Breast Augmentation

One of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures available today is breast augmentation. However, even considering the explosion of information available from a variety of sources regarding breast enhancement, we consult with a great many patients who are confused about the surgery, and what to expect after an augmentation.

Our first suggestion is to find a plastic surgeon that is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. You then know that your Doctor has received ample and appropriate training. Find a plastic surgeon that you can trust to help you with this decision. Remember, a knowledgeable and caring surgeon should guide your decisions throughout your breast enhancement experience. Most surgeons have pre and post operative photographs that you can review together to determine the incision placement and the desired size of your augmentation. If you don't feel comfortable with the answers you are getting before surgery, chances are it won't get better after surgery.

Surgical augmentation of the breasts is a well-received and reliable procedure. It is my habit to use smooth, round, salt water filled, silicone plastic shelled implants, which are usually placed beneath the chest muscles. We typically use an inch and a half long incision placed in the line where the breast meets the chest wall. This incision heals almost scarlessly and provides safe and rapid access to the area into which the implant is placed. The surgical site is covered with a paper strip, and you are placed in a comfortable bra. Within a day or two, you can begin to liberalize your activity. Most discomfort is controlled by a combination of pain and anti-inflammatory medications. In our hands, this procedure is safely, privately, and routinely performed as an outpatient with a certified nurse anesthetist monitoring the depth of sedation used to supplement a local anesthesia.

Complications with a breast augmentation are unusual, and each year thousands of women safely undergo augmentation surgery. However, one of the most important elements of the consultation with your surgeon is discussion regarding these possible complications. Like other implanted devices, breast implants are resilient but not permanent structures. Keeping this in mind, you are likely to be happy with new figure for years.

Breast augmentation could be part of your improved appearance in 2004. Do your research, find a surgeon you trust, and you are sure to be pleased with the reliable and long-lasting affect of surgical breast enhancement.

The Plastic Surgery Group, P.C., in Chattanooga, Tennessee offers the latest body contouring procedures, including breast augmentation surgery. For more information on breast augmentation, read our breast augmentation questions 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.