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| BREAST AUGMENTATION |
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BREAST LIFT |
| 1. How do I sort out all of the options with the different types, shapes and sizes of implants, pocket location and incision type? |
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1. What are the reasons for having a mastopexy or breast lift? |
| 2. Can I pick what cup size I want to be? |
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2. Are there different types of mastopexies? |
| 3. Are silicone gel implants available? |
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3. What about combining a breast augmentation with mastopexy? |
| 4. Are silicone gel implants better that saline? |
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| 5. How long do the implants last? |
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| 6. What is the down time following breast augmentation? |
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| BREAST AUGMENTATION (Augmentation Mammaplasty) |
| 1. How do I sort out all of the options with the different types, shapes and sizes of implants, pocket location and incision type? |
| Every surgeon has particular preferences with regard to this operation, and there is probably no more important consultation for a cosmetic surgery procedure. A woman's chest (not breast) dimensions and abundance of soft tissue coverage (translate: fat) are the keys to decision making, and we are usually able to settle on an implant and surgical technique that gives you the best results. |
| 2. Can I pick what cup size I want to be? |
| Yes and no. If you are petite, chances are there simply isn't enough space on your chest wall for large implants. Most women want the largest possible implant before they start looking artificial. Concerns about appearances at work are usually unnecessary, because of the ability to conceal things in business attire.
While there is the occasional patient who wishes she had picked a bit larger implant, we have never had a patient who felt that she was too big after surgery.
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| 3. Are silicone gel implants available? |
| After rigorous scientific review, the FDA approved the marketing of silicone gel-filled breast implants in November 2006 for women ages 22 and older. The products are manufactured by Allergan Corp. and Mentor Corp., which was recently acquired by Johnson & Johnson. Now that the products have been determined to be safe and effective, the FDA will continue to monitor them by requiring each company to conduct a large postapproval study following about 40,000 women for 10 years after receiving breast implants. |
| 4. Are silicone gel implants better that saline? |
| Silicone gel implants are better than saline implants in women with thinning of the soft tissues in the upper chest. Saline implants in such women can cause visible wrinkles. Silicone gel implants require a slightly larger incision for insertion because unlike saline implants, they are prefilled with silicone gel. Saline implants are preferred when there is breast asymmetry because the implant size can be adjusted in the operating room. Finally, there is the cost issue, with silicone implants costing about twice as much as saline implants. |
| 5. How long do the implants last? |
| There is no good data on the lifespan of breast implants. We would tell a 25 year old woman that she will need a second operation at some point in her lifetime. If you are 50, you have less to worry about with respect to implant replacement. |
| 6. What is the down time following breast augmentation? |
| Most patients can return to a desk job within a week. You can expect some soreness for up to a month, particularly if your implants were placed under the pectoralis muscle. Plan on a month or so before getting back to the gym for upper body exercise. |
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| BREAST LIFT (Mastopexy) |
| 1. What are the reasons for having a mastopexy or breast lift? |
Pregnancy or weight loss can result in descent of the nipple below the breast fold. The degree of breast drooping or ptosis determines the appropriate operation. Moderate degrees of ptosis are often treated with an implant alone.
More significant drooping requires skin excision to elevate the nipple and areola, and much of your consultation will involve a discussion of the resulting scars on the breast. |
| 2. Are there different types of mastopexies? |
| A number of different procedures exist, with different degree of scarring. Many women ask about incisions that are limited to the areola, but there are a number of trade-offs with this approach. Sometimes the best cosmetic appearance results from the inverted -T design, the scars from which are usually quite acceptable. |
| 3. What about combining a breast augmentation with mastopexy? |
| It certainly can be done, but the potential for complications increases with an implant putting pressure on skin flaps sutured together. There are many opinions on how to best treat a woman who has both small breasts and breast ptosis. These options will be discussed in your consultation. |
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