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A Breast Augmentation Review

Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Newport Beach, California, is a state of the art practice for a wide range of plastic surgery procedures. The practice is headed by Dr. H.M. Seify, who is a board certified plastic surgeon with extensive training in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Patients in Newport Beach, Orange County, CA and surrounding communities may receive advanced treatments for procedures such as breast implants, tummy tuck and mommy makeover at the practice.

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is one of the more popular procedures performed by cosmetic surgeons in the United States. It involves enhancing the size, volume, and fullness of breasts with the help of saline or silicone based implants. Women who are dissatisfied with the natural small size of their breasts, those who perceive their breasts to be smaller and are unhappy with it, or those who have experienced loss of breast volume following a pregnancy, aging, or other factors such as mastectomy or injury, may choose breast augmentation to restore the breast size. The procedure may also be used for women who suffer from asymmetrical breasts up to a moderate extent.

If the breasts are sagging due to aging, major weight loss or other factors, this condition may improve slightly with breast augmentation, but the procedure is not designed for this purpose. Breast lift may have to be performed in such cases to improve skin tightness and elasticity. In some cases, breast augmentation may be combined with breast lift to achieve more complete outcome. Patients in and around Newport Beach and Orange County, CA have an opportunity to receive treatments such as breast implants, tummy tuck and mommy makeover from Dr. Seify.

Preparation for Breast Augmentation Surgery

During the initial consultation, the plastic surgeon will evaluate the patient’s general health condition, past medical history, any previous surgeries, medications being currently taken, and the size, shape, and elasticity of breasts. He may require the patient to undergo certain medical tests as necessary.

A baseline mammogram prior to surgery may be required. If the patient is a smoker, the surgeon will ask her to quit smoking several weeks prior to surgery. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs will have to be avoided for a few days before surgery. The surgeon will also give special instructions on post-op care and follow-up visits.

Procedure

Breast augmentation plastic surgery procedure begins with the administering of anesthesia. The surgeon will choose between the options of general anesthesia and IV sedation, depending on the patient’s needs. Certain medications may be given to add to the patient’s comfort during the procedure. The surgeon will make incisions in the areas already identified as a part of the treatment plan. The goal will always be to keep the incisions as inconspicuous as possible.

The incision may be inframammary, transaxillary, or periolar incision. The choice of incision will depend on various factors such as the type of breast implants, the degree of breast enhancement needed, patient’s unique anatomy and preferences of the patient and surgeon. A choice of implants will be made in advance in consultation between the patient and the surgeon. Both saline as well as silicone implants are approved by the FDA for cosmetic breast augmentation for women in the age group of 18 and older and 22 and older respectively.

Breast augmentation cosmetic surgery involves placement of the breast implants inside the breasts. This placement may be submuscular or subglandular, depending on the patient’s needs. Submuscular refers to placement under the pectoral muscle, and subglandular refer to placement of the implant behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle. Once the implants have been placed securely into position, the cosmetic surgeon will close the incisions. The scars will fade with the passage of time.

Recovery and Results

Breast augmentation results are visible almost immediately. Swelling with reduce over time, incision lines will fade, and fuller results will be visible at that stage. The post-op recovery period in this treatment is usually between 24 and 48 hours. Patient will have to do with reduced physical activity for a few days. Swelling and soreness will be eliminated after a few weeks.

The surgeon will give specific instructions on issues such as how to care for the breasts following the procedure, what kind of medications to use in order to expedite healing and minimize the risk of infection, and dates for recommended follow-up visits to the cosmetic surgeon. Final results of breast augmentation procedure can last for several years. However, it is important to understand that results of augmentation are not permanent. Most patients may need a replacement for breast implants during their lifetime.

 

See more procedures and treatments by plastic surgeon Dr. Hisham Seify in Newport Beach | Orange County