Bay Area's Top Breast Augmentation Surgery Clinic
Serving Danville, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Dublin, Livermore, and across the East Bay metro area
The breast symbolizes femininity, confidence, and sensuality. For many women, enhancing their breast size is about feeling more balanced, confident, and aligned with their self-image.
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular aesthetic procedures, with the vast majority of patients thrilled with their results—and the boost in confidence it brings.
Our breast augmentation procedures are designed to help you achieve the desired breast volume, shape, and symmetry, allowing you to embrace your unique beauty and feel more confident in your own skin.
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*Individual results may vary
Breast augmentation, clinically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to increase breast size and improve breast shape.
While the primary goal is often to enhance breast volume, the procedure also addresses issues like asymmetry or loss of fullness following weight loss or pregnancy.
By using either saline-filled implants, cohesive silicone gel implants, or fat transfer, Dr. Ronan can help you achieve a figure that feels more balanced and proportionate to your frame.
The procedure takes into account factors like breast lifts for added fullness and optimal contours, ensuring a natural, proportionate figure that enhances the way your clothing fits and feels.
Dr. Ronan primarily uses smooth, round silicone implants for breast augmentation. He finds they provide the most natural look and feel compared to saline. In his practice, 99% of patients choose silicone.
Silicone implants come in a variety of cohesivities, with some gels having a thicker, “gummy bear” like consistency. These types of implants can offer unique benefits in terms of shape and feel.
Dr. Ronan also prefers round implants over shaped implants. Shaped implants are designed to maintain their shape but can feel stiffer and less natural.
Round implants, however, are softer and behave more naturally with the body’s movements. When a woman is standing, round implants naturally take on a slight teardrop shape due to gravity and then return to a rounder shape when lying down.
Dr. Ronan prefers to place implants under the muscle for better long-term support and a more natural look and feel. When the implant is under the muscle, it acts as a “sling” to hold the implant in place over time, preventing it from dropping or shifting. This placement is also less likely to affect breastfeeding since the breast tissue is not disturbed.
Any woman considering breast augmentation should have realistic expectations and choose a size and shape that fit her body well. Most women have some degree of asymmetry in their breasts, which Dr. Ronan considers during the procedure.
He uses techniques such as adjusting the amount of saline in each implant or making subtle adjustments to the position of the breast fold to create a more symmetrical result.
Breast augmentation scars are nearly invisible with Dr. Ronan’s technique.
Breast augmentation scars are nearly invisible with Dr. Ronan’s technique.
For many women considering breast augmentation, the appearance of scars is a top concern. That’s why our innovative “no breast scar” technique offers a game-changing solution. By creating a discreet incision in the armpit (transaxillary), we eliminate visible scars on the breast while minimizing risks like bottoming out and reducing potential complications.
Dr. Ronan tailors every procedure to each patient’s unique needs, offering a variety of incision options, including:
The transaxillary technique is the most popular choice in our practice. It not only keeps the breast free of scars but also helps preserve sensation, giving you natural-looking, confidence-boosting results.
Ready to explore this advanced, scar-free option? Contact us today to learn how our approach can help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
Breast augmentations are performed on an outpatient basis at our Danville surgery center, in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, convenient from San Jose to San Rafael! The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and you go home the same day as the surgery.
Recovery is fast, and most people can return to work and normal activities in about a week. A pain medication (pain block) is used on all primary augmentation procedures to relieve discomfort. The pain block will continuously drip numbing medicine around the implant for three days. The numbing medicine provides a significant amount of pain relief with less narcotic necessary post-operatively.
Join us as Dr. Stephen J. Ronan, MD, FACS, the Bay Area’s best breast augmentation plastic surgeon from Blackhawk Plastic Surgery, unveils the intricacies of breast augmentation in an informative and interactive session. Whether you’re contemplating this life-enhancing step or simply curious about the process, this episode is designed to enlighten you about Dr. Ronan’s approach and the overall process.
Too busy to read? Watch the BPS Live! on Breast Augmentation!
Some women feel their breasts never reached the size or shape they envisioned. For these women, breast augmentation can be life-changing, often reducing long-held insecurities and enhancing self-confidence. Studies show that women who undergo the procedure frequently report less anxiety, depression, and shyness, along with an improved sense of self.
Post-pregnancy changes, such as volume loss and drooping (known as post-partum breast involution), are common concerns. Many women describe feeling like they have “nothing left.” Breast augmentation restores volume—and sometimes adds a little extra—while a breast lift (mastopexy) can be combined to create a youthful, lifted appearance.
Breast augmentation will not affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed. The breast implant is placed behind the chest muscle in the majority of cases. Most patients do not have a permanent change in sensation after breast surgery. Breast implants do not cause breast cancer or any other systemic disease, regardless of the decision of saline implants or silicone implants.
Numerous studies have shown that there is no difference between augmented and non-augmented patients in survival of breast cancer. Studies have also shown that there is no delay of treatment for breast cancer in augmented women. In order to provide the safest environment, we believe that breast augmentation surgery should be performed in a certified surgery center or hospital with an anesthesiologist present.
For many women, increasing breast size helps balance out wider hips or a broad shoulder line, creating the sought-after hourglass figure. This often results in a significant improvement in how clothing and swimwear fit. Many patients who have undergone breast augmentation surgery report a renewed sense of self-assurance in both social and professional settings.
By opting for submuscular placement and cohesive silicone gel, your augmented breasts will behave more naturally during movement. This surgical technique minimizes the risk of visible edges or "rippling," ensuring the result is soft to the touch.
For patients concerned about potential risks like infection, leakage, or capsular contracture, rest assured that Dr. Ronan’s techniques align with FDA standards and focus on long-term satisfaction. His commitment to superior quality and mastery of plastic surgery procedures has resulted in hundreds of successful surgeries, with patient feedback highlighting minimal downtime and outstanding healing experiences.
If you have any concerns, such as implant shell, pocket creation, or potential rupture or bruising, Dr. Ronan and his team provide detailed guidance and care to address them. The healing process is optimized with techniques like the use of compression garments and clear aftercare instructions. Most breast augmentation patients can return to daily activities and work within a week, with full recovery achieved over time. Whether your goal is enhanced projection, restored balance after trauma, or increased confidence in your choices, Blackhawk Plastic Surgery provides an unparalleled level of care, giving you all the reasons to trust them with your journey toward a beautiful, lasting transformation.
The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for breast enhancement is to schedule a consultation. During a consultation, the procedure is explained in detail, and all of your questions are answered. You will learn what reasonable expectations are given your particular anatomy and desires.
During your breast augmentation consultation, Dr. Ronan will thoroughly assess your anatomy, preferences, and lifestyle to recommend the ideal profile implants, shapes, and placement. He emphasizes the advantages of placing implants beneath the muscles, which reduces the risk of rippling, improves long-term outcomes, and enhances the natural touch and visibility of the results.
Your recovery period is a critical time for ensuring the best long-term results. Following the surgical procedure, you will be fitted with a supportive sports bra or compression garment to minimize swelling and keep your implants in their ideal position. Most patients experience a few days of soreness, which is effectively managed by the pain block and oral medication.
It is essential to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for several weeks to allow the breast capsule (the natural scar tissue that forms around the implant) to heal properly without tension. Dr. Ronan will provide specific post-operative instructions regarding when you can resume normal daily activity. Most women find they are back to their routine within five to seven days, though the breasts will continue to soften and settle into their final position over the next few months.
The results of your breast augmentation surgery are visible immediately, though the final results will emerge as post-operative swelling subsides. You can expect an improvement in breast shape and projection that feels like a natural extension of your own body. Because Dr. Ronan uses high-quality silicone gel or saline implants, your results are built to last, providing you with a more feminine and confident profile for many years to come.
While the surgery provides long-lasting volume, it is important to remember that your breasts will still be subject to the natural effects of aging and gravity. Maintaining a stable weight and wearing a supportive sports bra during activity will help preserve your stunning results. Most patients describe their transformation as one of the best investments they’ve ever made in themselves.
Blackhawk Plastic Surgery & MedSpa offers the Bay Area’s best breast augmentation surgeon, Stephen J. Ronan, MD, FACS.
At Blackhawk Plastic Surgery, breast enlargement surgery is designed to enhance the natural breast shape while prioritizing safety and individualized care. Dr. Stephen J. Ronan and his highly skilled staff are dedicated to delivering exceptional results, combining advanced methods with extensive knowledge and training. From choosing the ideal implant size and type, such as silicone gel or saline, to determining the best incisions for minimal scarring, every detail is tailored to each patient’s body type and goals.
The breast augmentation axillary approach does not invade the breast tissues directly, going underneath instead. This means that you have less of a chance of permanent numbness. In addition, the pectoralis muscle is not divided, which gives a stronger support for the implant over time. Another advantage is that there is no scar left on the skin of the breast. Instead, the scar is located in the armpit in a high wrinkle, which is a much less noticeable location. Typically, the scar is smaller.
The degree of enlargement is based on the anatomy of the patient’s body more than any other factor. Saline-filled implants require placement underneath the muscle layer of the chest to achieve a natural result in most patients. The implant must be covered by the muscle layer, and this coverage determines the maximum volume of the implant. The width of the patient’s chest, as well as the locations of nerves in the chest and abdomen, limit the maximum volume of an implant that can be used because the total width of the implant must fit underneath the muscle without intruding into the nerve bundles. Otherwise, numbness of the breast and/or nipples would result. Your surgeon can help you determine the best size of implant for you at the time of your consultation.
Most of my patients desire a full, proportional look. They want something nice but not too obvious. I prefer to create nice-looking breasts that fit a patient’s body well rather than very large breasts that are too large for the frame. In fact, I do not have any patients who have told me that I have made them too large.
Breast augmentation (under the muscle layer) should not affect your ability to breastfeed. For sub-glandular augmentation (under the breast tissue, but over the muscle layer), like any other surgery that disturbs the breast tissue itself, there is a risk of losing the ability to breastfeed. I do not perform subglandular (over muscle) primary augmentations.
Breasts get small and droopy after pregnancy due to a loss of volume. Often associated with drooping, it is very common after pregnancy and is called post-partum breast involution. Volume loss with a small amount of sagging can be corrected with breast augmentation surgery. For an excessive degree of sagging, a mastopexy or ‘breast lift’ may be the solution. I typically perform a minimal incision breast lift with augmentations. This means that the lift incision is only a circle around the areola. Severe breast drooping may require an additional incision.
This type of procedure is called a ‘trans-umbilical approach’. I have trained in this procedure and learned it from the surgeon who invented it. However, our malpractice carrier, the one with the most plastic surgeons, refuses to cover this procedure. They claim that the procedure is associated with much litigation. In addition, the implant manufacturers frown on this technique. I value the opinion of the largest plastic surgery malpractice company and implant manufacturer. It is probably not a good idea to have an augmentation with this technique.
Nearly everyone I have examined has some asymmetry in their breasts. Sometimes these differences are subtle, and other times they are more pronounced. It can be a difference in size, height of the nipple, amount of drooping, height of the breast fold, contour of the ribs, height of the shoulder tips, etc. Many times, we can attempt to correct or improve upon the asymmetries. This can be done by lowering a fold, placing slightly more saline on one side, etc. Most of the time, there are subtle asymmetries before and after surgery.
When it comes to plastic surgery, proper care happens before, during, and after surgery day. That’s why we’ve created blueprints outlining what patients and providers need to consider to ensure success. Our pre-care and post-care guides are here to help our patients and all patients take the necessary steps to maximize their chances of safe surgery and beautiful results.
Located in Danville’s Blackhawk Plaza, Blackhawk Plastic Surgery & MedSpa is Northern California’s largest, most advanced plastic surgery and medspa center.
Patients choose our state-of-the-art facility for leading-edge surgical and non-surgical treatments—all in a luxurious, private setting. We are conveniently located in the San Francisco Bay Area to serve patients from the following locations:
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