| Dr. Julio Garcia 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. A breast augmentation is where the volume and the projection of the natural breast are enhanced or augmented by placing an implant. This implant is a silicone shell that is filled either with silicone gel or saline. The implant can be positioned either below or above the muscle. The optimal placement is determined after consultation with the patient. Rates of re-operation rates after breast augmentation, taking into consideration all the possible reasons for a re-operation, are about 20-24%, so a woman undergoing a breast augmentation should anticipate that. There are limits to what size implant can be placed into a patient, this is limited by their own anatomy. Going past those recommendations can be done but long term complication rates can also increase.
Q. How should one prepare for breast augmentation surgery?
A. The best preparation or a breast augmentation is to find a surgeon that you can communicate your hopes and desires and be able to understand one another. There are no special requirements needed prior to the surgery except to stop all blood thinners such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
Q. How is a breast augmentation surgery performed?
A. The surgery is performed by making an incision in either the crease of the breast, around the areola or in the armpit. After that a separation or dissection of the tissues is accomplished so that a pocket of adequate size is obtained to accept the implant. This pocket can be either above or below the muscle
Q. What are the possible immediate post-operative effects in breast augmentation surgery?
A. The immediate post-operative effects are that of swelling and some bruising, there can be muscle spasms and also some alteration of the sensation of the skin and nipple. These are all usually temporary. The implants can take a few weeks to a couple of months to settle into their final position.
Q. What are the possible longer-term, local effects in breast augmentation surgery?
A. The longer term effects are that of sagging of the breast and the implant, there can also be a hardening of the pocket, causing pain and in some cases distortion of the implant. This called capsular contracture and can occur in as high as a 20-24% rate, depending on patient and implant location. There can also be a leak or rupture of the implant that would require the implant to be replaced. If it is an implant filled with saline, the implant merely goes flat over a period of time, there can not be a partial leak though. In cases of a leak in a silicone implant, the rupture might not be able to be diagnosed unless an MRI scan is performed as there is no absorption of the free floating silicone, it is merely contained within the pocket formed but outside of the silicone bag where it was intended to be.
Q. Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?
A. candidates for a breast augmentation or women who have smaller than desired breast dimensions, who have realistic expectations of the surgical outcome and understand the short and long term limitations of the surgery. The smaller the implant size used, if it allows patient satisfaction, makes the recovery and long term issues with the implant optimal. There are limitations to what can be done and at times, the expectation and desires of the patient cannot be met. This needs to be established prior to the surgery. Not everyone is a candidate for a breast augmentation.
Q. What type of anesthetic is used for breast augmentation surgery?
A. we typically use a general anesthetic for a breast augmentation and the average operative time is 1-1 1/2 hour, performed as an outpatient in a certified surgery center.
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