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       |  Breast Reduction | Breast Augmentation | Breast Lift | Breast Lift and Augmentation Breast Augmentation Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breast for a number of reasons:
The Best Candidates for Breast Augmentation Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon. The best candidates for breast augmentation are women who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you're realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate. Types of Implants A breast implant is a solid silicone shell filled with either a salt-water solution know as saline, or silicone gel. Because of concerns that there is insufficient information demonstrating the safety of silicone gel-filled breast implants, the Food and Drug Administration has determined that new gel-filled implants, at the present time, should be available only to women participating in approved studies. Some women requiring replacement of the implants may also be eligible to participate in the study. Our physicians serve as clinical investigators in the Mentor Adjunct Study on silicone gel breast implants and therefore use gel implants in women choose them, provided they meet the FDA's criteria. Saline-filled implants continue to be available to breast augmentation patients on an unrestricted basis, pending further FDA review. Planning Your Surgery In your initial consultation, our surgeon will evaluate your health and explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you, based on the condition of your breasts and skin tone. If your breasts are sagging, we may also recommend a breast lift. Be sure to discuss your expectations frankly with us. You may want to ask for a copy of the manufacturer's insert that comes with the implant, just so you are fully informed about it. We will also explain the type of anesthesia to be used, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved. The Surgery The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your anatomy and your surgeon's recommendation. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest, around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple), or in the armpit. Every effort will be made to assure that the incision is placed so resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible. Dr. Kiener does perform endoscopic assisted breast augmentation. Working through the incision, the surgeon will lift your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath your chest wall muscle (the pectoral muscle). The implants are then centered beneath your nipples. You'll want to discuss the pros and cons of these alternatives with your surgeon before surgery to make sure you fully understand the implications of the procedure recommended for you. The surgery usually takes one to two hours to complete. Stitches are placed under the skin and therefore don't need to be removed. You are placed in a full support bra following surgery. After Your Surgery You're likely to feel tired and sore for a few days following your surgery, but you'll be up and around in 24 to 48 hours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication prescribed by your doctor. Within several days, your gauze dressings are removed, and you continue to wear your surgical bra for at least two weeks. The swelling in your breasts may take three to five weeks to disappear. Getting Back to Normal You should be able to return to work within a few days, depending on the level of activity required by your job. Follow your surgeon's advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct stimulation for two to three weeks, so you should avoid much physical contact. After that, breast contact is fine once your breasts are no longer sore, usually three to four weeks after surgery. Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months, or even appear to widen. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely. Routine mammograms should be continued after breast augmentation for women who are in the appropriate age group, although the mammographic technician should use a special technique to assure that you get a reliable reading. For further information please visit the Breast Augmentation page at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website. |
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© 2003 Dr. Joseph Kiener | All rights reserved. | |