- At Advanced Liposuction Center our Cranberry Township plastic surgeons can help you enhance your breasts and feel better about your appearance with implant surgery. Adding volume to the breasts is the goal for many clients. However, improving breast shape and overall symmetry is also very important to improving the appearance of the breasts. Our highly customizable breast implants allow you to choose the enhancements that are important to you and create the ideal breast size and shape.
Over time, the firm, full and lifted appearance of the breasts can change. A number of factors, including gravity, pregnancy, weight loss and simply the natural aging process can alter the look of your breasts. There may be a pronounced loss of volume, resulting in a sagging, deflated look. Fortunately, you have options.
Saline or Silicone?
The first step is deciding what type of implant will best meet your goals.
Silicone—noted for its very realistic feel, silicone closely matches the density and firmness of natural breast tissue. It is somewhat stiffer than saline. Silicone implants have soft edges which allows them to blend easily into existing tissue, producing a very natural look and realistic feel.
Saline—if you are looking for a large increase in your breast size, saline may be the best choice. Saline implants are also very good for restoring or even improving the shape of your breasts. In the past, saline implants had the reputation of not moving or feeling natural with an overly firm appearance and a noticeable “ripple effect” when the breasts moved. In today’s implants, however, these issues have been largely resolved and saline implants can achieve a natural look and feel.
Recovery Process
The patient will be given medicines to relieve the pain when the anesthesia wears off.
The patient will not be able to drive after undergoing general anesthesia. They should plan for a ride home with a friend.
Sutures that are absorbed or dissolvable normally dissolve after 6 weeks.
A follow-up session will be required if the patient’s sutures do not dissolve or if drainage tubes have been put near the breasts.
The following information should be provided by the medical team:
How to Look After Your Breasts After a Breast Augmentation
How to use the meds that have been recommended to you
When should you go to a follow-up appointment?
When should you consult a doctor?
If the patient has any of the following symptoms, they should seek medical attention right away:
• Fever, warmth, and redness in the breast area, chest aches, irregular heartbeats, or shortness of breath are all signs of infection.
For around 6 weeks, the patient should refrain from engaging in vigorous physical activities.
To decrease pain and discomfort, the doctor may recommend various post-operative exercises, such as flexing and moving the arms, as well as the type of bra to use.
Recovery times can vary because every woman is unique. Recovery times can be influenced by a number of variables, including implant size and type, placement, and even the surgeon’s surgical expertise.
A full recuperation time typically lasts four to six weeks on average. During this delicate period, it’s crucial to avoid physical activity, moving large objects, and overexerting yourself.
How does weight loss or gain affect breast implants?
Weight loss or gain can have varying effects on breast implants, and the impact may depend on factors such as the amount of weight change and individual body composition. Here are some general considerations:
1. Size Changes: Significant weight loss or gain can alter the size and shape of the breasts, which may affect the appearance of breast implants.
2. Natural Breast Tissue: Changes in body weight may influence the amount of natural breast tissue present, which can impact how the implants feel and look.
3. Sagging or Drooping: Rapid weight loss may contribute to sagging or drooping of the breasts, which can affect the positioning of the implants.
4. Strech marks
Rapid weight gain or loss can lead to stretch marks, and the skin changes may also affect the appearance of the breast area, including implants.
5. Implant Visibility: In cases of significant weight loss, implants may become more visible or palpable if there is less natural breast tissue to cover them.
Can breast implants interfere with mammograms or breast cancer detection?
Breast implants can potentially interfere with mammograms, making it more challenging to detect breast abnormalities. Here are some considerations:
1. Visibility of Breast Tissue: Implants can obstruct the view of some breast tissue during a mammogram, making it more difficult for the radiologist to assess the entire breast.
2. Additional Views: Specialized mammogram techniques, such as additional views or displacement views, may be recommended to visualize the breast tissue more effectively in women with implants.
3. Implant Placement: The placement of implants, whether above or below the chest muscle, can influence the extent of interference with mammograms.
4. Regular Monitoring: Women with breast implants should continue to undergo regular mammograms as part of breast cancer screening. It’s important to inform the mammography facility about the presence of implants so that appropriate techniques can be used.
How do breast implants affect self-esteem and body image?
Breast implants can have a significant impact on self-esteem and body image, though the effects can vary widely among individuals. Here are some ways in which breast implants can influence these aspects:
- Improved Self-Esteem: Many individuals report an increase in self-esteem after receiving breast implants, especially if they felt self-conscious or dissatisfied with their breast size or shape before surgery. This boost in confidence often stems from feeling more comfortable with their body image and the way clothes fit.
- Enhanced Body Image: Breast implants can help some individuals achieve their desired body proportions, leading to a more positive body image. This change can contribute to a greater sense of self-acceptance and contentment with their appearance.
- Potential Psychological Benefits: For some, breast implants can help resolve long-standing insecurities, contributing to overall psychological well-being. The satisfaction with the surgical outcome can lead to reduced anxiety and an improved quality of life.
What are the signs of capsular contracture, and how is it treated?
Capsular contracture is a potential complication of breast implant surgery where the scar tissue (capsule) that naturally forms around the implant tightens and hardens. This can cause discomfort and affect the appearance of the breast. Here are the signs and treatment options:
Signs of Capsular Contracture:
- Hardening of the Breast: The most common sign is the hardening of the breast, which may feel firm to the touch.
- Breast Shape Changes: The breast may change shape or position, becoming more rounded or appearing distorted.
- Pain or Discomfort: Some individuals experience pain or discomfort, especially when the condition progresses.
- Tightness in the Breast Area: A sensation of tightness or pressure around the implant may develop.
- Visible Wrinkling or Rippling: In severe cases, the skin over the implant might wrinkle or ripple, and the implant may become more noticeable.
Our expert cosmetic surgeons can help you decide on the ideal implant surgery for you. They are artists as well as physicians when it comes to sculpting the body. We offer a free consultation with our plastic surgeons. The meetings are completely confidential and, of course, there’s no obligation. You’ll learn if you are a good candidate for breast implants, go over your options and create a personalized plan that will help bring back or design anew the breasts you desire.
To find out more, contact us by calling: 724-683-7581.