If you have often wished your breasts were larger, fuller or shapelier, breast augmentation may be the right solution for you. Breast augmentation (also called augmentation mammaplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that uses implants to enlarge and shape the breasts. Dr. Bridges finds that a breast augmentation will often broaden a woman’s fashion options and boosts their self-esteem.

Is breast augmentation right for you?

Any of the following feelings or conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for breast augmentation:

• You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
• Weight loss has decreased the size of your breast and flattened the appearance of your breasts
• After having children, your breasts have become smaller and have lost their firmness
• Dresses that fit well around your hips are often too large at the bust
• While shopping for swim suits you find the tops and bottoms of a bikini on two different racks
• One of your breasts is noticeably smaller than the other
• You feel selfconscious wearing a swimsuit or a form-fitting top

In addition there are several criteria to consider prior to having a breast augmentation:

• if you are a young woman, your breast development must be complete
• You must be emotionally mature and fully understand your own motivations for wanting the procedure (the best reason is to improve your confidence)
• You must want the surgery for you own personal satisfaction and not the desires of others
• You must have realistic expectations, understanding that the procedure can bring improvement, but not perfection.

 

What should I expect from the consultation?

The consultation is the first step before considering breast augmentation. Your personalized one-on-one meeting with Dr. Bridges will assess your physical and emotional health.  This is followed by a discussion of your specific goals for the surgery. 

You should arrive at the consultation prepared to provide complete information about: (You can download a copy of our office patient information and fill it out before you arrive. This will facilitate your visit. )

• Previous surgical procedures
• Mammogram history
• Past and present medical conditions
• Family history of medical conditions, particularly about breast cancer and prostate cancer
• Medications you are taking, including herbal remedies or nutritional supplements. 

When examining your breast, Dr. Bridges will evaluate:

• The quality of your breast tissue.
• The location of any existing scars.
• The degree of skin laxity and stretch marks.
• The size of your breasts and differences between the two breasts.
• The nipple size and location and the differences between the two.

Part of the consultation will include a breast examination and photographs may be taken for your medical file. Dr. Bridges will evaluate the size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin and the placement of your nipples and areolas (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipples). He may have other s uggestions for procedures to improve your results. For example, if your breasts are sagging, a breast lift procedure may be performed in conjunction with breast augmentation to optimize your nipple position or size.  Understand you will probably not get a result that you see in a magazine or like you friends.  Everyone is different and "what you bring to the table will be different than what someone else brings to the table."

How is breast augmentation performed?

A small incision is made usually in one of three places depending on Dr. Bridges’s preference or based on your desired results. It’s either made underneath the breast just above the bra line crease, around the lower edge of the areola, or within the armpit. Once the incision has been made, a  pocket for the implant is created usually below the muscle.  

What types of breast implants are availible and are there any restrictions to their use?

Today both silicone gel filled implants and saline implants are available for breast augmentation. The FDA restricts each’s use primarly based on a patient’s age.  The FDA allows the use of saline implants to women 18 years old and older.  The FDA allows the use of silicone gel implant to those women 22 years of age or older.  The FDA’s explaination for the older age limit for silicone gel versus saline implants is based on the FDA’s recommendations that women getting silicone gel implant should undergo a MRI scan three years after the implantation then every 2 years thereafter to detect a potential leak.  Current information related to MRI scans do not point to any health risks related to silicone gel implants.  Dr. Bridges believes the FDA is just being cautious with these recommendations.  Most physcians believe that most women will not follow the FDA recommendations as recommended because of the excessive cost of each scan.  Current studies on some of the newer gels indicate the rupture rates to be much lower than in the past. 

As for saline implants, in the event that it leaks, the body will absorb the saltwater without any harm. You don’t need any special tests to detect a leak in a saline implant.  Usually the effected breast will get smaller and less firm over a 24 hours period.  No pain will be felt, only a size change. 

Every year thousands of women experience the benefits of breast augmentation with no major resulting complications. However it is extremely important to be aware of the potential risks as well as the benefits that are involved with the procedure. This is perhaps the most important discussion in your consultation visit. Be sure to listen carefully as well as ask any questions you may have regarding the safety of the procedure. You can do your part to minimize potential risks by carefully adhering to your surgeon’s advice and instruction before and after surgery.  Also it is important to understand that clinical studies will indicate that reoperation rate for one reason or another for both types of implants within 10 years approaches 10% or more depending on the study.  Just like a new car there is some maintence cost over time.  

What can I do to prepare for my surgery?

Once your surgery date has been established Dr. Bridges’s office will provide specific instructions to prepare for both before and after surgery. Probable preparations may include:

• Avoiding certain medications that may complicate procedures
• No smoking for a period of time before and after surgery
• Arranging for special care post-surgery

How will I be cared for on the day of my surgery?

Breast augmentation is performed on an outpatient bases at a surgery center.  

In most cases, local anesthesia with intravenous sedation is used. In others, general anesthesia may be the best option. Either way, you’ll remain very comfortable throughout the procedure. After the surgery you’ll will have on gauze wrappings or other dressings. You’ll be taken to a recovery area where you’ll be closely monitored before going home.  

How will I look and feel right after surgery?

Within a day or two after your surgery, you should be up and about. Any discomfort you may experience can be controlled with prescribed medication. Most women will describe the discomfort as if they went to the gym and over worked the muscle.  But don't think the breast will look normal for at least a month, possibly more.  "They will look like a couple of loaves of bread before they look like breasts."  Remember all surgeries are a type of trauma as far as your body is concerned.  There will be swelling and possibly bruising and when the breast swell, they swell up not down. Although everyone heals at a different rate, you can expect that your recovery will follow this general time line:

Within one week:

• You may shower
• Stitches will be removed (unless dissolving sutures were used)
• You may feel ready to return to nonstrenuous work
• You can resume sexual relations, ensuring the breasts are treated gently

After several months:

• Most of the swelling will subside and you’ll start to see your final results
• You may discontinue wearing the support bra
• You may resume vigorous exercise and arm movements

What should I know about my results?

Like most women who have had breast augmentation, you’ll be very pleased with the results. You can get rid of your padded bras or other bust-enlarging undergarments. Your new, natural curves will let you wear a greater variety of fashions, even dresses with low necklines and form-fitting tops. Many women feel their self-confidence lifted by their new figure, whether they’re on the beach or in the boardroom.

It’s likely that you will be happy with your results for many years. However, keep in mind that your breasts are not immune to the effects of weight fluctuations, gravity or aging, so maintaining a stable weight is important.  All bets, however, are off during pregnancy as to how the breast tissue will hold up during that period.  I advise using a moisturizer twice a day during pregnancy on the skin of the breast and abdomen in an effort to maintain some elasticity.

How long will I continue to see my plastic surgeon?

After the initial healing period, you will return to see Dr. Bridges for a follow-up visit to evaluate your progress.      Usually, the last post-operative follow-up will be around 3 month to 4 months.  It’s important to keep these appointments so that your surgeon can assess your long-term results and address any questions or concerns you may have.