Breast Augmentation Philadelphia

Breast Augmentation Before and After
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Breast augmentation in Philadelphia can enhance the size and shape of a women’s breasts. It gives women with small or unevenly sized breasts a fuller, firmer, better-proportioned look.

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the U.S. It is also one of our most popular services.

Our patients at The Main Line Institute of Plastic Surgery elect to undergo breast enlargement for many different medical and aesthetic reasons. Some of the most common decisions include balancing breast size with the patient’s body contours, increasing breast volume that has been lost after pregnancy or surgery, and correcting deficiencies from birth.

The procedure involves placing either saline or silicone implants behind each breast, underneath either breast tissue or the chest-wall muscles. Under our doctors’ expert care, patients enjoy great-looking, natural-feeling breasts that are one or more cup sizes larger after their operation.

YOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION CONSULTATION

Dr. Hoffman takes the time to discuss in detail what each patient hopes to gain from breast augmentation surgery and to decide which incision and implant position are best for the patient. In this way, every one of our patients can enjoy a completely customized treatment designed with their goals in mind.

Dr. Hoffman offers a wide range of sizes and choices of implants. These include traditional saline (salt water) implants, as well as the new more natural cohesive gel silicone breast implants.

Gummy bear implants are highly cohesive silicone gel implants that do not leak when ruptured; because of this, they are called form-stable implants. Gummy bear breast implants feel very natural.

Silicone and saline breast implants are both very safe, and each type offers its own advantages. We will help you decide which kind is right for you.

In terms of implant size, some women prefer large breast implants and others prefer small breast implants. Profile can also vary, and low, moderate, and high profile breast implants are available. The best breast implants for each patient will depend on their overall proportions and their aesthetic needs and goals.

All breast augmentation procedures can be combined with other non-invasive or invasive surgical procedures. Breast augmentation is most commonly performed with a breast lift or a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure.

I’ve been hesitating for years about getting this procedure for several reasons. However, when I met with Dr. Ryan he and his staff were absolutely amazing. All my questions and concerns were answered.

My surgery was amazing. No post operative issues. No complaints.

They look so awesome. I am 63 now with perky and beautiful breasts.

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RECOVERY AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION

All surgical procedures carry risks and benefits, and breast augmentation is no different. Dr. Hoffman will discuss these with you during your consultation.

After breast augmentation surgery, most patients feel tired and sore for the first day or two. Many patients return to work within a week. For most patients, absorbable stitches are placed and incisions heal in a week or two.

Post-operative swelling and sensitivity will resolve over the first month. Scars from breast augmentation tend to heal well and fade quickly. The scars will continue to mature and fade for a year.

Please follow this link to review before & after (Breast Augmentation) plastic surgery photos of actual patients.

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WHAT IS THE COST OF A BREAST AUGMENTATION?

Pricing for a breast augmentation includes doctor fees, hospital fees, and Anesthesia.
Breast Augmentation: $7,500-$10,000
*Prices may vary based on the specific needs of the patient and scope of the procedure

BREAST AUGMENTATION & BREAST LIFT/MASTOPEXY Q&A

What can I do to reshape my breasts?

Answer: Great question. Although breast enhancement with implants may help the appearance of your breasts, there are still other ways to improve your breast shape without implants. A combination of a breast lift with some fat grafting would help change the shape of your breasts and give you the look that you are trying to achieve.

Fat grafting is moving fat from the body into the breast or even taking fat from one part of the breast and moving to another part. Adding volume to the breasts with fat grafting is a form of natural breast enlargement.

My breasts are noticeably uneven, if I get an augmentation on my right breast, should I get one on my left breast too?

Answer: The usual answer is yes. Augmenting both breasts gives you the best chance of having good symmetry. If you augment one breast with an implant and do not have an implant on the other side it can make them look more uneven. Fat grafting is also a possibility to achieve matching breasts if the discrepancy is not that large.

When Does Swelling After Breast Augmentation Begin to Subside?

Answer: After breast augmentation swelling is normal. Your breasts will initially seem larger than you expected. In the first three weeks a majority of the swelling goes away. It takes three months, for the remainder of the swelling to go away. That is when you will know what size bra to purchase.

Can fat grafting to breasts after double mastectomy promote the regrowth of residual breast tissue and breast cancer?

Answer: Fat grafting is the process of taking fat from one part of the body and moving it to another. Commonly liposuction of the abdomen or thighs harvests the fat. The fat is then prepared and injected into areas to help the contour of the breasts after a reconstruction.

The grafted fat does not cause regrowth of breast tissue. It also has not been shown to have any increase in the cancer risk. Always discussing these issues with your board certified plastic surgeon prior to surgery is recommended.

I am a 39 year old with two kids. I’ve been told by three doctors that I need a vertical mastopexy and the options have differed by texture. One doc says that with a lift, smooth implants will often not stay “lifted” and patients come back after 6 months complaining that their breasts are sagging. Will a textured implant placed under the muscle sustain the lift better?

Answer: When using a round silicone implant, there are two types that can be used: one is a textured implant, the other is a smooth implant. The difference between the two is that a textured implant has stippling around the outside that are thought to prevent migration of the implant.

With round implants, migration is not as large of an issue as with a shaped implant where some rotation would cause a noticeable change. In your particular case, when an augmentation mastopexy is performed, either a smooth or a textured implant could be used.

Neither type of implants will stay lifted forever, and surgeon preference should dictate which implant is to be used. In his current practice, with augmentation mastopexies, Dr. Hoffman prefers a smooth, round implant.

After breastfeeding, my breasts are deflated. Will I need a breast lift or augmentation to restore the appearance of my breasts??

Answer: It is very typical to lose volume after childbirth and breastfeeding. To figure out whether you would need a breast lift (Mastopexy) or an augmentation you have to figure out if you have enough volume. For example, if you are wearing a non-padded push up bra are your breasts a good size. If they are not full enough with a push up bra then you would need a breast implant to help with volume.

Once you decided whether you need an implant or not, the last question is whether you will need a breast lift at the same time as your breast augmentation. In general, the larger volume implants that you choose, the less of a lift people usually need.

Dr. Hoffman reviews these issues with patients during their consultations. He works with the patient so that they may achieve their ideal goals.

What is the best scar cream to use after breast augmentation surgery?

Answer: Scar care after any surgery is very important. At the least, performing scar massage twice a day until the scars have settled will help the scars look better. Scar massage consists of using a moisturizing lotion and gentle pressure placed on the scar. Dr. Hoffman recommends massaging in a circular motion for 2 minutes twice a day.

A step up from using just moisturizing lotion is a silicone-based scar cream. Dr. Hoffman recommends this for scars on the face, cosmetic surgery scars, and patients whose scars have healed poorly in the past.

In the plastic surgery literature, silicone has shown to be most effective in improving scar appearance. Silicone creams can differ in their consistency and content and that is why in our office, we recommend Silagen for our patients. It is only available for purchase through doctor’s offices.

I just finished breastfeeding. When can I get a breast augmentation?

Answer: Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause an engorgement of the breasts. After the cessation of breastfeeding, the breasts typically take about 3 months to reduce in size and volume. That is why it is traditionally, surgeon like to wait about 3 months after breastfeeding has stopped prior to any breast surgery (augmentation, reduction, or breast lift).

Occasionally, there can be small amounts of milk expressed from the nipple even after 3 months. As long as it is only occasionally spotting, a patient can still go ahead with surgery. If it is more than occasionally spotting, Dr. Hoffman will have a patient revisit their OB for a check-up.

Are any new technologies being utilized for breast lifts or implant exchanges?

Answer: The newest advance in breast lifts or in particular breast lifts with implants are Acellular Dermal Matrixes, or ADMs. They are material that we utilize in surgery for both breast reconstruction and cosmetic breast surgeries.

ADMs are used to strengthen and support the lower borders of the breasts. This can help place the breast fold in a good position and give a better cosmetic result. They act as scaffolds that your bodies’ cells repopulate with time.

There are also different shapes and sizes of implants that are available to us today that we did not have in the past. The use of these ADM’s and implants are part of the technology we use to help us get superior outcomes.

Is scarring necessary when doing a breast lift?

Answer: Yes. In order to tighten or elevate the breast tissue, scars are necessary. Some scars can be hidden beneath the breasts or around the areola. Other times visible scars are necessary in the inferior pole of the breast to tighten the loose skin. Breast lifts last around 10 years. Gravity is always pulling the breast downward and causing the breasts to sag.

Do I need a Breast Lift or a Breast Lift and Implants?

Answer: This is one of the most common questions that Dr. Hoffman gets during office hours. The answer differs from patient to patient. Generally, if you wear a bra without padding and like the appearance of your breasts with that bra, then just a breast lift without implants may be the right choice for you. The breast lift may leave scars on the breast.

If you lack volume and need a padded bra to give you the look that you like, then a breast augmentation with lift or without a lift can be the right choice for a patient. An in-office consultation helps clear up these issues.

How much fat do I need for a Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting?

Answer: Fat can be taken from the abdomen, thighs, or hips area and can be moved to the breasts for augmentation. It can increase the breast about a cup size or can be used to help fill the breasts after childbirth. It is not good for increasing the breasts 2 or more cup sizes. A little over half the fat that is moved is permanent, but that can change if a patient gains or loses weight. (about 10 pounds.)

Fat to the breasts is a relatively safe procedure. It has been studied over the past ten years. There are concerns that more fat cysts or changes could show up in mammography which may require more views or possible biopsies of the breasts. Concerns have been brought up that there may be an increased cancer risk with fat grafting to the breasts, but that has not been shown in studies.

Dr. Hoffman performs fat grafting in the operating room.

I have seen pictures of breast implants on the internet and think I may have chosen too large of an implant?

Answer: Many patients search the internet prior to surgery to see how they may look after surgery. It can get patients quite anxious and scared prior to surgery.

Choosing the correct sized implant is commonly the biggest concern for an augmentation patient. The problem is that even people with the same weight and height have very different chest widths and builds. Thus the same size implant may not look the same on those patients.

In the office, Dr. Hoffman uses a sizing system to help get an initial idea of the patient’s wishes. In the OR, he then uses a sizing balloon and picks the size that looks best on the patient and is in line with their pre-operative wishes.

Talk with Dr. Hoffman and he will help you feel confident prior to the OR about your implant choice.

CONTACT US FOR YOUR CONSULTATION

Dr. Ryan Hoffman is available for a breast augmentation consultation at your convenience. Contact us for more information about breast augmentation in Philadelphia, including preparation, recovery, and the details of the procedure itself.