Breast Enlargement with Saline Implants

Breast enlargement, also known as breast augmentation or augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breasts. After liposuction, breast enlargement is the second most popular cosmetic procedure for women. Saline is a sterile, salt-water type solution. Saline implants have been on the market for decades, we offer several styles of implants including round and shaped. Breast Augmentation surgery takes about one hour and you can go home after the surgery to recuperate. Immediate post-operative discomfort can be controlled with medication. Your breasts will remain sensitive for about two to four weeks. There may be some swelling and bruising, which will disappear gradually. If you have small, underdeveloped breasts or desire a fuller figure, you may want to consider breast enlargement. After augmentation, many women are able to wear clothes, swimsuits, and lingerie they could never fill out before. Published studies suggest the vast majority of women with implants are happy with their results and would not hesitate to do it again.

Recovery after Breast Implants

Recovery is usually relatively rapid following breast implant surgery. It is normal to feel swollen and uncomfortable, particularly in the first two to three days, but this will improve over the next five to seven days, but strenuous physical activity, such as aerobic exercises, may take as long as four to six weeks to resume. Most of the stitches will be absorbable. You are likely to feel tired and sore for a week after your surgery, but you will be up and around in 24 to 48 hours. Most of the discomfort can be controlled by medication prescribed by your doctor. After the dressings are removed, you will be put in a surgical bra to wear by your surgeon. Swelling which occurs in the breast after augmentation surgery may take three to five weeks to resolve. This occurs as relaxation of the skin continues to accommodate the breast implant, which gives a more natural appearance to the breast.

Breast Lift

As time goes by, many women notice a gradual deterioration in the size, shape and feel of their breasts; Pregnancy and breast-feeding can cause the breasts to sag, droop, and soften. A breast lift, or Mastopexy, can correct this problem. A breast lift will raise and reshape sagging breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the remaining tissue and nipples. The Mastopexy takes about two hours and you can go home to recover after the surgery. Dr. Kierney makes incisions to lift the breast around the areola and down to the breast crease. Excess skin is removed and breasts and nipples are reshaped and lifted, restoring a more youthful contour. You may be up and around a day or so after the surgery but you may not feel like returning to work for about a week. Strenuous activities, such as an exercise program, are best avoided for about one month. Eventually over many months, scars fade and flatten, but they are permanent. A bra or swimsuit should cover any scars. A consultation with a qualified surgeon will provide you with valuable information about the risks and benefits involved in a breast lift. Dr. Kierney can help you understand what you can expect from this type of surgery and are willing to answer any questions you may have.

Breast Reduction

Large, oversized breasts can be a physically and psychologically painful problem. You may feel fat and top heavy, suffer from back and shoulder pain, and find exercise difficult or impossible. You might also be bothered by distracting stares and unwelcome comments. Breast reduction, technically called reduction mammoplasty, is performed to alleviate these problems by surgically removing fat, glandular tissue and skin from the breasts to make them smaller, firmer, lighter and more proportionate to the rest of the body. If desired, it can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin around the nipple. Sometimes, breast reduction surgery is covered by insurance if it is medically appropriate. Our office will work with your insurance company to seek pre-authorization for the surgery.

Breast reduction surgery is usually done under general anesthesia, and may take 2 to 3 hours. It can be done in the hospital or in an outpatient facility depending on the extent of the surgery and your preference. If you decide to recuperate at home, arrange for someone to drive you home and to help you out for a few days if need be.

A mammogram or breast x-ray may be requested before surgery. Dr. Kierney will explain the procedure in detail and give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery. Getting back to normal will take a little time. Immediately following the surgery, the doctor will prescribe pain medication.

Most women can return to work and social activities in about two weeks, if it is not too physically demanding. More strenuous activity is best avoided for about three to six weeks. It may take up to six months or more before your breasts settle into your new shape. Scars will normally fade and flatten with time.

Breast reduction surgery can eliminate the physical stress of large breasts and help your body be more proportioned. Clothes may fit better and you may be able to participate more comfortably in active sports.

Breast Reconstruction

A consultation with a plastic surgeon is an important first step when considering breast reconstruction. You may choose to have a consultation before your mastectomy to learn about the various reconstruction possibilities available. Usually a plastic surgeon and your general surgeon will work closely on the aspects of your mastectomy that will influence reconstruction. Breast reconstruction may be performed at the time of the mastectomy of after several months.

Dr. Kierney will explain which reconstructive technique is most appropriate for you. Factors affecting reconstruction may include your age, the thickness of the chest skin following your mastectomy, any tissue changes resulting from radiation therapy, and your preference about the placement of the scars. If desired, it is possible to augment or reduce the size of the opposite breast to make the overall result of the surgery as symmetrical as possible. Thousands of women undergo successful breast reconstruction each year. Nevertheless, you should be aware of potential surgical risks, and specific complications associated with reconstruction. A consultation with your board certified plastic surgeon should answer any questions you have. Breast reconstruction is usually performed in a hospital under general anesthesia. Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may be able to go home the same day. There are various surgical approaches to breast reconstruction.

The technique used will differ according to the type of mastectomy performed and the condition of your breast skin.

If your remaining breast skin is loose and is thick enough, reconstruction may be accomplished solely by means of inserting a saline breast implant, if the skin is too tight to accommodate an implant, a tissue expander may be used to stretch the skin before an implant can be used.

Another reconstruction technique uses a flap from the abdomen consisting of part of the rectus muscle and its overlying skin and fat. When the flap is folded in on itself, it may create a large enough mound to preclude needing a breast implant. If additional fullness is desired, an implant may be used. Although scars are made as inconspicuous as possible, they are inevitable. Scars will not fade completely, but will be acceptable in most cases.

Your plastic surgeon will advise you about resuming normal routines. The decision on when to return to work and activities depends on how fast you heal and how you feel. Your new breast may feel firmer and appear round or fatter than your normal breast. It may not have the exact contour as you previous breast nor will it completely match your other breast. Though it will not have normal sensation, some feeling may eventually return. This is not an easy procedure, but the potential, emotional and psychological benefits are considerable. Most patients find the breast reconstruction procedure well worth the effort.

Recovery after Breast Surgery

Recovery following breast surgery is generally swift. The swelling and discomfort generally resolve within 2 to 4 weeks. Most women can resume work approximately 5 to 7 days after a breast lift and approximately ten days to two weeks post-operatively. Most of the sutures will be absorbable. After two weeks, the surgeon will likely recommend wearing a soft bra. Swelling and discoloration around the incisions generally subside in a few days. Temporary changes in sensation of the nipples and skin is normal, and will improve with time. Scars after breast surgery are permanent, but surgeons make every effort to make scars as inconspicuous as possible and they will fade over time. Since incisions are usually made around and below the nipple, scars should not be noticeable even in low-cut clothing.