Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a popular procedure that we conduct to help our patients gain the confidence they wish to feel in their physical appearance. One attribute that is shared among a good number of women who seek this procedure is a desire to stay physically fit. Breast augmentation gives them the complementary curves that top off their beauty goals. When exercise is an important aspect of a woman’s life, she may find it challenging to allow herself full recover from her surgery. “When can I work out?” is one of the most common questions we hear as we prepare for this body-enhancing procedure.

The techniques employed in the placement of breast implants is so precise and gentle that most patients feel able to return to normal activities relatively quickly. This can be good, but it can also create confusion in the area of exercise. We submit that our patients do the following:

• Wait until the post-op follow up visit to even think about hitting the gym, or the yoga studio, or whatever form of exercise is preferred. We provide post-operative instructions for a reason, and one of the top details is to postpone exercise until cleared by Dr. Frank. Trust the timing of your return to exercise.
• Let your body be your guide. Once you are medically cleared for your return, pay close attention to what your body has to say about your workout routine. Give a little extra rest when needed. In fact, schedule that day off when you do nothing more than take a nice relaxing walk.
• Go easy on the upper body. Upper body exercises can stress the muscles in the chest and arms, those that have been disrupted in surgery. Resist the urge to reach for your former weight, and start your post-surgical workouts with lighter weights that are gentle on these muscles as they build up their strength.
• Get support. In the first few days after breast augmentation, you may have relied on a few close friends or family members to help you. Now, your biggest support is a good sports bra. This is necessary regardless of the type of exercise you do, even yoga can put strain on recuperating muscles and tissues.

Is breast augmentation something you have always wanted to do? Learn more about this procedure by calling our Calgary office at (403) 245-1228.

As the field of plastic surgery has evolved over the past several decades, the options women have for breast enhancement has grown significantly. No longer is the only choice saline or silicone. Today, plastic surgeons like Dr. Frank consider multiple factors, and they discuss their effect on the final outcome with patients. In addition to size, the type of implants, their placement, and the method of access are three important factors to consider.

Type

The two primary types of implants, silicone and saline, each have unique characteristics that will affect how they ultimately look, and how they feel. For this reason, patients must know what to expect before choosing one over the other. Many women today instinctively lean toward saline implants. However, new, cohesive silicone gel is an appealing option that should be discussed.

Placement

Breast implants may be positioned beneath the breast tissue, glands, and milk ducts in the subglandular placement technique. Another option is to have implants inserted between the pectoral muscles and the chest wall. The placement of implants will affect how high they sit on the chest, which affects how breasts look in proportion to the rest of the body. Although it may seem logical that implants placed above the muscle, rather than below, may sustain less stress, the opposite is actually true. Submuscular implants less often experience capsular contracture, or tightening around them.

Access

Access translates to incisions, so it an important consideration. Implants may be inserted via three routes: through a periareolar incision around the nipple, through an incision made beneath the fold of the breast, or through a transaxillary incision made through the underarm. The most predictable results tend to come from the inframammary incision made at the breast fold. However, the experience and technique of the surgeon also affects outcome. Dr. Frank’s passion for cosmetic surgery developed at an early age. This has driven him to pursue advanced education through which he can meet the needs of each patient.

If you are in the Calgary area and are interested in enhancing your figure with breast augmentation, we invite you to learn about your options in our comfortable, friendly office. Speak with an experience member of our staff at (403) 245-1228.

It seems needless to say that breast augmentation is a customized procedure. While most patients recognize this fact, how implants are selected to achieve the most natural-looking results may be somewhat of a mystery. Here, we discuss the adaptable features of breast implants that enable us to address the unique aspects of every patient’s body.

1. Of course, breast implants are not a one-size-fits-all type of product. During the consultation process, the focus is given to the extent of enlargement that is desired. Additionally, Dr. Frank uses a discerning eye to examine the range of size that will look most at home on the patient. “Sizers,” or try-on implants may be placed inside the bra to assess the overall appearance that may be achieved with various sizes. A note about size: beauty comes from proportion, not from a particular cup size. It is important to choose breast implants based on factors such as the frame, height, and weight.
2. Not only do patients have the option of saline or silicone in their implants, but nuances vary from product to product, as well. More patients are leaning toward form-stable silicone implants to achieve the look and feel of natural breast tissue. However, saline remains a viable option for some. The material is best understood by consulting with an experienced cosmetic surgeon about your needs and preferences.
3. Implants are no longer merely round shells filled with saline or silicone. Today, there are options that resemble a woman’s natural anatomy. The teardrop implant is tapered at the top and fuller at the bottom, whereas round implants are more balanced. Each has the potential of looking natural.
4. Location of incisions. The incisions for breast implant insertion may be made in one of three primary locations. While incisions may be made within the armpit or around the areola, a large percentage of patients prefer to have incisions made along the inframammary fold or the lower crease of the breasts.
5. An implant shell may be textured or smooth. It was once believed that textured implants would reduce the risk of capsular contracture, though studies have yet to confirm an unmistakable benefit. Due to the thickness of the wall of textured implants, the result may be a firmer feel to the touch.

Cosmetic treatments, whether surgical or non-surgical, should be customized to meet patient need. For personal care in a friendly environment, call (403) 245-1228.

Women have been obtaining breast augmentation with silicone breast implants for more than 50 years now. In that time, numerous safety studies have been conducted, and several changes to the composition of breast implants have improved patient outcomes. The number of breast augmentation procedures performed each year continues to grow; a reflection of women’s confidence in this procedure overall.

Still, there remains a bit of mystery around silicone breast implants. Namely, the question of longevity. What many women ask us during their consultation is “do silicone breast implants have to be replaced every ten years?” This is a wonderful question to ask because, if you were to believe what you read or hear, your perception might keep you from attaining the shape you have wanted for so long.

First, we want to say that there is no across-the-board recommendation for replacing breast implants every 10 years. Next, we want to look at where this idea came from.

Several years ago, a report from an FDA study was published, revealing that 1 in 5 women in this particular study needed breast implant replacement at around the 10-year mark. Replacement may have been necessary due to capsular contraction or tightening around the breast implant, or rupture, or some other problem. This is one detail in the study.

When we look further into the statistics of the replacement for silicone breast implants, we can see that 1 in 5 accounted for only 20% of patients in the FDA study. From this standpoint, we see that there was a larger percentage of women for whom no breast augmentation revision was needed after 10 years. This is not to say that study participants never needed to replace implants, but it suggests that there is a lower chance than may have been interpreted by the initial release of information.

Details to Consider

If you are considering breast augmentation with silicone breast implants, there are details that may set your mind at ease.

• All breast implants have a warranty from the company that manufactures them. Warranties may vary based on the form of the implant, filling (saline or silicone), and other factors. Warranties are not expiration dates; they are simply a statement of responsibility from the manufacturer of a product.
• The FDA study that led to a widespread belief regarding replacement was released in 2011, long before the development of more form-stable implants and newer insertion techniques. These advances in breast augmentation are significant, as they have improved the long-term success of treatment.
• Breast exams are an important aspect of long-term health and wellness. This includes medical checkups and mammography at the recommended intervals.

Your Calgary cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Ryan Frank, can provide you with detailed information regarding breast augmentation and breast implants. Call (403) 245-1228.