Breast Augmentation

What is breast augmentation (breast implant) surgery?

Breast augmentation, breast enhancement, or breast implant surgery, is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breasts by inserting implants behind the breasts. Breast augmentation surgery is among the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries in the United States, and one of our most popular services. Breast enhancement surgery can give women with small or unevenly sized breasts a fuller, firmer, better-proportioned appearance. Patients elect to undergo breast augmentation for many different medical and aesthetic reasons including balancing size, compensating for volume lost after pregnancy and nursing, and correcting congenital defects. Under Dr. Glick’s expert care, patients enjoy youthful and natural-feeling breasts tailor-made to their specific needs and anatomy.

Am I the right candidate for breast augmentation surgery?

The best candidates for breast augmentation surgery are relatively healthy women who desire larger and shapelier breasts. Many healthy women experience a dramatic loss of shape and volume after pregnancy and nursing, while others are just unhappy with the size and shape of their breasts in general. At Dr. Glick’s Plastic Surgery, we realize that every woman considering breast enhancement surgery is unique in her desires and expectations. Dr. Glick will carefully consult with you on how to optimize the results of your breast augmentation surgery, giving your bust line the most natural, elegant, and youthful look.

Saline Vs. Silicone: which breast implant is right for me?

Breast implants are silicone shells filled with either saline (salt water) or silicone gel. Both implant types are safe, and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Each type of implant has different considerations when planning your surgery, as well as different characteristics once implanted into the body. During your consultation with Dr. Glick, these factors will be carefully discussed and considered, to help you decide which type of breast implant is right for you.

THE BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY PROCEDURE

Initial Consultation Prior to Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation surgery is done to enhance the size, shape, and overall appearance of the breasts. Knowing that every woman is unique in both her desires and her body type, Dr. Glick takes the time during every preoperative consultation to learn about each patient’s aesthetic concerns as well as her aspirations and expectations in order to make the best decisions, from what type of implant to scar and implant placement. This way every patient enjoys a fully-customized treatment plan with her specific anatomy and individual goals in mind. Breast augmentation surgery can also be combined with other procedures as well. During your consultation, your medical and surgical history will be reviewed in detail, and a physical examination will be conducted. Dr. Glick and you will then discuss all relevant issues, and carefully formulate an individualized breast augmentation surgery plan.

Preparation for Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast Augmentation surgery is ambulatory surgery yet considerable preparation is needed. Dr. Glick may request that you visit your private medical doctor for a check-up and for any necessary lab work, x-rays, and appropriate breast imaging. Precise preoperative instructions will be reviewed, and all necessary prescriptions will be given to you in advance of your breast augmentation surgery. You will be instructed to avoid smoking, blood thinning medications, and all aspirin, aspirin-containing products, and anti-inflammatory products (Advil® or ibuprofen, and Aleve®) at least ten days before surgery. In order to promote optimal healing, a complete and comprehensive preoperative instructions will be provided for you, detailing which medications to avoid, and which vitamins , minerals, and homeopathic preparations are ok to take prior to and after breast augmentation surgery. For your own safety and comfort you will need to designate a chaperon/care taker that can escort you home after the procedure. You should plan to have some help with house-hold chores, such as cooking and cleaning, as these activities are fairly difficult in the immediate postoperative period. Get plenty of rest, and dress in comfortable layered clothing.

What Type of Anesthesia do you need for breast augmentation surgery?

The breast augmentation procedure lasts approximately 1 to 2 hours and is typically performed under general anesthesia at our ambulatory surgery facility. Dr. Glick and our Board-certified anesthesiologist will extensively discuss all aspects of anesthesia with you, and help you make the necessary decisions for your breast augmentation surgery.

How does Dr. Glick do a breast augmentation?

There are several different techniques for performing breast augmentation surgery. Incisions are made in inconspicuous places on the breast to minimize scar visibility. These may be located in the armpit (transaxillary), in the crease under the breasts (inframammary), or around the areola, or the dark skin around the nipple (periareolar). The breast implant is then inserted into a specially created pocket within the breast tissues. Breast implants can be placed under or over the pectoral muscles. Most commonly, Dr. Glick places the implants under the muscle. This provides better camouflage of the implant, reduces the chance of developing a scar capsule around the breast implant, or capsular contracture, and also causes less interference with mammogram examinations. After the implants have been inserted and positioned appropriately, the incisions are closed with sutures, and then taped and bandaged. You will be wrapped with a band around your chest above the implants to keep your implants in their proper place during the early recovery phase.

Recovery and the Postoperative Period

Dr. Glick’s breast augmentation surgery is an outpatient procedure that requires only a short rest in our comfortable recovery suite. No overnight stay is needed after breast augmentation surgery. Once surgery is completed, you will recover fully from the effects of anesthesia, and be escorted home with your designated caregiver. Dr. Glick will instruct you thoroughly on your postoperative regimen and recovery period. You will be encouraged to stay as active as possible at home for several days while maintaining appropriate positioning and posture. In most cases the bruising is minimal and resolves after the first week, you should be able to return to work and social activities after only several days. Dr. Glick recommends avoidance of strenuous physical exercise for approximately 6 weeks following breast augmentation surgery. As always, you are encouraged to stay active, eat a healthy diet, and exercise as tolerated. Dr. Glick and our medical team will closely follow up with you to make sure that your healing is going well.

Results of Breast Augmentation Surgery

The results of breast augmentation surgery are fuller, firmer, better-proportioned breasts. Your clothes may fit differently, and you may need new bras. In fact, many women enjoy the ability to be braless as well. Breast augmentation surgery results are permanent, though various lifestyle and hereditary factors may impact on your long-term results. Dr. Glick’s encourages maintenance of the breast enhancement surgery results with an appropriate fitness level and healthy diet.

What about breast cancer? Are there any risks after breast augmentation surgery?

Breast augmentation surgery has no known effect on breast cancer. After breast augmentation surgery, however, you must continue with your breast cancer screening regimen, as if surgery was never done. This includes regular breast self-examination, as well as periodic check-ups with your breast surgeon or physician, and regular mammography or other breast imaging as determined by your breast surgeon.

After breast augmentation surgery, there may be areas in the breasts that may pose significant difficulties in acquisition and interpretation of mammographic data. As breast augmentation becomes part of your surgical history, you must alert all healthcare personnel of this surgical history, so that they can adjust their radiological technique and provide the best information with regards to your breast cancer screening.

What about breast feeding?

It is not unusual for a breast augmentation surgery patient to experience difficulties in breast feeding. There is no way to predict which patients may or may not have these problems. Of note, there is a subset of the female population that has problems with nursing regardless of whether or not they have had breast surgery. The ability to produce and express mammary milk is completely unpredictable, and problems with these abilities may still be encountered despite our best efforts to avoid future complications.

How much does breast augmentation surgery cost?

Breast augmentation surgery costs vary depending on exactly what technique is used. This will be outlined in detail during your consultation with Dr. Glick. Additionally, we offer excellent no-interest financing options.

What are Dr. Glick’s patients saying after breast augmentation surgery?

Dr. Glick’s breast augmentation surgery patients are thrilled with their perky, projected, and proportional new breasts. Psychological and emotional benefits include a more satisfying body image and enhanced self-esteem. Read what our patients have to say about the benefits of being a patient at Dr. Glick’s Plastic Surgery.