Belly button (umbilicus) incision made with endoscope; less common, only for saline implants and specific patient anatomies.

Implant Location

Submuscular

Entirely beneath the pectoral muscle, offering additional coverage and support. May reduce risk of implant visibility or rippling, especially in patients with thin breast tissue.

Subglandular

Directly beneath the breast tissue, above the pectoral muscle. Preferred for patients with adequate breast tissue and minimal sagging, offering prominent projection and potentially shorter recovery.

Subfascial

Beneath the fascia layer covering chest muscles. Aims to combine benefits of submuscular and subglandular placement, providing improved coverage and support while potentially reducing muscle distortion.

Dual-Plane

Placed partially beneath pectoral muscle (submuscular) and partially behind breast tissue (subglandular). Offers advantages of both, including improved coverage and a more natural-looking result. Most common technique.

This table shows the key differences between silicone and saline implants:

Monthly

Composition
Implant pre-filled with cohesive silicone gel.
Feel & Appearance
Softer, more natural feel, resembling natural breast tissue. Often preferred for patients with minimal breast tissue.
Rupture Detection
Ruptures may be silent with no visible signs. Cohesive gel may stay within capsule or breast tissue. Regular MRI or ultrasound recommended for detection.
Incision Size
Slightly larger incisions required due to pre-filled nature.
Minimum Age
Available for women aged 22 and older

Popular

Monthly

Composition
Implant filled w/sterile saline solution post-implantation.
Feel & Appearance
Saline tends to feel firmer and less natural. Some patients may notice a "sloshing" sensation if saline moves.
Rupture Detection
Saline leaks rapidly if ruptured, causing noticeable deflation. Detection is visually apparent.
Incision Size
Smaller incisions due to post-implantation filling.
Minimum Age
Available for women aged 18 and older

Feel Like Yourself

Natural, Elegant Results

What defines excellence in breast enhancement and augmentation? An artist’s eye for symmetry and balance. A delicate touch and skilled hand. I look forward to fulfill your dreams and wishes with natural, elegant results.

What To Expect

I pride myself on enhancing the size, shape, and/or appearance of the breasts while keeping a natural look and feel.

Augmenting the breasts aims to enhance confidence and self-esteem while maintaining a harmonious balance with your overall figure. While some breast augmentation procedures prioritize achieving a noticeably augmented appearance, a natural breast augmentation focuses on subtle enhancements that blend seamlessly with your natural anatomy.

My key aspects when performing a breast augmentation

Proportional Enhancement

My goal is to provide an augmentation that complements the patient’s body frame and proportions. This involves selecting implant sizes, shapes, and profiles that are in balance with the patient’s chest width, breast width, and overall body shape.

Nuanced Volume Increase

Rather than dramatically increasing breast size, I aim for a modest increase in volume to achieve enhancement. I focus on improving breast shape, fullness, and symmetry while preserving your nature contour and appearance.

Customized Implant Selection

I carefully consider implant size, shape, and material to achieve your desired aesthetic outcome. Cohesive silicone gel implants closely mimic natural breast tissue and are often chosen for their natural look and feel.

Placement & Technique

I use techniques such as dual-plane placement to provide a smooth contour and slope of the upper breast. Also my incision and implant locations are carefully selected to minimize scarring and maximize aesthetic outcomes.

Attention to Detail

I pay meticulous attention to details such as implant positioning, symmetry, and nipple-areolar complex placement. These factors play a crucial role in achieving a natural-looking outcome that blends seamlessly with the patient’s anatomy.

Patient-Centric Approach

Most importantly, I take into account the patient’s preferences, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals. I work closely with my patients to understand their desired outcome and tailor the surgical plan so that it aligns with their expectations.

What is the right option for me?

I will guide you through this journey, educate you on the latest techniques, and support you during recovery.

The right option for breast augmentation is one that makes you feel comfortable and confident. The beauty of plastic surgery lies in its versatility—there’s no single way to achieve your goals. Whether it’s choosing between saline and silicone implants or opting for a more natural approach like fat grafting, the decision is tailored to your expectations, vision, health, and anatomy. During your visit, we will explore all options to create a plan that fulfills your dreams.

Schedule Consultation

Turn your dreams into reality

Get in-depth personal consultation where I will review your goals, anatomy, and medical history to formulate a plan that is specific to you.

I am located in a beautiful and classic San Francisco neighborhood called Pacific Heights.

Directions: Apple | Google

Phone: 415-981-3911

Fat Grafting

Augment Your Breasts Without Implants

Fat grafting to the breasts for augmentation involves harvesting fat from one area of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, using liposuction techniques. This harvested fat is then processed and injected into the breasts to enhance their size and shape.

The procedure is often chosen by patients who desire a modest increase in breast size without the use of implants. It can also be used to improve the symmetry of the breasts, to correct irregularities after previous breast surgeries or used in addition to augmentation with implants to improve contour or cleavage.

Fat grafting can provide a more natural look and feel compared to implants, as well as the potential to contour other areas of the body through liposuction. However, not all of the transferred fat may survive and multiple sessions may be needed to achieve the desired results. Based on your anatomy, fat grafting can be a safe and effective approach to breast augmentation.

Before & After

Natural & Elegant Results

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have scars?

Almost all of my patients ask me this. The short answer is, yes. I cannot perform surgery without cutting through your skin and tissue, which will heal into a scar. There is no such thing as “scarless surgery.” However,I think the more important question to ask is, “What will my scar look like and why?”. Ideally, we want scars to heal into a thin, pale line or are camouflaged or imperceptible. I design my incisions so that the final scar will be hidden in natural skin folds, wrinkles or creases, along hair lines or hidden by clothing.

Scars are the body’s natural way of healing and repairing damaged tissue. The great thing about elective surgery is that the damage to tissue is controlled. I am making a linear cut with a scalpel and dissecting carefully, constantly analyzing the surgical area. The tissue is not being damaged by an unpredictable trauma such as a fall or a burn.

The process of any scar formation, known as wound healing, typically occurs in several stages:

Hemostasis: The body initiates a process called hemostasis to stop bleeding. Platelets in the blood form a clot at the site of the injury, which helps to seal the wound and prevent further blood loss.

Inflammatory phase: Following hemostasis, the body triggers an inflammatory response to remove debris and bacteria from the wound. Inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, help clean the wound and promote tissue repair.

Proliferative phase: During this phase, new tissue is generated to fill in the wound. Fibroblasts, specialized cells responsible for producing collagen, migrate to the wound site and lay down a framework of collagen fibers, which provide strength and structure to the healing tissue. Blood vessels also grow into the wound to supply nutrients and oxygen to the developing scar tissue.

Remodeling phase: In the final stage of wound healing, the scar tissue undergoes remodeling to strengthen and refine the wound site. Collagen fibers are reorganized and cross-linked to improve the integrity of the scar. Over time, the scar may become flatter, lighter in color, and less noticeable. This phase can last 1 -2 years.

The appearance and quality of a scar depends on various factors, including the size and location of the wound, the individual’s skin type and genetics, surgical technique, activity and movement of the area, and how well the wound is cared for during the healing process.

After surgery, I will focus on optimizing the remodeling phase so that your scars mature as seamlessly as possible. To help improve the appearance, I may recommend sun protection, silicone gel sheets or paper taping for several months, scar massage, topical tretinoin, microneedling with SkinPen, decreased activity or compression garments, corticosteroid injections, laser therapy or even surgical revision.

During your consultation, I will review all of this in detail with you and establish your expectations.

Are silicone implants safe?

The safety of silicone breast implants has undergone thorough research, regulatory assessment, and public discussion over time. While deemed safe and effective for breast augmentation and reconstruction, it is important to understand both the potential risks and benefits involved.

When considering surgery, it is important to be informed about key aspects concerning the safety of silicone breast implants. If you decide that breast augmentation with implants is right for you, there are several techniques that I will discuss with you at your consultation. The choice of technique depends on your anatomy, desired outcome, and implant type.

Regulatory Approval: Silicone breast implants are regulated medical devices approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. The FDA requires manufacturers to meet rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness, and quality control before implants can be marketed for clinical use.

Clinical Studies: Silicone breast implants have been studied extensively to evaluate their safety and long-term outcomes. Research has shown that silicone implants are well-tolerated and have a low risk of complications such as rupture, capsular contracture, and implant displacement.

Improvements in Design: Modern silicone breast implants feature advanced designs and materials, including cohesive silicone gel fillers and smooth outer shells. These improvements aim to enhance durability, reduce the risk of implant rupture, and provide a more natural look and feel.

Surveillance Programs: The FDA implements surveillance programs to monitor the safety and performance of silicone breast implants. These programs collect data on adverse events, patient outcomes, and device performance to identify potential concerns and inform regulatory decisions. It is mandatory for your implants to be registered with the manufacturer for this purpose.

Informed Decision-Making: It is essential for patients considering breast augmentation with silicone implants to engage in thorough discussions with their board-certified plastic surgeon. Patients should be informed about the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives to silicone implants, allowing them to make well-informed decisions based on their individual preferences and medical history.

Patient Satisfaction: Most women report high levels of satisfaction with silicone breast implants, citing improvements in body image, self-esteem, and quality of life.

What is recovery like?

I have developed a program that will make your recovery as seamless as possible. This involves a combination of nausea prevention, pain control, and activity modification. I also perform a special numbing procedure to decrease your need for opioid pain medications. I will provide specific instructions on how to stay ahead of any discomfort, how to be mindful of and listen to your body, and how to modify your activity while you recover. Most of my patients tell me they almost never need to take prescription pain medications and are ready to return to work sooner than one week after surgery.

Other Breast Procedures

Dr. Nguyen understands that any surgery or procedure can be a life-changing event that requires thoughtfulness on the part of both surgeon and patient, and she never takes this for granted.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift, medically known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to lift and reshape sagging breasts. This procedure involves removing excess skin, tightening the surrounding tissue, and repositioning the nipples to create a more youthful and uplifted appearance.

VIEW PROCEDURE >

Breast Reduction

A breast reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, is a procedure designed to reduce the size of your breasts by tightening the surrounding skin, lifting the nipple-areola complex, and remove breast tissue (or parenchyma).

VIEW PROCEDURE >

Breast Augmentation Revision

Breast augmentation revision surgery encompasses a wide range of issues from a previous breast augmentation. These can include malpositioned implants, contracture, unevenness, hardness, rippling, or lack of roundness. All can be effectively addressed with revision surgery.

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Nipple & Areola Reduction

Nipple reduction surgery is a sought-after procedure among individuals who were born with large nipples or areolas or due to changes like weight gain or piercings. These large nipples can cause discomfort and embarrassment. Many patients prefer the aesthetic of smaller nipples and less prominent areolas, as they are less noticeable under clothing. There is a simple, safe, and effective procedure to reduce your nipples to the size you desire.

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Tuberous Breast Correction

Tuberous breasts, also known as tubular breasts or constricted breasts, are a congenital condition where the breasts fail to develop fully during puberty. This condition is characterized by breasts that are elongated, narrow, and often have a constricted base, giving them a tubular or tube-like appearance. Tuberous breasts may also have a higher-than-normal breast crease and areola herniation, where the areolas protrude outward more than usual.

VIEW PROCEDURE >

My Approach

I am committed to the highest standards of patient care and plastic surgery. I believe in developing a strong relationship with my patients in order to best serve their needs and desires.

Furthemore, I am committed to the art and science of plastic surgery and believe that the best results come from a combination of technique, knowledge of patient anatomy, and artistry. My goal is to achieve excellence with a natural aesthetic and elegance while matching the patients’ desires to what is surgically possible so that they can radiate from the inside out. I look forward to meeting you.

Patient Testimonials