Dr. Rothaus, board certified plastic and cosmetic surgeon in Manhattan and Westchester, specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery including breast implants. Throughout his extensive career, Dr. Rothaus has mastered surgical techniques and treatments to help achieve the best results for patients seeking a breast implants.
What is Breast Implants Surgery?
Breast implant surgery is a type of breast augmentation to enhance the breasts’ size, shape, and fullness. The procedure can also replace breast volume that is lost because of a mastectomy or cancer treatment. Through an incision above or below the nipple, doctors insert silicone- or saline-filled sacs into the breast tissue. The surgery boosts self-confidence, increases beauty, corrects asymmetry in the breasts, and regains breast symmetry after childbirth or weight reduction. Breast implant procedures include options such as silicone or saline, round or shaped implants, and even fat transfer for natural-looking results. The cost of this surgery varies based on factors like geographic location, surgeon expertise, and type of implant chosen.
Types of Breast Implants?
There are three main types of breast implants available: saline, silicone, and cohesive gel.
Saline Breast Implants
These implants consist of a saltwater solution placed in an empty silicone shell. They can be easy to detect if there is a rupture since the saline will dissipate into the body. However, their appearance may not look as natural as other breast implant types. Additionally, they tend to feel firmer and more rigid than other options. Pros include lower cost and easy to detect if ruptured, while the cons include higher risk of leaking and less natural appearance.
Silicone Breast Implants
These implants from silicone gel are filled with a solid or cohesive gel material similar to natural breast tissue. They have a lower chance of rupture but can still occur over time due to wear and tear. Pros include soft and natural appearance while longer lifespan compared to saline implants. Cons include higher risk of rupturing or potential health hazards from silicone leaking into the body.
Preparing for Breast Implant Surgery
Schedule a consultation with your plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and expectations before the procedure. Your surgeon will evaluate your health history and guide you on whether or not you’re a good candidate for surgery. Ensure you and your doctor understand each other’s objectives so there is no confusion or disappointment afterward.
Breast augmentation carries infection, scarring, bleeding, and implant rupture. Discuss these potential complications with your surgeon beforehand to help you decide whether to proceed. Also, follow preoperative instructions from your doctor, such as avoiding certain medications that could affect blood clotting, quitting smoking, and getting enough rest before the surgery.
After breast augmentation, there will be a recovery period where you’ll need to take care of the incision site and follow post-surgical guidelines provided by your surgeon. Be sure to have someone assist with daily tasks like cooking or driving if necessary during this time.
The Breast Implant Surgery Procedure
Before starting the breast augmentation surgery, the surgeon will administer local or general anesthesia to ensure comfort during the operation. The incision for breast implants may vary based on existing breast size, desired shape, and personal preference. Most times, surgeons make the incisions around the nipple/areola (periareolar) or underneath the breast crease (inframammary). Creating a small cut allows the surgeon access to insert the implant.
After making the incision, the doctor places the implant above or below the chest muscle, depending on individual needs and preferences. Once placed, they will fill it with saline or silicone gel to achieve the desired volume. The surgeon then closes the incisions using sutures that dissolve over time or may need removal after healing.
Potential complications include bleeding, infection, scarring, capsular contracture (hardening of the scar around the implant), asymmetry, and ruptured implants. Rarely, more severe complications, such as nerve damage or blood clots, can occur when surgery is performed by a skilled plastic surgeon.
Recovery Time & Aftercare
The recovery process varies depending on the type of surgery but includes some soreness, swelling, and limitations on physical activity.
Immediately after surgery, you may experience discomfort at the incision sites, which is manageable with prescription medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Some women also report a dull, aching sensation throughout the chest that lasts several days to weeks. The severity of pain varies depending on the size of the implants used, the type of anesthesia administered during surgery, and individual pain tolerance levels.
Breast swelling is common following breast augmentation because of the trauma caused by surgery and placing foreign objects in the body. It often peaks around day three and subsides over two to four weeks as the body heals. You can reduce swelling by wearing a supportive bra or compression garment, applying ice packs, and avoiding strenuous activity that causes excess movement of the breasts.
Refrain from heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, and any activities that put pressure on the chest area for at least one week after surgery. Consider light cardio exercises such as cycling or swimming if they do not involve upper-body movements.
It’s crucial to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions, including attending all scheduled appointments and reporting any concerns or changes in symptoms. Depending on individual healing rates, the recovery process can take several weeks to months and may require multiple visits to monitor progress checks.
Results And Long-Term Considerations
You get immediate results, but swelling and bruising may take several weeks to subside completely. Final results become visible within six months as the body adjusts to the new implants. Expect improved self-confidence and satisfaction with their appearance after surgery.
Breast implants do not last forever and may require replacement at some point due to rupture, deflation, or other issues. Go for MRI screenings every three years to detect silent ruptures. If a ruptured implant is detected, remove it immediately to prevent health risks associated with leaking silicone gel entering the body.
Schedule a Consultation at our Westchester Office
Dr. Rothaus is on staff at The New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell and at The Hospital for Special Surgery. His Manhattan office and office-based surgery center are located on the Upper East side of Manhattan. Dr. Rothaus has, however, maintained for his Westchester and Connecticut patients a conveniently located Westchester office for almost two decades. He and his staff are available in their White Plains office to provide consultations and take care of all your pre-operative and post-operative care. If you have any questions or concerns about the facelift procedure, we are here to address them and guide you through the process. Contact our office to schedule an appointment for a breast augmentation.
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