BREAST ENHANCEMENT AND BREAST IMPLANT INFORMATION GUIDE

LosAngelesBreastSurgeon.com was established in 2011 by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and was designed for women seeking information on breast enhancement, breast augmentation, and breast rejuvenation surgery. It is our goal to provide the most current information regarding breast health and the latest breakthroughs in breast rejuvenation techniques. 

Los Angeles Breast Surgeon

IT ALL BEGINS WITH YOU . . . 

How a woman feels about her body contributes significantly to her overall self-confidence. This is no secret. When breast size andbreast shape is an issue, many women turn to breast augmentation to increase their confidence, look better in their clothes, and, most importantly, present the optimal image they want to reflect.

What is your reason for exploring breast surgery ?

• Do you seek breast enlargement to improve your body’s proportions or to balance your breasts in size ?

Breast Augmentation Surgery –  Questions you must understand before considering surgery

There are several pertinent questions to ask during your breast augmentation consultation, including implant placement, the choices available for incision used in breast enhancement surgery, tips for a speedy recovery, as well as potential complications, risk minimization techniques, information on anesthesia during breast augmentation, preparing for you breast enhancement, and much more.

As far as procedures performed on breasts by a breast surgeon Los Angeles surgeons and other cosmetic surgeons perform multiple procedures that can result in desired changes and/or improvements:

1. Breast Lift (mastopexy surgery): Breasts are raised to reshape and add firmness.

2. Breast Reduction (reduction mammoplasty): Surgery performed to achieve a more proportionally-sized breast.

3. Breast Reconstruction: Surgery performed to restore breasts to as near normal shape, size and appearance following a mastectomy.

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, uses silicone-gel filled (cohesive or memory gel) or saline-filled (salt water) implants and places these implants either above the muscle (subglandular or submammary placement) or below the muscle (submuscular placement). Both types of implants use a solid silicone shell (outer membrane). It’s important to note that if a woman has breasts that droop or sag considerably (ptosis), then breast augmentation alone will not correct this problem. Patients may have to consider having a breast lift done in addition to the augmentation.

Expectations for Breast Augmentation Surgery
The breast surgeon Los Angeles and other cosmetic surgeons will advise that prior to surgery, patients should expect the following:

• To have a complete medical evaluation along with all relevant lab tests. Certain medications may have to be taken or adjustments may have to be made to medications currently being taken;

• Mammograms should be done before and after surgery to detect if there are any significant changes in the breasts. However, it’s suggested that a digital rather than the regular mammogram be done after surgery as there’s less compression involved so there’s less chance of damaging the implants; and

• Surgeons strongly advise that the patient stop smoking (if they do), and stop taking any herbal supplements, aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs as these supplements and drugs could increase bleeding.

The Los Angeles breast surgeon as well as all cosmetic surgeons will tell patients that they can also expect to receive instructions on what to do the day of the surgery and on post-operative care. The surgery can be performed in either a hospital, an outpatient ambulatory surgical center, or a surgical center located in an office building.

Nipple Reconstruction Performed during Breast Augmentation
Nipple reconstruction is intended for women who’ve undergone breast cancer surgery and have lost their nipple(s) as a result. It’s also performed as follow-up surgery after other types of cosmetic breast surgery have been done. However, nipples can be reconstructed during breast augmentation surgery provided the decision regarding the type of nipple reconstruction has been made. The type of reconstructions that can be done are 1) using flaps of skin that are harvested from the breast site; 2) skin grafts from other body parts; or 3) using skin from the opposite nipple. Areola tattooing, or micropigmentation, is the final step in the process to give the nipple coloration so it will resemble the natural nipple.

Risks Involved with Simultaneous Breast Augmentation and Nipple Reconstruction Surgery
The risks involved have little to do with performing both surgeries at the same time; there are separate risks for each surgery. With nipple reconstructive surgery, there’s a concern that the skin grafts may not survive their new location. This would result in infection that would require further surgery to correct. Other side effects include scarring, decreased sensation, tenderness, soreness and swelling. It’s imperative that when women seek breast surgery Los Angeles or anywhere else, they should look for board certified, reputable surgeons, take the prescribed medications and follow the surgeon’s advice as instructed.

Returning to Daily Routines after Surgery
Most patients can return to work and their daily routines in a week or less. Absorbable sutures are used and pain medication is provided in case it’s needed. It will be about four weeks before vigorous arm exercises can be resumed and within one to two months, the breasts will soften and develop a more natural appearance.