Plastic Surgeon in Atlanta Georgia
Breast Augmentation & Implants in Atlanta Georgia
Why Choose Breast Augmentation?
Many women choose to have their breasts enlarged in order to satisfy their own desire for a fuller bust line. Your breasts may not have developed to a size that meets your expectations, or one breast may be significantly smaller than the other. You may have been happy with your breasts in the past but feel that they look different now. After weight loss, childbirth or as a result of aging, the breasts lose volume and their shape changes. Breast augmentation can enhance your breast size and shape and give you the more proportional figure that you always wanted.
One or more of the following feelings or conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for breast augmentation:
- you are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
- clothes that fit well around your hips are often too large at the bust line
- you feel self-conscious wearing a swimsuit or form-fitting top
- your breasts have become smaller and lost their firmness after having children
- weight loss has changed the size and shape of your breasts
- one of your breasts is noticeably smaller than the other
During your consultation with Dr. Kavali, you will be asked about your desired breast size and anything else related to the appearance of your breasts that you feel is important. This will help Dr. Kavali to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved.
Dr. Kavali will examine your breasts and take photographs for your medical record. She will consider such factors as the size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin and the placement of your nipples and areolas (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipples). If your breasts are sagging, a breast lift may be recommended in conjunction with augmentation.
You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries including breast biopsies, and medications that you currently take. You will be asked whether you have a family history of breast cancer and about results of any mammograms. It is important for you to provide complete information.
There is no scientific evidence that breast augmentation increases the risk of breast cancer. The presence of breast implants, however, makes it more technically difficult to take and read mammograms. This may be a special consideration for women who perhaps are at higher risk for breast cancer because of their family history or other reasons. Placement of the implant underneath the pectoral muscle may interfere less with mammographic examination, but other factors may also need to be considered with regard to implant placement. Dr. Kavali will discuss this with you.
If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, be sure to tell Dr. Kavali. She may recommend that you stabilize your weight prior to undergoing surgery.
If you think that you may want to become pregnant in the future, you should mention this to Dr. Kavali. Pregnancy can alter breast size in an unpredictable way and could affect the long-term results of your breast augmentation. There is no evidence that breast implants will affect pregnancy or your ability to breast-feed, but if you have questions about these matters, you should ask Dr. Kavali.
How is Breast Augmentation Performed?
Individual factors and personal preferences will help you and Dr. Kavali to determine your appropriate breast size, the location of incisions, and whether the implants will be placed on top of or underneath the chest muscle.
What type of breast implants will be used?
With the FDA’s approval of silicone gel implants in November of 2006, women can now choose between saline and silicone implants. Dr. Kavali participates in two implant post-approval studies, called BIFS (Breast Implant Followup Study) and PAS (Post Approval Study). These studies are important because they allow us to continue to collect data related to breast implants and their safety. There is financial consideration offered for study participants and participation is completely voluntary. Dr. Kavali will talk to you about these studies and how you may participate.
Where are the incisions placed?
Incisions can be made in several locations for breast augmentation, including in the crease under the breast (“inframammary incision”), around the lower edge of the areola (“periareolar incision”) or in the armpit (“axillary incision”). In general, silicone implants are placed through incisions that are longer than incisions for saline implants. This is because saline implants are filled after they are in place, but silicone implants are pre-filled before placement.
Once the incision is made, Dr. Kavali creates a pocket for the implant. The pocket may be either directly behind the breast tissue (above the muscle) or underneath the pectoral muscle.
Understanding Risks
Every year, many thousands of women undergo successful breast augmentation surgery; however, anyone considering surgery should be aware of both the benefits and risks.
The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and Dr. Kavali or with Nancy, Dr. Kavali's Physician Assistant.
Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include reactions to anesthesia, blood accumulation that may need to be drained surgically and infection. Although rare, an infection that does not subside with appropriate treatment may require temporary removal of the implant. Changes in nipple or breast sensation may result from breast augmentation surgery, although they usually are temporary.
When a breast implant is inserted, a scar capsule forms around it as part of the natural healing process. The capsule may sometimes tighten and compress the implant, causing the breast to feel firmer than normal. Capsular contracture can occur to varying degrees. If it is severe, it can cause discomfort or changes in the breast's appearance. In such cases, more surgery may be needed to modify or remove the scar tissue, or perhaps remove or replace the implant.
Breast implants are not lifetime devices and cannot be expected to last forever. If a saline-filled implant breaks, its contents are harmlessly absorbed by the body within hours. A definite change in the size of the breast is clearly noticed. Rupture can occur as a result of trauma to the chest, but more commonly it occurs spontaneously with no apparent cause. Surgery will be required to replace the implant, if desired.
If you are at an age when mammographic examinations should be conducted on a periodic basis, it will be important for you to select a radiology technician who is experienced in taking x-rays of augmented breasts. Additional views of your breasts will be required. Dr. Kavali, in some instances, may recommend other types of examinations such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. It is possible that the presence of breast implants could delay or hinder the early detection of breast cancer.
Some women with breast implants have reported problems including certain connective tissue and immune-related diseases. Women without implants also have these disorders, so the key question is whether breast implants increase the risk of developing the conditions. Several large studies have been completed that provide reassurance that women with breast implants do not have a significantly increased risk for these diseases.
Results of Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation will make your breasts fuller and enhance their shape. You will find it easier to wear certain styles of clothing. Like many women who have had breast augmentation, you may have a boost in self-confidence.
Except in the event of implant deflation requiring surgical replacement with a new implant, the results of your breast augmentation surgery will be long-lasting. However, gravity and the effects of aging will eventually alter the size and shape of virtually every woman's breasts. If, after a period of years, you become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a breast "lifting" to restore their more youthful contour.
Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon
You will return to Dr. Kavali's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated. Dr. Kavali will encourage you to schedule routine mammographic evaluations at the frequency recommended for your age group.
Please remember that the relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, or need additional information at a later time, you should feel more than welcome to contact Dr. Kavali anytime.
What else do I need to know?
Be sure to go to the “Patient info” link on this site. You can find consent forms for each procedure and information about what to do before and after the surgery. |
