How is breast augmentation surgery performed?

Breast augmentation is where you place an implant inside the body to create more volume in the breast. The choices are many and can be confusing: type of implant, placement, size, incision, round or shaped implant, textured or smooth. You need a board certified plastic surgeon to help you navigate these choices. The biggest choice is saline or silicone (gel) implant. The type of implant affects the feel of the breast more than anything else. Silicone, gel breast implants tend to feel more natural. If you are a thin athletic Bay Area woman with little natural breast cover, you can feel the implant, so the more natural feel is better. The gel implants though do have a higher complication rate, the major issue being a higher rate of capsular contracture where the breast turns hard.

How can I find a qualified board certified plastic surgeon?

Board certification is important. It is a way for you, the patient, to find a doctor who trained in what they say. Everyone seems to call themselves a plastic surgeon these days, and many of them trained in family practice, dermatology, and other specialties. To cut through the trickery, you can ask your doctor "By WHAT board are you certified? " A true plastic surgeon has had years of training in general and plastic surgery, and they are certified by "the American Board of Plastic Surgery. " You can go to the ASPS site http://plasticsurgery.org/ to find a list of doctors near you.

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

Breast augmentation, particularly when placed under the muscle which most are, hurts. For the first couple days you will be on pain medication around the clock. You will get better quickly though, and by a week out, most of my patients are off their pain medication. As for returning to work, you can drive when you are off pain medication. Most of my busy silicon valley patients are back to their desk jobs at one week. If you have a more vigorous job, like nursing where you have to assist in the transfer of patients and lifting, then I would recommend longer. You are usually back to full exercise around a month.