Answers To Seven Questions About Breast Augmentation
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There is no doubt that breast augmentation is one of the most sought-after and in-demand procedures in America each year, and it is easy to see why! The striking physical transformations and dramatic psychological improvements that can be achieved through breast augmentation can be life-changing for women of all ages. Board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Tamburrino takes great pride in helping patients enhance their physique, boost their confidence, and simply feel better overall through breast augmentation at his state-of-the-art Doylestown, PA facility.
If you are considering breast augmentation and have begun doing your research, you have likely found a wealth of information that may be confusing, overwhelming, or both. Dr. Joseph Tamburrino and the professional team at Tamburrino Plastic Surgery & Med Spa are dedicated to providing the most exceptional level of patient care, beginning with education, and place a great deal of importance on helping patients understand all aspects of a procedure so that they can make informed, confident, and comfortable decisions about their treatment. Find out the answers to seven key questions regarding breast augmentation in Doylestown, PA here:
1. What is breast augmentation, and who needs it?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery designed to increase the volume of the breasts and enhance their overall shape and contour. The procedure can be highly beneficial for women who have lost breast volume due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuation, or aging alone, as well as women who have naturally small breasts.
Breast augmentation is typically performed as an outpatient procedure and takes about 2 – 3 hours, depending on whether or not any additional procedures are being performed simultaneously. Because each woman’s concerns, goals, and anatomy are different, the details of breast augmentation may vary significantly from patient to patient. During your initial one-on-one consultation, Dr. Tamburrino will discuss all of the expected aspects of your individual procedure at great length, including where the incisions will be placed, what kind of scarring you can expect, and more.
2. How long is the recovery after breast augmentation?
For the first 2 – 3 days after the procedure, patients can expect to experience some level of discomfort, swelling, and bruising, along with limited upper-body mobility. It is essential that patients plan to have help around the house during this period. This is particularly important for patients with young children or toddlers. Within the first week, most patients begin to feel more like themselves and can return to light housework and daily routines, though there will still be swelling and likely some discomfort present.
In general, most women elect to take about 1 – 2 weeks off of work after a breast augmentation, provided their job does not require strenuous physical activity. Certain exercises and other activities may be able to be resumed after 3 – 4 weeks, but it is important to obtain clearance from your surgeon to ensure your health and safety. Heavy lifting is strictly off-limits for an average of six weeks – and sometimes longer – following breast augmentation. Dr. Tamburrino and the caring team at Tamburrino Plastic Surgery & Med Spa will give you a thorough list of postoperative recommendations, medications, and other tools to help ease your symptoms and make your recovery as quick and comfortable as possible.
The majority of swelling usually resolves after about 6 – 8 weeks, but your breasts will continue to undergo subtle changes as the implants settle into their final position. Your final results may not be visible for several months following breast augmentation.
3. What is the difference between saline and silicone implants?
Both saline and silicone gel implants have their own set of unique advantages. For example, saline implants are filled with a saline solution which can be safely absorbed by the body in the case of rupture. Another noteworthy advantage of saline implants is that they are approved for use in women under 22 years of age, unlike silicone gel implants, making them a good option for younger patients.
Silicone gel implants are widely thought to produce a more appealing look and feel that mimics a woman’s natural breast. Because they are less prone to rippling, silicone gel implants are often considered to be the best option for thinner women, or those with less native breast tissue, whose bodies aren’t able to naturally conceal the ripples or edges of the implants.
Ultimately, the choice between saline and silicone gel implants is up to the patient and the surgeon. Dr. Tamburrino will discuss your concerns and goals with you at length in order to determine the most appropriate type of implant for your body and lifestyle.
4. Are breast implants safe?
Both saline and silicone gel implants are FDA approved for use in breast augmentation and generally considered extremely safe and very low risk. However, as with any procedure or device, there are some risks to be aware of when considering breast augmentation with breast implants. These include:
- Implant rupture
- Capsular contracture
- Breast implant pain
- Breast implant-associated illness (BIA-ALCL)
- Dissatisfaction with results
5. How long do breast implants last?
It is important for patients considering breast augmentation to understand that breast implants are not designed to be lifelong devices. However, when breast augmentation is performed properly by an experienced board-certified surgeon, the majority of women are able to enjoy their breast implants for up to ten years before a revision or replacement is needed. The most common causes for early replacement or revision include implant rupture and a change in personal preference.
6. Is there an alternative to breast implants?
With the rising popularity of living an all-natural lifestyle, many patients are curious about the possibility of breast augmentation without breast implants. Dr. Tamburrino is highly skilled in fat transfer to the breast, also known as fat grafting, an innovative technique that uses a patient’s native fat from elsewhere in her body to augment the breast for a beautiful, natural look and feel. While breast augmentation with a fat transfer certainly has its advantages, including an exceedingly low risk of an adverse or allergic reaction, it is important for patients to have realistic expectations about the procedure’s limitations. Patients desiring a significant increase in breast volume may be better-served by breast augmentation with implants.
7. Can you combine breast augmentation with other procedures?
Absolutely! Plenty of women choose to combine their breast augmentation with complementary or additional procedures such as breast lift, tummy tuck, or liposuction. In fact, breast augmentation is one of the most common surgeries included in the highly popular mommy makeover procedure. These combination procedures allow patients to address multiple concerns in a single surgical setting, often cutting down expensive surgical fees, and removing the need for multiple recovery periods.
If you are interested in learning more about breast augmentation, including whether or not the procedure may be right for you, the first and most important step is to be evaluated by a highly experienced, qualified, and exceptional surgeon. Call the team at Tamburrino Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Doylestown, PA to schedule your consultation with board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Tamburrino today, and find out how the body of your dreams may finally be within reach!