Breast Enlargement San Antonio
Planning
At your initial breast enlargement consultation, Dr. Constance Barone will discuss every detail of the procedure with you, and you will both decide which surgical options will be best to meet your cosmetic goals. This will be a frank discussion and Dr. Barone encourages you to be honest and direct about your expectations. She will, in turn, be just as honest and direct with you regarding risks, limitations, and possible alternatives that may better suit your needs.
Preparation
Preparations for breast enlargement surgery will include guidelines for you to follow before the procedure, including limitations on eating, drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain medications or vitamin supplements. Patients should arrange for a ride home after the procedure, and someone to care for them for a few days, if necessary.
The Breast Enlargement Surgery
The surgery itself will be performed as an outpatient procedure at our state-of-the-art surgery center or in one of our affiliated hospitals here in San Antonio. Breast enlargement candidates may also have the procedure as an in-patient, in which case at least one overnight stay should be expected. Breast enlargement is typically performed under general anesthesia; however, local anesthesia combined with a sedative can also be used.
Locations of the incisions and whether your implants will be placed directly behind the breast tissue or under the chest muscle will be decided before the procedure. Incisions are typically made in one of three areas:
- Around the areola – the dark-pigmented area surrounding the nipple
- In the breast crease – under the breast
- Through the armpit – endoscopic transaxillary breast augmentation
Transumbilical breast augmentation, or TUBA, is an innovative new method of inserting breast implants through the navel, dramatically reducing the appearance of scars. Whichever method of insertion is chosen, Dr. Barone will make any residual scarring as inconspicuous as possible.
After the incision is made, Dr. Barone will lift the breast tissue to create a pocket for the implant. The implant is then placed and the incisions closed. The entire procedure generally takes about one to two hours to complete.
Breast Enlargement Recovery
Some pain and discomfort should be expected for several days after breast enlargement, but these side effects can be alleviated with medication. There will also be some swelling, bruising, and a burning sensation or numbness in the nipples; however these should dissipate in the first few weeks after the procedure. Stitches will be removed within 10 days of surgery. Dr. Barone will advise you on how long you should rest before you start exercising or going about your daily routine.
Patients are typically able to resume normal activities within a few days. Direct stimulation of the breasts should be avoided for two to three weeks after surgery.
Patients are advised to continue having mammograms after breast enlargement surgery; however, a special mammogram designed to see around the implants will be needed to achieve accurate results.
Breast Enlargement Risks
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks involved with breast enlargement. Some of these risks include:
- Capsular contracture – formation of scar tissue around the implant which gives the area a hardened feeling.
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Over- or under-sensitive nipples
- Numbness – this usually occurs in the nipple areas and typically disappears over time; however, a small number of patients have experienced permanent numbness
- Implant leak – a rupture in the implant can cause leakage of the implant-filler. In saline breast implants, the salt-water solution is easily absorbed by the body; however, with silicone implants, the silicone gel is a thick substance and not easily absorbed. A silicone implant leak may not be noticeable except through a physician's exam, making it imperative that you have your breasts checked annually to assess their functionality, or call your doctor if you suspect something may be wrong with the implant.
Although breast implants should not interfere with breastfeeding, pregnant women or those who may become pregnant and plan to breastfeed should discuss this with Dr. Barone at the initial breast implants consultation at our San Antonio center. The majority of women do not experience these types of complications; however, you are highly encouraged to address any concerns you have about possible risks with Dr. Barone before the procedure.
Dr. Constance Barone has made breast augmentation a special focus of her career, and is recognized for her skill in performing breast enlargement surgery. Dr. Barone is known for her ability to perform every breast augmentation technique, including transumbilical breast augmentation and the endoscopic transaxillary approach. She works with each patient to develop personalized treatment plans that meet individual appearance goals. To learn more about breast implants, contact our center serving San Antonio to schedule a breast enlargement consultation.