Breast Augmentation - Lakeview Plastic Surgery

3000 N. Halsted St., Suite 709, Chicago, Illinois 60657

BREAST AUGMENTATION

Boost Your Breast Volume

Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States, and for good reason. In the right patient, it is a safe procedure that delights women of all ages, with long-lasting results that feel very natural.

Augmentation restores the youthful appearance of the breasts by using implants to boost volume and provide a full, round shape. As everyone’s aesthetic goals are different, no one implant shape, type or size fits all. Instead, each person’s surgery is uniquely designed.

Before the surgery, the goals are discussed, including preferences for shape, size, and firmness. The proper implant is chosen ahead of time to fit these goals. During surgery, through a small incision usually tucked underneath the breast, Dr. Shore creates a perfectly sized pocket behind the patient’s native breast tissue, and into this pocket goes the brand new implant. Then the incision is closed with dissolvable sutures, a supportive bra is placed, and the patient is awakened. The surgery takes less than an hour, start to finish.

PLANNING YOUR SURGERY

Before surgery, several decisions will be made during discussion with your surgeon.
• Implant Fill (saline or silicone)
• Size and Shape of Implants
• Placement of Implants Over or Under the Muscle
• Scar Shape and Location

RECOVERY

Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure. Local anesthetics are used during surgery to minimize the need for pain medication afterwards. Drains are rarely used. A stabilizing bra is placed before awakening, and you will wear this for several weeks, day and night, after surgery as your tissues heal around the implants. Arm movements are initially limited to light, slow movements below the shoulders. Return to desk work can happen after about one week, and full return to all exercise happens at six weeks. Low impact cardio, such as walking, is encouraged the day after surgery.

LONG TERM CARE

It is important to ensure regular check-ups of your breasts and implants after having an augmentation. Check-ins with your plastic surgeon every 1-2 years after surgery is recommended, and on an as needed basis should changes in the feel or shape of your implants occur.

If you are of an age where screening mammograms are needed, you can and should continue to have these tests done as recommended. Mammograms and breast imaging can be done around breast implants, and remain a vital part of screening to detect and prevent breast cancer.

Breast implants do not cause breast cancer, and when placed properly, do not interfere with the ability to detect breast cancer.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

It is possible that the ability to breastfeed could be negatively impacted, either partially or entirely. If breastfeeding in the future is a priority, breast surgery should be postponed until after any breastfeeding is complete. One must wait at least 6 months from finishing lactating until surgery may proceed, to avoid complications.

Breast health screening according to recommended guidelines should always be followed. If appropriate, Dr. Shore will review or order the correct screening test (usually a mammogram) before surgery. Breast reduction will not interfere with the ability to safely obtain mammograms in the future.

IMPLANTS AND YOUR HEALTH

As common as breast implants are, there is a lot of scary talk out there about breast implants, and whether they are safe devices to use.

The simple, straightforward answer is yes, breast implants are safe to use in the appropriate patients in cosmetic augmentation and in reconstruction. The FDA continually evaluates the devices’ safety, and when new concerns arise, it looks closely and comprehensively at research to make evidence-based recommendations for how and when to safely use breast implants.

Two important implant-associated conditions that are often discussed are BIA-ALCL and Breast Implant Illness. It is important to be aware of them before undergoing breast implant surgery. These conditions are reviewed during surgeon visits and in reviewing consent forms before surgery.

BEAUTIFULLY YOU

A breast augmentation can help women feel more confident and feminine! Every result is designed to enhance a woman's natural beauty, helping her achieve her aesthetic goals. With an eye for detail, Dr. Shore is dedicated to helping every woman feel beautiful.

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT