Breast Ehancement
At the Aventura Center, breast augmentation Miami has given women added confidence in their appearance. Breast augmentation Miami cosmetic surgery is one of the most frequently performed procedures in the nation today. Breast implants enhance the size and shape of the breast by adding firmness and fullness. Breast Augmentation Miami can be used to enhance body symmetry and self-image primarily or following pregnancy. Breast implants can also be used for correcting asymmetry and for refinement purposes. We offer complimentary breast ehancement consultations at our Florida office.
Types of Breast Implants
Currently, Dr. Gershenbaum uses mostly saline (saltwater) filled breast implants for enlargement at state-of-the-art cosmetic surgery center. Silicone breast implants can, however, be used in certain instances and requires participation in an ongoing safety study. The latest and most advanced cohesive gel silicone breast implants are gaining popularity for revisional procedures and may soon be approved for first time breast augmentation Miami patients. The saltwater, or saline filled, breast implants that are currently used for routine breast enlargement contain an outer shell or wall made of silicone (Silastic®) sheeting. The saline solution is then placed within this silicone shell. The surface texture and shape of silicone (Silastic®) breast implants can vary. Some prostheses or breast implants will have a smooth wall and some will have one of a variety of textured or rough surfaces. Breast implants can be round, anatomical, or "tear-drop" shaped. Each type of surface and each shape are believed to have certain possible advantages and disadvantages. The final decision as to which prostheses will be used for your breast augmentation Miami procedure at our facility varies from patient to patient.
Smooth, round breast implants are most commonly used at our breast augmentation Miami center. Smooth breast implants "slide" and move more freely within the implant space while textured implants adhere to the overlying tissues during the healing process and are more likely to show visible folds or "ripples" in the breasts, especially in thin patients and those with smaller breasts. Anatomical or "tear-drop" shaped breast implants are textured. Regarding shape – if round breast implants turn one way or the other, they are still round and symmetrical from one breast to the other. If anatomical or "tear-drop" shaped breast implants turn one way or the other, there will be asymmetry between the two breast shapes…. hence, Dr. Gershenbaum's preference for using smooth, round breast implants at his practice.
Breast Implant Placement
Dr. Gershenbaum generally places the prosthesis under the chest muscle (pectoralis muscle) as multiple studies have revealed that, with submuscular placement of breast implants, there is a significantly lower incidence of capsular contracture (thickening, firmness and contraction of the layers of tissue around the implant), which can cause an unnaturally round and firm breast. When breast implants are placed under the muscle, there is also less chance of seeing or feeling the edges of the implants. The breast implants are filled with saline after being put in place.
The prosthesis is inserted into the body through an incision that always leaves a scar. There are four, different possible areas for the placement of the incision.
- Inframammary Incision: This incision is placed in or near the crease under the breast and generally measures approximately 1 to 1½ inches.
- Periareolar Incision: This incision is generally placed in the lower border or edge of the areola (pigmented area around the nipple) and is usually very inconspicuous after healing.
- Axillary Incision: This incision is made in the follicle bearing axilla or armpit area in a natural crease and is also usually very inconspicuous after healing.
- Naval (Umbilicus): This incision usually heals inconspicuously; however, it is generally associated with implant placement above the pectoralis muscle. There is also markedly less control in developing the implant space/pocket. Breast implant manufacturers now advise against this procedure route.
The exact size and shape of the breasts cannot be determined with certainty before the breast augmentation Miami surgery. At the Aventura Center, preoperative discussion and evaluation with Dr. Gershenbaum, combined with his professional judgment, will determine the size of breast implants that are used. There is some unpredictability and variability in the reaction and response of tissue and the healing process in each patient. Also it is very important that patients have realistic expectations. Much of the postoperative result will depend on the initial size and shape of your breasts.
This breast augmentation Miami procedure is generally performed at our state-of-the-art out patient facility under general anesthesia. Local anesthesia with intravenous sedation might also be used in certain circumstances. The actual procedure performed at our facility typically takes one to two hours.
Frequently, there is some increased swelling and fullness in the upper part of the breast or chest area. This generally subsides and improves over several weeks to several months following the surgical placement of breast implants. The breasts will remain firm for an undetermined amount of time during the normal healing process. The uncomfortable part of recovery lasts one to two weeks in which pain is controlled with oral medications. Sutures (stitches) are removed after seven days.
Light exercise may begin at four weeks after the surgery, and there are no restrictions after eight weeks. A support bra is generally worn throughout this time and is encourage thereafter. It must be realized and remembered that complete healing and the final result can take approximately 12 months or more to attain. It can take this amount of time for the breast tissue, skin and muscle to stretch, relax, and remodel themselves.
Breast Enhancement Complications
As with most cosmetic procedures, complications are infrequent when performed by a skilled and competent surgeon. Complications include, but are not limited to anesthesia risks, bleeding, infection, capsular contracture (firmness and contraction of the layer of tissue around the implants causing varying degrees of firmness), poor healing and noticeable scars, asymmetry, pain, and numbness. There is also a potential for revisional surgery or a need for implant removal.
A patient can expect to change her implants at least once. If deflation occurs, the saline is harmlessly absorbed into the body and the implant would have to be replaced. The implants do have a lifetime warrantee from the manufacturers.
If a silicone gel-filled implant ruptures, one of two things may occur:
- If the implant shell breaks but the scar capsule around the implant does not, you may not detect any change.
- If the implant shell and the scar capsule around the implant also breaks or tears, silicone may move into surrounding tissue, which can cause a change in shape and/or create firmness of the breast.
Either way, when a silicone implant breaks it should be removed or exchanged. The scar capsule may also need to be partially or totally removed as well.
