|
|
|
Breast Implants (Breast Augmentation)
Breast Implants (Saline Breast Implants or Silicone Breast Implants), Breast Lift,
Breast Reduction and Breast Reconstruction are
several breast surgery specialties performed in the Plastic Surgeon's Manhattan,
New York office. All procedures are performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Douglas Senderoff,
MD FACS.
Have you thought about getting
breast implants? Breast implants (breast augmentation) can improve the shape and size of your breasts, restore fullness following pregnancy, or simply give you the "look" you've always
wanted. There's never been a better time than now for you to consider breast augmentation with saline filled or silicone filled breast implants.
To view before and after pictures of actual breast implant patients
performed on by the Manhattan, New York Board Certified Plastic Surgeon,
Douglas M. Senderoff, MD, FACS, please follow the following link:
http://www.breastimplantsbydrsenderoff.com/before_and_after_photos.htm
The Manhattan, New York, Board Certified Plastic
Surgeon, uses FDA approved saline filled breast implants.
The NYC Plastic Surgeon also offers silicone breast implants to patients who are eligible to participate in our FDA monitored study. Please contact our Manhattan or Westchester
offices to discuss this option.
The Plastic Surgeon will personally discuss
with you which type of breast implants would be right for you during your initial free consultation. The following information will help you better understand the breast implant operation.
There are several options that you may choose for breast enlargement surgery. These options include the site of the placement of the breast implants: either above or below the muscle and the choice of the incision through which the
implant is placed. Breast enlargement can be accomplished through either a transaxillary (armpit) incision, inframammary (below the breast) incision or a periareolar
(through the areola) incision. The Manhattan, New York Plastic Surgeon will discuss all these options with you.
Your breast implant surgery will be performed in our fully accredited outpatient surgical facility under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or under general anesthesia. Once your surgeon, Dr, Senderoff, completes your breast
implant surgery, you will be fitted with a support bra and a light dressing. You will most likely be back on your feet within a couple of days and back to full activities within a few weeks.
BREAST IMPLANT CHOICES
For breast augmentation surgery, the implant used is generally a sac or shell comprised of silicone, a rubber-like substance. Implants can come in a variety of shapes, most commonly either round or contoured. The surface of the implant can vary as well,
being either smooth or textured. While those implants with a textured surface were designed to reduce the risk of capsular contracture, there is little evidence to prove that this is true. Implants can come in a variety of sizes as well. For many
candidates, the size of the implant, and thus the desired size of their breasts, can be the most difficult aspect of breast augmentation. Patients must have sufficient tissue in order to accommodate a larger implant, otherwise the implant may be more
palpable following surgery, the edges more easily seen and felt through the skin. Furthermore, implants that are too large for the amount of tissue may increase the risk of surgical complications. Excessively large implants may cause the breasts to
prematurely droop or sag.
There are two basic types of breast implants and these include the following:
Saline-filled breast implants, the choice of the breast implant being used for nearly all breast augmentation surgeries. These are implants which are inserted and filled, typically through a valve, with a saline or salt-water solution (similar to
the fluid which comprises most of the human body). The location of the valve can vary, typically on either the front or the back of the implant. There are also saline-filled adjustable breast implants which are relatively new to the market and allow the
surgeon, through an additional small connector tube, to adjust the size of the breast following surgery through a simple injection. Saline fluid can either be added or drained to increase or decrease the size of the breast, possibly for up to several
months following surgery. Saline-filled adjustable implants are not offered by all surgeons and require an additional incision, and thus an additional scar.
Silicone Gel-Filled Implants. These implant are filled with silicone gel, a soft-solid substance.
Breast Enlargement (Augmentation Mammoplasty)
Indications: The modern era of breast enlargement started in 1961, when the first silicone implant was used to improve the appearance of the breast. Since that time, the basic implant has undergone many modifications and improvements. The implant
that is most used for breast enlargement procedures now is the saline (inflatable) implant. However, there are several indications where the FDA does allow the plastic surgeon to use the silicone implant.
Many of Dr. Senderoff's patients who desire breast enlargement are in their early twenties and thirties. Many of our patients are women who have lost breast volume due to pregnancy, and wish to return to their pre-pregnancy breast size. It is therefore
not uncommon to perform breast enlargement surgery on women throughout their forties.
Dr. Senderoff will discuss the goal of your proposed breast enlargement surgery, and go over the entire procedure with you. The following information will help you understand the operation.
Operation: The operation may be performed in our fully accredited office surgery center, or in the hospital as an out-patient. The breast enlargement operation itself lasts for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. You will stay in our recovery area until you feel
comfortable to return home. Suture removal is usually one week after surgery.
Revision of Breast Enlargement: Because of Dr. Senderoff's years of experience, he often corrects problems that have been associated with breast enlargement in the past.
Anesthesia: Patients have a choice of either a general anesthesia or intravenous sedation anesthesia. As in all of our operations, the anesthesiologist is a board-certified, and highly skilled, experienced anesthesiologist. If the implant is
placed below the muscle, the operation is usually performed under general anesthesia.
Convalescence: After breast enlargement surgery, it takes approximately one week to ten days to fell comfortable. You should refrain from athletics for three weeks after surgery.
Insurance Information: Breast enlargement is rarely covered by any insurance program. However, if there is a congenital maldevelopment of one or both breasts, this may be covered, and would depend on which carrier that you might have. Some
insurance companies will cover the removal of ruptured silicone implants. If you do have a ruptured breast implant, our office will contact your insurance carrier to help you determine if you are covered.
Breast Reconstruction Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
What is the importance of Federal Legislation in 1998 for women's health?
All insurance companies have to cover breast reconstruction after mastectomy. They also have to cover procedures on the opposite breast to obtain symmetry, including reduction, augmentation and mastopexy. Recently, situations have risen where coverage
for opposite-breast surgery after lumpectomy may be denied by insurance companies.
Is immediate or delayed breast reconstruction surgery best for me?
Most women are candidates for some type of immediate breast reconstruction. Since reconstruction is an additional major surgery, women should be carefully evaluated to understand all the risks and benefits. Multiple studies have shown tremendous
psychological benefits to women who have immediate breast reconstruction.
What surgical options are available for breast reconstruction?
Women who desire to use their own tissue generally prefer the tram flap (abdomen) or a lat. dorsi flap (back) as a secondary choice. Using tissue expanders to stretch the skin for implant use is a simple option; however, implants do get firmer and
harder with time. Doctor Senderoff will discuss all your options with you.
What is a tram flap?
A Transverse Rectus Abdominus Myocutaneous (TRAM) flap involves using skin and fat from the lower abdomen to rebuild the breast. The muscle is used to carry blood supply to skin and fatty tissue so volume can be replaced to match what is removed. The
abdominal closure tightens the abdominal wall similar to a tummy tuck.
Are Silicone implants safe?
Yes, silicone implants are safe and Dr. Senderoff, who is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, is a clinical investigator involved with the Inamed trials - he is one of a select few plastic surgeons in Manhattan who can offer you the option of silicon
breast implants or saline breast implants . Saline implants are extremely safe with very low infection or leakage rates. Soft tissue coverage over the implant is very important, so the implant is placed behind the chest muscle.
Does immediate breast reconstruction delay additional treatment for breast cancer?
No. The vast majority of patients who have immediate breast reconstruction can start chemotherapy within a month of the surgery. This time frame is not significantly different to women who only have a mastectomy. There is tremendous amount of plastic
surgery literature that documents their benefits as well as the feeling of "wholeness" and improved psychological benefits.
If you have any questions about breast
implants (silicone breast implants or saline breast implants), breast
augmentation, breast lift, or any other plastic surgery procedures please
feel free to contact Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Douglas Senderoff,
at his Manhattan or Westchester Plastic Surgery offices.
|
|
|
