Breast Augmentation
Are you looking for a doctor who performs natural-looking breast augmentation procedures in Paramus, NJ? Look no further than Dr. Moskovitz at Image Plastic Surgery. We have treated hundreds of women interested in breast augmentations. Breast implants are appropriate in several types of patients. Some patients have always had small breasts, while others may have lost breast volume after pregnancy or breastfeeding and desire to "fill out" their breasts and enhance their overall physique. A breast augmentation can also treat a drooping breast (ptosis) to some degree while providing additional volume.
Breast Augmentation Pre-Operative Care
Before any breast augmentation treatment, we discuss your specific goals and options in great detail, as there are several choices to be made and concepts to understand. At Image Plastic Surgery, we make sure that our patients are aware of their options, and we help patients choose the breast augmentation options that work for their body type and their goals.
Modern breast augmentations use implants that are made of a silicone shell that contain either saline (salt water) or silicone gel. The FDA has re-approved silicone gel breast implants for general use in patients over the age of 22. These silicone implants may be a better choice for some patients, and are usually recommended for very thin patients with little breast tissue.
Breast implant shells can be smooth or textured. Textured shells were developed to help control the problem of capsular contracture. Contracture is a scar which forms around the breast implant and forms a hard and undesirable shape. Contracture is less of an issue in modern saline and silicone implants.
Two basic implant shapes exist: round and anatomic (teardrop). The majority of patients prefer round implants. If additional lower breast projection is needed, an anatomic implant can be used. This will be discussed in detail at your consultation at Image Plastic Surgery.
Breast implants can be inserted several ways. The most common route is an Inframammary incision placed at the bottom of the breast. This provides a straightforward route for implant insertion and its scar usually fades well. Another method places the incision along the areola. This is a good incision to use when the areola is darker than the surrounding skin so that the scar is well hidden. A third incision is in the armpit area. This technique requires the use of an endoscopic camera to properly place the implant. Silicone implants cannot be placed through this incision. A fourth technique, places the implants through a belly button incision. Again, silicone breast implants cannot be placed through this incision. All of these techniques can provide an excellent result and, once properly performed, their main difference lies in the location of the scar. You and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Martin Moskovitz will discuss these options in depth at your consultation and make the decision that works best for your goals and body type.
Once the decisions have been made, you will have a routine blood test, and photographs are taken to assess post-operative effectiveness. Mammograms are ordered in all patients over 30 years of age in order to detect any possible abnormalities and to serve as a baseline for post-operative comparison.
No aspirin, ibuprofen, or similar drugs should be taken two weeks before surgery. These medications can cause excess bleeding. If you have any questions about drugs you are taking, including over-the-counter preparations and natural herbs, please call us at (201) 225-1101.
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight of the night before your procedure. Oral medications can be taken with a sip of water.
Breast Augmentation Operation
You should be at the office surgi-center or hospital at least 90 minutes prior to your scheduled surgical start time. Bring all paperwork from the office with you; this will save time on the day of surgery. You will be seen pre-operatively and a few marks will be drawn to help guide the surgery. You will then be brought into the operating room and given anesthesia. Incisions will be made and pockets opened into which the implants are placed. In most cases saline implants are used and they are filled and adjusted to provide an even result. In some cases (mastopexy, prior implants) silicone filled implants can be used.
Once the implants are in place, the wounds are closed and a dressing is applied. The dressing will stay in place for 1-2 days until changed in the office. Most patients will go home several hours after the surgery.
Breast Augmentation Post-Operative Care
After your breast augmentation in Paramus, NJ, keep the dressing on until your office visit. Take pain medication and antibiotics as prescribed. Your discomfort should steadily decrease.
Recently, post operative pain pumps have become more common. Originally their use was limited due to fear of infection, but their safety has been shown and they are very effective in minimizing pain over the first 2-4 days.
At your first post-operative office visit you will be placed into a new dressing. In many below-the-muscle cases an upper breast bandage is placed to help push the implant down against the action of the pectoralis muscle. In above-the-muscle cases, a sports bra is usually used for support.
After you have your breast augmentation in Paramus, NJ, upper body exercise should be minimized and no reaching-type motions should be performed for 2-3 weeks. Massage of the implants may help decrease capsular contracture.
Patients can return to non-strenuous work in 3-7 days in most cases.
If you need any more information regarding breast augmentation, please feel free to call or email us. We hope to be your practice of choice when looking for breast augmentation in Paramus, NJ!
