UTAH BREAST AUGMENTATION

Breast Augmentation before and after photos / breast implant decision guide / video

“See what else I am saying about breast augmentation on my blog”

Breast augmentation enhances the breasts by placement of breast implants.  Dr. Yates serves the Salt Lake City, Utah area.

What is the difference between a “boob job”, “boob jobs”, breast augmentation, breast enlargement, and breast enhancement?

Nothing really, they all describe the same thing.  However, “boob job” and “breast jobs”  are  not generally terms used by professionals.

How much does breast augmentation cost?

The costs associated with breast augmentation include 1) surgeon’s fees, 2) cost of implants, 3) anesthesia fees, and 4) facility fees.  As Dr Yates has an in-office operating suite, the facility fee is minimal.  This is a cost savings directly to the patient.  For a list of the costs of common procedures performed by Dr. Yates click here.

What are breast implants made of?

The implants consist of a silastic shell filled with either saline (salt water) or silicone. The choice of saline vs. silicone implants is an important one.  Silicone implants generally have a more natural feel; saline implants are less expensive, more adjustable, and can be placed with a shorter scar.   There is concern with silent ruptures with silicone implants but not with saline implants.

Current silicone implants are cohesive meaning they are more solid than liquid, kind of like a gummy bear.  Not to be confused with the actual “gummy bear implants” used in Europe but not yet FDA approved for use in the U.S which are even more “cohesive”.

Where are the scars placed?

Three incision choices are generally used; around the nipple, beneath the breast, or in the underarm. The incisions beneath the breast or around the nipple are preferred by Dr. Yates as perfect symmetry of the implant pockets is more consistently achieved. Dr Yates takes pride in making his scars as small and unnoticeable as possible.   Check out the video to see just how short the typical incision and scars are!

There is another incision choice worth discussing, the umbilical incision (TUBA).  This is also known as “scarless breast augmentation” for marketing purposes.  In reality there is a scar and most plastic surgeons, including Dr. Yates, believe that this is an inaccurate surgery.  I have written about this recently on my blog.

Where are the implants placed in breast augmentation?

The breast implant can be placed either above or below the chest muscles, although most patients benefit from placement beneath the muscle. Advantages for placement beneath include improved implant coverage and a more natural appearing breast enhancement. The major advantage for placement above the muscle includes decreased postoperative discomfort and easier recovery.

How do I pick my best implant size?

One of the most difficult and important decisions for a patient is determining which size of breast implant to use.  The degree of breast enlargement is dependent upon the volume of the patients breast tissue in addition to the size of the breast implant used.  We will use a variety of methods to arrive at the ideal implant volume including “trying on” breast implants of various sizes, and reviewing photos brought by the patient of “ideal” breast size or aesthetics.

New for 2010 in Dr. Yates office – 3D imaging.  This is a brand new, cutting edge method of  breast implant sizing.  A 3D image of the body is taken which can be modified with imaging software.  The “breast sculptor” module allows us to simulate and visualize the changes that can be made with a variety of implant shapes and sizes.

More information about choosing your implant size is on my blog

Can asymmetric breasts be improved with breast augmentation?

Yes, the breast implant size can be larger in the smaller breast to help improve asymmetry of size.  If there is a significant asymmetry of shape of the breasts a breast lift may be required to improve symmetry.

How is breast augmentation performed?

Breast augmentation can be done under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.  Dr. Yates preferred technique is a deep sedation (not general anesthesia) with excellent local anesthesia in our AAAASF certified office operating suite.  The patient is sedated and monitored by the anesthesiologist.  The level of sedation is deep (no pain, no awareness), like a very deep sleep.  Dr. Yates injects the area with a lot of local anesthetic. The implant pockets are developed and compared for size and symmetry.  The breast implants are placed and the incisions closed.  The amount of sedation is lightened at the time of closure and the patient is awake enough at the completion of the procedure to walk assisted to the recovery room.

Most patients have basically no pain in the recovery room because of the local anesthetic  in the implant pocket.  The pain increases as this medicine wears off and pain medications as necessary are started.

Check out the video demonstration.

How long does breast enhancement take?

Dr. Yates does a lot of breast augmentation surgery.  This is a very efficient operation and there are a few tricks to make it quick and relatively easy on the patient.  The overall surgery time is around 30 minutes.

What should I expect from the recovery from breast enhancement?

Is it possible to breast feed after breast augmentation?

Generally yes, but there are exceptions to every rule.  Click for more information about breast feeding with breast implants.

Do breast implants have warranties?

Yes the manufacturer provides a free lifetime warranty against implant rupture or deflation.  See my blog for details.

My saline breast implant has deflated, what now?

Saline breast implant deflation is relatively easy to diagnose and correct.  The saline is absorbed and the breast deflates.  This generally requires a simple remove and replace procedure.  For more information about saline breast implant deflation click here.

I suspect my silicone breast implant has ruptured, what now?

Silicone breast implant rupture is a little more difficult to diagnose and treat than saline implant deflation.  The implant material is not absorbed and can cause hardening and deformity of the breast.  It is also harder to correct surgically.  For more information about treatment of silicone breast implant rupture click here.

What risks are associated with breast augmentation?

As with any surgery, there are possible risks and complications. As a perfectionist, Dr Yates takes every precaution to prevent these.   Dr. Yates will discuss these at the time of your consultation.  These risks include, but are not limited to, asymmetry, unhappiness with size, implant deflation, implant rupture, implant rippling, capsular contracture, and poor scarring.

Read Dr. Yates blog for more about breast augmentation complications.

How do I schedule a consultation or schedule surgery?

Contact Dr. Yates office or feel free to email him any additional questions you may have.

last modified on July 27, 2010 @ 11:22 pm