Breast Augmentation: What You Should Know

Self-confidence and satisfaction about your physical appearance affect the way you perceive yourself and how you interact with others. You may feel self-conscious of your size, shape or how you look in clothing.

Have you ever considered breast augmentation? Would changing your bust size give you a boost? Many women have found that by restoring or creating fullness and shape in their breasts, enhancement of self-esteem, sense of well being and femininity can be achieved.

In 2000, over 150,000 women had breast augmentation in the United States. If you are considering having this procedure done, you need to understand the various options regarding the type of implant, the incision site and the placement of the implant.

Most women have breast augmentation because they desire enlargement of their breasts. After pregnancy, some women feel their breast size is too small; they may request a breast lift or balancing the different sizes of their breasts. Regardless of why you want the procedure done, your choice to have breast augmentation is a personal one. It is a choice that only you can make. Get the facts and see if breast augmentation is tight for you.

Choose an experienced plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The number of breast augmentation surgeries that the plastic surgeon has performed should be considered. If you have friends or colleagues who have had breast augmentation, they might recommend a qualified physician. Contacting the American Society of Plastic Surgeons at their website at www.plasticsurgery.org will provide you with information on qualified surgeons in your area.

At your consultation, your surgeon will provide you with various surgical suggestions on what current techniques are available. Your body profile will be reviewed and discussed, as well as the present size and shape of your breasts and what size you wish to have, in order to select the best enhancement for you.

There are several specific questions you may wish to ask your plastic surgeon concerning: incision sites; whether you are a candidate for saline or silicone implants, and whether implant placement should be above or below the muscle.

The three most common incision areas are; (1) Periareolar – around the dark skin surrounding the nipple; (2) Transaxillary – the armpit area; and (3) Inframammary – where the breast meets the chest.

Saline implants are filled by injecting salt water (saline) from a syringe into tubing connected to the implant. The tubing is disconnected after it is filled to the appropriate size, sealing the implant and then removed from your body
Determining the correct implant size before surgery is very important. “Trying on” implants filled with various amounts of saline and observing the result with the implants under clothing is very effective. This is an excellent way for the patient to communicate her desired size to her surgeon.

Breast augmentation can be a very rewarding experience physically and emotionally. Be in absolute agreement with your surgeon on what look and size you expect.

To contact our office call 760-753-6411. Dr. Flynn is a Harvard trained Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in Botox and other cosmetic procedures. He has been conveniently located in Encinitas for over ten years.