Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation consists of making an incision, lifting the breast tissue, creating a pocket in the chest/breast area, and placing an envelope containing a soft, natural feeling implant material underneath.

An incision can be made in any one of the following places: the crease below the breast, around the areola or under the armpit.

The implants can be placed either under the chest muscle or directly under the breasts. Placement considerations include the anatomy of your breasts, soreness after surgery, exercise activities and interference with mammograms.

Although several implants are available at the present time, the implant being used for nearly all breast augmentation surgeries is made of a silicone sheeting sack filled with a saline solution. Under certain conditions, such as reconstructive surgery, silicone gel implants can be used instead. Silicone gel filled implants are only offered on a limited basis, under approved studies, due to questions about silicone implants correlated to autoimmune diseases. For further information on this, go to the following site: https://www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastimplants/indexbip.html

Dr. Walker prefers to have you comfortably asleep under a general anesthetic for the procedure. You will go home that same day and will need someone to drive you. Follow up will occur several days later in the office for suture removal and other instructions.

Breast augmentation surgery usually takes about one to three hours to complete. The length of the procedure varies according to the technique used, the placement of the implants, the patient's anatomy, and type of anesthesia used.

Breast augmentation stretches the tissues, and can be painful. This is especially true when the implants are placed under the muscle and in young women who have never had children. The pain is greatest within the first 48 hours, but improves with each day and is somewhat relieved by pain medications. In spite of the initial discomfort, most women report that they are very satisfied with the results of the surgery.

When you wake up you will feel tired, sore, and stiff. It is important to take the medication prescribed to you by the doctor. Someone will need to drive you home, and you may need assistance at home over the next couple of days.

Dr. Walker will prescribe an antibiotic and pain medication to be taken after the surgery. It is a good idea to have these prescriptions filled beforehand.

It is important to take the medication prescribed to you by your doctor. Someone will need to drive you home, and you may need assistance at home over the next couple of days.

Your scars will be pink for several weeks. After several months they will begin to fade. You will be given post-operative instructions to help ensure you have a speedy, healthy recovery.

Breast augmentation reliably increases the size of the breasts as well as possibly balancing body proportions. Clothes may fit better, and you may also experience an increase in confidence and self-esteem.

Breast augmentation makes the breasts larger for the life of the implant. Remember, also that larger breasts sag faster than smaller breasts, and augmented breasts do this as well. It is possible that you may require surgery in later years to correct sagging if you choose to have large implants. Gravity, unfortunately has no exceptions. A study by Scott Spear, M.D. gives some information about how long breast implants last. This study can be found at www.plastic.org/info/HowLongDoSalineImplantsLast.html.

In general, the best candidates for breast augmentation are:

• 18 years of age or older
• Not currently pregnant or nursing
• In good physical health
• Psychologically stable
• Wanting to improve their appearance
• Realistic in their expectations
• Having this surgery for the first time

The above is only a partial list of the criteria that DR. Walker will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. He will tell you if he considers you an ideal candidate for breast augmentation.

There are several concerns regarding breast augmentation: the surgery itself, the implants, breast cancer, and the risk of anesthesia. The risks involved with breast augmentation have received a lot of attention, but neither breast cancer nor arthritis have been shown to be caused by breast implants. All operations carry some risk and the possibility of complications can include (but are not limited to) infection, unsatisfactory results, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and the need for second or sometimes third procedures.

There is no known association of breast implants with breast cancer in human beings, and in fact several large studies have shown a lower incidence of breast cancer in women with breast implants. (Breast implant type devices have been shown to cause a rare form of cancer in rats that are prone to cancer, but this cancer has not been reported in humans with breast implants.)

Dr. Walker will spend time discussing other potential risks to fully educate you about your proposed procedure.

In most cases, health insurance policies do not cover the cost of breast augmentation.  Costs for your procedure will be discussed at the time of the consultation and will include the Surgeons fee, Operating room fee(including cost of implants), and Anesthesia fee. Generally, all cosmetic surgery fees are paid in advance of your procedure.

• Tell us about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements)
• Tell us about all medications, herbal supplements or natural supplements you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription)
• Carefully follow any instructions we give you regarding eating and drinking, smoking, and vitamins.
• Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines for two weeks prior to surgery.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery.
• Try to schedule surgery at a time other than three days before and four days after the first day of your menstrual period.