Beauty Doc Blog

June 27.08

Breast enlargement, augmentation or enhancement is an extremely common and popular plastic surgery procedure, bringing many questions to the minds of potential patients. Here are a few of the most common questions Grossman Plastic Surgery hears from their patients, and the answers from Dr. Grossman.

Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that enhances the size of a woman’s breast. There are a number of reasons women elect to have this surgery: (1) To enhance the body contour of a woman who, for personal reasons, feels her breast size is too small, (2) To correct a reduction in breast volume after pregnancy, (3) To balance a difference in breast size, (4) As a reconstructive technique following breast surgery.By inserting an implant behind each breast, surgeons are able to increase a woman’s bustline by inserting an implant behind each breast. If you are considering breast augmentation, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure.

Q: What age is best? Can a person be either too old or too young?

A: Breast enhancement surgery is not recommended for anyone younger than 18. The question is not so much physical maturity as it is emotional maturity. Breast augmentation alters the body, and therefore the body image. If someone is not yet emotionally mature problems can result. However, regarding the upper age range, as long as a person is in good health, any age is fine.

Q: Can the surgery be done under local anesthesia or does it require a general anesthetic?

A: General anesthesia is preferred, though it can be performed under a local anesthetic. Dr. Grossman recommends thoracic epidural anesthesia as a local alternative if general anesthesia is not to be used. With this technique the anesthesiologist creates a local block for the entire chest area as well as administering sedation.

Q: Does it matter if a patient has had children?

A: No it does not. Breast implants should not interfere with childbearing or with breast feeding.

Q: Does a patient have to quit smoking, or can nicotine patches or gum be used?

A: Nicotine in cigarettes and in replacement medications such as gums and patches have a negative effect on skin following surgery. They can cause poor healing. While this is not as importance in breast enlargement surgery as in some other procedures such as breast uplift, breast reduction or facelift surgery, it can cause adverse effects so all forms of nicotine should be avoided. If needed the doctor will prescribe a drug to inhibit the desire to smoke.

Q: What if a patient has a family history of breast cancer?

A: A patient is still a candidate for breast enhancement surgery even with a family history of breast cancer. The implants can interfere with mammography, but most good mammography centers believe that they can work around the implants. Also there is no noticeable connection or relationship between breast cancer or any other type of cancer and breast implants.

Q: What if a patient has diabetes?

A: No problem as long as the diabetes is under control and the patient is not suffering from major sequel of diabetes. There is a slightly higher risk of infection with diabetics than the general population, but not enough to disqualify a patient.

For complete details and to book a no obligation consultation, contact Grossman Plastic Surgery.