Breast Augmentation

What Are the Different Types of Breast Implants?

For people considering breast augmentation or breast reconstruction surgery, the landscape of different terms and procedures can be a bit daunting. However, as you learn more, you’ll find that much of the lingo you need to know as a patient actually describes fairly straightforward ideas. We encourage everyone to do some research before scheduling a consultation, and a great way to start your cosmetic-surgery journey is by familiarizing yourself with some of the breast-related terminology that plastic surgeons use.

breast implant options at atlanta plastic surgery pc (small)Saline breast implants contain essentially the same sterile salt-water solution that people use to clean their contact lenses. They have the consistency of water and a more uniform shape than silicone implants. Saline implants are completely safe and approved for use in women 18 and older, but they have been known to rupture. Never fear—this type of implant rupture is extremely rare, and if it does occur, your body will safely absorb the saline. The shape, size, and/or position of the affected breast(s) will be disturbed, and you may experience some discomfort, but these issues can be remedied with an additional surgery. A subcategory of these implants is the structured saline implant, which contains an inner-structure intended to make the implants look and feel more natural.

Silicone breast implants are generally thought to better mimic the consistency of human fat than saline implants. Therefore, some people choose silicone over saline to achieve a more natural look and feel. There was concern over the safety of silicone implants in the past, as some people thought they may have been connected to certain disorders. However, after extensive research, no convincing evidence of this connection was found, and these implants have been FDA-approved for women over age 22 since 2006. If a standard silicone implant ruptures, the silicone gel may leak out into your body without you realizing (sometimes called a “silent rupture”). While this may sound somewhat scary, such an event would only put you at extremely low risk, if any, for potential health issues. You may, however, experience some pain and discomfort. Furthermore, it may alter the positioning of the implants.

A gummy bear implant is a type of silicone implant made from cohesive gel. Like a gummy bear, this implant is essentially one solid piece of squishy material that slowly springs back to its original shape. It can be punctured or even cut in half and continue to retain its form, eliminating virtually any risk of internal leaking.

The shape of your implants is another important element to consider. Round implants are quite common and give the breasts considerable lift and outward projection. Shaped implants, on the other hand, can give the breasts a more understated teardrop appearance.

Whether you use smooth or textured implants mainly depends on the shape you choose. A smooth implant design is only appropriate for round implants, as round implants do not need to maintain their position and orientation in the same way shaped implants do. Smooth implants sit freely in the breast pocket, giving the breasts a subtle amount of movement that mimics the behavior of natural breasts. A textured implant design is best for shaped implants. The textured surface allows surrounding tissue to bond with the implants as you heal, holding them in position.

As with most decisions in plastic surgery, the “best” material, shape, design, or combination thereof depends on the patient. To find the right option for you, you’ll need to schedule a consultation at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. When you choose a doctor at one of our five Atlanta-area locations, he or she will evaluate your unique attributes and gauge your aesthetic preferences to help you make the most informed, beneficial decision possible. Additionally, we offer several financing options and are happy to work with you on the financial planning of your procedure. Check back each week for new blogs, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic-surgery news and updates.

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Body Contouring Procedures for a Younger Looking You

People choose to undergo cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery for a variety of different reasons.  Some may only want to correct what they see as a very specific area of concern, like the nose or ears, while others might be seeking more comprehensive enhancement and an entirely new look.  However, in the fifty years that Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. has been the Southeast’s premier center for cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, we have found that the most common reason that both men and women come to us is to help them look younger.  When most people think of plastic surgery that can effectively “turn back the aging clock” they think of the myriad facial rejuvenation procedures that are available.  But aging affects every part of the body, and there are also several different body contouring techniques that can help reverse the effects of time on your physique.

Body Contouring Procedures for a Younger Looking YouBreast Lift (Mastopexy)

Procedures that affect the size, shape, or position of the breasts are all consistently popular, but none have risen in popularity more quickly in recent years than breast lifts.  As we get older, our tissues will gradually start to lose elasticity, which means that certain areas of the body (like the breasts) may start to sag and droop.  A breast lift, or mastopexy, procedure trims away excess, sagging skin and tightens supporting tissue, lifting the breasts to a higher position on the chest.  In some cases natural fat may be repositioned from the lower half to the upper half of the breasts using a procedure called fat grafting to help give them a firmer and more youthful appearance.

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

The natural loss of elasticity that causes the breasts to sag and droop can unfortunately affect other parts of the body as well.  For example, many older patients use the term “bat-wings” to describe the excess, sagging skin that hangs loose underneath the upper arms.  An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes some of the excess, sagging skin from the area while tightening the underlying tissue.  This serves to give the arms a much more slender, athletic, and toned look.

Mommy Makeover

Few things in life can affect the body as dramatically as pregnancy, childbirth, and breast feeding.  The abdominal muscles can be stretched and distorted, the size, shape, and position of the breasts can shift, and elevated blood volume can even cause the appearance of spider veins.  Many women who have undergone these changes may be able to benefit from Mommy Makeover surgery, a combination of cosmetic procedures custom-designed to reshape the body after the effects of pregnancy and help a woman to get back the body she once had.  A mommy makeover will generally include an aesthetic breast procedure, a tummy tuck, and liposuction, but may also include other procedures depending upon the specific needs of the patient.

One of the reasons that plastic surgery appeals to so many men and women is because it can accomplish so many different goals.  No matter what alterations or enhancements you may be interested in, the experienced Atlanta Plastic Surgery surgeons can work with you to help you achieve the look you desire.  If you are interested in in learning more about any of the various cosmetic plastic surgery procedures that we can perform, please contact one of our Atlanta Plastic Surgery locations.  During your plastic surgery consultation we will discuss your specific areas of concern and arrive at an approach that is customized for your individual needs.  Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ to get all the latest plastic surgery news.

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Ask a Plastic Surgeon: Can I Get My Breast Implants Removed?

For more than half a century, Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. has been recognized throughout the Southeast as one the premier cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery center.  Our expert plastic surgeons have published extensively on a variety of plastic surgery topics and have conducted lectures, presentations, and live surgical demonstrations around the world.  In this ongoing blog feature, “Ask a Plastic Surgeon,” our APS doctors will answer some of the most common questions asked by plastic surgery patients.  We hope that this information about everything from facial rejuvenation to body contouring plastic surgery will be able to give you better insight and help you decide what plastic surgery procedures might be right for you.

Ask a Plastic Surgeon Can I Get My Breast Implants Removed

QUESTION: Many years ago, back when I was in my early thirties, I made the choice to undergo breast augmentation surgery.  I have never regretted my decision or had any complications, and I have always been very pleased with how my breasts turned out.  However, in the time since then I have had three children and my body has changed a great deal.  I am sad to admit that I have gained some weight and my breasts now seem uncomfortably heavy and droopy.  Is it at all possible to have my breast implants removed or perhaps replaced with some that would look more natural on my current frame?

ANSWER: Your situation is not as uncommon as you might think.  Although breast augmentation has an extremely high patient satisfaction rate, there are several reasons why a woman who has undergone the procedure might want to have her breast implants removed or replaced.  In rare cases, complications might arise or an implant may become damaged, necessitating replacement.  More commonly, typical events like pregnancy and breast feeding, fluctuations in weight, or simply the natural aging process can cause changes in a woman’s body that may make the breast implants look less natural or less flattering than they once did.  Any of these situations can be addressed using a procedure called breast revision surgery.  Because every woman’s case is different, each breast revision procedure is customized to address specific, individual concerns.  However, the surgeon will do everything possible to minimize scarring, even using the incisions from the original surgery if possible to ensure the best possible final results.

Breast revision can also be done in combination with other plastic surgery procedures.  Women who feel as though their breasts have begun to sag and droop can combine the removal of implants with a breast lift, or mastopexy, to give the breasts a perkier and more youthful appearance.  In other cases, fat taken from elsewhere in the woman’s own body can be injected around the edges of the new breast implants to “soften” the transition zone and provide more natural looking results, using a procedure called fat transfer.  Finally, women who have experienced changes in their bodies as a result of pregnancy and breast feeding often opt for a complete mommy makeover, a procedure that generally combines a breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction to restore the body to its pre-pregnancy appearance.

Even if you are getting a little older there is no reason you cannot continue looking your best.  Patients are surprised when they find out just how much plastic surgery can accomplish.  If you are interested in learning more, or would like to schedule a personal consultation to find out what plastic surgery can do for you, please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices.  Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for all the latest plastic surgery news.

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Answering Your Questions about Breast Enhancement Surgery

Plastic surgery can be a very broad field, and it can sometimes be easy to overlook how many different things it can accomplish.  For example, breast augmentation surgery is extremely popular, so popular in fact that people often forget that different breast procedures can reduce the size or change the position of the breasts as well.  At Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C., our board certified plastic surgeons sometimes like to use the term “breast enhancement” as a general catch-all to include breast augmentation, breast lifts, and breast reduction, because all of these procedures share the ultimate goal of enhancing the cosmetic appearance of the breasts.  Here are just a few of the many questions we hear about these various breast enhancement procedures.

Answering Your Questions about Breast Enhancement SurgeryWhat is the difference between a breast lift and a breast reduction?

While the two procedures can be superficially similar, they differ distinctly both in their execution and in their ultimate goals.  Breast reduction is primarily performed to relieve the pain, discomfort, and related health issues caused by disproportionately large breasts.  The procedure involves the removal of excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin, and in some cases may even qualify as medically-necessary.  The goals of a breast lift, however, are entirely cosmetic.  Surgeons try to remove as little skin and tissue as possible to give the breasts a firmer, more lifted appearance without significantly altering their volume.  A breast lift procedure can be performed in combination with a breast reduction or breast augmentation, and excess fat is often redistributed from the lower to the upper portions of the breasts to further enhance projection and cleavage.

How old do I have to be before I can undergo breast enhancement surgery?

That actually depends on which form of breast enhancement surgery you are considering.  Generally, cosmetic plastic surgery is not recommended for patients whose bodies are still undergoing growth and development.  Common changes that occur during puberty will likely alter the effects of plastic surgery procedures and lead to unpredictable results.  However, in recent years many young women between the ages of 13 and 19 have undergone successful adolescent breast reduction procedures, specifically when disproportionately large breasts have caused health problems or hindered their involvement in sports or other physical activities.  Additionally, male breast reduction can safely help not only men but also adolescent boys who are suffering from gynecomastia, a condition that results in enlarged breast tissue.

What can I do if I am unhappy with the results of a breast enhancement procedure?

Although all forms of breast enhancement generally enjoy extremely high patient satisfaction rates, in rare cases complications may occur.  Additionally, the natural aging that affects a woman’s body over time can make results that were once highly satisfactory appear unnatural or unflattering.  When a woman is unhappy with the results of a breast enhancement procedure, breast revision surgery can be performed to remove or exchange breast implants, correct breast asymmetry, or reduce the appearance of surgical scarring, depending on the individual needs of the patient.

Cosmetic plastic surgery can be much more versatile that many people realize, and understanding exactly what is possible is the first step in determining what procedures might be right for you.  If you are interested in learning more about the different types of breast enhancement, or about any of the other cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures we perform, please contact one of our Atlanta Plastic Surgery locations.  Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ to get all the latest plastic surgery news.

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