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The size and shape of your breasts depends on the amount of breast
tissue and fat present. Age, pregnancy, genetics and
skin elasticity all effect the breast appearance.
Having beautiful breasts is related to shape, balance and
size. Beauty depends on having:
1.
the nipple positioned on the center of the breast
mound
2.
the nipple tilt slightly upwards and
outwards
3.
a gentle slope from the neck/shoulder to the apex of
the breast (nipple) and then down from
the nipple under
the breast
4.
good cleavage
5.
a slight bulge on the side of the chest where the
breast protrudes
6.
adequate size to be in balance with your frame
All women have a unique breast, body shape and
size. The art of breast augmentation consists of
selecting the appropriate:
1.
incision location
2. implant style and size
3. implant placement
After performing hundreds of breast augmentations we have the
experience and judgment to create the optimally sized,
shaped and balanced breasts for you.
There are several myths/misconceptions regarding breast
augmentation and implants. The following is a list and
each can be fully discussed at your consultation.
1.
implants should always be placed behind the chest muscle
2.
there is one best incision
3.
any patient can have any shaped breast
4.
breast implants are dangerous
5.
breast surgery is very painful and incapacitating
6.
women have breast implants to please men
7.
a good result can be obtained at low cost
INITIAL CONSULTATION
At
the initial consultation we will discuss your goals and
expectations. A thorough examination of the breasts
and your overall body frame will be conducted. We will
then discuss implant types, location of incisions, placement
of the implant and potential risks. Most importantly
we want to have clear communication, and develop good rapport
with you.
TYPES
OF IMPLANTS
Implants
are available in many different sizes and shapes. All
implants have an outer shell made of solid silicone and may
be smooth or textured. The implants are filled with
saline (salt water).
The incision for the implant placement may be:
1.
Inframammary - The incision is hidden in
the crease below the breast. This approach is quick,
direct, accurate and only minimally disturbs the breast
tissue.
2.
Periareolar - The incision is made
along the edge of the areola. This approach is somewhat
more difficult than the
inframammary but the scar is usually very
fine.
3.
Transaxillary - The incision is made
in the armpit. The scar is completely outside the
breast
area however this approach is more difficult and implant
placement may not be as accurate as
with the
inframammary
incision.
4.
Periumbilical - The incision is made
in the belly button. We have not been happy with
implant
placement utilizing this approach.
The placement/location of the implants can be subglandular
or submuscular. The implant is directly beneath the
breast if placed subglandular and is partially covered by the
pectoralis (large chest) muscle in the subpectoral/submuscular position.
The
choice of incision location and placement of the implant is
dependent on your goals, desires and natural breast.
These issues will be discussed extensively at your
consultation.
RISKS
Surgical:
1.
Infection
can occur in any surgery but is extremely rare after
breast augmentation. Implants have
never had to be
removed from an A.S.C. patient due to infection.
However, in an augmented breast
an implant may need to be
removed in the presence of an infection and replaced at a
later date.
2.
Bleeding can occur after any surgery. It is extremely rare after
augmentation. Bleeding may require
semi-urgent surgery
for control.
3.
Changes
in sensation
or loss of sensation in the nipple or breast is uncommon
but may occur
either temporarily or permanently. It is
more common with submuscular placements of implants.
Implant
Related:
1.
Capsular Contracture
- The body's (breasts') natural
response to any implant is to form scar
tissue around the
device. This scar tissue is called a capsule. If
the capsule contracts it may
cause pain, hardening and
disfigurement of the breast. A secondary surgery may be
necessary to
correct this. It is very unusual in
submuscualr and more common in subglandular placement
2.
Deflation
- Implants may rupture not necessarily related to any
trauma. This is unusual but is not
harmful to your
health as the leaking saline is naturally present in the
body and is readily absorbed.
Replacement of the
implant is quick and uncomplicated and relatively
painless All implants have a
life time
warranty.
3.
Mammographic Interference -
It
is possible for breast implants to interfere with a normal
mammogram. Special views of the breasts are necessary
for patients with implants. With proper
mammographic techniques it
would be unusual for an abnormal finding to be missed. Submuscular
placement may make mammograms
easier to interpret.
4.
Wrinkling/Rippling
-
All saline implants wrinkle at their edges. This may be
visible beneath the
breast tissue. The degree of
visibility will vary depending on the size of the breast, size of
the implant
and implant placement.
5.
Auto Immune Disease -
At present there is no scientific evidence suggesting that
patients with
breast implants are at increased risk for
developing auto immune or connective tissue disease.
6. Breast
Feeding - Breast feeding is possible after augmentation. No
scientific evidence suggests
that infants are harmed by
feeding from an implanted breast.
7.
Cancer -
No evidence suggests that women who have implants have a
higher risk of developing
breast cancer.
YOUR
SURGERY
Your
safety is paramount to the A.S.C. With this in mind you will
need to obtain the following prior to your surgery.
You will receive written instructions on surgical preparation
including directions on when to stop eating and cleansing the
surgical site. Prescriptions for antibiotics and pain
medication may be filled prior to surgery.
On the day of surgery we will meet - any last minute
concerns can be addressed. A registered nurse will
review a pre-op checklist to assure everything has been
carefully performed as directed. You will meet with the
anesthesiologist/nurse anesthetist who will review the anesthesia with you.
Generally an IV will be started and sedatives
administered. The sedatives are rapid acting, easily
metabolized and very safe. You will be awake during the
procedure, but unaware of your surroundings. This
technique is sometimes called twilight sleep and allows you to
go home shortly after the procedure.
The surgery is performed in our state-of-the-art
surgical suite equipped with modern equipment for your safety
and comfort. We utilize a scrub nurse, anesthesiologist, and a
circulating nurse to assist your surgeon.
Our staff is trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support should there be any
unusual reaction to anesthesia. A.S.C. has never had a patient
who has had an adverse reaction to the anesthesia.
Surgery time is approximately one hour, at which time you will
go to the recovery area for approximately 30 minutes.
Then you may go home escorted by a responsible adult.
POST RECOVERY
The
breasts will be wrapped in bandages and Ace wraps for 2
days. Afterwards a shower is permitted and a soft bra may be
placed. Pain is mild after subglandular placement but more
severe after submuscular augmentation. Usually pain
subsides dramatically after several days.
Most patients can return to work within a week and resume all
but the most strenuous activity after several weeks. You
will be seen as often as necessary post op. Usually
the first visit is at one week, and then
the second visit at four to six weeks.
Breast Lifts
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