Chattanooga Tennessee Breast Implant Augmentation

Chattanooga, Tennessee Breast Augmentation Surgery
The Plastic Surgery Group, P.C., in Chattanooga, Tennessee offers the latest plastic surgery procedures, including breast augmentation surgery. For more information on the body contouring procedures we offer, visit our plastic surgery procedures page or call our plastic surgery staff at (423) 756-7134 or (800) 634-3334. You can also e-mail us your questions and we will be in touch with you shortly.

Every woman is endowed differently. Time, weight loss, pregnancy and nursing may decrease the volume, shape and symmetry of the breasts. Some women are dissatisfied with breasts they consider too small. Other women are bothered by an imbalance in their overall appearance, either because their hips are larger than their bustline or one breast is smaller than the other.

Many women find that making the breasts larger - technically known as augmentation mammoplasty - can help
create a more comfortable, more flattering, more balanced look. For more information on breast augmentation surgery, contact our breast augmentation surgeons at The Plastic Surgery Group, P.C. in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We will be happy to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your questions and concerns regarding breast augmentation surgery.

Questions Women Most Often Ask About Breast Augmentation Surgery

1. How big can I be with breast augmentation surgery?
The overall shape, body habitus, and skin available for breast augmentation will be important in determining the size of the breasts. The patient's expectations are important in this decision. If you have little or no breast tissue, very tight skin or are young, you typically can expect to increase your size from an A cup to approximately a C cup; however, stretching the muscle and skin too tightly can be detrimental. Patients that want to be very large can do so if there is available skin for coverage; otherwise, this may require more than one procedure.

Breast augmentation patients who have lost breast volume as a result of childbearing, breast feeding or weight loss typically have sufficient skin to restore their breasts to their original size or larger; and patients with moderate breast size usually can increase the size of their breasts easily.

2. How long do the breast implants last?
The breast implants used today are the latest in a long line of technically advanced materials used over the years. Most women receive saline-filled breast implants with silicone rubber shells that are filled with saltwater. They are guaranteed for a lifetime; that is to say that manufacturers will replace the implants if they deflate. In addition, the implant manufacturers provide financial assistance towards covering operating room expenses, anesthesia and/or surgical fees should a deflate occur. Each manufacturer has a slightly different time limit for this coverage, ranging from 5-10 years. If the saline implant leaks, the saltwater is harmlessly absorbed by the body. If the implant does not show deflation, it can potentially be left in for a lifetime. A deflated implant is not a serious event or an emergency. Replacement can be performed at a convenient time for the patient.

3. What is the difference in round and anatomical breast implants?
The implants used today are basically round or teardrop shaped. The teardrop shaped implants were designed to achieve a more natural, mature appearance; however, if they become displaced and turn within the breast pocket, this could cause distortion in breast shape. Round implants in a submuscular position can achieve the same result without the possibility of breast distortion.

4. What is the difference between saline and silicone breast implants?
As described above, a saline implant has a silicone rubber shell filled with sterile saltwater. A silicone implant has the same shell filled with a silicone gel. Saline implants are used for the vast majority of augmentation patients. Silicone implants are available at present for selected breast augmentation patients and for reconstruction patients. Some surgeons feel that silicone breast implants are somewhat superior, as they tend to be somewhat lighter than saline and more natural feeling. It is very difficult to detect evidence of a silicone implant after breast augmentation; however some patients with saline implants report they feel the sensation of implants sloshing in their chest. Saline breast implants are somewhat heavier and will pull more on the breast tissue over time and may result in earlier drooping or a mature breast sooner than would be hoped for. Good bra support over the years is important in preventing this appearance. A saline breast implant with a flaw will deflate slowly over several days or weeks and be easily noticeable; however, a flawed silicone implant will leak into the capsule surrounding the breast implant and may not be detectable by the patient, physician or even a mammogram. There is no urgency for exchanging silicone implants once this has happened unless the breast appears misshapen.

Studies have reported an increased incidence of capsular contracture in silicone implants. In the previous
generation silicone implants the contracture rate was up to 30%, comparing unfavorably with the roughly 7% rate with saline breast implants.