Breast Augmentation
Breast Augmentation in Mishawaka, IN
Breast augmentation, or breast enlargement, is a surgical procedure to enhance the shape and size of a woman's breasts. This procedure is usually performed to enlarge smaller breasts or breasts that have decreased in size due to pregnancy, weight loss, or age.
Breast augmentation can also be performed in cases where one breast is hypoplastic or underdeveloped, or to correct a breast deformity. Breast augmentation usually costs between $6,400-$8,000.
Scroll down to read our most commonly asked questions:
How is breast augmentation done?
A breast implant is usually placed through one of three areas: in the inframammary fold (the crease underneath the breast), around the areola (the colored part around the nipple), or in the armpit. Our surgeons most commonly use the inframammary fold incision because it is so well hidden.
Saline and silicone gel implants can be placed below or above the muscle. Your plastic surgeon will create a pocket for the implant, place the implants centered behind your nipple, stitch the incision closed, and place bandages over the area along with a surgical bra.
Breast augmentation is performed as an outpatient procedure, and you will be able to return home the same day. Your plastic surgery team will provide you with recovery instructions and follow-up appointments to ensure your recovery is smooth and without complication.
Women who are looking for improvement in their appearance are good candidates for a breast augmentation procedure. Before deciding, carefully consider your expectations and discuss them with your plastic surgeon.
Our practice offers you the choice of either saline or silicone gel breast implants. Our surgeons most commonly use silicone breast implants because they look and feel more natural than saline implants and are less likely to have visible ripples. Silicone implants come pre-filled in four profiles: moderate classic, moderate plus, high, and ultra-high. The implants our surgeons use are round and have a smooth shell.
What should I expect when having breast augmentation?
You will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks to a month after surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with detailed recovery instructions including when to resume normal activity, how to care for your breasts following your augmentation, and when to be seen in the office for follow-ups.
Where will the incision be placed during a breast augmentation?
Our surgeons place their incisions in the inframammary fold. The incision is typically a few inches long. In this location the resulting scar will be barely visible.
Does breast augmentation surgery involve a hospitalization?
Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure- patients return home the same day. You will likely feel tired and sore for a few days following the surgery. Post-operative medication will be prescribed to help control the discomfort, which will decrease as times goes on.
Your physician will see you a day or two after surgery to ensure everything is healing well. You will return within 7-10 days to have your progress checked. You may resume normal activities generally within one week and strenuous activity within 4-6 weeks.
What is the difference between saline and silicone implants? Do I have a choice?
Saline breast implants are filled with a saltwater solution that matches the saline fluids in the body. This means that if an implant were ever to rupture, which is rare, that saline solution would be easily and safely absorbed by the body.
The FDA has approved silicone implants for all women aged 22 and over, as of November 17, 2006. Silicone implants contain a gel which closely resembles breast tissue in its consistency. They look and feel very natural.
If a silicone implant were ever to rupture, also known as a silent rupture, the gel would continue to hold its shape. This is why it is referred to as a silent rupture, because many women do not know they have one until it is picked up on a mammogram or MRI. You can choose which type of implant you'd prefer to have; however, our surgeons most commonly use silicone implants.
Do the surgeons place the implant above or under the muscle?
Our surgeons almost always place implants above the muscle, even if a patient has very little breast tissue. When implants are placed under the muscle, the recovery time is longer and more painful since the muscle must be disrupted during the procedure. Your plastic surgeon will review your options regarding implant placement and involve you in the decision.
Will my breast implants have to be replaced at some point in the future?
There is no set life expectancy or expiration date for either saline or silicone implants. Some women do have their breast implants replaced because as we age, the body changes and some implant adjustment might be necessary.
Silicone gel implants have slightly thicker shells than the older ones used before 1992. They also contain an improved gel which does not disintegrate or leak if the implant does ever rupture. If you have any problems with your implants, you should certainly let your plastic surgeon know immediately, so the problem can be diagnosed and addressed right away. That being said, if you do have a ruptured implant, whether saline or silicone, you are in no danger whatsoever.
Can I breastfeed if I have breast implants?
Implants usually have no effect on the ability to breastfeed. If a woman had the ability before surgery, then she will likely retain that ability following surgery. Likewise, if a woman was not able to breastfeed prior to breast augmentation, then surgery will not improve her ability to breast feed.
Will I lose any sensation in my nipples after breast augmentation?
Some changes in sensation are not unusual. Some patients have increased sensitivity, others decreased, and others have no change at all. For those who do experience a change, normal sensation may return after several months. Rarely, partial or permanent loss of nipple sensation does occur.
What results can I expect from breast augmentation?
Ideal candidates for breast enlargement surgery are women who are looking for improvement in the size and shape of their breasts. Before you decide on breast augmentation, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your plastic surgeon.
Will I be at greater risk for breast cancer if I get breast implants?
There is no scientific evidence that either saline or silicone implants increase the risk of breast cancer. While silicone gel implants were restricted by the FDA between 1992 and 2006, a lot of safety studies were conducted to determine whether silicone implants cause any diseases or medical conditions. No study established any connection whatsoever between silicone implants and any disease process.
There is evidence to show that women with textured implants have a small chance of developing a rare type of cancer known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL.) The cancer is cured by removing the implant and surrounding tissue. However, for this reason, our surgeons do not use textured implants.
Are self breast-exams different for women who have implants?
Women who have breast implants should still perform self breast-exams. To do this correctly, ask your plastic surgeon to help you distinguish the implant from your own breast tissue.
The following is a list of breast-exam steps, as recommended by the American Cancer Society, along with a tip for women who have implants.
- Lie down with a pillow under your right shoulder and place your right arm behind your head.
- Use the finger pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps in the right breast.
- Press firmly enough to know how your breast feels. A firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast is normal. If you're not sure how much pressure to apply, talk with your doctor or nurse.
- Move the breast in a circular, up and down in line, or wedge pattern. Be sure to do it the same way every time. Check the entire breast area and try to remember how your breast feels from month to month.
- Move the pillow to under your left shoulder and repeat the exam on your left breast using the finger pads of the right hand.
- Repeat the examination of both breasts while standing, with your one arm behind your head. The upright position makes it easier to check the upper and outer part of the breasts (toward your armpit). This is where about half of cancerous lumps are found. You may want to do the standing part of the exam while you are in the shower. Some breast changes can be felt more easily this way.
How are mammograms done for women with implants?
Women with implants generally have additional images taken during a mammogram. Also, implants may obscure underlying breast tissue and/or compress overlying tissue, thus making the interpretation of the image more complicated. It is important to have your mammogram done at an accredited mammography center. An imaging center that specializes in mammograms will likely have more experience screening women with implants. To find one near you, call the National Cancer Institute at (800) 422.6237.
If you have implants, you should always advise your mammography technician ahead of time. Prior to any breast surgery, if you are over the age of 40, you will have to have a mammogram done to establish a baseline. You cannot have another mammogram for at least six months after surgery.
The chance of an implant rupturing during a mammogram is small. Experts say the cause is most likely a faulty implant, not the mammogram itself.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women aged 40 and older should have a screening mammogram done every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam by a health professional, preferably every three years.
To learn more about breast augmentation, call or email our team to schedule your cosmetic consultation.
Possible Risks, Side Effects, and Complications
Like any surgery, there are small risks associated with breast augmentation including breast pain or sensation changes. Patients should also be aware of more severe complications that could occur after a breast augmentation operation such as a hematoma or an infection. This is why it is extremely important to follow all of your post-operative instructions carefully. We also make sure you are monitored by your surgeon through the entire recovery process.
After breast augmentation it is normal for your body to create scar tissue around the implant. In a small subset of women, their body creates too much scar tissue, which can distort the appearance of the implant and sometimes become painful. This is called capsular contracture and typically requires additional surgery to break up the scar tissue.
Do breast implants prevent breasts from sagging?
Though breast augmentation does restore volume, it does not totally correct breast position unless combined with a breast lift. If you have concerns with your degree of breast droopiness or "ptosis," a combined procedure may be the best option.
One factor to consider when getting breast implants is the risk of deformity if you decide to remove them later. Your breasts may droop more after removal. Typically, they will appear deflated due to the skin and tissues stretching to accommodate the size of the breast implants.
Combining Breast Augmentation with a Breast Lift
For women who experience ptosis, or breast droopiness, a breast augmentation alone may not be the best surgical solution. Breast augmentation increases breast size, adds volume, and enhances contours, but does not address breast position or remove excess skin.
Ptosis is best treated by combining breast augmentation with a breast lift to create a fuller, more lifted look. If a patient chooses to combine procedures, our board-certified plastic surgeons could perform both during one operation to minimize surgical risks and recovery times.
Reasons to Consider Breast Augmentation
Many women consider breast augmentation for various reasons that range from cosmetic to reconstructive. Breast augmentation is often the best solution to restore volume, add fullness, or correct asymmetry. Other causes for changes in breast size and tissue shape loss include pregnancy, breastfeeding, and dramatic weight gain or loss. Women who previously had a mastectomy to treat breast cancer may also turn to breast augmentation to restore what was removed. The surgery can help improve a patient's self-esteem and body image.
Contact Our Comprehensive Plastic Surgery Practice!
If you are considering breast augmentation, contact The Centre, P.C. Our Indiana state licensed and AAAHC certified Ambulatory Surgery Center is unmatched in the quality of care we provide to our patients throughout Indiana and the surrounding states. Call today at 574-968-9100 option #2 to schedule a consultation!