Sientra Implants

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Greater Los Angeles

breast implants los angeles

A breast augmentation is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure that enhances the size and shape of the breasts. Many women choose to undergo breast surgery to achieve a fuller chest profile, address a difference in size between the breasts (asymmetry), and to enhance and maintain their natural curvature. In fact, breast augmentation is an incredibly popular operation, with the number of augmentation procedures in the United States increasing by 207% since 1997. (1) Sientra breast implants offer unique design features to enhance your breast augmentation and help you achieve the body you desire. Specially tailored for maximum patient satisfaction, the Sientra range gives you a vast choice in implant texture, size, projection, and fullness. 

Every woman deserves to feel happy with the way her body looks. What’s more, if you decide to take cosmetic steps to change it, there should be a range of options to perfectly fit your needs. With two surface options to choose from (smooth and textured) and an exclusive high-strength cohesive gel, Sientra silicone implants are clinically proven to have low rates of capsular contraction and rupture. (1)

Dr. Michael Zarrabi is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in breast augmentation, body sculpting, and facial rejuvenation. He is proud to offer the Sientra brand to his patients with the knowledge and skills to help them fulfill their cosmetic goals. Call our Santa Monica offices at (310) 584-9990, or send us a completed inquiry form for further details.

The Versatility of Sientra

Smooth vs. Textured

When selecting your implant type, you’ll get the option of receiving smooth or textured ones. There’s a visible difference between them. The surface is shiny, transparent, and slippery with smooth implants, whereas textured ones have a matte look and a “pebbled” feel.

Smooth implants are a popular choice among our patients. They have a natural feel and are designed to adapt and move naturally with the surrounding tissue. They have been specifically designed to prevent rupture, have multiple customizable specifications, and are a great choice for breast augmentation.

Sientra also offers a textured implant option to allow for greater tissue adherence. Unlike other textured implants, Sientra’s microtextured surfaces are not too rough. Most textured implants fall into the “macrotextured” classification, meaning that, under a microscope, the peaks and dips can appear more sharp and angular. However, because of the gentler topography of the surface, the Sientra implants are “microtextured,” for a softer, less coarse finish. (2)

Shape & Sizing

Sientra offers both round and teardrop-shaped implants. Amazingly, there are over 250 round sizing options to choose from, and over 90 teardrop choices, so you’ll find the exact fit for your needs! Unlike regular breast sizing (cup size and bandwidth), implants are measured in cubic centimeters (cc). This measurement refers to the total volume of the implant. Projection refers to how far outward the implant extends and is calculated by measuring its front to back width.

There are five projection levels to choose from with round implants.

  • Low Projection (160-700cc)
  • Moderate Projection (190-700cc)
  • Moderate Plus (175-695cc)
  • High Projection (190-700cc)
  • Xtra High Projection (275-510cc)

The teardrop shape has two projection options; moderate projection (160-700cc) and high (190-635cc).

Gel Type 

Cohesive gel is used to fill silicone breast implants. With Sientra, you have two exclusive gel options – High Strength Cohesive Gel (HSC) and High Strength Cohesive Gel Plus (HSC+). The main difference between HSC and HSC+ is gel viscosity. HSC implants have a natural feel that mimics real breast tissue, whereas HSC+ gel implants have a firmer feel that retain their shape well and resist rippling. (2) Sientra HSC was clinically tested and found to be significantly more resistant to compressive force and gel fracture. (3) Gel fracture is when an implant ruptures, altering its shape and integrity. 

Patients can choose HSC gel for their shaped implants, and HSC+ for both shaped and round implants.

Breast Tissue Expanders

Sientra offers two highly specialized breast implant types for women who have undergone a mastectomy. Breast tissue expanders are necessary when a patient needs to stretch the available skin to make space for an implant. This process helps doctors to augment or recreate the breast during reconstructive surgery.

  • AlloX2 – This unique implant is designed to optimize breast reconstruction results. The AlloX2 allows for fluid removal via an integral drain that provides doctors with essential access to the area for diagnostic testing.
  • Dermaspan – Dermaspan is a gentler, more comfortable expansion implant from Sientra. With a smoother surface, ports are integrated to create less friction upon insertion.

Candidates for Breast Augmentation

People choose to undergo breast augmentation surgery for a variety reasons. If you’re dissatisfied with the shape and volume of your breasts, you may consider a breast augmentation. Ideally, patients should be in good general health and close to their ideal weight.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Zarrabi today to discover more about Sientra implants, and find a style that suits your aesthetic goals! Call (310) 584-9990 or fill out a simple inquiry form to begin the process!

Personal Consultation

At Dr. Zarrabi’s Santa Monica office, you will meet with him to discuss your surgery in a one-on-one setting. You’ll have the opportunity to voice your concerns and what you would like to achieve with cosmetic breast surgery. He will ask you about your general health and if you have had any previous cosmetic surgery procedures. He will then examine your breast shape, size, and projection.

Dr. Zarrabi will create a personalized treatment plan for you, work with you to decide which Sientra implant is best for your needs, and set a date for your procedure.

Breast Augmentation in Santa Monica

Preparation

Before your breast augmentation, we ask that you do the following:

  • Arrange for someone to drop you off and pick you up on your surgery date.
  • Make your home comfortable and prepare a recuperation area.
  • Ask a friend or family member to assist you at home in the first 24 hours after surgery.
  • Adjust or stop taking certain medications and supplements
  • Quit smoking a few weeks before and after your surgery.
  • Pick up your medications before your surgery date, so they’re ready for you at home.
  • Fast in the twelve hours before your treatment time.
  • Get a good night’s sleep the night before your surgery.
  • Arrive at our offices in loose, comfy clothes.

What to Expect On the Day Itself

When you arrive at our offices, we will ask you to change into a gown. When you’re ready, we will administer your anesthesia and prepare your chest for the surgery by cleansing the skin thoroughly. Dr. Zarrabi will make strategic incisions into the breast tissue to minimize scarring. He will then insert your Sientra implants – either under the pectoral muscle (submuscular placement)  or over the pectoral muscle (subglandular/submammary placement), depending on your treatment plan. Finally, he will layer sutures into the breast tissue, furnish you with a dressing and your surgery will be complete! Usually, breast augmentation procedures take around 90 minutes to complete, though the total time will vary from patient to patient.

Recovery & Results of Breast Augmentation

After your breast augmentation, you may feel some discomfort and you may still feel the effects of the anesthesia. When you are ready to be discharged, have a friend or family member pick you up and assist you at home that day and the following day. You may feel some pain and notice swelling and bruising in the treated area. Make sure you get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and eat well. After the first couple of weeks, you will be able to resume more strenuous activities. In the meantime, be sure to treat your body kindly and be gentle with your chest area. Dr. Zarrabi may advise you to wear a support bra once your bandages are removed. After two or three months, you will see your final results and enjoy your new chest contour!

Cost of Sientra Breast Implants

Each patient has a unique vision for their body. As a result, breast augmentation procedures vary in price. We will take your individual characteristics, your choice of Sientra implant, and your goals into consideration. Please check Dr. Zarrabi’s financing page for funding options.

Connect with Dr. Zarrabi on social media and get to know our staff and patients! Join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and be sure to check out his appearances on The Doctors tv show on YouTube!

FAQ

What are sientra implants made of?

Sientra implants are composed of a silicone elastomer outer shell with a high-strength silicone filler inside. The Sientra brand offers two levels of gel thickness: High Strength Cohesive Gel (HSC) and High Strength Cohesive Gel Plus (HSC+), with HSC+ being the firmer of the two.

What’s the difference between textured and smooth breast implants?

Generally speaking, people choose a textured breast implant if they want a firmer feel to their breasts. Implant brands such as Sientra offer implants in both round and teardrop shapes in both textured and smooth styles. 

How long does a breast augmentation usually take?

he average time to complete a breast augmentation is roughly ninety minutes. However, individual factors such as the patient’s specific anatomical considerations, and the type of anesthesia used may alter the length of the procedure.

References

  1. Calobrace, M. B., Schwartz, M. R., Zeidler, K. R., Pittman, T. A., Cohen, R., & Stevens, W. G. (2017). Long-Term Safety of Textured and Smooth Breast Implants. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 38(1), 38–48. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjx157 
  2. Breast Implants Options for My Practice. (n.d.). Sientra. Retrieved January 20, 2022, from https://sientra.com/for-us-surgeons/breast-implants/ 
  3. Kinney, B. M. MD; Jeffers, L. L. C. MD; Ratliff, G. E. MD; Carlisle, D. A. BA Silicone Gel Breast Implants, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 134(1S), 47S-56S https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000000349