Frequently Asked Questions

Breast Aesthetics

What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery procedure that increases the size of a woman's breasts. A saline filled implant with a silicone shell is placed under the breast, which increases the breast size. In the past, silicone gel-filled implants were used for breast augmentation, but the FDA removed this type of implant in 1992 to perform further studies on the safety. With continual research being performed to further improve breast augmentation the introduction of different types of implant material has the possibility of becoming available in the future.

Who Is The Best Candidate For A Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a form of cosmetic surgery for women who wish to increase the size of their breasts. In many cases the woman wishing to undergo a breast augmentation procedure feels her current breast size is too small or disproportionate to her particular body size. Breast augmentation is considered an aesthetic surgical procedure that most often occurs with women who have not been satisfied with her final breast development size reached after puberty, and in some cases women's breasts have developed unevenly and she would like to achieve proper symmetry. Women who have lost a significant amount of weight or have had pregnancies may find their breast size has shrunken and they wish to restore their breast size through breast augmentation. In some circumstances the plastic surgeon will suggest a breast augmentation accompanied by a breast lift for women's breasts that have become saggy.

How Is A Breast Augmentation Surgery Performed?
Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure that is performed under a general anesthesia. The introduction of saline filled implants allowed for a smaller incision, often less than just one inch underneath the breast and above the crease where it is well hidden. Some breast augmentation incisions are made by the lower edge of the areola, and incisions made within the armpit leaves no visible scars. After the incisions are made the breast augmentation surgeon is able to create a pocket, either on top of the pectoral muscle or beneath them, and insert the implant.

How Can I Find A Breast Augmentation Plastic Surgeon?
Finding a qualified, board certified surgeon for your breast augmentation is extremely important and highly recommended to ensure the overall safety and satisfaction of the breast augmentation surgery. Every surgical procedure, including cosmetic surgery, carries risks and uncertainties that a board certified plastic surgeon has proven knowledge and experienced in managing with the highest level of care.

What Is The Recovery From Plastic Surgery Like?
Each patient will tolerate pain post-operatively in a different way, and we consider this. While some patients may describe the pain as an ache, others experience greater discomfort. Appropriate pain medications are prescribed for the post-operative patients, and these help minimize discomfort. Operations that require elevation or tightening of the muscles-such as a breast augmentation have discomfort equal to that of a C-section.

How Long Is The Recuperative Period And When Can I Return To Work?
The length of time it takes to recuperate after plastic surgery varies depending on the procedure performed and the person operated on. Most patients will require assistance for the first two days. Then most patients are able to care for themselves, but may still need assistance if they have small children to care for. The specific lengths of disability are outlined below by procedure. Breast augmentation patients can usually get around independently by the second day. May return to work at 5-7 days if not required to lift more than 15 pounds. These are approximations, and do not include return to exercise.

When Can I Resume Regular Exercise?
The time a patient resumes regular exercises varies based on the operation performed. All patients are encouraged to start a slow walking routine on the second postoperative day. Regular aerobic and more vigorous activities are not allowed during the first 2 weeks in order to decrease the risks of bleeding, swelling, and bruising. Weight lifting and contact sports are allowed at 1 month in most cases.

How will Breast Augmentation affect my ability to breast feed?
The ability to successfully breast feed varies for all women with or without breast implants. However, you may be at higher risk of unsuccessful breast feeding following breast implantation. In particular, a perioreolar incision site may significantly reduce the ability to successfully breast feed.

What age do you have to be to have a Breast Augmentation?
A woman must be at least 18 years of age to have a Breast Augmentation.

What is the cost of a Breast Augmentation?
There are several factors that determine the cost of a Breast Augmentation.

1. Where will your surgery be performed, in the plastic surgeon's office operating suite or in an outpatient surgery center?
2. What are the fees of your plastic surgeon and the anesthesiologist?
3. What style, type, and manufacture of implants will be used?

What are the risks of having a Breast Augmentation?
Any surgical procedure may involve the risk of complications such as the effects of anesthesia, infection, bleeding, swelling, and pain. For complete information on the complications associated with Saline Filled Breast Implant surgery click here.

What are high profile implants?
Newer implants are now on the market that gives greater projection per base diameter. This is greatly advantageous in those patients who have a narrow chest wall, and who want to have projection and size of their breast.

What is the most common incision for breast implants, and what are the options?
The most commonly used incision is inframammary (crease incision). Many plastic surgeons use this incision because it arguably gives good control in placement of the implants and the incision is usually not visible. The periareolar (around the areola), is an incision in which usually heals well. Some plastic surgeons feel that there may be more of a chance in alteration of sensation utilizing this incision. In addition, some feel that there may be a higher rate of implant exposure to the body's own bacteria from the patients milk ducts. The transaxillary incision is a procedure in which an incision is made in the armpit. Some plastic surgeons feel that this incision gives less implant placement control. Discuss this with your own plastic surgeon. The Transumbilical procedure uses an incision inside the umbilicus (belly button). Many plastic surgeons feel that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. Speak with your plastic surgeon about this. The correct incision depends on each patient's own anatomy, and your plastic surgeon's feelings about each procedure. Listen to the guidance from your individual plastic surgeon.

How Long Does The Procedure Take?
It usually takes approximately 1-2 hours for the routine breast augmentation procedure.

Do I Need To Take Antibiotics Before And After Surgery?
Antibiotics should probably be used when a patient undergoes any procedure in which "bacteria" may be released into the blood stream.

What is Arnica and Should I Take It?
Arnica is a homeopathic medication, which is presumed to reduce pain, swelling, and bruising. Arnica can be taken by pill or cream form. Ask your doctor his feeling about Arnica.

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What should I find out before I have any type of medical cosmetic treatment?

• Is the product approved by the FDA?
• Who is performing the treatment? Do they have the proper training/credentials?
• When do you want to see results?
• Where are your problem areas?
• Make sure your doctor reviews all safety information provided by the manufacturer.

What causes wrinkles?
The way your skin looks is directly related to the way your skin is supported. Wrinkles form when the natural collagen layer thins during the course of aging. Other factors that weaken the collagen fibers include exposure to the sun, disease, injury, heredity and lifestyle.

What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant natural protein found in the body and provides structural support to skin, muscle, tendons, and bone. Fibers of collagen are woven together, like threads in fabric, to form a framework into which new cells can grow. In the skin, collagen provides texture, resiliency and shape.

What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are substances that are injected just below the surface of the skin to replace the collagen layer, filling lines, wrinkles and scars from the inside out. Dermal fillers can temporarily restore a smoother, more youthful appearance. Dermal fillers can also be used to add definition to the lip border. Collagen dermal fillers have been proven safe and effective for more than 20 years.

What is Collagen Replacement Therapy®?
Collagen Replacement Therapy® is a safe, non-surgical wrinkle correction treatment in which highly purified collagen is injected into the skin to replenish the skin's natural collagen.

Is Collagen Replacement Therapy® safe?
Yes. Collagen products from Inamed Aesthetics are approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are tested for a variety of contaminants in accordance with strict FDA requirements. The end result of this stringent testing is a safe product, free from detectable viruses or contaminants.

How are collagen treatments different from Botox® Cosmetic?
Botox Cosmetic is a protein that is injected into muscles to relax them, smoothing lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial movements. In contrast, collagen is a dermal filler and is injected below a wrinkle, scar or depression in order to "fill" it in, smoothing the surface of the skin.

What is the difference between CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast?
CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast are made from human collagen, which has been purified from human dermal (skin) tissue grown under controlled laboratory conditions. CosmoDerm is used for fine lines while CosmoPlast is used in the treatment of deeper lines and furrows.

Is skin testing required before I can receive CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast?
No. You can receive CosmoDerm or CosmoPlast the same day as your initial consultation or office visit.

Who can inject CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast?
CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast can be injected by a licensed physician or a Collagen Specialist, who is a qualified health care professional, such as a registered nurse or physicians assistant, educated in all aspects of Collagen Replacement Therapy. Collagen Specialists are expertly trained to proficiently inject collagen under the direct supervision of a licensed physician.

How long does the procedure take?
Treatment of collagen injections takes approximately 30 - 60 minutes.

Do I need to take time off from work to recuperate?
Collagen Replacement Therapy is a simple procedure with a quick recovery time. Most patients feel comfortable resuming their normal activities immediately following treatment. You are free to eat, drink, or wear makeup with sunblock shortly after treatment. There may be some temporary swelling and redness in the treated area which should subside within an hour.

Are collagen injections painful?
Most people report that the injections are relatively painless. To minimize discomfort, a topical or local anesthetic can be applied to the area prior to treatment. Also, CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast contain a small amount of anesthetic, lidocaine, which helps to numb the area temporarily.

What areas can be treated with CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast?
The most common areas treated are the smile lines around your nose and mouth, frown lines between the eyes, acne scars, fine lines above the mouth, and the lip border to add definition.

Can I have more than one area treated at the same time?
Yes, more than one area can safely be injected at the same time.

How frequently will I need to have Collagen Replacement Therapy®?
To maintain optimal correction, touch-up injections are usually needed within 3 to 6 months of the original treatment. The amount of collagen used during follow-up treatments is usually less than that used in the initial treatment. Without ongoing treatments, the collagen is gradually absorbed by the body and your face returns to its original contours.

How do I know Collagen Replacement Therapy® might be right for me?
If looking your best is important to you, Collagen Replacement Therapy® is probably for you. Imagine smoothing out those wrinkles around your mouth, or filling in those annoying tiny lines above your lip. Now you can. Perform a simple stretch test. Pull your skin tight on either side of the wrinkle you want to test, this will allow you to assess the potential for optimal treatment capability. If the line/wrinkle goes away when the skin is pulled tight, then full correction may be achieved. Keep in mind that if you can still see a line when you pull the skin, your doctor will be able to smooth the area and fill in the wrinkle, but you may still see the line.

How much do the treatments cost?
Pricing varies depending on the number and types of areas being treated, the amount of filler material required to achieve the desired results and the physician administering the treatment. Typically treatments are priced competitively with other products including Botox® Cosmetic.

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