| Dr. Umar Choudry 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 surgical procedure aimed at enhancing the volume of the breast by placing implants under the breast tissue. Though an implant will give the breast a fuller appearance, some patients may also need the breast "lifted" to achieve an aesthetic outcome. These patients may require a simultaneous breast lift (mastopexy) at the time of the augmentation.
Q. How is a breast augmentation surgery performed?
A. Breast augmentation surgery is performed by making a cut (incision) in the area of the breast, making space under the breast, placing an implant in the space, and then closing the incision with absorbable sutures. There are a number of surgical options available to the patient and surgeon. Implants can be placed via an incision in the breast fold (inframammary fold approach), through the nipple of the breast (periareolar approach), via the armpit (transaxillary approach), or via the belly-button (transumbilical approach). The implants can be placed directly under the breast (submammary placement) or under the chest muscle (subpectoral placement). There are basically two types of implants available based on the material that fills the implant: silicone and saline implants.
Q. Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?
A. A good candidate for breast augmentation surgery is an adult who is medically healthy, has realistic expectations from the surgery, a non-smoker (especially for the patient who is going to have a lift at the same time), and is able to give informed consent.
Q. What type of anesthetic is used for breast augmentation surgery?
A. Usually this surgery is done under general anesthesia with the patient asleep. However, there are some surgeons who may do this under sedation and local anesthesia (numbing medicine).
Q. What are the risks associated with breast augmentation?
A. There are surgery related risks and implant related risks. The surgery related risks are scars, pain, infection, bleeding, nipple sensory changes (especially with the periareolar incision), potential inability to breast feed, and anesthetic risks. The implant related risks are asymmetry, palpability/visibility of the implant, hardening of the implant called capsular contracture, malposition of the implant, rupture of the implant, and potential interference with mammography by the implant.
Q. What is the recovery time for breast augmentation?
A. This is usually done as an outpatient surgery (have surgery and go home the same day). Patients are asked to take it easy for about 1-2 weeks, but should be up and about the day after surgery. Usually patients are advised to refrain from heavy lifting and exercising for about 4 weeks but can do their day-day activities.
Q. How much does breast augmentation cost?
A. This varies from facility-facility, region-region, the procedure being done, and the time in the operating room. An estimate cost would entail: surgeon fee $2500-3500, facility fee $1500-2500, and implants: saline $1000-1200; silicone $1800-2200. |
