Cosmetic Surgery FAQ's
The answers to common questions in cosmetic surgery.
Breast Augmentation
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BREAST AUGMENTATION FAQ's
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic breast procedure where the breast volume is enhanced using a synthetic breast implant.
How is the breast implant inserted into the body?
The breast augmentation surgeon makes an incision in one of several locations: the breast crease (inframamary crease), the axilla (under arm), around the nipple areolar complex. The approach thru the belly button is rarely used, as many surgeons believe it is associated with high rates of complications.
Where is the implant placed for breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is done with the implant placed either (partially) under the pectoralis muscle, or over the muscle. The individual opinions differ as to which is the "better" placement for breast augmentation. In general, breast augmentation with the implant placed under the muscle causes more pain, due to the need to partially split the muscle to place the implant, and so will require more time for recovery from the augmentation surgery.
When a patient has different breast shapes (such as one nipple higher than the other), does breast augmentation change the shapes of the breasts to make them more symmetrical?
Breast augmentation is mostly a volume enhancement procedure. While small changes can be made to the shapes of the individual breast, oftentimes additional procedures are done to change asymmetry of breast shapes. Further, it is not uncommon that breast augmentation alone may accentuate the baseline differences of your breast shape, you nipple and breast crease height, etc. Patients also tend to pay more attention to their breast after breast augmentation surgery, and therefore "asymmetries" are more frequently noticed at that time.
Before Breast Augmentation
After Breast Augmentation
Does the breast implant contain silicone or saline?
The breast implant's outer cover is made of silicone rubber. It is the material inside that distinguishes a "saline" breast implant from a silicone breast implant. A silicone breast implant contains some form of silicone gel, while the saline breast implant contains saline, which is chemically similar to the human body fluid.
Which implant is "better" for breast augmentation?
The individual opinion differs. However, many breast surgeons believe that the silicone breast implants provides a more "natural" sensation after breast augmentation surgery. On the other hand, when a silicone breast implant leaks, there are more usually problems associated with it than a leakage of saline breast implant, as the silicone gel may cause inflammatory reaction from your body. Silicone breast implants are also more expensive than saline breast implants.
Can anyone get a saline/silicone breast implant?
At the present time, only saline breast implants are authorized to be used for strictly cosmetic breast augmentation surgery. Silicone breast implants are only available to patients who undergo breast surgery that contains a reconstructive component, such as reshaping of the breast (also known as breast lift or mastopexy) or breast reconstruction after removal of the breast for treatment of breast cancer.
Where is breast augmentation surgery performed?
Breast augmentation surgery is usually performed in surgical hospital and certified surgery centers. While many surgeons also perform breast surgery in the office, it may be prudent to check into whether the office surgical facility is certified by state and professional certification agencies to ensure one's safety.
Who performs breast augmentation?
Plastic surgeons typically get formal training to do cosmetic surgery, including breast augmentation, over a period of several (two to three) years before become independent surgeons. There are other physicians who call themselves "cosmetic surgeon" who also perform cosmetic surgery.
What are the common complications/sequelae in breast augmentation surgery?
The most common complications include :infection, extrusion of implant (with or without infection), hematoma (blood clot at the site of the implant, and implant rupture. Other phenomena seen in breast augmentation surgery include formation of thick scarring around the breast implant (capsular formation), which is seen in up to 15% of people undergoing breast augmentation. While capsular contracture is not truly a "complication" in many surgeons' opinion, the more severe cases will need to be surgically corrected.
What else should one consider in choosing a surgeon?
It is inevitable that complications will occur in any surgeon's hand. Thus it is important that your surgeon is comfortable and competent in taking care of your complications if they develop. Sometimes, admission to the hospital is necessary for treating an infection, such as severe hematoma or infection. That is why a surgeon who has privilege to work in a hospital and admit sick patients will be able to take care of your problem, while one that does not have permission to operate and admit in a hospital may have to transfer your care to someone else.
What is the usual recovery time for breast augmentation?
The recovery time varies, depending on: (1) The position of the implant. Breast augmentation with the implant placed under the muscle usually hurts more thus require longer recovery time. (2) The individual patient's pain tolerance. (3) the degree of trauma involved during breast augmentation. Patients in general feel comfortable anywhere between 7 to 20 days after surgery.
How long is a breast implant "good" for?
The two major companies providing implants for breast augmentation, Allergan and Mentor, guarantee their products for approximately 10 years. However, many people with breast augmentation do fine for more than 10 years without feeling the need for repeat breast augmentation or changing the breast implant.
Does breast augmentation make breast cancer harder to be detected in mammogram?
Good radiology technicians should know how to properly position the breasts of a person who has had breast augmentation to obtain a high quality mammogram.
What cities are leading centers Breast Augmenation?
Breast augmentation, like all major cosmetic procedures, are commonly done in large cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, Orange County (Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Anaheim), Seattle, San francisco, Dallas, San Diego, Miami, Portland, San Jose, and Baltimore.
Disclaimer: The materials presented herein are for informational purposes only. It is not considered medical advice regarding breast augmentation for any particular patient. You need to consult with a qualified breast augmenation surgeon to discuss your individual needs and the particular surgery most suitable for you.
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic breast procedure where the breast volume is enhanced using a synthetic breast implant.
How is the breast implant inserted into the body?
The breast augmentation surgeon makes an incision in one of several locations: the breast crease (inframamary crease), the axilla (under arm), around the nipple areolar complex. The approach thru the belly button is rarely used, as many surgeons believe it is associated with high rates of complications.
Where is the implant placed for breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is done with the implant placed either (partially) under the pectoralis muscle, or over the muscle. The individual opinions differ as to which is the "better" placement for breast augmentation. In general, breast augmentation with the implant placed under the muscle causes more pain, due to the need to partially split the muscle to place the implant, and so will require more time for recovery from the augmentation surgery.
When a patient has different breast shapes (such as one nipple higher than the other), does breast augmentation change the shapes of the breasts to make them more symmetrical?
Breast augmentation is mostly a volume enhancement procedure. While small changes can be made to the shapes of the individual breast, oftentimes additional procedures are done to change asymmetry of breast shapes. Further, it is not uncommon that breast augmentation alone may accentuate the baseline differences of your breast shape, you nipple and breast crease height, etc. Patients also tend to pay more attention to their breast after breast augmentation surgery, and therefore "asymmetries" are more frequently noticed at that time.
Before Breast Augmentation
After Breast Augmentation
Does the breast implant contain silicone or saline?
The breast implant's outer cover is made of silicone rubber. It is the material inside that distinguishes a "saline" breast implant from a silicone breast implant. A silicone breast implant contains some form of silicone gel, while the saline breast implant contains saline, which is chemically similar to the human body fluid.
Which implant is "better" for breast augmentation?
The individual opinion differs. However, many breast surgeons believe that the silicone breast implants provides a more "natural" sensation after breast augmentation surgery. On the other hand, when a silicone breast implant leaks, there are more usually problems associated with it than a leakage of saline breast implant, as the silicone gel may cause inflammatory reaction from your body. Silicone breast implants are also more expensive than saline breast implants.
Can anyone get a saline/silicone breast implant?
At the present time, only saline breast implants are authorized to be used for strictly cosmetic breast augmentation surgery. Silicone breast implants are only available to patients who undergo breast surgery that contains a reconstructive component, such as reshaping of the breast (also known as breast lift or mastopexy) or breast reconstruction after removal of the breast for treatment of breast cancer.
Where is breast augmentation surgery performed?
Breast augmentation surgery is usually performed in surgical hospital and certified surgery centers. While many surgeons also perform breast surgery in the office, it may be prudent to check into whether the office surgical facility is certified by state and professional certification agencies to ensure one's safety.
Who performs breast augmentation?
Plastic surgeons typically get formal training to do cosmetic surgery, including breast augmentation, over a period of several (two to three) years before become independent surgeons. There are other physicians who call themselves "cosmetic surgeon" who also perform cosmetic surgery.
What are the common complications/sequelae in breast augmentation surgery?
The most common complications include :infection, extrusion of implant (with or without infection), hematoma (blood clot at the site of the implant, and implant rupture. Other phenomena seen in breast augmentation surgery include formation of thick scarring around the breast implant (capsular formation), which is seen in up to 15% of people undergoing breast augmentation. While capsular contracture is not truly a "complication" in many surgeons' opinion, the more severe cases will need to be surgically corrected.
What else should one consider in choosing a surgeon?
It is inevitable that complications will occur in any surgeon's hand. Thus it is important that your surgeon is comfortable and competent in taking care of your complications if they develop. Sometimes, admission to the hospital is necessary for treating an infection, such as severe hematoma or infection. That is why a surgeon who has privilege to work in a hospital and admit sick patients will be able to take care of your problem, while one that does not have permission to operate and admit in a hospital may have to transfer your care to someone else.
What is the usual recovery time for breast augmentation?
The recovery time varies, depending on: (1) The position of the implant. Breast augmentation with the implant placed under the muscle usually hurts more thus require longer recovery time. (2) The individual patient's pain tolerance. (3) the degree of trauma involved during breast augmentation. Patients in general feel comfortable anywhere between 7 to 20 days after surgery.
How long is a breast implant "good" for?
The two major companies providing implants for breast augmentation, Allergan and Mentor, guarantee their products for approximately 10 years. However, many people with breast augmentation do fine for more than 10 years without feeling the need for repeat breast augmentation or changing the breast implant.
Does breast augmentation make breast cancer harder to be detected in mammogram?
Good radiology technicians should know how to properly position the breasts of a person who has had breast augmentation to obtain a high quality mammogram.
What cities are leading centers Breast Augmenation?
Breast augmentation, like all major cosmetic procedures, are commonly done in large cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, Orange County (Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Anaheim), Seattle, San francisco, Dallas, San Diego, Miami, Portland, San Jose, and Baltimore.
Disclaimer: The materials presented herein are for informational purposes only. It is not considered medical advice regarding breast augmentation for any particular patient. You need to consult with a qualified breast augmenation surgeon to discuss your individual needs and the particular surgery most suitable for you.