What is breast augmentation?

Surgery that increases breast size by placing implants under the breast muscle and tissue.

Are implants safe for a woman with MS (multiple sclerosis)?

This is her at her physician's discretion. Saline implants should be used instead of silicone.

What are the possible longer-term, local effects in breast augmentation surgery?

Possible encapsulation with hardening of one breast requiring further surgery.

How can I find a qualified board certified plastic surgeon?

Go on-line to American Board of Surgery OR American Socity of Plastic Surgery OR American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

What are the possible immediate post-operative effects of breast augmentation surgery?

Pain, thightness of muscles.

How should one prepare for breast augmentation surgery?

Not take anything that thins the blood 2 weeks before surgery.

How is breast augmentation surgery performed?

An incision is made either under the breast or around the areola and an implant is inserted.

Are there any drawbacks to having larger breasts?

One should wear substantial support when running and may need to slightly adjust their golf swing.

Can implants cause breast cancer?

Proven no. Women with silicone breast implants have less breast cancer than the general population (FDA statistic).

How do I decide what size implants I want?

I have a state-of-the-art 3D breast imaging system that shows different size and shape implants on your body.

Will smoking affect my recovery from breast augmentation?

Yes, you must not smoke 10 days before or 5 days after.

What is an implant made of?

Silastic (hard silicone plastic) bags filled with either salt water or cohesive silicone gel.

Is having silicone in the body safe?

The new implants have thicker walls with gel that is cohesive.

How do I keep my breast augmentation private?

HIPPA laws.

Can a woman breast-feed after breast augmentation?

Absolutely.

Is it true that there is usually no loss of sense of touch of the nipples after breast augmentation?

Yes.

What are the pros and cons of saline fill vs silicone gel fill?

Saline has more visible or palpable wrinkles.

Will my breast implants feel like natural breasts?

Silicone feels like natural breasts while saline feels slightly firmer.

Can implants lift sagging breasts?

Slightly.

Do any insurance companies pay for breast augmentation?

No, only reconstruction.

How do I handle mammograms after breast augmentation?

No problem. 4 views are taken.

Can salt-water filled implants harden like the silicone-filled ones?

Yes.

How long do implants last?

They can last a lifetime. If no hardening or collapsing occurs, they do not need to be redone every 10 years.

What prevents bacteria from getting into implants?

Having the surgery performed in a sterile environment with a well-trained plastic surgeon. With saline, a closed fill-tube system is important.

If silicone does not make people ill, why do the suits continue?

If implants get infected, patients can get sick.

Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?

Anyone.

What type of anesthetic is used for breast augmentation surgery?

General anesthesia. The implants cannot be placed under the muscle with local anesthesia or iv sedation.

What risks are associated with breast augmentation?

Encapsulation or hardening of the breast tissue. Infection and bleeding are very rare.

What is the recovery time for breast augmentation?

Varies. Most people return to work in 3 to 5 days.

How much does breast augmentation cost?

$5000.00 to $6900.00.

Who should not have breast enlargement?

No one.