Breast Augmentation
During your initial consultation, Dr. Garber will inquire about your medical history, prior procedures, medications, allergies, and your motivations for seeking plastic surgery. It is very important that you be thorough when providing your medical history, as this information helps to prevent complications during your care. When asked about medications, be sure to include any vitamin or herbal preparations, as these can affect your blood pressure and clotting ability. Dr. Garber will examine your breasts. He will be looking at the size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin, and the location of your nipples and areolas (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipples). If your breasts droop, he may recommend a breast lift along with the breast augmentation. After reviewing your medical history, Dr. Garber will discuss your concerns, priorities and motivations for pursuing plastic surgery, as well as your fears. After examining you, Dr. Garber will be able to offer advice and options to help you achieve the appearance you desire. He will explain the advantages and disadvantages of the different options you have before you. At the completion of your consultation, you will be given a written estimate of the cost of your procedure. At this time, you will also have the option to schedule your procedure if you so choose. The decision to undergo surgery is a very important one, and the final decision should be given very careful consideration. Dr. Garber realizes the importance of this decision, and at no time will you be pressured to make a decision. You are also encouraged to bring your spouse, significant other, family member, or a friend to your consultation.
Breast Augmentation Options
There are a number of options available in modern breast augmentation procedures, including options for size, type, and shape of implant, placement of incision, and placement of the implant.
Choosing an Implant
The saline implants are constructed of a gel-like outer shell made of silicone, which is filled with a sterile saline solution. FDA silicone filled breast implants are now safe and effective for use in breast augmentation and breast reconstruction.
Choosing an Incision Site
Primary types of incision site are as follows: Periareolar incision or an incision made around the areola, or the darkened area of skin surrounding the nipple. Inflammatory incision or an incision made along the crease on the underside of the breast. Because the incision is located in the crease beneath the breast, the scarring will be obscured from view.
Choosing an Implant Placement
Sub-glandular placement of breast implants means that the implant is placed beneath the mammory gland, but on top of the muscle. Sub-pectoral placement of breast implants means that the implant is placed beneath both the mammory gland and the pectorals major muscle, at the top of the implant. Sub-muscular placement of breast implants means that the implant is placed beneath the mammory gland, the pectoralis muscle at the top of the implant, and beneath other minor chest muscles at the bottom of the implant. There are many options available and many determining factors that go into making a decision about breast augmentation. It is often easier and most effective to set up a consultation with Dr. Garber to discuss your decision-making process and determine what options are right for you.
Types of Implants - Silicone Gel vs. Saline Filled Implants
There are two basic types of implants, silicone gel and saline filled. The new silicone gel implants arrive from the manufacturer already filled with cohesive silicone gel (not liquid silicone) in their sterile packaging. Saline implants arrive from the manufacturer empty, in sterile packaging, and are actually filled with sterile saline solution in the operating room. After 15 years of intensive research, the new silicone gel implants have been approved by the FDA and continue to be studied. To date, there have been numerous studies involving over one million women with the new silicone gel implants, and these studies clearly show no link between silicone gel implants and any type of disease. Silicone gel implants have an advantage in some patients because of their softer, more natural feel. In fact, many women who have saline or the older type of silicone implants are now having them replaced with the new silicone gel implants. Saline implants have an advantage in some patients because they may be adjusted if your breasts are different sizes, they are less expensive than silicone implants, and they may be placed through a smaller incision. There are several reasons a woman might choose one type of implant over another, and these include cost, body type, current breast size, and the desired look and feel after surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Garber will discuss with you which implant type might be the best choice for your individual needs. At your consultation you may also wish to bring photographs from magazines or websites to better communicate to Dr. Garber the exact size, shape and "look" you are trying to achieve. Dr. Garber will also measure your natural breast and chest shape. This gives him an idea of what size implant will help you achieve the size you want postoperatively. As implant size increases, so does the diameter of the implant. There is an implant that will perfectly match the diameter of your natural breast, and that is a good starting point for discussion. Choosing an implant smaller than your natural breast shape will not provide the proper cleavage and shape following the procedure, and most commonly results in a large gap between the breasts. Similarly, choosing an implant too large for your natural chest shape is more likely to give you an unnatural appearance.
The Results You Can Expect
You will notice an improvement in your breast shape and size immediately. You may experience soreness in your chest, but this rapidly disappears. A very mild swelling usually takes several weeks to subside. You should be able to resume your normal daily activities the day after surgery, and you should be able to resume all of your physical activities (sports, aerobics, running, etc.) within four weeks of surgery.
Click Here for the Breast Augmentation Before and After Gallery
*Individual results may vary