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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BREAST AUGMENTATION
Breast augmentation has been performed in millions of women in the United States. Implants can be used to balance a woman’s figure, increase symmetry and provide the appearance of a lift. The shape of a breast is determined by the amount of skin available and the tissue that fills that skin.
Some women never develop the size of breasts they desire. In others, pregnancy has caused the breasts to enlarge and later become smaller leading to a “deflated” breast appearance. In either case, the answer to better appearing breasts is to add volume by using breast implants.
 Types of Implants
Implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be filled with either silicone gel or saline. The new “cohesive” silicone gel has been proven to be safe and effective and has been approved by the FDA for general use.
Both types of implants have a proven track record for safety. Saline implants, if not over filled, can be as soft as gel implants.
Research studies and experience has shown that round smooth implants give results that do not differ from using “shaped” or tear drop implants. When the round implant is in the patient, it assumes a tear drop shape.
The best surface for an implant is smooth. It allows the implant shell to be thin and the implant to move slightly within the pocket. When the patient sits up the implant is tear drop shaped and when she lies down it flattens somewhat, like a natural breast. Textured implants are required when using a shaped implant so they won’t move in the pocket. They can often be felt more easily and can lead to rippling.
 Placement
The implant should be placed beneath the chest muscle. This gives the best appearance (no visible implant shape) and markedly decreases the chance of rippling. In reality, the implant is covered by muscle in the upper pole and breast tissue in the lower pole.
We favor mentor implants www.mentorcorp.com. They come in a wide range of full volumes and three different diameters (profiles). Moderate profile is used when the chest wall is wide and a low to medium volume is desired. Moderate plus profile gives more projection while distributing the volume over a smaller diameter. High Profile gives the most projection with the smallest base diameter and is used when a high volume is desired in a narrow chest. Your surgeon will help you decide which is best for you.
The procedure itself is straight forward. After anesthesia is obtained a small incision is made, either at the border of the areola or in the crease beneath the breast. A pocket is developed, the implant placed and the incision closed. You should have little to no pain and not require a “pain pump” if your surgeon uses a long acting injectable anesthetic to numb the pocket. The incision is small and there are no stitches to remove later. You will be able to remove the dressings, shower and go into a non-underwire sports bra within two days of the procedure.
Safety is our number one concern and should be yours also. We insist in doing all of our surgeries in a hospital owned facility with state of the art equipment, specialized nurses and staff. You deserve nothing less.
Cosmetic Surgery Associates.
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