Breast Augmentation

For information on silicone breast implants, click here.

Breast augmentation is an operation done to increase the size of the breast commonly for cosmetic reasons but may also be performed to balance a discrepancy in the size or shape between both breasts either as a result of abnormal development or for reconstruction associated with breast cancer.

The best candidates would be women with good skin tone over the breasts.  If there is significant  droop (called ptosis) then augmentation may need to be performed in conjunction with breast lift  (called mastopexy).  Dr. Topol usually sees patients twice before surgery to review surgery, risks and what size implant the patient would like.   We do not charge for the second visit but it is usually very helpful to review, answer more questions and confirm the size requested.

Risks of this procedure are mostly associated with the implant.  Dr. Topol will discuss this in great detail with you doing your first consultation.  In this country, saline implants are commonly used as they are currently approved by the FDA.  Silicone gel implants are allowed in Europe but are still considered “experimental” by the FDA in this country and therefore have not yet been approved for general use outside of experimental studies.  With this procedure there are risks that will occur and risks that might occur.  Those that will occur include a scar (called a capsule) around the implant that can get firm, painful or distort the shape of the implant.  Bleeding or infection from  the implant is rare.  Breast implants can obscure visualizing all of the breast tissue with a mammogram –this is lessened by placing the implant under the pectoralis muscle.   Long term risks have been shown at this time not to involve  breast disease or various arthritic conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.  Leakage from the implant is rare with current implants—about 2% after 7 years. 

Surgery is done in the hospital under general anesthesia as an outpatient in usually 1 to 2 hours depending on what else beside implant placement must be done to achieve symmetry of size and shape between both breasts.  Pain requiring medication rarely lasts more than a day or two with the current techniques used.  The incision to place the implant can be made in several places with the incision under the breast in the underwire area (called the infra-mammary fold) being the safest and most direct.  Driving is usually restricted for the first several days—depending on discomfort.  No heavy exercise for about 3 to 4 weeks normally.  Multiple post-op visits (at no charge) are required and Dr. Topol asks all patients to continue to see him once a year just to monitor the implants—for life!

If you have a question or wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Topol, give our office a call or send us an e-mail.