Category: Breast Implants

3 Minute Read: 

Breast augmentation is one of the top cosmetic surgeries sought by women worldwide. It is performed for patients who want to increase the size of their bustline or improve its shape. 

Over the last few decades, many advancements have been made in the way breast implants are produced. Because of this, more options have become available.

Early Breast Implants

In 1961, two Houston surgeons created the first breast prosthetic. It was made from a rubber sack filled with silicone gel. This basic model became the standard for 30 years until safety concerns were posed in the early 90s, marking a temporary shift to only saline-filled implants.

For many years after that, numerous research studies were conducted into new ways to create breast implants without associated health issues, and in 2006, the FDA approved silicone gel-filled breast implants and affirmed they were safe with little to no safety risks. 

Today’s Breast Implant Options

Currently, it’s safe to say there is a breast implant to suit every woman. Obviously, there are multiple sizes (implant volumes measured in cubic centimeters, or CCs); however, in addition to volume, there are the following considerations:

1. Shell Material 

The shell of your implant will always be silicone and poses no health risks. This shell is filled with either saline, silicone gel, or a cohesive (more solid) silicone gel. 

2. Implant Fill Material

• Silicone: Modern silicone breast implants now resist leaking, even if a tear occurs. Because of their ability to hold their form, choosing silicone implants does require you to receive bi-annual MRI imaging scans to check for unknown (or “silent”) ruptures. 
• Saline: Saline breast implants are typically less expensive than silicone and offer a rounder shape. These implants are filled during surgery, requiring a smaller incision to be made, and offer other advantages, such as not requiring biennial (every two years) MRIs to check for the integrity of the implant. 

3. Implant Shape   

• Round: Both silicone and saline come in the traditional round shape.
• Teardrop: Also known as gummy bear or anatomical implants, this option comes in various shapes similar to natural breasts.

4. Implant Texture

• Smooth: A smooth texture is available for round implants and has the lowest risk of both common and serious complications.
• Textured: Textured implants have a rougher surface to help prevent implants from rotating in the breast pocket, especially anatomically-shaped breast implants. However, some brands of textured implants carry a higher risk of complications, such as BIA-ALCL.
• Nano-textured: Nano-textured implants are the newest options on the market for silicone and may lower the risk of capsular contracture. This texture is designed to resemble the basal layer of skin, providing breast tissue cells with better biocompatibility with the implant. 

Breast Implant Options: Pros and Cons 

Saline Breast Implant Pros

• Require smaller incisions, leading to less scarring
• Less expensive
• Size can be adjusted
• Ruptures are easily detected
• Lower risk of serious complications

Saline Breast Implant Cons

• More prone to rippling (the ability to see or feel the edges of the implants under the skin)
• May not be appropriate for women with very little natural breast tissue
• Only available in round shape

Silicone Breast Implant Pros

• Generally appear and feel more natural than saline implants
• Available in multiple shapes and textures

Silicone Breast Implant Cons

• While uncommon, silicone breast implants carry a higher risk of complications
• Bi-annual screenings are necessary to check for leaks

Other Crucial Breast Augmentation Factors

Other aspects of breast augmentation surgery factor significantly in the final outcome of your procedure. These include:

• Incision type
• Implant placement

Learn more about these options here.

Choosing a reputable board-certified plastic surgeon can help you achieve the results you desire and lower your chances of experiencing problems with your breast implants.

Breast Augmentation in Washington, DC | DAVinci Plastic Surgery

The surgeons at DAVinci Plastic Surgery are double or triple board-certified and dedicated to providing exceptional and personalized care for their breast augmentation patients in Washington, DC.

Call us today at (202) 966-9590 to learn more, or scroll down to reach us online.

3 Minute Read: 

Although breast implants aren’t permanent, there isn’t any set schedule for replacement. It’s different for everyone. Some women may have to replace their implants once or twice after the initial surgery; others may not have to at all.

Do Breast Implants Last for 10 Years?

Some women believe that breast implants should be replaced every ten years. This common misconception comes from a 2011 FDA report that stated up to 20 percent of people with breast implants needed to replace or alter them 10 years later.

Another way to look at these statistics is that 80 percent of women with implants did not need another surgery within 10 years.

When Are New Breast Implants Needed?

Most types of silicone and saline implants have been approved by the FDA for 10 to 20 years. 

This can give a misleading impression. Implants don’t have to be replaced after 20 years. The time between replacements is determined by the type of implant, individual physiology, and whether or not any complications have been experienced.

What Should I Look Out for With My Implants?

Contractures or Calcified Lumps

Watch for signs that may mean your implants need attention. One of the most common is capsular contracture. This is a layer of hardened scar tissue that develops around one or both breast implants. This scar tissue makes breasts feel hard and look distorted, and it may be uncomfortable.

Hard lumps under your skin around implants could be calcium deposits. These calcified deposits need to be addressed by a surgeon.

Ruptured Implants

Silicone and saline implants can rupture, although this is very rare. The ASPS states that only three percent of breast implants are affected by deflation or rupture. However, saline implants can leak. Saline is nontoxic, and you will not experience any health complications should your saline implant rupture or leak.

Signs of ruptured implants may be very minor at first but become more noticeable over time. Potential signs of a rupture include reduced breast size, hard knots, pain or tingling, or uneven breast appearance.

Are Breast Implant Replacements Always Necessary?

Breast implants can shift and move out of their original positions over time. This is more likely to occur after pregnancy, significant weight gain, or sudden weight loss. Implants don’t always need to be replaced after shifting, but replacement may be the best option if breasts look lopsided or uneven.

Implants can also wrinkle, which causes rippling on the skin around the breasts. Wrinkling isn’t a health risk, but people may choose to replace wrinkled implants for aesthetic reasons.

Breast revisions aren’t always done out of necessity. Many breast implant replacements are by choice because women want to change something, such as larger or smaller breasts.

Do You Want to Learn More?

Contact DAVinci Plastic Surgery at 202-966-9590 or use the online contact form to schedule a consultation or ask questions. We are happy to help you make an educated decision when choosing breast implants or replacing existing implants.

Last blog I discussed the recovery for Facelift. Here we will cover Breast Augmentation surgery recovery. Breast Augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery in the USA, and even in the world.

With so many women electing this procedure, there are numerous ways to hear about different recovery experiences, however you need to remember each patient and surgeon is different, therefore so is the recovery. In my precise hands, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll have the best possible surgery outcome.

Generally, the healthier and more physically fit you are, the recovery will be easier for any surgery. Regardless of your health status, it’s important to not rush recovery time, follow your surgeon’s instructions and listen to your body. In this blog, you can learn about what to consider regarding Breast Augmentation surgery recovery and how to make your recovery the best possible experience.

First Couple Days

With Breast Augmentation, I tell everyone to expect a total rest time of 3 to 5 days because this is the period of most inflammation and discomfort. Fortunately, you will have pain meds to help take the edge off, but don’t allow yourself to overdo it. Your movements will be restricted and you shouldn’t drive. I recommend you have an extra person to stay with you and care for you in the beginning.

Definitely no work or much activity during these first couple days. Short walks around the house after day 2 is good to keep the blood flowing and prevent blood clots. But take it real easy, as the breasts are supported by an elastic bandage or special bra and wrapped in gauze to protect the incision sites. While these help with support and swelling, they won’t prevent blood pooling inside if you are too active too early.

Early Weeks

Healing varies by person, but if you have a desk job, you can probably go back to work after a week or 2. In 2 to 3 weeks you should be able to wear more normal fitting clothes. You’re going to have to restrain yourself from shopping just yet because you might feel like buying a bunch of pretty new bras for your new shape and size.

Hold off for a bit longer because the breasts will still change as swelling resolves and settling occurs. Don’t be surprised or worry if the swelling has moved lower to your torso by the end of the first week, it should be significantly less by 2 to 3 weeks.

Also, around 3 weeks the nerves start to “wake up” and cause some possible tingling in the nipples, while other areas still feel numb. You shouldn’t need much help from pain medication at this point, but something over the counter can usually do the trick with any lingering discomfort.

After the First Month

Generally around 6 weeks after a Breast Augmentation, you should be able to resume working out, except heavy lifting. By 3 to 6 months you should be used to your new breasts and they should feel comfortable. By 6 to 9 months, almost all swelling should be resolved and in the desired position. Your breasts shouldn’t look too high, but should look settled and natural. The scars will continue to heal and fade by a year to 18 months. How much they disappear will depend on your skin genetics and how well you take care of them.

As you can see, recovery is a process. Along with good self care during recovery, you will be so happy you trusted yourself to the hands of an expertly qualified surgeon like myself. Schedule a Breast Augmentation consultation today at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, I thought it would be appropriate to address common questions I get about breast cancer and implants. It is very wise to address all angles of questions about your Breast Augmentation so that you can have complete confidence and peace going into the surgery and from there on after.

Do breast implants cause cancer?

No. Breast implants are one of the most rigorously studied medical implants. Expansive medical studies of women with and without breast implants show no difference in cancer. There is not a higher of a prognosis of any kind or size or frequency in the group with breast implants. Therefore it is safe to conclude that the breast implant itself is not the cause.

Do breast implants prevent breast cancer detection?

No. The methods for breast cancer detection, such as self examination, ultrasound and mammography, are not hindered by breast implants. You should perform regular self exams to know your breasts before and after your augmentation. If the implant placement is below the muscle you should have no problem with palpating the breast tissue around the implant. It is also recommended for women over age 35 to have a mammogram before receiving implants in order to have a baseline comparison.

When receiving a mammogram, it is important to select a radiologist who is experienced with the methods necessary for an effective reading of breasts with implants. They should be competent in the Eklund technique and oblique view mammography.  Whether the implant is placed subglandular or submuscular, the Eklund technique significantly increases the amount of breast tissue that can be scanned.

Will mammograms damage breast implants?

This is very unlikely. When in the hands of an experienced radiologist, the pressure exerted by the mammogram should not be enough to burst the implant. Both Silicone and Saline implants are designed with the durability to withstand pressures and compression.

Does breast augmentation with fat grafting prevent cancer detection?

While fat grafting as a form of Breast Augmentation doesn’t prevent cancer detection, it makes detection more complicated. The die off rate of fat cells leaves behind irregularities within the breast tissue and calcifications that can look very much like breast cancer. Fat grafting is not causing cancer, however it is easy to mistake the fat calcification for cancer calcification. The truth usually needs to be clarified via biopsy, although it can cause much worry in the mean time.

How much of a risk is a Breast Augmentation regarding the likelihood of cancer?

If you have a Breast Augmentation with implants, you no longer can get good enough cancer detecting results with a regular 2 view mammography screening. However, the specialized methods, such as the Eklund technique, are available to still get a good view of the breast tissue hidden behind the implants. Studies demonstrate that there is no proven additional risk of getting breast cancer if you have breast implants, but you need to take advantage of the additional techniques for detection.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

I customize an adaptation of the Tummy Tuck for each patient depending on the degree of loose skin, separated abdomen muscles, excess fat and other factors. However, for general understanding, there are terms that describe the degree of surgery, which involves how much of an area the Abdominoplasty is to address.

For example, while the names of the different degrees of Abdominoplasty wouldn’t be exactly the same thing for every patient, generally they would acknowledge how high on the abdomen or how far around the torso that the surgery would address. Here is a general definition of the types of Abdominoplasty and the differences between them:

1. Mini Tummy Tuck addresses a smaller abdominal region, usually just a little pooch under the belly button. This is an area that, despite consistent healthy diet and exercise, just won’t go away. It can be a combination of any or all of excess skin from weight loss, stubborn adipose tissue, and the lower separation of the abdominal muscles due to pregnancy or injury. A mini Tummy Tuck only addresses the lower abdomen, so it doesn’t require moving the belly button. This option has a smaller incision and recovery is the fastest.
2. Full, Complete or “Classic” Tummy Tuck addresses fat, muscle and skin from a larger region. It contours the full abdomen area from just below the breasts down to the pubic area. This is necessary for more extreme contouring scenarios were there is a pouch or skin flap above and below the belly button. Since the complete abdomen is being contoured, the reconstruction of the navel is possibly necessary. A naval area incision hidden within the belly button can address upper abdominal region and a lower incision from hip to hip (which can usually be hidden within the bikini line) will allow for full frontal contouring. This results in a smooth, flat abdomen with a beautiful, tight, anatomically correct belly button.
3. Extended Tummy Tuck contours the abdomen and waist to address both belly and love handles. It addresses the frontal abdomen area with the Full Tummy Tuck, but extends the incision so that liposuction and skin tightening can occur further around the body to contour the flanks, as well.

As long as weight at the time of the surgery is maintained, the smooth, flattened abdomen results should be permanent. This is why its recommended for women to wait to have a Tummy Tuck until after their done having children. Some women combine Abdominoplasty with Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift or Liposuction to other areas for a complete body makeover.

 Having a smooth, flat abdomen is healthier, and looks great for both men and women. Feel great about you look in a swimsuit or form fitting clothes. Schedule your Tummy Tuck consultation today at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Coming out of Breast Augmentation, there is much care taken for you to have the best results possible. A lot of complications can be avoided by putting yourself in expert hands. I’m triple board certified and specialize in Breast Augmentation, revision and reconstruction. You have the best chances for the best outcome with us.

One of the complications of Breast Augmentation that we strive to avoid is breast implant malposition. This is when the implants move out of their correct position, either immediately or over time. It isn’t extremely common, but when it does happen, there are usually a few reasons and options for correction. If you’re aware of them, you can help avoid or identify them as early as possible for correction with Breast Revision surgery.

Here is a guide for the possible reasons for implant malposition:

1. Not allowing yourself to properly heal. With the pressures to return to work and daily activities, especially for mothers, you’re faced with the difficulty of allowing your body enough time to heal. Everyone heals at different rates. This can take from 3 to 6 months, up to a year to completely recover. Taking proper care of yourself during healing and wearing the correct bra support is crucial. Usually breast implants are positioned high with the intention of them dropping, or “settling” into the proper place as they heal. Wearing underwire or push up bras during this time can prevent them from doing this properly and they could stay unnaturally high. This “riding high” malposition is usually a tell tale sign of Breast Augmentation and can also cause nipples to appear irregularly low or pointed downward.
2. Your body shape, particularly if the ribs are more prominent or uneven, they could push the implant into a different position even if the implant pocket is positioned correctly. Ribcage prominence and scoliosis are some things surgeon should take note of and make accommodations for in surgery.
3. If breast tissue is not strong, implant size can sometimes contribute to a low malposition where the implant seems to be falling out of the breast pocket. This isn’t the only reason low malposition occurs, but there is a higher risk of this with larger implants because the extra pressure can thin out the bottom of the breast pocket. The inferior position or “bottoming out” of an implant empties out the top of the breast of any fullness and often points the nipple too high.
4. Capsular contracture is the most common reason for implant malposition. This occurs when the tissue surrounding the pocket containing the breast implant hardens. This constricts the implant and pushes it into a variety of ways that can look abnormal and be uncomfortable:
   1. This could be one of the reasons the implant would be pushed upward.
   2. Implants squeezed laterally into the armpits will look unusually far apart.
   3. When implants are pushed inwardly toward the center of the body this is called synmastia. The breast could be positioned inward or the implant could slide out of the pocket and bubble under the skin to look like a “uniboob.”
   4. Capsular contracture could also squeeze the implant into an irregular shape with unnatural curves or indentions.

If you are experiencing any of these unfortunate malpositions, in the correct expert hands, Breast Revision surgery can restore your hope, confidence and your breasts to a beautiful, natural appearance. Let’s talk about how I can help you. Visit www.davinciplastic.com to schedule a consultation.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

These days my patients are quite informed about the procedures they are requesting from me. They’re reliant on my professional advice on the details and implementation of their goals, but most Breast Augmentation patients have an idea about what the procedure entails. The lesser known sister of Breast Augmentation is Breast Revision surgery. There are a variety of reasons someone might need this “surgery after the surgery,” and I’ll cover those here.

Breast Revision surgery is for someone who’s already had a Breast Augmentation and needs a change that requires another surgery to the breast area at any point in time near or distant from the original Breast Augmentation. The majority of women love their new breasts with no complications and often experience satisfaction for many years.

However, a Breast Revision surgery is a great option for a variety of reasons, such as:

1. Address the natural effects of aging and gravity on the breasts. The breasts with the implant still will sag over time and so a Breast Lift could help restore perkiness and placement.
2. Breasts change as a result of pregnancy, weight loss or gain. If the Breast Augmentation occurred before these events, a Revision can be intended to restore your breasts to their former stature.
3. Change the implant size with a Breast Implant Exchange to go smaller or larger. Fortunately, the Breast Implant Exchange is less intense of a surgery than the original augmentation. The space or pocket for the implant has already been created so there’s not the stretching discomfort experienced during the initial surgery. Also, the recovery time is usually shorter.
4. Repair breast implant malposition. The implant didn’t settle where it should be and has caused the breasts to look unnatural.
5. Correct capsular contracture where the tissue surrounding the implant contracts and squeezes the implant into an awkward and uncomfortable position. In this case, the constricting tissue would be removed and the implant replaced.
6. Change the implant type. Some women who got saline implants and experience rippling or wrinkling, prefer to exchange them for the consistency of a silicone gel. This is particularly common for women who got a Breast Augmentation when the silicone option was off the market from 1993 to 2006.
7. Breast Implant Exchange for prevention or in the case of leakage. Implants do not have a lifetime guarantee to not leak. It is recommended to exchange for a new implant every 10 years. If a saline implant is leaking, it’s easy to detect because the breast will appear deflated. However, in most cases, a silicone implant leak would require an MRI to detect leakage, so regular checks are recommended.
8. Breast cancer treatments may require the implant to be removed. This is a decision that should be made along with your medical support team.

In conjunction with considering the need for a Breast Revision surgery, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of choosing an experienced plastic surgeon to perform it. Maintaining aesthetics of the breasts while navigating prior surgery effects is an art that requires much technical skill and expertise. To discuss the possibility of putting yourself in the hands of a triple board certified surgeon, such as myself, you can schedule a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Everyone wants to have an idea of what they’ll look like after their cosmetic procedure. It used to be all conjecture, but fortunately now with 3D technology, you can get a really good idea of your results. I’m pleased to offer Vectra Breast Imaging as a state of the art imaging program to help in the process of creating the best Breast Augmentation results achievable.

See What Can Be… This state of the art computer program, along with our trained implementation of it, can give you realistic images to explore your options in a hypothetical visual sense of what your body could look like. This can better help you set your goals while allowing for the benefits and conditions of your options to sink in. This significantly improves your decision making ability by allowing you to get the best possible idea of what you could look like after your Breast Augmentation. We can also be sure to manage expectations and be on the same page for the best possible treatment plan.

Customized to You… Vectra Breast Imaging takes exact measurements of the current body contours and proportions, and uses this to adjust volume with just one click. The degree of change is highlighted with a color distance map. It offers 3D views from any angle of your body with superimposed images to see “before and after” views before the actual possible reality of it. This means you can seamlessly rotate from front, side and back views to get a complete picture. Also, the “before and after” views can be formatted in side by side or as a faded overlay.

Easy Consideration of Choices… This tool also allows you to compare multiple scenarios with different size and implant types. It uses the implant shape, size, placement and factors in gravity. Vectra Breast Imaging’s dynamic capabilities allow for the correction of ptosis (sagging) and breast asymmetry.

Visualize in Office and at Home… These images are not only available in our office consultation, but through the ViewMyConsult portal. You can visually soak in the different options and review treatment recommendations in the comfort of home. While I strive to offer a compassionate, complete, relaxed office consultation, these types of decisions have multiple levels of consideration and having all the information and images at your finger tips is so reassuring.

Vectra Breast Imaging empowers our patients with confidence, manages expectations, and improves our communication to get your Breast Augmentation journey off to a great start. But to make sure the actual outcomes are the best possible, you need to be in the best hands… our hands. To begin your successful Breast Augmentation journey with me, visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

The more you learn about your breasts the better you can care for them and appreciate them. Here are some more fun facts to help you know more about your girls.

Side sleeping is best for breast shape. They even could use some pillow support while you sleep. This is just another reason that belly sleeping isn’t best for your body.

Breasts can be a breeding ground for bacteria. This happens because sweat can collect and the abundant oil glands above and between your breasts to make the area vulnerable to clogged pores and pimples. Prevent problems by wiping the area right after workouts or if you’ve been outside sweating a lot, and never staying long in sweaty bras because they can harbor bacteria that love dark, damp places.

They have growth potential through your early to mid 20s. This is especially important for younger women when considering breast augmentation. Though most breast growth does happen through the puberty years, they do continue to grow into early adulthood. How big they do get is actually determined by genetics from both parents. After the mid 20s, it’s unlikely for them to grow unless you gain weight, get pregnant, breastfeed (however they will go back down afterwards) or sometimes with birth control.

Nipples usually get darker during pregnancy. The body does this because it is anticipating breastfeeding the baby, which can better see darker colors. The darker nipple makes it a more visible target. No reason to freak out though, most women’s nipples lighten back to normal a little while after baby is born, while some may stay just slightly darker.

The creation of cleavage isn’t just based on breast size. While the larger ladies do have a cleavage creating advantage, breast shape and location on the torso also come into play. This means that the same cup size can vary in their ability to create cleavage. If the breasts are fuller in the outer breast or positioned wider apart, cleavage may not come as readily. A narrow torso, breasts set closer together or fuller in the center have an easier time creating cleavage.

Exercise can’t increase breast size, but the right ones can help their appearance. Breasts aren’t made of muscle, but they’re resting on top of muscle. These exercises can help firm up the pectoral muscles, which can slightly perk up the breasts: pushups, bench presses, dumb bell flies, medicine ball slams or pullovers. If this doesn’t provide enough of the lift and firmness you’re looking for, a Breast Lift can definitely enhance the positioning and perkiness of the breast.

If you’re considering any cosmetic surgery related to the breasts, it’s worthwhile to talk to an expert in this area. As a triple board certified plastic surgeon, I’ve had extensive training and expertise in all areas of Breast Augmentation and Reconstruction. Schedule a consultation to see how I can help you enjoy your desired breasts, by visiting www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Your precious pair can surely be assets of enjoyment and wonder. Hopefully, you’ll have your set for life, so it’s a great idea to get to know them more. Here are some facts about your bosom buddies that may be surprising.

Breasts have their own monthly cycle so there is a better time of the month to schedule your breast exam. Fluctuating hormones cause changes in breast tissue. Level hormones in the week after your period help even out any lumpiness or swelling, which makes it easier to diagnose any abnormalities. They’re also less sensitive, making the exam more comfortable.

You should be using anti aging cream on your breasts. Breasts consist of fat, milk glands and firm, connective tissue called collagen. As we age the glands shrink, collagen decreases and fat may increase. Along with gravity, this results in the drooping over time. It doesn’t help that the skin of the breasts is quite thin. This means that you shouldn’t neglect to moisturize your breasts and nipples and event can use collagen building creams to help keep the skin supple.

They weigh less than you think, but still need support. Surprisingly, with an A cup size, you’ve got about a half pound of weight all together in your breasts, a pound total for B cups, C cups add up to about a pound and a half, and about 2 pounds total for D. Even though it doesn’t sound like a lot of weight, the thin skin and loss of collagen with age, mean that it’s best to help your girls with supporting them with a bra, especially during exercise.

Nipple hair is completely normal. It’s very common to have 2 to 20 nipple hairs on each breast. Heritage, skin and hair darkness, and hormonal stages play a big part in how much hair each woman deals with. Generally, darker skin and hair on the head means more nipple hair. To remove them, waxing and plucking is completely fine, just be sure to clean the area before and after to prevent infection.

They come in different sizes, shapes and directions even on the same person. No one is completely symmetrical with any part of their body. Most women actually have their left breast with a little more tissue so it’s slightly larger. Also, nipples point in different directions and come in varying shapes and sizes.

Breast implants are more common than you may think because they can look more natural than you may realize. The statistics say that about 250,000 women get them every year and estimates are that currently 2 million women have them. While the extreme makeover cases get the most attention, most women simply wanting to go back to their before children breasts or just making slight improvements, with just a 2 cup size increase on average.

Learn more about your breasts and if you’d like to talk about improving them, schedule a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

When considering Breast Reconstruction after cancer, I will guide you through the possibilities for creating the most natural, beautiful breasts. There are a couple of different types of surgery that you may want to familiarize yourself with beforehand. These are the kinds of Breast Reconstruction surgeries available through my office. Some options utilize the body’s own tissue taken from areas with a little extra, such as the abdomen or thighs, and the others use silicone or saline implants.

DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

DIEP stands for Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator. This technique uses excess skin and fat from the lower abdominal area. The incision is similar to the one used for a Tummy Tuck and can be easily hidden by clothing or bathing suit. Another benefit to this surgery is that it flattens the abdomen for an overall beautiful body contour. It spares the abdominal muscle and there is significantly less pain in the shorter recovery process. Since the muscles are in tact, the abdominal wall strength is not affected.

Tram Flap Breast Reconstruction

This is another technique that uses the abdominal tissue to rebuild the breasts, however the difference from the DIEP is that it does use abdominal muscle in addition to the skin and fat. The incision will still be discreet and hidden by the clothing or bathing suit, but recovery will take longer due to harvesting muscle. I am skilled in offering options within this surgery, which are to take the tissue connected to a blood supply, which is called pedicled, or not attached to the original blood supply and requires connection to a new one, which is called free flap. Both of these methods require immense skill and unique challenges. For example the pedicled technique is to avoid muscle rotation, which can create an abdominal bulge, and the free flap technique is even more intricate of a surgery as it requires successful reconnection of arteries using microsurgery.

Gracilis Flap Breast Reconstruction

This surgical technique uses excess skin and fat from the inner thigh to reconstruct a natural appearing breast. This can be done without taking any muscle, which it would then be called the Transverse Upper Thigh Flap surgery. Sometimes the inner thigh flap requires a small amount of muscle in order to assure an adequate blood supply to the flap. The muscle that’s used to do this is the gracilis muscle, which is what the surgery is named after. Unlike missing a part of the abdomen muscle, the gracilis muscle is often not missed unless you do a lot of exercises or sports mostly depending on quick changes of going side to side. A side benefit of taking tissue from the inner thigh is that it often can reduce inner thigh friction.

Latissmus Flap Breast Reconstruction

This surgery reconstructs the breasts using a flap of skin and muscle from the back of the same side as the operated breast. This living tissue is used to recreate the breast mound. It is mostly used for women who don’t have enough abdominal tissue or have had previous abdominal incisions. There are usually no complications and the blood supply is highly dependable. The use of the latissmus flap can be combined with implants.

Breast Reconstruction with Implants

Because of the familiarity with implants for Breast Augmentation, this is an option chosen by thousands of women each year who undergo a mastectomy. It is also commonly used for women who are thin and don’t have extra tissue to use. A major benefit is that this can be done sequentially under the same anesthesia as the mastectomy surgery, called immediate reconstruction. This process still usually requires 2 or more surgeries, as we will have to navigate unique issues with the skin stretching (possible loss of elasticity due to radiation treatments) and addressing scar tissue.

You can rest assured that I am using the most cutting edge and advanced techniques along with my immense experience to help guide you to the right surgical options for your Breast Reconstruction. Please schedule a consultation to discuss what might be the best option for you, www.davinciplastic.com.

Sincerely,

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

One of the many considerations of breast cancer that requires a mastectomy is Breast Reconstruction surgery. This can be a time of overwhelming choices and so my goal with each Breast Reconstruction patient is to provide compassionate care and the best natural looking results possible. This is a specialty I give the utmost attention to and have developed knowledge and skills that have provided beautiful results that have been very healing and satisfying to many clients.

Why Reconstruction?

While considering being in surgery again most certainly is not appealing after going through cancer treatments, I have found that it does help empower women to regain their feelings of femininity and sense of normalcy. Most times I’m helping to rebuild a breast mound after lumpectomy or mastectomy surgery, however I can also correct previous breast surgeries and nipple replacement.

Deciding on the Surgeon

Through my many years of experience and artistry, as well as using the most sophisticated and cutting edge techniques, I can help to create natural looking breasts to enhance body shape. Breast reconstruction surgery requires a thorough understanding of the intricacies of the human anatomy, as this is not the same process as the standard Breast Augmentation. I have extensive experience and years of specialized training in Breast Reconstruction surgeries to provide my patients with the most beautiful, natural looking results possible.

Making Decisions

Working alongside your oncologist, we will patiently and thoroughly discuss your options regarding Breast Reconstruction surgery. We will cover many topics, such as the possibility of performing Breast Reconstruction at the same time as the cancer removal under the same anesthetic, or if we should wait until after other treatments.

You also have options as to what you’d like to replace the breast tissue with, including your own living tissue from an area with some extra to spare, such as your inner thigh, or implants made of silicone or saline. All of these can be used to create beautiful, natural looking breasts. The best choice differs for each individual based on many factors so we will discuss this extensively. Some of these factors are (but not limited to):

• cancer type
• stage of breast cancer
• your personal preferences
• overall health

If you’re considering Breast Reconstruction after cancer, and you’re looking for compassionate and expert care for the best results possible, please visit our website to schedule a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.

Sincerely,

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon