Breast Augmentation - Breast Implants

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast Augmentation is a very popular procedure for women who want to fit into more flattering clothes or enhance their self-image. It's also beneficial to women who want to restore their figures after pregnancy or breast-feeding. A breast augmentation can be combined with a breast lift,if needed. This is one of the 3 major operations that Dr. Berman does most frequently. Dr. David Berman performs this surgery at Loudoun Hospital, FairOaks Hospital, Countryside Ambulatory Surgery Center.

What it Involves
Dr. Berman uses both saline and silicone gel-filled breast implants - and any of the low, moderate and high profile types.

Dr. Berman will place the implants below the muscle. In breasts with a minor degree of droopiness, the implants often provide a significant lift. Some patients may require that a surgical breast lift (mastopexy) which can be carried out in conjunction with a Breast Augmentation.

About the Breast Augmentation Procedure
The Breast Augmentation procedure is done on an outpatient basis, taking approximately one hour. If saline implants are used Dr. Berman is able to use a very small incision that is approximately 1-½ inches either on the underside of the breast or periareolar region (the area around the lower part of the areola). The only dressing is a small steristrip (piece of special tape). You can shower in 24 hours.

If silicone implants are selected, a larger incision is required. This is placed on the underside of the breast. The larger incision is required because the silicone implants come already filled, whereas the saline implants are empty and they are filled once they are placed inside the patient. 

There is no "right" choice when trying to decide between using saline or a silicone implant. Both will give an excellent results. Each one has specific advantages.

The silicone implants have a more natural feel because the density of the silicone is closer to that of fatty tissue, which is what gives breasts their soft feel. However, silicone implants are more expensive, require a larger incision which must be placed in the inframammary position. In addition the FDA has at present, stipulated that women must be at least 22 years of age before they receive a silicone breast implant. The FDA is also recommending that women obtain MRI's every 2 years if they have a silicone breast implants. 

Breast scars fade extremely quickly, becoming very difficult to see after about a year. In addition, Breast Augmentation should not interfere with breast-feeding.

What Post-Op care is required for Breast Augmentation
Dr. Berman's patients usually experience little or no bruising after the procedure. However, it is common to have some swelling, which most often occurs in the upper pole of the breast, and will take some time to fully resolve. For swelling, Ice can be applied to the upper breast for 24-72 hours (frozen peas or corn work bes, but any vegetable or fruit is fine. I am non-discriminatory to all fruits and vegetables). Dr. Berman recommends that you bring a sports bra to the operating room and we will put you in this bra in the recovery room. You will feel more comfortable if you wear the bra day and night (except in the shower) for at least a week. (Dr. Berman will advise you about how long you will need to wear the bra. Heavy lifting should be avoided for one month. Dr. Berman will discuss massaging the implants at your first post-operative visit which is usually 5-7 days after surgery. It is not helpful and only painful to think about beginning massage before one week. Dr. Berman will have the nurses start you on stretch exercises in the recovery room. This is one of the key "tricks" for preventing post-operative discomfort - by keeping the muscles stretched and not tight. 

Most patients will take approximately 5-7 days off from work to recover after the surgery, although Dr. Berman has had patients go back to work as early as 3 days after surgery. In Dr. Berman's experience, patients who keep themselves comfortable for the first 2-3 days after surgery have a very smooth postoperative course.