Breast Augmentation General Q & A
Even though Breast Augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure, there are a lot of questions women have.This Q & A is an overview of some of them… but my intention here is not to replace the consultation. The consultation is an invaluable part of my process. It is crucial to get to know my patients personally and to get on the same page. I hope this blog helps you along your journey to deciding whether a Breast Augmentation is a good fit for you and I hope to be talking with you further at a consultation, which can be scheduled at www.davinciplastic.com.
What Is A Breast Augmentation?
Breast Augmentation specifically addresses increasing breast size and shape. Other surgical procedures related to the breast are:
Breast Reduction makes large breast smaller and more manageable. Patients with too large of breasts suffer from back pain and other issues, and a reduction can provide great relief.
Breast Lift helps sagging breasts look younger and perky. This is great in combination with an Augmentation or Reduction.
Nipple Reduction specifically addresses only the nipples, which can get stretched out during breastfeeding or may be out of proportion in relation to the overall breast size. A Nipple Reduction can bring the nipple size in balance with the breast for a more aesthetic appearance.
Saline or Silicone?
Saline is a silicone shell filled with sterile saline, or salt water. Silicone is a completely silicone implant. Both are shown to be safe, effective and dramatically improved over the last few years. Within these categories, there are many kinds of implants to consider. This decision is highly up to personal preference and goals. As there are quite a few aspects of this question to address, I will dedicate my next blog just to this topic.
What Does The Surgery Involve?
- Preparation: Consultation and decision on the size and type of implant, location of implant and incision location. You may need to get a blood test, stop smoking, adjust medications and vitamins.
- Anesthesia: General anesthesia in our highest quality outpatient center will help you feel completely comfortable during surgery.
- Incision: Your body type, breast size, type of implant, and scar preferences will help us to determine the optimal location (under breast line, armpit, belly button, or areola).
- Insertion: Many factors will help us decide whether the implant should be inserted into a pocket above or below the pectoral muscle, including the amount of breast tissue already present, drooping, position and size desired.
- Closing Incisions: This will involve internal sutures within layers of the breast tissue and on the surface skin closure.
- Recovery: Like with any major surgery, there will be a period of discomfort that can be managed by oral pain medication. The first week is low key while wearing a support bra and possibly tending to a drainage tube for a few of those days. After 2 weeks normal activities, except for exercise or strenuous exertion, can resume. We will see you and check on you to make sure you’re doing ok. It’ll take between 4 to 6 weeks to feel somewhat normal. The skin can continue to feel tight and sensitive beyond that, but it shouldn’t impede your everyday life.
- Results: Over and over again, my patients have confirmed that the recovery is worth the results. The implants take a few weeks to “settle” into their position and the scars will take some time to fade, but your body satisfaction and restored femininity are long lasting and well worth your investment in yourself!
Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
There are some things that are just “tried and true”… like mom’s apple pie, fall leaves changing color in DC and the Breast Augmentation. This surgery has been perfected for decades and is the most performed cosmetic surgery for many reasons. These are some of them:
More harmony of proportion, balance and symmetry
Some women feel their small chest size stands out as an awkward feature because it isn’t in proportion to the rest of their body. It is also common for women to have two different breast sizes and want them to be balanced and equal. The ideal Breast Augmentation enhances the size, shape & projection of your breasts so they are harmonious with your entire body. They should look natural, smooth and proportionate.
Improved self-esteem & confidence
While a healthy person wouldn’t have their happiness and self esteem completely dependent on a Breast Augmentation, it can give an amazing confidence boost and satisfaction with body image. The feeling of inadequacy can be crippling to the confidence and full expression of your personality; if a Breast Augmentation can help you feel more “you” then more power to you.
Overall satisfaction with body image and fashion choices
While certain clothes compliment different body types, you shouldn’t have to feel disappointed that most tops don’t fit right because you cant fill them out. If you’d like to dress your best, a Breast Augmentation can help you feel satisfied with your body image and how you look in those fashionable clothes and bathing suits.
Getting the breasts you’ve lost over time or from having children and/or breastfeeding
Time and gravity certainly has its affects on the breasts. Breast Augmentation can restore you chest to its more youthful years. Weight loss and childbearing also can leave the breasts deflated and sagging compared to their prior glory years. There’s no shame in wanting to restore your breasts to what they once were. Losing weigh is a great accomplishment and childbearing is a beautiful, worthwhile sacrifice; you shouldn’t feel less satisfied with your breasts because of these wonderful life changes.
Feeling “whole again” and normal after mastectomy
While the wounds from a mastectomy are more than skin deep, a Breast Augmentation can greatly help to restore the feeling of normalcy and wholeness that losing one or both breasts can rob from you. So much of a woman’s feeling of femininity comes from her beautiful curves, and a Breast Augmentation can help in the process of restoring what was lost and creating a confident new life. It is possible to do more than just “survive” cancer, but to “thrive” after cancer.
These are just a few of the most common reasons why a Breast Augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery. In the coming weeks we will look at this procedure in more detail. If you are ready to talk about your hopes for a Breast Augmentation – visit www.Davinciplastic.com to schedule a consultation today.
Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
BEAUTIFICATION…BALANCE…SYMMETRY….Stage III
The goal of all breast reconstruction (restoration) surgeries is to achieve symmetry and balance between both breasts and also for them to look “natural.” Beautification is started several weeks or months after your reconstruction process is complete and you have healed nicely. Beautification involves creating balance between the two breasts, breast contour, adjusting flaps if needed, and nipple/areolar reconstruction. Sometimes, women choose this phase, of their breast restoration process, to include other breast procedures such as a Breast Lift or Breast Reduction. My goal is that: “all cosmetic surgery should be functional…and all reconstructive surgery should be aesthetic and look as natural as possible.”
My patients are living testaments to the benefits of having restorative procedures following mastectomy surgery. Here are just a few of their comments:
“I love being able to wear off the rack clothing since you completed the beautification process and now my breasts are symmetrical and so natural looking.”
“My husband is so glad to see my level of self confidence and a sense of normal self restored again.”
“The breast reconstruction did more than restore normal looking breasts….it restored my self confidence and has allowed me to return to the lifestyle I love…and the love of my life!”
We will discuss your goals for Stage III Beautification in detail. After decades of helping women through this process…I’ve been able to help them through the challenges…by removing fear and replacing it with knowledge and self empowerment.
STAGE IV…NIPPLE TATTO…this is just as it says…nipple tattooing to create a natural looking nipple and areola on the breast(s). This process further beautifies the breast by defining the dark area of skin surrounding your nipple(s) and areola(s).
Regardless of when you begin the process of reconstruction/restoration…. I use the most advanced but safest methods along with finely honed techniques. By combining my meticulous skill with my thorough understanding of the intricacies of the human anatomy, my patients enjoy amazing outcomes that are both functional and beautiful. You can read more about this entire process at: www.davinciplastic.com
