Breast Augmentation Q&A with Dr. C

A: The answer to this question is different for every woman, largely because the pros and cons for every woman are different too. At some point, every patient hits a sort of wall when it comes to researching. After all, there are only so many facts you can read about breast augmentation before they all start blending together. If you feel like you’re as well-informed as you can possibly be but still can’t make up your mind about getting implants, I recommend coming in for a consultation. Talking in person will give you a whole new perspective on your surgery and what to expect—not just in the general sense, but what specific results you can expect to see on your body, and my personal recommendations that are customized to your needs and goals. From there, you’ll have a much clearer idea about the best way to proceed.

A: Absolutely. Today’s breast implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue than ever. The current generation of silicone breast implants is specifically designed to mimic the slightly firm yet yielding texture of your existing breast tissue. The feel of your implants will also depend on whether you choose saline or silicone, your current breast size and whether implants are placed over or under the muscle.

A: Despite all the discussions surrounding capsular contracture, the actual percentage of women who will end up with Grade III or Grade IV capsular contracture (that is, serious enough to consider revision surgery) is only in the 5 to 10 percent range. This number varies depending on manufacturer, implant type, implant placement and whether augmentation was performed for cosmetic purposes or reconstruction. The numbers also vary according to which study you read. Although there’s no way any surgeon can completely prevent capsular contracture, there are a number of steps I can take to minimize the risks of this and other potential complications.

A: Breast implants won’t significantly change the placement of your breasts, either to make them higher on your torso or closer together in the middle. If you imagine that your implants will be centered under your existing nipple position, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect in terms of final placement. Women whose breasts sit wider apart will still have a wide cleavage after surgery. If cleavage is a priority for you, we can talk about some options that may be able to help give a little more fullness through the inner breast, like opting for subglandular placement.

A: Most women who are candidates for a breast lift worry about the incisions that are required during surgery. Yet, upon seeing how well healing progresses after the procedure, the vast majority of breast lift patients feel that the scars are well worth the trade-off for their results. The fact is, breast implants only make your breasts larger, and placing implants in breasts that already have some droopiness to them isn’t likely to give you a final outcome that you’ll be happy with. If I recommend combining a breast lift with your implants, rest assured it’s because I think that’s the option that will best help you meet your cosmetic goals.