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Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Augmentation
What is Breast Augmentation?
Who is the best candidate for Breast augmentation?
My breasts sag but are not large. What can be done?
What are the risks of having Breast augmentation?
How is Breast augmentation surgery performed?
Is Breast augmentation surgery painful?
How long does the procedure take?
What types of incisions are used for Breast augmentation?
What type of implants do you use?
How long is the recovery period?
Will Breast Augmentation affect my ability to breast feed?
What if the implant ruptures?
When can I resume regular exercise?
What is the cost of a Breast augmentation?
Why should I choose Dr. Bottger for my Breast augmentation
procedure?
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery procedure that increases the size
of a woman's breasts. A saline or salt water filled implant with a silicone
shell is placed under the breast, increasing the breast size. Breast
augmentation is indicated for women who are not satisfied with their final developmental
size after puberty and in women who have lost size and developed unfavorable
shape after pregnancies and with aging. It is also indicated in some cases
where the breasts have developed unevenly and there is a significant size
discrepancy or asymmetry.
Who is the best candidate for Breast augmentation?
In many cases, a woman considering a breast augmentation procedure feels
her current breast size is too small or disproportionate to her particular
body size. Women who have lost a significant amount of weight or have had
pregnancies may find their breast size has shrunken and they wish to restore
their breast size through breast augmentation. A good candidate is a woman
who is at least 18 years of age and is healthy.
My breasts sag but are not large. What can
be done?
If sagging is minimal, a breast augmentation alone may provide adequate
improvement in shape and size.
In cases of more severe sagging, a procedure called a breast lift (or mastopexy) may be performed by removing skin only to tighten the breast envelope and can be performed with and without an implant depending on size and shape goals.
What are the risks of having Breast augmentation
surgery?
Risks and complications may occur but are not limited to unfavorable scarring,
infection, hematoma (bleeding), capsular contraction (excessive firmness),
visible or palpable rippling, implant deflation, sub-optimal shape, asymmetry
and alteration of nipple sensation. Although they can occur, significant
complications are uncommon.
Current scientific evidence shows no increased risk of breast cancer or any systemic disease in women who have breast implant surgery. Breast augmentation has one of the highest satisfaction rates of any plastic surgery procedure.
How is a breast augmentation surgery performed?
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis in the hospital operating
room. Usually it is performed under general anesthetic. One of the three
incisions (axillary, areolar or inframammary) is made and a pocket is created
usually under the pectoral or chest wall muscle. A saline filled implant
is then placed and inflated and the incision closed with absorbable sutures.
An elastic compression dressing is placed. Discharge to home occurs after
several hours in the recovery room.
Is breast augmentation surgery painful?
Each patient will tolerate pain post-operatively in a different way. While
some patients may describe the pain as an ache, others experience greater
levels of discomfort. In either case, appropriate pain medications are prescribed
and these help minimize pain. Operations that require elevation of the muscles,
such as a breast augmentation, have discomfort similar
to that of a C-section.
How long does the procedure take?
It usually takes approximately one to two hours for Dr. Bottger to perform
a routine breast augmentation procedure.
What types of incisions are used
for breast augmentation?
Dr. Bottger offers his patients choices regarding incisions for the insertion
of implants. Although any of the three major incisions can be used in most
patients, certain anatomic characteristics may favor one approach over another.
Inframammary (in the fold under the breast):
An incision, one to two inches long, is made in the fold in the shadow under
the breast. Through this incision, a pocket is made usually under the pectoral
muscle. The implant is inserted into the pocket and inflated.
This is a very direct approach and is the most requested incision. It can
be used in virtually any patient although it may be less optimal in the
extremely flat patient with no defined fold. The vast majority of these
incisions heal with excellent scars.
Periareolar (around the lower border of the nipple/areola): This incision is made at the margin of the pigmented portion of the areola and the skin of the breast. Pockets for the implant are then usually made under the pectoral muscle. The implants are inserted, inflated, and adjusted for symmetry. This incision produces almost universally excellent scars. The periareolar approach may be less optimal in the patient with a very small diameter areola.
Axillary (armpit): The axillary incision is made through a crease in the armpit. The pocket for the breast implant is usually made under the pectoral muscle. The advantage of this approach is that there are no scars on the breasts. A fiberoptic endoscopic system is used to dissect the pockets under direct vision with a high degree of accuracy.
Umbilical (belly button): An incision is made in the belly button. With a special instrument, a tunnel is made from the incision to behind each breast. The breast implants are rolled up like cigars and passed up these tunnels. They are inflated, checked for symmetry, and the incision is closed. Dr. Bottger does not favor this incision for a number of reasons. Mainly, the dissection is done bluntly with no visualization, which creates a greater chance for asymmetric pockets and subsequent implant asymmetry. In addition, lack of visualization interferes with adequate control of bleeding, which can also lead to post-operative problems.
The correct incision depends on each patient's own anatomy. Dr. Bottger will discuss each option with you during your breast augmentation consultation.
What type of implants do you use for breast
augmentation?
Saline implants are the current breast implants used in
the United States. They consist of a silicone rubber outer shell and are
filled
with saline or salt
water at the time of surgery.
Saline implants are available in several shapes and surface textures including the textured anatomic or teardrop shaped implant the smooth round implant and the textured round implant. Dr. Bottger has extensive experience with both types of implants and chooses a device based on the patients’ individual anatomic characteristics. In most cases, the smooth round implant gives the most natural result with less chance of visible or palpable rippling or shape abnormalities.
Silicone gel implants are also available in certain patients who have problems that cannot be adequately corrected with saline implants.
How long is the recovery period?
The length of time it takes to recuperate after breast augmentation
surgery varies. Most patients will require assistance for the first
several days, particularly patients that have small children to care for.
Breast augmentation patients usually return to work at
five to seven days if not required to lift more than 15 pounds. Patients
can return to full exercise, including weight lifting, in three weeks.
When can I resume regular exercise?
Most breast augmentation patients are encouraged to start a slow walking
routine on the second postoperative day. Regular aerobic and more vigorous
activities are not allowed during the first 2 weeks in order to decrease
the risks of bleeding, swelling, and bruising. Weight lifting, sports,
and aerobics are allowed at three weeks in most patients.
Will breast augmentation affect my ability
to breast feed?
The ability to successfully breast feed varies for all women with or without
breast implants. The breast augmentation procedure should
not significantly affect a woman's ability to breast feed.
What if the implant ruptures?
Today's saline implants are more durable than ever. Deflation rates are
estimated at 1% per year. Although risk of rupture is small, if this
should
happen, the implant deflates as your body absorbs the saline. There is
absolutely no health hazard should this happen and the implant can be
easily replaced.
A warranty exists for the implants Dr. Bottger uses, which includes both
replacement implants and a portion of operating room costs.
What is the cost of Breast augmentation?
Dr. Bottger's staff will review the cost of breast augmentation at the
time of your consultation. A number of affordable financing plans are
available for surgery.
Why should I choose Dr. Bottger for my breast
augmentation procedure?
Finding a qualified, experienced board certified plastic surgeon for your
breast augmentation is extremely important. Every surgical procedure, including
breast augmentation
surgery, carries risks and uncertainties that a board
certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Bottger has proven knowledge and experience in managing
with the highest level of care. Dr. Bottger has extensive experience
and expertise in breast augmentation surgery and has demonstrated his
abilities through hundreds of successful
breast augmentation procedures.
Click Here to view Before & After photos.
For more information about breast augmentation surgery or to set up your confidential consultation with Dr. Bottger, call or e-mail us today
(610) 520-1929
Contact Us
David A. Bottger, M.D.
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Serving breast enlargement patients and other cosmetic surgery patients throughout the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metro area.