Breast Augmentation

The breast is the universal symbol of femininity, nurturing, love, and sexuality.  Most women interested in breast augmentation or enlargement are intelligent, successful and well-adjusted individuals who are concerned with inadequate breast size.  The overwhelming majority of women who undergo breast augmentation are very satisfied with their result.  Because of such high patient satisfaction and improvement in self-image, it is not surprising that breast augmentation is one of the more common aesthetic plastic surgery procedures performed.

There are two main groups of women that present for breast augmentation.  The first group is women who feel they never developed the breast volume they desire.  Most of these women are insecure regarding their breast size and have been for several years.  Many of these patients benefit psychologically and experience an improvement in self-confidence.  In fact, studies show that many women have less anxiety, depression, and shyness after breast augmentation while having an improved self-image.

The second group of women that commonly seek breast enhancement are those that lost volume after pregnancy, a condition called post-partum breast involution.  Many of these women also have some drooping as well.  Many of these patients complain that ‘I have nothing left!’  Typically these patients have an augmentation which restores their breast volume (and sometimes a bit more!).  A mastopexy, or lift, procedure can be performed at the same time to lift and improve shape simultaneously. 

Breast augmentation is a safe procedure.  Breast augmentation will not affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed.  The implant is placed behind the chest muscle.  Most patients do not have a permanent change in sensation after augmentation.  Breast implants do not cause breast cancer or any other systemic disease.  Numerous studies have shown that there is no difference between augmented and nonaugmented patients in survival of breast cancer.  Studies have also shown that there is no delay of treatment for breast cancer in augmented women.  In order to provide the safest environment, we believe that breast augmentation surgery should be performed in a certified surgery center or hospital with an anesthesiologist present.

Breast augmentations are performed on an outpatient basis.  This means that you go home the same day as the surgery.  Most people can return to work in about a week.  A pain pump is used on all primary augmentation procedures.  The pain pump will continuously drip numbing medicine around the implant for three days.  The pump sits in a fanny sack and is thrown away when empty.  The numbing medicine provides a significant amount of pain relief with less narcotic necessary post-operatively. 

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for breast enhancement is to schedule a consultation.  During a consultation, the procedure is explained in detail and all of your questions are answered.  You will learn what reasonable expectations are given your particular anatomy and desires.