At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, breast augmentation is about more than just adding volume. It’s about helping you feel like yourself again, or perhaps for the first time. Whatever your reasons for considering this procedure, Dr. Janssen and Dr. Doubek have spent decades refining their approach to deliver results that look and feel natural.
What you’ll find here is different from most practices, including techniques and technology you won’t find elsewhere. From 3D imaging that lets you preview your results to a surgical approach designed to minimize pain, we’ve refined every step of the breast augmentation process. Your goals guide every decision, and our job is to help you reach them safely and comfortably.
Breast augmentation (also known as augmentation mammoplasty) is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures today, with over 300,000 performed in the U.S. each year. It’s a surgical procedure that enhances breast shape and size using saline or silicone gel implants, helping patients achieve more balanced proportions.
Women choose breast augmentation for many reasons. Some have always felt their breasts were smaller than they’d like. Others have noticed volume loss after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight changes. And some simply want to restore a sense of femininity and confidence that has shifted over time.
At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, we also perform breast implant removal, implant replacement and implant repositioning for patients whose needs have changed or who are experiencing complications from a previous surgery. Pricing for these procedures depends on factors like the type of implant involved, the condition of your current implants and whether we performed your original surgery. Call us at 920-233-1540 to schedule a consultation, where we can discuss your options and provide detailed pricing information.
Recovery is often top of mind for patients considering breast augmentation. Placing implants beneath the chest muscle can cause discomfort in the days following surgery, so Dr. Janssen has developed a technique specifically designed to minimize pain from the start: what he calls his “special sauce.”
Before closing your incisions, Dr. Janssen inserts a small catheter beneath each implant. Through this catheter, he delivers a mixture of medicine containing an antibiotic to help prevent infections that can lead to capsular contracture, a low-grade steroid to keep scar tissue soft and pliable, and a combination of fast-acting and long-lasting local anesthetics. The catheter is then removed, leaving the solution in place to do its work.
The local anesthetics control pain for up to seven days, so patients wake up comfortable. As recovery progresses, they’re often surprised by how manageable it is compared to what they expected. The benefits of Dr. Janssen’s “special sauce” also contribute to Fox Valley Plastic Surgery’s exceptionally low rate of capsular contracture, a complication that can cause implants to harden and become uncomfortable over time.
Breast augmentation focuses on enhancing the size, shape and overall appearance of your breasts. With this procedure, you can:
Every patient’s needs and concerns are unique. During your consultation, Dr. Janssen or Dr. Doubek will listen to your goals, evaluate your anatomy and discuss how factors like your chest width, existing breast tissue and lifestyle may influence which options will work best for you.
Breast augmentation is a personal decision, so Dr. Janssen and Dr. Doubek take the time during consultations to ensure each patient is pursuing surgery for their own reasons. This isn’t something you should do to please someone else. If you’re considering breast augmentation, ideal candidates for this procedure generally include women who:
If you’re over 35, Dr. Janssen recommends having a mammogram and being evaluated by your physician before surgery. This ensures you’re in good breast health and helps avoid any surprises during or after your procedure.
Breast augmentation adds volume, but it doesn’t correct sagging (ptosis) of the breasts. Adding implants when significant ptosis is present can actually worsen rather than improve drooping. If sagging is a concern, a breast lift (mastopexy) may be a better option. We can perform a breast lift on its own or combine it with augmentation, depending on your needs and goals.
At your consultation, we’ll talk about “the five S’s” of breast augmentation: sizing, symmetry, shape, sensibility and scarring. When helping you choose the perfect implants for your body, our doctors consider how each decision affects these five elements to help create results that feel right for your body and the way you live.
Implant size is the most important factor when designing your breast augmentation. Implants are measured in cubic centimeters (cc) rather than the cup sizes you’re probably more familiar with, but generally speaking, 150 cc to 200 cc equals about one cup size. Of course, this can vary depending on multiple factors, such as frame, implant profile and your existing breast tissue. To help you select the right size for your goals and body, we use sizing inserts from Mentor, which you can try on to get a sense for the look and feel of different implants.
At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, you’ll work closely with our experienced nurses to find the right implant size at a sizing visit. We may also use the Vectra 3D Imaging System to help you visualize your new breast implants. This advanced technology creates a digital model of your body, allowing you to preview your potential results. You can simulate various options in implant sizing and profile and see how variables like projection, chest width and placement affect your final outcome. No other practice in the area offers this powerful tool.
When it comes to breast implants, you have two main options: saline and silicone. Both are FDA-approved and have been used safely for decades, but they differ in feel and appearance.
Saline implants are FDA-approved for women 18 and older and filled with sterile saltwater. One advantage is that if a rupture ever occurs, your body simply absorbs the saline without any health concerns. These implants can also be filled during surgery, which sometimes allows for a smaller incision. However, saline tends to feel firmer than natural breast tissue and may show more visible rippling, particularly when placed above the muscle in patients with less breast tissue to cover the implant.
Silicone implants are FDA-approved for women 22 and older and filled with a cohesive gel that mimics natural breast tissue. Most patients and surgeons agree that silicone provides a more natural look and feel, which is why it’s become the most popular choice. The trade-off is that silicone ruptures can be harder to detect since the gel tends to stay in place rather than being absorbed.
At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, we offer implants from Mentor, Sientra and Motiva. During your consultation, you can feel the difference between implant types, review long-term studies and examine quality information to make an informed decision.
Profile refers to how far the implant projects forward from the chest wall. Two implants can have the same volume but look quite different depending on their profile. A lower profile implant spreads wider across your chest with less forward projection, while a higher profile implant has a narrower base and projects more.
Your chest width, body frame and goals all play a role in determining which profile works best. Women with narrower chests often benefit from higher profile implants to achieve their desired volume without the implant extending beyond their natural breast boundaries. Those with wider chests may find that moderate or low profile options create a more proportional result.
Breast implants can be positioned either above the chest muscle (subglandular) or beneath it (submuscular).
Submuscular placement tends to create a more natural slope off the upper breast. The muscle holds the implant down along the inner and upper portions, preventing that rounded, “ball-like” appearance that can look artificial. About 90% of patients at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery want results that don’t announce themselves. They want to feel more feminine and confident without anyone knowing they’ve had surgery, and going under the muscle helps achieve that.
Some patients are better suited for placement above the muscle. Athletes, competitive bodybuilders and fitness models, for example, may prefer this approach because flexing the pectoral muscle can temporarily change the shape of a submuscular implant. If you’re frequently on stage flexing, this “animation deformity” might be a concern worth discussing.
With breast augmentation, incisions are typically four to five centimeters long (about two inches) and placed in the natural breast crease. As your implants settle over the following months, this incision actually rises slightly and becomes even less visible. We use FDA-approved silicone-based products (Strataderm) to optimize healing and minimize scarring.
At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, we perform many breast augmentations with Mentor® silicone implants. Mentor® MemoryGel® implants are made in the U.S., available with a smooth surface shell, have a high safety rating, and come in a wide range of sizes and profiles to fit your body.
We also offer U.S.-made Sientra® Opus Luxe smooth round breast implants. Like Mentor®, they come in many sizes and projections to get the silhouette you want. They come with a Platinum20™ year warranty, the longest and most comprehensive of any implant manufacturer.
We now offer Motiva® silicone implants, known for their safety and natural appearance. Motiva® implants are crafted with ultra-soft materials that mimic the natural look and movement of breast tissue and feature a patented BluSeal® indicator for quality control that contributes to low rates of rupture and gel bleed. Motiva’s SmoothSilk® technology also enhances safety, giving these implants an extremely low rate of capsular contracture (less than 1%). Made with a highly cohesive and elastic gel, Motiva® implants can be inserted through smaller incisions to reduce tissue disruption and scarring.
Every breast augmentation begins with a detailed consultation. Dr. Janssen or Dr. Doubek will evaluate your anatomy, discuss your aesthetic goals and review your medical history to ensure you’re a good candidate for surgery. Later, at a sizing visit, you’ll work with our experienced nurses to find the right implant size for you. You’ll try on sizing inserts and may use our Vectra 3D Imaging System to preview specific implant sizes and profiles. By the time you leave, you’ll feel confident about the size you’ve chosen.
Good preparation sets the stage for a smooth recovery. Stop smoking one to two months before your procedure, and discontinue aspirin, NSAIDs and blood thinners at least 10 days prior. You’ll need a baseline mammogram within the year before surgery if age 35 or older.
Breast augmentation is usually performed at the surgery center located in the same building as our practice, and typically takes one hour under general anesthesia, depending on your needs and the MD anesthesiologist’s recommendation. Your surgeon will begin by making a small incision underneath the breast crease and creating a pocket for each implant, typically below the chest muscle. The implant is then inserted, and the incisions are closed with layered sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape.
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable recovery feels, thanks to Dr. Janssen’s “special sauce.” Some muscle spasming is normal in the first few days, especially when implants are placed below the muscle, but this is temporary and will subside. You’ll be instructed to wear a specialized compression bra (bandeau) continually for at least one week to minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal.
We’ll see you about a week after surgery and again two weeks later. Stitches generally don’t need to be removed, and Dr. Janssen doesn’t believe in extensive massage exercises or complicated recovery protocols. If the pocket was created symmetrically during surgery, your implants will settle properly on their own. You can start light aerobic activity about 10 days after surgery and return to tasks like food prep and light housework. Most patients feel back to themselves within a few weeks, though you should avoid heavy lifting until cleared.
You’ll see a difference immediately, but your final results take shape over the following months. Your new implants will sit high on your chest initially, but this is temporary. Typically, within two to three weeks, the implants start to drop into a more natural position. By about four months, most implants have settled into their final position. Sensation, which may feel diminished (or heightened) at first, returns to normal for most patients by this point.
Once your final results develop, they are long-lasting. Implants don’t need to be replaced on a set schedule, though most manufacturers recommend monitoring them over time. Maintaining a stable weight helps preserve your outcome, and if your body changes down the road due to pregnancy or aging, or if your preferences change, we’re here to discuss your options. Many patients enjoy their results for a decade or longer before considering any adjustments.
Before & Afters
Since 1993, FVPS has helped thousands of women achieve the look they’ve always wanted. Dr. Janssen and Dr. Doubek are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and The Aesthetic Society, formerly known as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Only 25% of plastic surgeons belong to this prestigious organization.
We’re also selective about what we offer. Fox Valley Plastic Surgery doesn’t chase trends or adopt every new device that hits the market. When we bring in new technology or techniques, it’s because they’ve proven to be safe, effective and genuinely beneficial for our patients. You can trust that every option we recommend has earned its place here.
Women visit us for breast augmentation from Green Bay, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and communities throughout the state of Wisconsin. To get started, request your consultation at our Oshkosh or Appleton office using our online form or call us at 920-233-1540.
“After many years of contemplating, I finally had a breast augmentation and tummy tuck and I could not have found anyone better than Dr. Janssen and the wonderful Staff of Fox Valley Plastic Surgery! Dr. Janssen’s incredible 2 step process is the key to my posting this post 5 YEARS AFTER my surgery! I know I can look forward to many, many years of confidence and complete happiness in my decision and only wish I would have found him sooner!”
— Victoria
A breast augmentation is usually a cosmetic procedure; therefore, insurance does not cover this surgery. A breast augmentation costs approximately $8000, which includes the surgeon’s fee, smooth round silicone implants, the facility fee at the Theda Care Surgery Center, and anesthesia. However, the pricing is subject to change, and will change, if the surgery is done at another facility, if different implants are used, or if there are unique circumstances surrounding the surgery. There may be other costs to consider with breast augmentation, such as:
The FDA’s longstanding position is that implants are safe as long as women understand they can have complications, including scarring, pain, swelling and implant rupture. However, the FDA has been grappling with how to manage a recently confirmed link to a rare cancer.
FDA regulators said it is “impossible” for them to determine how frequently the cancer — a form of lymphoma — occurs because the U.S. does not track the total number of implants on the market. Estimates of the frequency of the disease range from 1 in 3,000 women to 1 in 50,000+.
As of July 2019, the FDA requested that Allergan voluntarily recall certain breast implants and tissue expanders from the market. Get more information about breast implant removal here.
Most confirmed cases of the disease, known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), have involved a particular brand of textured implant that we do not use. The disease is not breast cancer, but a form of cancer that attacks the immune system and usually forms in the scar tissue surrounding implants. It grows slowly. Doctors can successfully treat this disease by removing the implants.
Smoking, vaping and nicotine use increase the risk of complications after any surgery, including breast augmentation. As such, we strongly urge discontinuing the use of tobacco products one to two months prior to surgery, and one month after surgery, to ensure optimal healing and results. Some of the possible complications associated with breast augmentation include:
At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, we offer multiple discounts for cosmetic procedures: 15% off the surgeon’s fee for your second cosmetic procedure, and 30% off the surgeon’s fee for the third procedure. We also discount the operating room fee 50% for your second procedure and any that come after, while anesthesia charges by time.
We also partner with reputable companies like CareCredit® and Alphaeon® Credit, which offer low or zero-interest financing to make your transformation more manageable. If you have any questions about payment or financing, don’t hesitate to contact our office. Our team will be happy to guide you through the available options to help you get the look you want with convenient monthly payments that fit your budget.
The ability to return to work depends on whether the implant was placed under or over the pectoral muscle, and the patient’s pain tolerance and motivation. If your implants are placed over the muscle (subglandular), you can expect to take two to three days off before returning to desk work. If your implants are placed under the muscle (submuscular), you should plan to take off five to seven days, by which time you can comfortably discontinue the use of pain killers.
Lifting is absolutely forbidden for the first seven to 10 days, so an early return to work is not advised for patients with active jobs. Avoid strenuous activity for the first two weeks, and do not lift anything heavier than 10 pounds before for the first six weeks (this includes small children and pets). While it is important to rest frequently during the first week, we recommend walking 15-20 minutes four times a day to help prevent blood clots from forming.
Breast implants can help you achieve a fuller, more proportional figure, but there are several things to consider before undergoing breast augmentation, such as:
Patients who are considering implants should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of breast augmentation and make the decision that is right for them. Download booklets from the Patient Forms page to learn more. Specifically, please read at least one of these booklets: Mentor® Breast Implants Patient Education or Sientra® Breast Implants Patient Education.
Choosing breast augmentation is a personal decision, and finding the right team matters. At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, we’ll guide you through every step, from your first consultation and 3D imaging session to surgery and beyond. If you’re ready to explore what breast augmentation can do for you, call us at 920-233-1540 or request your consultation online. Our board-certified plastic surgeons have helped women like you from all over Wisconsin and the upper Midwest perfect their personal renaissance.
