FAQ about Breast Augmentation

If you feel your breasts are out of proportion to the rest of your body, you might benefit from a breast augmentation.
Smoking impedes healing after breast augmentation. If you are a smoker you will need to stop smoking at least one month prior to and for one month after breast augmentation surgery.

I will examine your breasts for lumps. If anything unusual is detected, you will need to see your primary care physician prior to breast augmentation surgery.
I will give you several different sizes of implants to try on to determine which size implant is right for you.
I will measure your breasts to determine placement of the implant during your breast augmentation.
I will photograph your breasts prior to your breast augmentation surgery.

There are two types of implants commonly used: saline or silicone gel. Saline is not new or experimental in any way and has been used for the past twenty years. Since 1992, silicone has only been approved for breast reconstruction and for use in some clinical studies.
New implant fillers such as soybean are still experimental, and have not been approved by the FDA. I feel it is very important to keep up to date on FDA regulations for any implants so that I can provide the safest and most effective results for my patients.
Implants can be placed above or below the chest wall muscle (the pectoralis muscle) during breast augmentation. We will discuss optimum placement for you during your personal consultation.
The incision for breast augmentation can be placed under the breast (usually hidden in the fold underneath the breast), around the areola (the pigmented portion around the nipple), or in the underarm. We will discuss the optimum incision for you during your consultation.

Sometimes breast augmentation surgery disturbs the nerves to the nipple. In these cases, breastfeeding may not be possible.
Many women are able to breastfeed normally after breast augmentation.

Yes, It is important to continue to see your primary care doctor as recommended for clinical breast exams, perform monthly self breast exams and to receive recommended mammography screening after breast augmentation.
Make sure you inform the technician performing your mammogram that you have had breast augmentation.
You may need to have additional screening with ultrasound or MRI depending on where your implants are placed during breast augmentation.