The decision to undergo Breast Augmentation is an exciting one. It is my belief, that an educated patient allows you to better determine your personal goals, and enables you to make an informed decision about surgery. I have developed this website as a patient information resource. Hopefully, this site will prepare you for your consultation.

If you are constantly wearing push-up or padded bras, breast augmentation may be for you. Having a proportionate breast size to fit your body will give you a more pleasing overall appearance to your body.

Procedure

Breast augmentation is a method of enlarging the breasts by using breast implants. The implants are inserted through a small, inconspicuous incision. They may be placed under the chest muscle or above the chest muscle. This procedure is used for patients with small or unequal breasts or patients who have lost breast volume through age, pregnancy or breast feeding. The implants used for breast enhancement most commonly are saline implants. These salt-water implants have a thin silicone shell, which holds the salt-water solution. The implants can be inserted through incisions made around the nipple-areola area, under the breast in the breast crease, through the armpit, or through the umbilicus (belly button). Now that the FDA has approved silicone gel implants, these gel implants may also be used.

The saline implants used can be smooth or teardrop shaped. Additional procedures, such as breast lifts can be performed in combination with breast enlargements to correct droopy breasts with low lying nipples. The need for such an operation can be determined at the time of your consultation. Breast implants will not last forever and are considered temporary. Therefore, they will have to be exchanged at some point during your life. These implants do not cause breast cancer based on current medical studies. However, it is more difficult to locate a breast mass on mammograms with patients with breast implants and additional views during your mammogram will have to be done.

Implant Size

Once you have decided to undergo breast enlargement, the next consideration is breast size. Keep in mind, there is no correct breast size. Your new size will be judged by your body frame and preference. One way to determine the size you want is to find photographs of women from lingerie catalogues or before/after photos presented by Dr. Kole. This gives the surgeon and the patient a basis for desired size. Implant sizes do not come in A, B, C, or D cups. Your new size will be a combination of what you started with, plus the implant volume. It takes a relatively smaller volume of an implant to make an improvement in a smaller framed woman. In other words, larger framed women tend to require larger implant volumes to see a noticeable difference in breast size.

Remember, bra sizes may vary based on different styles and manufacturers. Your new bra size will ultimately depend on your personal comfort and appearance. After breast surgery, your breasts will appear larger as a result of swelling, but will slightly decrease in size, and drop into their final position over a short time.

Ideal Candidates

• Patients who are doing it for the right reasons. (i.e. for themselves)
• Patients with small breasts or extra skin with loss of breast volume.
• Patients who are in good health.
• Patients who do not have breast disease.
• Patients with realistic expectations.

Risks and Complications

Risks and complications may include but are not limited to scarring, bleeding, infection, deflation of implant, capsular contracture or scarring around the implant, asymmetry, skin wrinkling and rippling, calcification, implant displacement, fluid accumulation, contour problems secondary to or resulting from implant shape, change in nipple and skin sensation, firmness of the breasts, and risks and complications associated with anesthesia. It is important to realize that complications can occur, but are rare. Breast augmentation has a high patient satisfaction, and if done on the right patients leads to improved body image and self esteem.

Risks and potential complications of surgery are best discussed at the time of your consultation.

Smokers and Diabetics have a greater risk of wound healing and pulmonary complications.

Current medical information does not demonstrate an increased risk of breast disease or breast cancer in women who have breast implant surgery. Breast disease can occur independently of breast implants.

After your implants are placed, subsequent alterations in breast shape may occur as a result of aging, weight loss or gain, pregnancy, or other circumstances not related to breast enhancement.

Recovery

Most patients will recover within seven to ten days at which time you may resume light exercise. Strenuous exercise and upper body lifting can be resumed in two to four weeks. Dr. Kole recommends wearing a soft cotton bra without an under wire for two months. This allows the implant to drop into a pleasing position. As with all cosmetic procedures, the final result will be apparent after several months.

In/Out Patient

Breast augmentation surgery is usually done as an out-patient under general anesthesia and usually takes about one hour.

Call Dr. Kole for a complimentary consultation: 215-354-1010

For more information on Breast Augmentation, see our Breast Augmentation FAQ page.