Procedure Implant Size Ideal Candidates Risks & Complications Recovery Time In/Out Patient

Hi! I'm Dr. John Farella; a board certified plastic surgeon. The decision to undergo Breast Augmentation is an exciting one. It is my belief, that an educated patient allows you to determine your personal goals, and enables you to make an informed decision. I have developed this brochure as a patient information source. Hopefully, this information will prepare you for your consultation.

If you are constantly wearing push-up or padded bras breast augmentation may be for you. You may enjoy buying clothes to enhance your new shape, as well as increase your self- confidence.

	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 behind the chest muscle or behind the breast tissue. This procedure is used for patients with small or unequal breasts or patients who have lost breast volume through age, pregnancy or breast- feeding. Dr. Farella will wait until the breasts are fully developed before recommending breast enlargement. The implants used for primary breast enhancements are saline implants. These salt-water implants have a thin silicone shell or envelope, which contains the salt- water solution. The implants can be inserted through incisions made around the nipple areola area, under the breast crease or through the armpit. Some doctors insert the implants through the umbilicus or belly button. The saline implants used can be smooth- round implants, textured-round implants, textured bio dimensional or pear shaped. The implants will not lift the breasts or change the nipple position. 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 are man made mechanical devices 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 studies. However, it is more difficult to locate a breast mass on mammograms with patients with breast implants. There is no statistically proven cause and effect relationship between breast implants and autoimmune disease. However, reported cases of autoimmune disease post silicone breast augmentation have been documented.

	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 your surgeon. 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. Remember, bra sizes may vary based on different styles and manufacturers. Your new bra size will ultimately depend on comfort and appearance. After breast surgery, your breasts will appear larger as a result of swelling, but will decrease in size, and drop in position over time. The most common comment post surgery is, "I should have went bigger."

Dr. Farella prefers to use smooth- round saline implants inserted around the nipple and placed under the muscle. However, other options are available depending on the needs of the patient and the clinical situation.

	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 with full breast development
		Patients who do not have breast disease
		Patients with realistic expectations
		Patients with normal shaped breasts

	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, thrombosed veins, painful or possible deformity of 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 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 augmentation mammaplasty.

	Recovery

Most patients will recover within ten to fourteen days at which time you may resume light exercise. Strenuous exercise and upper body lifting can be resumed in four to six weeks. Dr. Farella 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 around one year.

	In/Out Patient

Breast augmentation surgery can be done as an out-patient under general anesthesia and usually takes one to two hours.

Call for a complimentary consultation: John F. Farella, MD., F.A.C.S (914) 241-7111 Lexington Avenue Suite 104 - Mount Kisco, NY 10549 (914) 997-9090 311 North Street Suite 408 - White Plains, NY 10605 (718) 548-5200 3333 Henry Hudson Parkway Suite 1-A - Riverdale, NY 10463 http://www.drfarella.com