Breast Augmentation in Florida

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation is the most common plastic surgery procedure performed in the United States. Breast Augmentation was first described in the early 1960′s and since that time millions of women have undergone cosmetic breast augmentation.

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breasts, and can also restore the volume of a woman’s breasts following pregnancy. In addition, breast augmentation can be performed to correct for differences in size between a woman’s right and left breast or to correct congenital breast deformities such as a constricted or tuberous breast. Physically healthy women with realistic goals are the ideal candidates for breast augmentation surgery.

While each patient has a different surgical goal, most patients ask for surgical results that compliment their figure. For example, many patients often ask for fullness in their breast with a more natural breast shape that is proportionate to their frame. Others prefer a more rounded shape in the upper pole of their breast while some may prefer a somewhat larger breast than their proportionate figure. These goals can be achieved by the surgeon with the vast array of breast implants available today. The product line offered by Natrelle (Allergan, Inc.) and Mentor Corporation allow a surgeon to create breasts with different looks in line with patient desires.

There are round breast implants and teardrop shaped breast implants, smooth breast implants and textured breast implants, saline and silicone breast implants; there are even combinations of saline and silicone breast implants. Round breast implants come in a variety of projections and widths, while anatomic or tear drop breast implants come in a variety of sized that vary in width, height, and projection.

The prettiest breast augmentation results come from pre-operative planning using Bio-dimensional planning principles. The primary goal of Bio-dimensional planning is to select the breast implants that have the proper dimensions to compliment a specific woman’s figure.

The proportions of each patient’s figure is different. Therefore, every breast augmentation procedure should be different in order to accommodate each and every patient’s anatomy and the individual goals. Some patients have broad shoulders and a broad rib cage, while others may be quite narrow. On the other hand, some women have broad shoulders and a narrow ribcage.

While every woman is familiar with their bra cup size, it is a very inaccurate measurement of breast size. Bra cup size does not account for all the different shapes of women’s breasts. For example, some patients have a wide base width to their breast and other patients have narrow breast. Some breasts are more pointed and others are flat. Some breasts project more than others, and some may be perky while others sag. In addition, some patients are very thin while other patients may have a wider frame.

All of these variables will influence the surgeon’s decision as to which is the most appropriate breast implant to select. Only Bio dimensional planning principles incorporate these variables into a individualized preoperative plan for surgery. This complexity is the reason why breast augmentation is a operation mastered by only a few in the country.

The prettiest breasts result from selection of the best possible breast implant for each and every patient. For example, there are five different types of 300 cc breast implants from the Natrelle product portfolio. Each of these breast implants has different dimensions and will result in a completely different look in the same patient. Even though they all have the same volume of 300cc! The correct implant is the one that fits your figure just like a perfectly fitted satin glove. This can only be achieved by matching the dimensions of a woman’s body with the dimensions of the correct breast implant.

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The Breast Augmentation Procedure and What to Expect

The breast augmentation procedure takes about one hour depending on the technique performed. Usually general anesthesia is used to put a patient to sleep but occasionally a combination of local anesthesia and sedation is used. In the state of Florida general anesthesia is not permitted in an office setting.

Breast augmentation incisions may be placed in the inframammary fold of the breast, periareolar (around the nipple), or trans-axillary (in the armpits). The decision of where to place a breast augmentation incision depends upon the specific technical issues of the operation and the patient’s preference. The inframammary breast augmentation incision is the most common incision and is placed in or just above the inframammary fold. The second most common incision is the periareolar breast augmentation incision especially if a breast lift is part of the planned operation. The transaxillary breast augmentation incision is placed high in the axilla in patients who do not wish to have a scar placed on the breast.

Breast implants can be placed in front of the pectoralis muscle (subglandular or prepectoral) or beneath the chest muscles (submuscular). The most common breast implant placement is in a “dual plane position.” The dual plane breast implant position allows the muscle to cover the upper portion of the breast implant. This is the area where wrinkling and rippling of the breast implant is most common. This approach also allows for better breast implant projection in the lower portion of the breast.

In some cases, breast implants will be placed above the muscle. While this is not an incorrect approach, it is more common to place breast implants in a subpectoral location for several reasons. In the medical literature there is a lower risk of capsular contracture (hardness of the breast) when implants are placed beneath the muscle (the subpectoral position.) There is less visible wrinkling and rippling as well. In addition, it is easier to perform mammograms when breast implants are in a subpectoral position since the muscle separates the plane of the breast and the plane of the implant.

Preparing for Breast Augmentation Surgery

Your plastic surgeon will be very prepared for your surgery and you should be prepared as well. Excellent surgical outcomes require the total effort of the entire team – that includes you, the patient. Patients who have adhere to the preoperative instructions and have done their best to be healthy will have the best results. It is very important to stop all smoking as soon as possible prior to surgery. Smoking delays healing, results in poor scars, and increases the risk of bleeding after surgery. Patients should do their best to eat healthy and be in good physical condition before surgery.

You should be able to speak freely with your surgeon about your goals and desired outcome. Be prepared to provide your medical history and inform your surgeon of any vitamins and medications, including over-the-counter, you are taking. Tell your surgeon if you smoke, have uncontrolled high blood pressure, allergies, blood clotting problems, or a tendency to form excessive scars because these problems can affect the outcome of your surgery. You should also discuss the impact of breast augmentation on breast-feeding.

You do not need to have a mammogram prior to surgery unless you fall within the National Cancer Institute’s guidelines. Under those guidelines your first mammogram should be between the age of 35 to 40. After 40 you should have a mammogram every other year. Some patients who are at higher risk for developing breast cancer may require a mammogram at different time intervals.

After your Breast Augmentation Surgery

Different patients have different experiences in their post operative course. Much of this depends on the way surgery is performed, and how a patient prepares for their surgery. Breast augmentation does not have to be a painful operation. If the surgeon uses meticulous dissection techniques and selects implants based upon Bio dimensional planning principles, the only discomfort should be a sense of pressure on the chest. Usually patients only require pain pills for a few days and some don’t require any, opting for Tylenol instead. After breast augmentation, you will be given surgical bras that you should wear as directed by your surgeon.

You should be able to resume your normal daily activities once the effects of anesthesia disappear. This is often in a couple of days. You should not have any bruising. You should be able to lift your arms over your head and shower the day after surgery.

Most patients with office jobs are back to work within one week of surgery depending on how they are feeling. You should refrain from vigorous activities for a few weeks. This will minimize swelling and lower the risk of bleeding. If lifting or physical exertion is required to perform your job, talk with your doctor about the time frame that will be appropriate for you to return to work after your breast augmentation. Sutures are removed after one week.

The majority of the swelling from breast augmentation should resolve in about two months but it may take as long as nine months for all the swelling to disappear and your breasts to take on their final shape.

As you heal from your breast augmentation surgery you may experience slight muscle spasms from your muscle stretching or even transient sharp shooting pains. Patients often say this is like hitting your funny bone, except in your breast. In addition, your nipples may have an occasional burning sensation, but these symptoms gradually disappear over time as you heal.