| Dr. Matthew Concannon is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Breast Augmentation.
Q. What is Breast Augmentation?
A. Breast augmentation is a form of breast enhancement that enlarges the breasts. Other forms of breast enhancement include breast lifting, or breast reduction. Breast augmentation is accomplished by placing a breast implant (usually silicone gel, or it can be saline filled) behind your breast tissue. This is typically done on an outpatient basis, and takes a few hours from start to finish.
Q. How should one prepare for breast augmentation surgery?
A. The most important thing is to do your homework on your surgeon: interview several, and find the one that you feel the most comfortable with. Do research about the surgery on the internet, and using the sources provided to you by your surgeon. Ask questions.
Q. How is a breast augmentation surgery performed?
A. Using a small (4cm) incision, a pocket is dissected behind your breast tissue (either under a general anesthetic or local); after this is done the surgeon places breast implants in these areas and sutures the incision closed.
Q. What are the possible immediate post-operative effects in breast augmentation surgery?
A. Risks include local bleeding, infection, visible scarring at the incision site, or implant malposition. While these risks are quite rare (less than 1%) you should understand the risks of any procedure prior to deciding to go forward with it. The value of choosing a board certified plastic surgeon is not to eliminate the chance of complications, but they are best equipped to deal with issues and know how best guide your ultimate recovery for the best possible outcome.
Q. What are the possible longer-term, local effects in breast augmentation surgery?
A. Capsular contracture (a tightening of the tissue surrounding a breast implant) is a possible but relatively rare possibility. After a long period of time (decades) the implants may rupture, which may require replacement. Even if your silicone gel implant ruptures, the gel remains contained within the breast capsule, so migration of the gel is not a worry.
Q. What is the recovery time for breast augmentation?
A. Typically after 3 weeks most women have resumed all of their pre-operative activities. The breasts continue to soften as they mature over the next 6-12 months, and improve in their looks and feel over this time.
Q. How much does breast augmentation cost?
A. While this depends on several factors that the patient can pick from (implant type, anesthesia type, location of surgery) the average total cost is about $6000
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