Dr. Michael Decherd and Dr. Matthew Isakson have earned reputations as surgeons that produce beautiful outcomes for women seeking fuller, shapelier breasts. Breast augmentation continues to be one of the top cosmetic procedures, and more than 300,000 women undergo this surgery each year in the U.S. With our skill and the latest innovations in breast implants, San Antonio women can enjoy beautiful, natural-looking results.
Breast Augmentation Reviews
"I have never been happier with the results of my breast augmentation. Dr. Decherd did everything I asked for and did a phenomenal job! I will definitely be going back very soon!"
- K.M. / Google / Jun 26, 2023
"Dr Isakson performed Breast Augmentation and lipo on this mom of 3! Having children certainly changed my body. Dr Isakson walked through my specific areas of concern and spoke to what he could do to make me look and feel better. He was super informative and his bedside rapport was excellent. I cannot decide if I am happier with the augmentation (which I wanted for 25 years) or the lipo which sculpted my flanks, abs, outer and inner thighs. If you’re considering either of these procedures-go see Dr Isakson. This was truly was a great experience. And his nurse Katy is amazing and compassionate."
- K.D. / Google / Oct 07, 2023
"The outcome is dramatically better than I even imagined possible - I had a tummy tuck from a well-known surgeon in Austin in January 2023 and it was a disaster. I woke up with pain I never experienced before. I still had a double fold of skin in my upper belly and the incision opened up within a few weeks and got infected. It took me 3 months to recover and the post-op care was poor. The surgeon offered to do a revision for free, but I did not have confidence in him. If he did not do it right the first time, why would he do a better job the second time? Plus he said that improvement would be minimal. I was very discouraged and fearful about having a revision. That's when I was referred to Dr. Decherd by my primary physician and another excellent plastic surgeon, both of whom I respected and knew had my best interests at heart.Dr. Decherd immediately put me at ease. He spent the time needed to make me comfortable and deal with my concerns and questions. He said that he could improve the results of my first surgery and make it at least 80 percent better. I also decided to have him do a breast augmentation at the same time. I had visited another surgeon for a second opinion and he said he "would not touch me" due to my tummy tuck issues from last year and problems associated with a previous breast augmentation several decades earlier. Based on that second opinion and the reassurance of both my primary physician and plastic surgeon noted earlier, I decided to proceed with Dr. Decherd. The difference in my experience with the surgeon in Austin and Dr. Decherd was like night and day! I had very little, if any pain. The double fold of skin in my belly is gone. Six weeks later, I can barely see scars from my incisions from either the tummy tuck or the breast augmentation. Dr. Decherd did not just make my tummy tuck revision 80 percent better - it's 120 percent better and above and beyond my expectations! I originally wanted a breast lift and was hesitant to get implants. I went instead with the smallest implants available and I can truthfully say that the outcome is dramatically better than I even imagined possible. I am so thankful to Dr. Decherd. He is an outstanding surgeon with a warm personality and an amazing support team, from the front desk staff, to Sarah, the patient coordinator, and Heather, his nurse, for their excellent and supportive post-op care, and the anesthesiologist and attending nurses during the surgery. The results speak for themselves and that's the way it should be!"
- B. / RealSelf / Apr 13, 2024
"Title: Life-Changing Mommy Makeover Experience! Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I recently had a mommy makeover procedure performed by Dr. Isakson and I cannot express enough how thrilled I am with the results! From the initial consultation to the post-operative care, Dr. Isakson, Katy, and their team provided an exceptional level of care and professionalism that exceeded my expectations. Dr. Isakson took the time to listen to my concerns and understand my desired outcome. He thoroughly explained the procedure, addressing any questions or doubts I had, which put my mind at ease. His expertise and attention to detail were evident throughout the entire process. The mommy makeover procedure involved a combination of breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction. Dr. Isakson’s surgical skills were truly remarkable. He sculpted my body with precision, restoring my pre-pregnancy figure and giving me newfound confidence. Not only did Dr. Isakson deliver outstanding results, but he also provided exceptional post-operative care. He closely monitored my recovery, ensuring that I healed properly and addressing any concerns promptly. His genuine care and attentiveness made me feel well-supported throughout the entire recovery journey. I cannot recommend Dr. Isakson enough for anyone considering a mommy makeover. His expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for his patients are unmatched. The transformation I experienced has been life-changing, and I am forever grateful to Dr. Isakson, Katy and their team for their exceptional work. If you are looking for a plastic surgeon who is not only skilled but also compassionate and dedicated to providing the best possible results, look no further than Dr. Isakson, you won't be disappointed! Thank you, Dr. Isakson, for helping me regain my confidence and making me feel like the best version of myself again! Sincerely, Amy Scott"
- A.S. / Google / Jan 12, 2024
"I had a tummy tuck from a well-known surgeon in Austin in January 2023 and it was a disaster. I woke up with pain I never experienced before. I still had a double fold of skin in my upper belly and the incision opened up within a few weeks and got infected. It took me 3 months to recover and the post-op care was poor. The surgeon offered to do a revision for free, but I did not have confidence in him. If he did not do it right the first time, why would he do a better job the second time? Plus he said that improvement would be minimal. I was very discouraged and fearful about having a revision. That's when I was referred to Dr. Decherd by my primary physician and another excellent plastic surgeon, both of whom I respected and knew had my best interests at heart. Dr. Decherd immediately put me at ease. He spent the time needed to make me comfortable and deal with my concerns and questions. He said that he could improve the results of my first surgery and make it at least 80 percent better. I also decided to have him do a breast augmentation at the same time. I had visited another surgeon for a second opinion and he said he "would not touch me" due to my tummy tuck issues from last year and problems associated with a previous breast augmentation several decades earlier. Based on that second opinion and the reassurance of both my primary physician and plastic surgeon noted earlier, I decided to proceed with Dr. Decherd. The difference in my experience with the surgeon in Austin and Dr. Decherd was like night and day! I had very little, if any pain. The double fold of skin in my belly is gone. Six weeks later, I can barely see scars from my incisions from either the tummy tuck or the breast augmentation. Dr. Decherd did not just make my tummy tuck revision 80 percent better - it's 120 percent better and above and beyond my expectations! I originally wanted a breast lift and was hesitant to get implants. I went instead with the smallest implants available and I can truthfully say that the outcome is dramatically better than I even imagined possible. I am so thankful to Dr. Decherd. He is an outstanding surgeon with a warm personality and an amazing support team, from the front desk staff, to Sarah, the patient coordinator, and Heather, his nurse, for their excellent and supportive post-op care, and the anesthesiologist and attending nurses during the surgery. The results speak for themselves and that's the way it should be."
Not all women are created equal, and therefore, there are countless options when it comes to choosing the right breast implant. Dr. Decherd uses the Vectra 3D Imaging Technology to allow patients to see the countless options of implants available.
Picking an Implant Size
Volume, Width, & Native Tissue
To achieve the perfect appearing breast, there is more that goes into the decision making process than simply choosing volume (CCs). Just because one woman looks great with 450CCs, does not mean her best friend will have the same results. The width of the breast is also critically important; a wider breast needs more volume than a narrower breast to achieve the same look. This is why measuring the chest wall is a crucial part of the examination process. It's important to match the width of the implant to the width of the breast. Choosing an implant that is too narrow will create too much space between the breasts while choosing an implant that is too wide will extend the implant into the armpit. Native breast tissue must also be taken into consideration. A woman with more native breast tissue probably needs less implant than a woman with less tissue to achieve a similar look.
Implant Profiles
For a given width of the breast, a woman generally has 3 basic choices with respect to the implant profile. A profile simply refers to the projection. While profiles sometimes go by different names, they are generally known as low, medium, and high profile. Women may have preconceived notions about the implant profile. During the consultation, determining the desired breast size is the first step in the process. From there, this helps determine the profile. Sometimes, what would be high profile in silicone ends up being medium in saline.
Saline VS. Silicone
Both saline and silicone implants are good products for breast augmentation. There are pros and cons to each. The biggest difference is that silicone feels softer and a bit more natural. Visually, both saline and silicone implants look similar as long as the saline implant is filled within the manufacturer's fill range. Saline implants are filled during surgery, whereas silicone implants are pre-filled from the manufacturer. Usually, if a person has implants that look disproportionately large, it is likely a saline implant that has been overfilled. It is believed by many surgeons that silicone has less "rippling" than saline. Silicone implants are also a little bit more expensive than saline implants. Saline implants are FDA approved for women 18 and older. Silicone implants are FDA approved for women 22 and older. The FDA recommends MRIs 3 years after surgery for women who have silicone implants, and then every 2 years after that to ensure a rupture has not occurred.
Questions About Safety
Questions about the safety of silicone implants have been resolved by science. Silicone implants before 1992 were runnier (an oil). Now, silicone implants are made of a cohesive gel that binds to itself and doesn't ooze or seep if a rupture were to occur. Even on a saline implant, the shell is made of silicone elastomer. Silicone elastomer is used, by the way, in multiple different types of medical devices, such as catheters, lines, tubes, etc. If a saline implant fails, the saltwater is absorbed by the body and excreted in the urine. It is not a medical emergency but it may be a cosmetic emergency. Think of a flat tire. If this happens, new implants would be needed.
Options include beneath the breast, around the areola (nipple), or in the armpit. Most of the time, especially for silicone implants, we need to go beneath the breast in the inframammary fold (where the bottom of the breast meets the chest). This allows for a longer incision for these pre-filled implants. In most cases, especially if the breast has any degree of sag, the patient almost never sees this incision.
What About Implant Shells?
Implants are made with either a smooth or a textured shell. It is the belief of some surgeons that textured implants fail more often than smooth implants. Therefore, smooth implants are usually a more common choice. However, this isn’t always the case. Some women will benefit from a textured shell. This can be discussed in greater detail during the initial consultation.
What Are The Shape Options?
Implants come round or shaped (such as a tear shape). While some women think that a shaped implant will be better, Dr. Decherd prefers a round shape. First, the implant has to be textured to prevent rotation after surgery (a problem a round implant does not have). Also, they seem not to give enough fullness to the bottom half of the breast. By contrast, a round implant under the muscle essentially assumes a teardrop shape, but can rotate without causing a problem.
Under or Over Muscle?
The implant pocket can be created either under the muscle or on top of the muscle. Even under the muscle there are some areas inferolaterally where the implant is not covered by the pec (think about the pec's shape), but the muscle helps fill in the upper pole of the breast. An under the muscle placement also helps prevent capsular contracture. It is a common approach to almost always go under the muscle on a first-time breast augmentation.
What Is Recovery Like?
Breast augmentation surgery generally has a 24-hour recovery period. What this means is that patients should take it easy for the first day once they are released and resting at home. Most patients feel pretty good but will be tired, sore and feel as though they just had a vigorous workout. Patients should get up and moving soon to help with circulation. Exercise will need to be avoided for several weeks or longer to prevent any possible bleeding.
What Are The Results Like?
It is common for many women to panic or feel anxious right after surgery. This is because there is swelling, and the implants ride high at first, so they appear larger and higher than they will once they assume their final position. It takes about 3-4 months for the implants to settle and take on a natural look. Women love their new breasts once this occurs. The results for most women are long lasting. Today’s implants are manufactured well. The average implant can last between 10-15 years or longer.