Breast Augmentation in Oxford, MS
For women who desire to enhance the size and shape of their breasts, breast augmentation is a safe and effective procedure. Breast augmentation involves the use of implants to add volume to the breasts. Women whose breasts are small relative to their body frame as well as those who have lost volume to their breasts after childbearing are excellent candidates for the procedure.
At Shell Plastic Surgery, we work closely with our patients to develop a customized plan for their breast augmentation. Utilization of the Vectra® 3D Imaging System allows us to objectively analyze the patient’s anatomy and formulate a plan balancing the patient’s goals and expectations with safe anatomic limitations.
Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
The desire to achieve a more proportional breast shape and size relative to body dimensions is the most common reason women seek breast augmentation. Conditions, such as the persistence of small breast size after reaching development maturity and loss of volume to the breasts from childbearing or weight loss often prompt women to consider breast augmentation.
Patient safety is our highest priority with any surgery. It is important that a patient is medically and psychologically fit to undergo breast augmentation surgery. During the initial consultation, Dr. Shell will review your records and discuss any medical issues with you prior to determining if the procedure is appropriate for you.
Dr. Shell prefers to wait until the patient is at least 18 years of age and the breasts have reached developmental maturity before considering breast augmentation. Women who are postpartum should delay breast augmentation until six months after the completion of breastfeeding.
What Types of Breast Implants Are There?
Saline and silicone gel implants are two types of implants available for breast augmentation. The majority of implants used by Dr. Shell are silicone gel implants. Silicone gel implants tend to provide a more natural look and feel to the breasts. Saline implants are still preferred by some patients who have concerns regarding the potential for implant rupture. If a saline implant ruptures, your body simply absorbs the saline (saltwater). There are variations as far as different profiles and surface texturing of the implants.
Dr. Shell uses smooth, round, and moderate plus or high profile devices in almost all cases. The specific profile and appropriate size range will be determined during your consultation.
What Is a Breast Augmentation Procedure Like?
Breast augmentation procedures begin with a consultation to ensure the surgical plans completely align with your cosmetic goals. Once the consultation is completed, you will be set up for the date most appropriate for your procedure.
To begin your breast augmentation procedure, general anesthesia will be administered to provide you with complete comfort during the procedure process. Next, an incision will be made under the fold of the breast (inframammary fold), and the implant will be added into an opening under the pectoral muscle or directly behind the breast tissue. The incisions are closed and wrapped with dressings and a compression garment.
What Will My Breast Augmentation Recovery Be Like?
Recovery from breast augmentation is straightforward as long as patients adhere to post-operative instructions.
First Several Days
For the first few days after surgery, the patient will need the assistance of a friend or family member. Once the patient leaves the surgery center, she is instructed to go home and rest for four hours. She can then take a shower and perform specified arm exercises. I encourage all patients to go out to dinner the night of the surgery. The patient will have some degree of soreness for the first three to four days after surgery. Most patients describe this as a tight feeling due to the tension on the overlying muscle. Muscle relaxants are prescribed to help minimize this. The first follow-up visit is on day four or five after surgery.
The dressings are changed at this time. Patients may begin driving and return to light duty work or school at this time.
Next 3 Weeks
The patient is seen three weeks after surgery. SInce the first visit, muscle soreness has begun to resolve and the swelling is going down. The implants still sit higher than their final position At this time, the patient can return to most physical activities and exercise routines.
Next 6 Weeks
Over the course of the next six weeks, the swelling resolves and the implants settle. At six weeks post-op, the patient can swim in the pool or beach.
One Year After Surgery
Patients are seen on an annual basis after surgery to assess the position of the implants and monitor for capsular contracture (scar tissue around the implant). Patients are encouraged to get regularly scheduled mammograms at the appropriate age.
What Will My Breast Augmentation Results Be Like?
After you have fully healed, the results of your breast augmentation will be visible. You may find a boosted sense of self-confidence, increased access to clothing selections, a more symmetrical and youthful breast line, and refined elegance in your contour.
Dr. Shell’s artistic precision and professional execution of breast augmentation surgery are designed to yield long-lasting results; however, breast implants are not indestructible. You may require a replacement or removal of breast implants within your lifetime as the durability and quality of your implants change.
BREAST AUGMENTATION FAQ
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How much does breast augmentation cost?
Due to the individuality of each case, it is best to set up a consultation appointment for the most accurate price. The price of your breast augmentation surgery may vary depending on factors such as anesthesia, implant selection, facility fees, and medical testing. Dr. Shell is happy to provide a more accurate estimate of your cost during your consultation.
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Where are the incisions and are the implants placed on top of or below the muscle?
For the majority of breast augmentation procedures, the incision is placed in the inframammary crease. This incision heals very well and allows excellent visualization for creating the pocket to place the implant.
Implants are usually placed under the muscle. This softens the contour to the upper aspect of the breast and reduces the incidence of capsular contracture (a scar tissue formation around the implant). In some cases, placement on top of the muscle is preferred. This is based on certain anatomical factors, which will be evaluated and discussed during the consultation.
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Do I need to get my implants changed every 10 years?
The “replace every 10-year rule” is not absolute. Statistically speaking, one in five patients will need some sort of revision procedure or implant exchange within 10 years. Issues that could prompt implant removal or revision surgery include capsular contracture, implant malposition, or the rare case of implant rupture.
Aging and lifestyle issues, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, and hormonal changes associated with menopause can affect the breast tissue. This may result in the implant moving out of position or the breast tissue descending over the implant. A patient’s aesthetic goals also change over time.
It is important for the patient to follow up with her plastic surgeon on an annual basis to monitor the implants. Learn more about Breast Implant Replacement.
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How safe is breast augmentation?
While it is true that all surgeries carry some associated risk, breast augmentation surgery is the most routine plastic surgery performed today. Over 300,000 breast augmentations are performed a year, making breast augmentation the most common plastic surgery procedure.
Another concern for patients is implant ruptures that occur within the breast. Saline ruptures present no cause for concern as the absorbable saltwater contents of saline implants are entirely harmless to the body. Silicone implants do require immediate removal as their contents are not absorbable by the body.
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What is the difference between saline and silicone implants?
All breast implants offered at our location have a smooth texture. Smooth breast implants are available in silicone or saline and are made to feel softer than textured breast implants. Saline breasts are filled with a sterile saltwater solution during surgery, whereas silicone implants are pre-filled with a silicone gel that imitates organic breast tissue.
Interested in Breast Augmentation in Oxford, Mississippi?
Dr. Dan Shell is a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience performing breast augmentation. If you are considering breast enhancement, Dr. Shell would be privileged to sit down with you and carefully explain the breast augmentation process in detail. Shell Plastic Surgery proudly serves Northern Mississippi and Tennessee. Please fill out our contact form or call (662) 236-6465 to set up a consultation today.