What can I expect during my consultation?
During a breast enhancement consultation, Los Angeles Mommy Makeover specialist, Dr. Rahban covers several crucial points. Firstly, he gathers data regarding your personal cosmetic objectives. Second, after an examination, Dr. Rahban defines the nuances of your anatomy and its limitations with regard to breast augmentation after pregnancy.
Next, he lays out your options, including incision/approach options, implant type and size, location of implant and other factors involved in a breast augmentation.
Finally, in the interest of helping his patients fully understand the procedure, Dr. Rahban will take this opportunity to review all potential risks. While some risks are quite unlikely, he still wants his patients to be aware of the potential downsides of a breast reduction. All surgeries come with risks. Therefore, he believes the only time to engage in surgery is if the benefits far outweigh the risks. If you will only have a mild improvement, Dr. Rahban will most definitely recommend you do not undergo the procedure.
During a consultation, Dr. Rahban has one primary purpose—total patient education. He wants each patient to fully understand the nuances of breast augmentation surgery, as well as every risk and exactly how the procedure applies to them, allowing them to make the best decision for themselves. With his honest, candid approach, Dr. Rahban brings a new level of care to ensuring his patients know exactly how a breast augmentation works. Subsequently, his patients tend to find the most satisfaction from their Beverly Hills Mommy Makeover.
What are the different types of implants?
In breast augmentation, there are two primary types of breast implants. These are:
Saline
This implant is made from a silicone shell filled with a sterile saline solution. The saline solution is injected into the shell after the shell has already been placed in the breast pocket.
Silicone
This implant has a silicone shell and is filled with silicone gel. Generally the more popular option, patients love silicone implants because they have a natural look and feel.
Gummy Bear
A cutting edge development in breast augmentation, gummy bear implants offer an improved texture and appearance for qualifying patients. Be sure to ask your surgeon if gummy bear implants may be right for you.
Implants have further characteristics, each one requiring careful consideration before a decision is made. These are as follows:
Textured or smooth
The exterior of implants can be textured or smooth. In textured implants, the outer shell is finely textured, similar to sandpaper but softer and not quite as rough. In smooth implants, the outer shell appears and feels like a shiny, polished surface. There are various reasons that Dr. Rahban may choose one or the other, and he will cover these thoroughly in your initial consultation.
Round or anatomical
Breast implants are made in a variety of shapes to ensure each patient gets the most natural results possible. Some implants are round, in which case they will increase the overall projection of the breasts. Some implants are anatomical, meaning they are shaped like a teardrop. The native shape of your breasts along with other anatomical factors determine which type of implant is used.
Size
Implants come in a wide variety of sizes. The size of an implant is measured in cubic centimeters (cc). Every 150-200 cubic centimeters represents approximately one cup size. While size depends almost solely on patient preference, Dr. Rahban takes a unique approach: he will not let his patients make a mistake in this decision. Sometimes patients want something that isn’t good for them, and if your size selection is too big, he will tell you. Most complications arise from implants that are too large, and he wants to ensure you get the safest and longest lasting results possible.
Is it safe to have silicone in my breasts?
In short, yes. Silicone breast implants were approved by the FDA after extensive research into their safety and biocompatibility. Study after study proved that silicone is not dangerous to the body. Even when silicone implants rupture, the leakage is not harmful. Clearly revision surgery will be needed, but there is no immediate risk of bodily harm.
How long do implants last?
On average, breast implants last anywhere from 15-20 years. This is true of both saline and silicone implants. There may be complications that arise earlier, and they may also last longer. It all depends on wear and tear placed upon the implants, as well as the skill with which your surgery is performed. It is wise to ask your surgeon about his or her revision rate, meaning the percentage of procedures that need to be corrected down the road. In this way, you can be sure you’re getting a surgeon with a high success rate and who will give you the results you deserve.
Can I breastfeed after surgery?
In general, breast surgery should not affect a woman’s natural ability to breastfeed. With any surgery regarding the breasts, there is a risk of damage to nerves and ducts, which would in turn affect a woman’s milk supply. If breastfeeding is a concern, please be sure to bring this up in your initial consultation. Dr. Rahban will use whatever technique is necessary to minimize risk of breast milk production becoming jeopardized.
What are my incision options for breast enhancement?
In breast augmentation, there are three incision options. They are:
Periareolar
This incision is placed in a half circle around the bottom border of the areola.
Inframammary
This incision is placed in the inframammary fold at the bottom of the breasts.
Donut
Also known as a circumareolar incision, this incision is made around the areola. The donut incision is generally used for a mild breast lift or to correct nipple asymmetry.
Lollipop
Also called a vertical mastopexy, the lollipop lift goes around the areola and down the front of the breast. This technique is perfect when the breast require more aggressive lifting.
Transaxillary
This incision is placed in the armpit, making it the least visible of all incision options.
In delivering a breast lift, there are also three incision options, each of which is chosen based on how much lift is required, the basic breast volume, and other anatomical factors.
Anchor
The anchor incision goes around the areola, down the front of the breast, and horizontally along the inframammary fold. This technique is the most common and produces the most dramatic results.
Do I need a breast lift or a breast augmentation?
If you are satisfied with the size of your breasts when they are lifted by a bra, a Mommy Makeover breast lift alone will be sufficient to give them more buoyancy. If, however, you still feel they need more volume when lifted by a bra, a breast augmentation with lift is the correct procedure. A consultation with Dr. Rahban will help you determine the implant size necessary to get your ideal results.
What’s the best procedure to correct asymmetrical breasts?
Both a breast reduction and a breast augmentation can effectively correct asymmetrical breasts. In the correction of asymmetrical breasts, it is simply dependent on whether the patient wants smaller or larger breasts. That is to say, if she wants to larger breast to match the smaller breast, or vice versa.
How do I prepare for surgery?
For patients receiving breast surgery, preparation begins about a month before the procedure. Our office will provide you with a full list of actions to take as well as what to avoid. Each item on the list is intended to ensure you get a beautiful cosmetic result and that the surgery is as safe as possible. A few basic preparatory steps are listed below to give you an idea of what will be expected. If you follow these steps, it will help you & Dr. Rahban ensure that you received one of the best Mommy Makeovers Beverly Hills has to offer.
- Stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin and anti-inflammatories, as these can contribute to excessive bleeding
- Get a mammogram, allowing Dr. Rahban to understand the underlying anatomy before surgery
- Quit smoking, as this can slow the healing process
- Make arrangements for the recovery process, including details such as a ride home following surgery
If you have any questions prior to your surgery, our office is available to you. Call or email us any time, and we will help with anything you need. Our goal is total peace of mind for our patients, as well as a safe, successful procedure.
What’s the expected recovery after breast enhancement?
While the recovery is slightly different for each patient, below is the average recovery process for patients of breast enhancement surgery:
Directly after surgery, you will remain in our recovery suite for several hours until you are ready to go home. Because the effects of anesthesia do not fully wear off for 24 hours, you will need assistance during this initial period, including a ride home. At home, it is wise to set a centralized location to relax, with medications and ice packs within easy reach.
After about three days, initial discomfort will subside. There will be some swelling and bruising that lingers. In most cases, patients can return to work within one week. After several weeks, the breasts will settle into their permanent position.
We ask that you avoid rigorous exercise for the first six weeks following breast surgery. After that period, it may be wise to gradually ease into your normal workout routine.
The full results of breast enhancement are usually seen after about one year. At this point, the incisions have fully healed, and all swelling has completely subsided.
After breast enhancement, you will have periodic follow-up appointments with Dr. Rahban to check on the healing process. He will take all the time necessary to ensure everything is going well both cosmetically and physically. Your relationship with Dr. Rahban continues long after your surgery is over. At any point after your surgery, he and his office are available to help with any questions or concerns that arise. Just give us a call, and we will provide every bit of assistance.
What are the possible complications after breast enhancement?
While breast enhancement is an outpatient surgery, it is still a major procedure. Because of this, it carries the same risks inherent in any surgery that uses general anesthesia. Such risks include infection and bleeding. For this reason, due diligence is key in ensuring your surgeon is board certified and operates in a surgical facility that’s fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
In breast augmentation, there are a number of complications that can arise with regard to implants. These complications are primarily cosmetic, including:
- Capsular contracture, in which the tissue surrounding the implant tightens, resulting in a hard, compact appearance in the breasts.
- Bottoming out, in which the implants slip into a lower position and cause the inframammary fold to bulge.
- Deflation or rupture, in which the outer silicone shell springs a leak. With silicone-filled implants, this is not immediately noticeable as the silicone gel holds its shape fairly well. In saline-filled implants, this rupture is immediately evident, and the breast(s) appear deflated.
- Symmastia, in which skin over the sternum becomes disconnected from underlying tissue. In this case, the projection of the breasts pulls this skin outward, creating the appearance that the breasts are connected in the middle.
- Hypertrophic scarring, in which the body overcompensates during the healing process, creating scars that are raised, thick or red.
Does insurance cover breast enhancement?
Because breast enhancement is an elective, cosmetic procedure, it is not generally covered by insurance. Exceptions may be made when the procedure is deemed medically necessary, such as breast reconstruction after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. Dr. Rahban has helped countless women maintain their femininity after breast cancer, and is eager to help you if this is the case. To learn more, please call our office today.