Who is a Candidate?
Intended Results
About the Implants
Procedure Description
Recuperation and Healing
Other Options
Insurance Guidelines
Doctor’s Philosophy

Who is a Candidate?

• Women who desire to change the size and shape of their breasts.
• Many women consider breast augmentation to enhance their breasts, but others are more interested in obtaining a little "lift" or filling up the loose skin which has resulted from pregnancy or breast feeding.
• Women who have one breast that is noticeably smaller than the other.

Intended Results

• To give the patient larger and more shapely breasts. Medical personnel can give you their recommendations and family members and friends may tell you what they think you should do, but only you can make the final decision about having breast augmentation surgery. Deciding to have breast augmentation requires a thorough understanding of the procedure and recent advances.
• A more positive self-image
• For many women breast augmentation provides an enhanced sense of self-esteem and positively changes how they relate to others. Breast augmentation can achieve many different goals. Every woman's decision is different and should be made by her, based on her needs, desires, and expectations. However, before you undergo breast augmentation you need to be well informed about the procedure, the results you can expect, and all of the potential risks and complications that could occur.

About the Implants

• Saline implants are currently the most popular type of implant in America. Saline is simply a salt water solution which is normally found in the body, so it is safely absorbed if a leak should occur. Although uncommon, if an implant does leak it must be replaced.
• The use of saline implants has been associated with a significant decrease in the risk of contracture or scarring around the implant which can cause hardening in some cases. Textured-surface implants and placement beneath the chest muscle also greatly reduce the incidence of contracture.
• The most important recent advance in breast augmentation surgery is the development of more naturally-shaped implants (anatomically contoured). In the past, implants had the tendency to look like halved grapefruits. Now, implants are available with a natural slope in the upper portion and fullness in the lower portion, much more like the normal breast. These tear-drop shaped implants have much less rounding toward the center of the chest.

Procedure Description

• The procedure is done on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. This means you will be completely asleep during your surgery.
• During the actual surgery, Dr. Short finds the right implant by placing "sizers" first. She raises the head of the bed to place the patient in an upright sitting position. This allows her to see exactly how the implants will look. The appearance of the implants in the upright position may be very different from the appearance when the patient is lying down. This must be carefully assessed at the time of surgery to obtain the best result.
• A small incision is made under the breast, around the lower part of the nipple, or in the arm pit and the implant is inserted under the breast tissue or under the breast tissue and the underlying muscle.

Recuperation and Healing

• The patient goes home with her breasts wrapped in foam tape and an ace bandage. The foam tape helps hold the breasts in the correct position during the first phase of the healing process.
• Initial discomfort is controlled with oral medication. You will be given prescriptions for pain and nausea as well as a muscle relaxer.
• Sutures are usually removed on the fifth day following surgery.
• Light activities can be resumed as tolerated, usually within 3-5 days. Aerobic activities can be started in about 3 weeks.
• Moving or massaging the implants within the breast pockets during the postoperative period may reduce the frequency of wrinkling. At your first postoperative visit, our nurse will instruct you on how to massage your breasts.

Other Options

• An additional procedure that would enhance the result is a Mastopexy (breast lift) if the breasts are saggy in addition to being small. Dr. Short generally likes to schedule this as a two-step process.

Insurance Guidelines

• This procedure is considered cosmetic and therefore is not covered by insurance. The patient is responsible for payment. However, the consultation charge is waived for all Breast Augmentation consultations.

Note
• The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.

Doctor’s Philosophy

• Dr. Short believes it is important to assess each patient's needs individually. She pays special attention to understanding her patients and educating them on the different techniques available for each procedure. Because she has trained in different parts of the world with many different surgeons, she has learned these various techniques.