BREAST AUGMENTATION, BREAST IMPLANTS MIAMI

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure performed to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breasts for a more aesthetically pleasing contour. Some of the most popular requests for breast augmentation include: increasing breast size for better proportion, correcting breast asymmetries and restoring volume and fullness to the breasts after weight loss, pregnancy or aging. Breast augmentation is also commonly known as a breast enhancement, breast enlargement, or breast job.

Our breast specialists are experts in their field, having undergone extensive post-graduate and fellowship training, and are personally hand selected by Medical Director, Dr. John Chang. Along with the top breast augmentation doctors in South Florida, our surgery centers also offer knowledgeable staff, specialty trained nurses & technicians and board certified anesthesiologists to ensure the best possible results in a safe and comfortable environment.

PLANNING & PREPARING FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION

What Takes Place During My Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Breast augmentation is performed by making a small incision in one of four locations: around the areola, under the fold of the breast, inside the armpit or inside the belly button. The most common incision site is around the areola because it provides direct access to the breast, provides a natural border to disguise scars and can be reused for any future breast surgeries (i.e. future breast augmentations or breast lifts).

A pocket is then made under the muscle and a sizer is used to ensure that the implant size selected is to the satisfaction of the surgeon based upon the desires of the patient. Either a saline or silicone implant is carefully set into place and the layers of the breast tissue are closed. Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water while in the breast, while silicone implants come pre-filled.

In rare instances, breast implants are placed above the muscle; however breast augmentation under the muscle provides a more natural look and feel, a decreased risk of infection and a decreased risk of capsular contracture.
Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia and generally takes about 1-2 hours in the operating room.

Breast Implant Options: Silicone Vs. Saline Implants

Both implants consist of a solid silicone shell. Saline implants are filled sterile salt water intraoperatively, while silicone implants come pre-filled with a cohesive silicone gel. Both silicone and saline breast implants are FDA approved and safe for use for both cosmetic and reconstructive purposes. They both have the same rupture rate and neither have been linked to any form of cancer or autoimmune disease. Although you will achieve a natural looking result from either implant, silicone implants more closely mimic natural breast tissue and therefore tend to feel more natural.

Preparing for Breast Augmentation

Education is an important part of the surgical process. Before breast augmentation, it is important to discuss all of your questions with your surgeon or physician consultation including: your goals, realistic expectations, downtime and recovery tips. You will be required to complete a pre-op appointment prior to surgery. At this appointment you will discuss any additional questions, go over paperwork and complete your lab work. You will receive specific pre- and post-op instructions for your breast augmentation. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully to ensure optimal results. It is also important to avoid any type of blood thinners for a minimum of 2 weeks before surgery (i.e. aspirin, vitamin E, ginko biloba, fish oils, etc) and avoid smoking for a minimum of 1 month before surgery.

BREAST AUGMENTATION RECOVERY

Immediate recovery from breast augmentation requires only a few days of downtime. You will need a responsible adult to pick you up from surgery and care for you for the first 24 hours. You will experience soreness, but this can be relieved with prescribed medication. Be sure to take it easy - no heavy lifting, cleaning, exercising, driving or lifting your hands over your head. Most patients are able to return to work within a week, although it is important to avoid strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks.

It is important that you return for all of your post-op appointments and communicate with your surgeon with any questions or concerns.

Initially breast implants are high on the chest wall immediately following breast augmentation, but drop into place after the first month or two.You will be required to wear a sports bra that zips in the front for a minimum of 4 weeks after surgery. After a week, you surgeon will demonstrate how to perform breast augmentation massage to break up fibrous tissue to prevent capsular contracture and to help drop the implants into place. Although breast augmentation scars are generally discrete, we recommend the use of scar cream beginning 2 weeks after surgery.

BREAST AUGMENTATION RISKS

General Risks Associated with Breast Augmentation
As with any type of surgery, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with breast augmentation. Swelling, bruising, light bleeding and changes in sensation are all normal parts of the healing process. In rare cases, excessive bleeding or fluid collection may occur and additional surgery may be required.

All precautions are taken to avoid infection including: upholding the highest standards for sterilization and providing antibiotics during and after the procedure; however, if infection occurs, patient may be placed on stronger antibiotics or may require removal of the implant(s) for a period of a few months. This is extremely rare.

In order to prevent breast augmentation complications it is important to follow your surgeon's instructions. Do not "over do it" after surgery. No cleaning, exercise, dancing, etc. Do not take blood thinners, drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Smoking greatly impairs your ability to heal and can lead to more serious complicatis including poor wound healing, bleeding, infection and skin necrosis.

Capsular Contracture – Hardening of Breasts(s)
After breast augmentation, your body will form a fibrous tissue around the implant called a capsule. This is the body's natural response to a foreign object placed in the body. In some cases, excess tissue can form and tighten around the implant. This is a condition known as capsular contracture. There are different levels of capsular contracture and are rated on a scale from 1-4. Mild cases of capsular contracture after breast augmentation do not require any correction, while severe cases can cause discomfort and distortion of the implant. In this case additional surgery may be necessary to correct the condition. The risk of capsular contracture is decreased by placing the implant under the muscle and performing breast augmentation massage beginning one week after surgery.

Breast Implant Rupture – Leaking Implants
Both saline and silicone implants are FDA approved and proven safe and effective for breast augmentation. Although breast implants are very durable, they are medical devices and can rupture. Studies have shown that no implant is more likely to rupture than the other. In the event of a rupture, saline implants will deflate and the sterile salt water will be safely absorbed by the body. This can happen over the course of a few days or a few months depending on the nature of the rupture. Silicone implants are more difficult to detect because they are made of a cohesive conform gel. In the event of a rupture the silicone will stay in place and may require an ultrasound to detect. Signs of a rupture include breast discomfort or distortion. Either way the implant, or shell of the implant, will need to be removed.

THE NEXT STEP...

If you are considering breast augmentation, we welcome you to schedule a complimentary consultation by either calling us at 305-446-0440 or filling out our online request form.

We believe in helping all patients achieve their goals and offer easy financing for patients of nearly any financial situation. Fill out our FINANCING APPLICATION to apply online today. A dedicated consultation will help you find the best plan for you and your breast augmentation.

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