1. Can a woman breast-feed after breast augmentation?

Several studies have shown that about 50% of women will breast feed after a breast augmentation. It is likely that several factors are involved in breast feeding after a breast enlargement.

(1) If you do not have much breast gland before an augmentation, then you may not develop much milk for the nursing process and thus may not be able to breast feed anyhow.

(2) It is likely that implants placed under the muscle (i.e. a sub muscular plane) will interfere less with breast glandular development after pregnancy.

(3) Some women just elect not to nurse anyhow.


2. Is it true that there is usually no loss of sense of touch of the nipples?

No. Most women experience diminished nipple areola sensation after a breast augmentation. The nerve that supplies sensation to the nipple runs in between the breast gland and the chest muscle. The likelihood of nerve injury is therefore higher when the breast implant is placed under the muscle. A lower rate of nerve damage is expected when the implant is placed under the chest muscle and away from the nerve. Regardless of which implant pocket is chosen, the process of breast enhancement causes nerve stretching and transient loss or reduced sensation. The sensation however returns in the majority of patients within 6 months, especially when the implant is under the muscle.


3. Can implants achieve some lifting of sagging breasts?

Breast implant placement can result in correction of minor breast sagging. Usually the nipple areola complex lifts about � inch after breast augmentation. For those patients who have more significant sagging, a crescent breast lift can be employed for augmentation and nipple areola lift of up to an inch.


4. What about getting insurance to pay for the breast augmentation?

Breast Augmentation is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by the majority of insurance plans.


5. Will my breast implants feel like natural breasts?

When silicone or gel implants are used, a more natural feel can be achieved.


6. What is the difference between breast implants placed under the pectoralis muscle and implants placed under it?

Most Board Certified Plastic Surgeons elect to place breast implants under the muscle unless the patient has significant breast tissue to start with. Breast augmentation on a sub muscular plane has several advantages. These include:

(1) Studies have shown a lower rate of capsular contracture with implants under the muscle.

2) There is more tissue coverage since the implant is placed under both the chest muscle and the breast tissue.

(3) The risk of nerve injury and loss of sensation to the nipple areola complex are lower.

(4) The implants contribute less to breast sagging. The main disadvantage of sub muscular breast placement is the fact that the implants can move on the chest when the pectoralis muscle is contracted. Thus this procedure is not suitable for body builders or those who participate in activities that require contraction of their breast muscles.


7. Will smoking affect my recovery?

Yes. Many studies have shown an adverse effect of nicotine on the healing tissue. Nicotine causes contraction of the micro vessels that supply the healing tissue and thus slow down the healing process. It is recommended for those who plan to undergo surgery to cease smoking for 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after the procedure.