Project Description
BREAST AUGMENTATION
WHAT IS BREAST AUGMENTATION?
Breast augmentation surgery involves using implants or in specific cases Fat Transfer to increase the size of your breasts or restore breast volume that has been lost after weight reduction or pregnancy. Breast augmentation can:
- Increase fullness and projection of your breasts
- Improve the balance of your figure
- Enhance your self-image and self-confidence
Breast augmentation is a very personal procedure and you should do it for yourself, not for someone else. Breast augmentation is a good option if:
- You are physically healthy
- You have realistic expectations
- Your breasts are fully developed
- You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
- You are dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging
- You are unhappy with the upper part of your breast appearing “empty”
- Your breasts are asymmetrical
- One or both breasts failed to develop normally or have an elongated shape
What it won’t do
Breast augmentation does not correct severely drooping breasts. If you want your breasts to look fuller and to be lifted due to sagging, a breast lift may be required in conjunction with breast augmentation.Breast lifting can often be done at the same time as your augmentation or may require a separate operation. Dr. Federico will assist you in making this decision.
CONSULTATION & PREPARING FOR SURGERY
During your consultation be prepared to discuss:
- Why you want the surgery, your expectations, and the desired outcome
- Medical conditions, drug allergies, and previous medical treatments
- Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
- Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies
- History of severe depression.
Your plastic surgeon will also:
- Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
- Examine and measure your breasts, including detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, and placement of your nipples and areolas
- Take photographs
- Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
- Discuss likely outcomes of breast augmentation and any risks or potential complications
Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:
- Get a blood test
- Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
- Stop smoking
- Avoid taking a week before your surgery, aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs ( Brufen, Voltaren ), ginger, raw garlic, green tea as they can increase bleeding.
Breast augmentation surgery may be performed in an accredited outpatient surgical center or a hospital.
Be sure to ask Dr. Federico Di Francesco- Eklund questions. It’s very important to understand all aspects of your breast augmentation surgery. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t shy about discussing these feelings with Dr. Federico.
THE PROCEDURE
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The surgery will be performed under general anesthesia.
Incisions are made in inconspicuous areas to minimize visible scarring. You and Dr. Federico will discuss which incision options are appropriate for your desired outcome. Incision options include: the inframammary fold (IMF) one, peri-areolar or axillary.
Incisions vary based on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your particular anatomy, and patient-surgeon preference. If you will have a breast augmentation by fat transfer only no scars will be visible , only the incisions for the cannulas.In certain cases you could need a fat transfer after implants insertion to give a more smooth look.
After the incision is made, a breast implant is inserted into a pocket either:
- Under the pectoral muscle (a submuscular placement), or
- Directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (a submammary/ subglandular placement)
The method for inserting and positioning implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type, and your surgeon’s recommendations
Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue and with sutures, skin adhesive plus surgical tape to close the skin.Over time the incision lines will fade but they will never disappear.
The results of breast augmentation are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for fuller breasts.
RISKS & SAFETY
The decision to have breast augmentation surgery extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable . Dr. Federico will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery during your consultation . You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.
Possible risks include:
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Wrong or faulty position of the implant
- Implant leakage or rupture
- The formation of tight scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture)
- Fluid accumulation (seroma)
- Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
- Pain
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- BIA – ALCL (rare type of tumor related to certain type of breast implants shell)
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.Breast implants do not impair breast health. Careful reviews of scientific research by independent groups such as the Institute of Medicine have found no link between breast implants and autoimmune or other systemic diseases.
Other important considerations:
- Breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants
- Pregnancy, weight loss, and menopause may influence the appearance of augmented breasts over the course of your lifetime
- Breast augmentation requires regular examinations of your breasts’ health and to evaluate the condition of your implants
AUGMENTATION OPTIONS
Implant choices
Saline implants
are filled with sterile salt water Should the implant shell leak, a saline implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body. They provide a uniform shape, firmness and feel.
Silicone implants
are filled with silicone gel. The gel feels a bit more like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket A leaking implant filled with silicone gel will not collapse. If you choose these implants, you may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly. An ultrasound or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants. Silicone implants are FDA-approved . Dr. Federico implants choices: Motiva, Mentor, Polytech.
Form-stable implants
are sometimes referred to as gummy bear implants because they maintain their shape even when the implant shell is broken. The consistency of the silicone gel inside the implant is thicker than traditional silicone gel implants. These implants are also firmer than traditional implants, but are thought to be less likely to break.
Form-stable implants
are shaped rather than round.They have more projection at the bottom and are tapered towards the top. If a shaped implant rotates, it may lead to an unusual appearance of the breast. Placement of form-stable implant requires a longer incision in the skin.
Round implants
have a tendency to make breasts appear fuller than form-stable implants. Higher profile options can achieve even more projection. Because round implants are the same shape all over; there is less concern about them rotating out of place.
Implant manufacturers occasionally introduce new styles and types of implants, so there may be additional options available. Whether you choose saline or silicone implants, it is important for you to check your breast implants and follow-up with dr. Federico for appropriate checkups.
Surface Texture
Smooth breast
implants are the softest feeling. These implants can move with the breast implant pocket, which may give more natural movement These implants may have some palpable or visible rippling.
Textured breast
implants develop scar tissue to stick to the implant, making them less likely to move around inside of the breast and get repositioned. Texturing offers some advantage in diminishing the risk of a tight scar capsule.
Other options
Fat grafting
A fat transfer breast augmentation essentially uses liposuction to take fat from other parts of your body and inject it into your breasts. This is an option for women who are looking for a relatively small increase in breast size and would prefer natural results. Risks include cysts, infection, microcalcification, necrosis (death) of fat cells and the possibility that some of the transferred fat cells will leave the breast area. Your plastic surgeon may also have you use a tissue expansion system during the weeks before your surgery to improve your results. You may have to have touch-up injections to retain your improved shape if you choose this surgery.
RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY
After surgery you will be taken into a recovery area to be closely monitored. Your breasts will be wrapped in a support bra that will minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal. You may be permitted to go home after 6 hours (sub glandular augmentation) or the next morning.
Before leaving, you will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for your breasts following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with your plastic surgeon. You may be instructed to wear a support bra around the clock for the first week or two. It will be important to cleanse the incision sites and apply ointment as directed. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully.
After a post-surgical recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days, you will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks. Exercise and normal activity can resume at the direction of your plastic surgeon, usually 6 weeks post op.
COST
Prices for a breast augmentation can vary. A surgeon’s cost may be based on his experience, the type of procedure used, the type of implants and the geographic location of the office.Our clinic may offers patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.
Cost may include:
- Anesthesia fees
- Hospital or surgical facility costs
- Medical tests
- Post-surgery garments
- Breast implant fees
- Prescriptions for medication
- Surgeon’s fee
Your satisfaction involves more than a fee:
When choosing dr. Federico Di Francesco – Eklund , your plastic surgeon for breast augmentation surgery, remember that his experience and your comfort with him are just as important as the final cost of the surgery . Plastic surgery involves many choices.The first and most important is selecting a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, an ASPS (American society of Plastic Surgeons) or ISAPS( International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) member surgeon you can trust. ASPS/ ISAPS member surgeons meet rigorous standards:
- Board certification by the Official medical university in Plastic Surgery.
- Complete six years of medical training following medical school with 5 years of plastic surgery residency training
- Pass comprehensive oral and written exams.
- Graduate from an accredited medical school.
- Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety each year
- Perform surgery in accredited Center.