Breast Augmentation in New York City

What is breast augmentation surgery?

Breast augmentation surgery is a surgical procedure that enhances the size and appearance of the female breast. The female breast remains the ultimate symbol of feminine form, which makes its beautification through breast augmentation surgery one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in America.

Enhancement of breast size and shape is usually performed with the insertion of breast implants. However, fat transfer surgery is becoming a popular alternative to the use of breast implants. In either option, the overall goal is to improve the cosmetic appearance of the female breast.

What to expect?

The process begins with a decision to enhance the appearance of your breasts. Reasons for making this decision vary, but usually involve either an underdevelopment/small breasts or loss of breast volume that can occur with weight loss or childbirth.

Once this very personal decision has been made, consultation with an American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon usually ensues. From there, the process varies somewhat depending on your goals, expectations, options and the surgeon’s particular practice operations. The final expectation is that the breasts will have a new, enhanced, more aesthetic appearance that matches your pre-surgical goals.

Procedure steps

The steps toward the surgery begin with the decision to enhance your breasts. Once this decision has been made, the initial consultation includes a discussion defining your goals and expectations, a physical examination and a further discussion delineating your options in accordance with the goals and physical findings.

In my practice, with occasional exceptions, after choosing a surgical date patients to return for a second evaluation to finalize goals, implant options, surgical technique options and to obtain preoperative instructions, measurements, and photographs. The preoperative instruction packet includes vital information such as, what medications to take or avoid, what to eat when to stop eating, what to do on the day before surgery and general information about your planned surgery.

Most of the time, surgery is scheduled for the morning hours so that you can recover during the day and return home at a reasonable hour. The first postoperative office visit is scheduled for within one week of the surgery. Visits beyond this point are dependent on the healing process and your overall recovery.

Best Candidates

Virtually everyone that is dissatisfied with the appearance of their breasts is a potential candidate for the surgery. Even gender barriers have been broken in this category with advances in gender reassignment. Of course, the choice of procedure and options are dependent on many factors and can only be fully appreciated after a full and formal examination.

Recovery

Recovery is generally very easy since it involves the only skin, breast tissue and sometimes muscle and is usually performed on relatively healthy individuals. The finer points of recovery are, of course, dependent on many factors, including, individual pain tolerance, how much muscle is involved, implant size and several others.

Typically, you will be performing your normal activities of daily living on the day following the surgery. Returning to work is also usually very rapid, one or two days, again depending on several factors, such as type of work performed.

Results

The satisfaction rate for patients makes it consistently the number one or number two most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure performed in this country annually for the last two decades.

Risks and safety

Safety is always our prime objective in any surgical procedure. It is even more critical in a procedure that is completely elective and cosmetic in nature. The overwhelming safety, along with consistently excellent results is what maintains its position as the number one or two most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures in America annually.

Preparing for the surgery

Preparation for the surgery is relatively simple. Each plastic surgeon may have preparation instructions specific to their practices, such as showering the night before, dietary restrictions and others. The greatest preparation that you can make is mental and emotional.

Most patients have already made that emotional commitment by walking through the consultation door. Smoking cessation is the most universal preparation recommended by all.

Post-op

The postoperative recovery is relatively smooth and straightforward. Activities of daily living, i.e. showering, walking, dressing, eating, can be resumed immediately after surgery.

Returning to work is purely dependent on the type of work. Desk, administrative and nonphysical jobs can be resumed one or two days after surgery. More strenuous vocations will depend on the level of activity required. Some plastic surgeons require the use of a post breast augmentation bra and some use no bra at all.

Return visits to the plastic surgeon also vary with each surgeon. In my practice, patients return for their first visit within the first week of surgery. The second visit typically occurs two weeks following the first and the third visit occurs six weeks after that. These visits can vary depending on the need for more, or fewer visits.

Types of breast implants

Since the introduction of breast implants in 1963, they have undergone numerous improvements and technological changes over the years, providing us with a now vast assortment of choices that can be tailored to almost any breast and any patient. If fact, to discuss ALL of the implant options would extend beyond the scope of this document.

In general terms, the types available today include saline (salt water) and silicone gel filled implants, in round and anatomical (teardrop) shapes, with smooth and textured surfaces. The type, shape, and size of breast implant specific to your personal, individual goals and expectations will be determined in consultation with your American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon.

Fat transfer

The “newest” and perhaps most glamorous method is that of fat transfer. This technique of augmenting the breast has become very fashionable since its near condemnation by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as recently as 2007. After study in tens of thousands of women confirming its safety, fat transfer has now taken center stage in the options for breast enhancement.

The surgery involves taking fat by liposuction from other parts of the body, processing it, and reinjecting it into the breasts. Fat transfer does have some limitations, such as typically only providing a one cup bra size increase, but has now become a viable alternative in the discussion of options.

Your breast augmentation consultation: “what to discuss”

During your consultation with an American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon, your main goal should be to communicate with your surgeon. You have undoubtedly sat in front of a mirror and possibly viewed numerous photos of breasts that you desire. Try to verbalize the goals that you have to yourself before going for your consultation.

If you can verbalize to yourself, it will be easier to express the goals to your surgeon. Your surgeon should then be adept at guiding the conversation and discussion toward the goals that you have preconceived.

Choose a surgeon you can trust

Although the process has become so refined, satisfying and safe as to be very commonplace in America today, do not take it lightly. Breast augmentation is still surgery. Plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery have undergone rigorous training and an arduous examination process to become experts in the field.

Additionally, maintenance of that certification is required of all certified plastic surgeons. This ongoing certification includes submission and review of surgical cases, educational activities, and cognitive testing in the form of examinations. It is THE reason that the procedure has become so safe and satisfying. Your only choice of a surgeon is considering breast augmentation should be a surgeon certified by this board.