Ask the plastic surgeon
Use the search box below to look through previously asked questiosn. If you have a different question then please Ask the plastic surgeon, Dr. Michael J. Brown in the “Add a Question” section below and he will answer it for you. If you leave your email address you will be notified when he answers it. Otherwise, return at your convenience to see his answer.
Ask a breast augmentation question
Am I awake when I go into the operating room for breast implants?
Mar. 2, 2010 by Sherri, Mobile, AL
Yes, I would see you in the holding area and mark you for your breast augmentation or breast implant exchange or any other surgery for that matter. You will be given a little bit of medications to make you just a bit drowsy and to relax you, but you will be awake. You will actually help us position you on the operating table. You will then be given some more medication in your IV and will fall asleep.
Can you do a tummy tuck at the same time as a breast lift and augmentation? Also, what are the differences in saline and silicone breast implants? Do they look different? Feel different?
Mar. 2, 2010 by Claire, Fredricksburg, Virginia
Yes, I perform the combination of breast lift and breast augmentation with a tummy tuck nearly every week. Women like that choice because they can heal from one surgery and be done. They only have one recovery. Silicone breast implants are softer. They look the same. A lot of women who need a breast lift have enough breast tissue so some of the silicone breast implants benefit is lost.
Can you still breastfeed post breast augmentation? If so what are some of the risks?
Mar. 2, 2010 by CML
Yes, there is more information about this on the site. Visit http://www.breastaugmentationvirginia.com/breast-augmentation-questions/breast-feed-after-breast-augmentation/ to read more.
dear dr. brown i had a breast augmentation and reconstructive lift 7 months ago i have some scaring, i do not like it at all what do you suggest? revision? scar laser treatment? HELP
Mar. 2, 2010 by Susan, Virginia
For me to help you, I would need more information. You would have to send me photos. Please contact me using the contact page on this site.
Dr Brown, I've been on several consults and am confused. I want a tummy tuck and mastopexy with implants.One dr says I should go above muscle and one says below.I am 5'9" and full framed at the moment with moderate amt breast tissue.I don't want to get a contracture if I go above.Also I would be basing the choice of implant with where it will be placed. What do you think? I will send you pix if you need to see. Thank You. By the way you have a great website,very informitive and intelligient.
Mar. 2, 2010 by Darese, Virginia
Go below the muscle for sure. Use a round smooth breast implant. Thanks for the kind words.
hi, Ive heard that there are several shapes of breast implants (drop- round etc.) i need a natural look, im 34a and i hate big breasts but because i lost 20 lbs i have to do the surgery. it will look better. I have a wide shoulder chest combination, but i dont know whic one to pick. i appreciate your work and believe u could enlighten me regarding this issue. Bests. Halley
Feb. 25, 2010
I typically recommend round smooth breast implants to get the best look and best result.
I am 23 years old. My cup size is 34a. I have lost what little i had after i had my son. He is now 4 years old and i am strongly looking to enhance my size. I have found this site to be the best out of the past 3 ive looked out. I am looking at becoming a full b. I think that would best fit me. Im 5ft5 and weigh 115pnds. I am very nervous but know that this is what ive wanted for awhile. My question is how much will this cost me? Does it all have to be paid at once? My credit isnt the best at the moment. But would like to know what should i do to get myself started in the right direction.Thanks for your time. And hope to business with your company.
Mar. 2, 2010
Thanks for your kind words about the site. You are correct it is one of the best breast augmentation sites on the web. The price for breast augmentation depends on where you live and how good of a plastic surgeon surgeon you want. There are really cheap, less talented surgeons out there who will do it, 'just for the practice', and then there are surgeons that want to do your breast augmentation as fast as they can because they are so cheap they need to do lots of breast implants surgeries to make money. Then there are the quality plastic surgeons who believe your breast deserve the best that they can afford and some things are worth waiting for. I would encourage all women to find the best plastic surgeon they can find and then save money until they are ready to go or qualify for a loan. My results speak for themselves. I would be honored to care for you and all of the other visitors of the site seeking the best breast augmentation that they can get.
i am 26 years old and am seriously considering breast enlargement while i'm in my 20's. im small figured : 5'6", 120lbs and barely make a 34 a. i would love to fill a c cup. also, my mother had breast cancer 2x so im thinking that if i rid my chest of what i have now and replace it, i may lower the risk? what are the different types of implant and what are the neg's and positives to each? also, what is the cost roughly for the surgery?
Mar. 2, 2010 by Christina, Lewisburg, WV
It sounds like you are asking about having subcutaneous mastectomies (breast removals) and implants? Is that correct? This is not the first choice for breast enlargement. If you are that thin, you should be able to follow and perform self breast exams pretty easily and safely. The breast implants would actually make the self exams easier. Over the past 15 years, I have actually had 2 of my patients develop cancer. Both identified the mass on self exams. Both cured. So I would not recommend that option. There are definitely reasons to have mastectomies, but this is not the place to discuss that. You are welcome for a visit, if you like and we could go over that. You should also speak with a general surgery and your OB/GYN about recommendations and cancer risks.
I had a breast augmentation 6 months ago and I have noticed that one breast is actually higher and therefore smaller. During my consultation, my plastic surgeon did mention that my right breast was slightly smaller and assured me that it would not be noticeable after my surgery. I am quite disappointed as he never mentioned that my inframammary fold was also higher. I am unhappy as we can notice very well that my breast is uneven. Would you be so kind to let me know what could have been done to avoid this problem? Many thanks.
Mar. 2, 2010 by Sarah, UK
There may be more than one issue with your breasts that the other plastic surgeon may or may not have noticed. Often with inframammary fold asymmetries a woman can have breasts that are different sizes. You seem to imply that he noticed the size discrepency but not the folds. This may very well be true. If he used different sized breast implants to adjust for the volume differences, he may have made your IMF discrepencies more noticeable.
I had a double mastectomy with tram flap. My right breast has shrank due to radiation i am told. can i have construction again with implants to correct it ? If not what then?
Mar. 2, 2010
Yes, you may have another reconstruction probably with a breast implant under your TRAM flap to give you more projection and breast volume. It would be best to wait until your breast has completely softened from the radiation treatments.
I had breast augmentation 12-17-0-09. Now 2-23-10, i am getting itching, tingling and sudden burning pains on both breast and nipples. is this normal?Dr.prescribed Cephalexin500mg 3xs a day and Ciprofloxacin HCI500mg 2xs a day. symptoms subsided while on meds and symptoms back 1 day after meds.
Feb. 25, 2010 by norma, los angeles, CA
It seems like you are getting some nerve regeneration or repair from injury that may have occured during your breast augmentation. I am not sure why you were put on antibiotics? These types of pings, pangs or pains typically subside over time.
I have inverted nipples and i want them corrected along with my breast augmentation . is that do able???????
Mar. 2, 2010 by Jan, Texas
There are varying degrees of inverted nipples. The majority of them will see an marked improvement with breast implants. The real severe (never poping out) inversions may require a surgical release to be performed. Yes, this can be done at the same time.
i just got a breast enlargment and i got 339 cc's. It will be 1 week thursday. Right now i dont even look like i am a D. I was told that i would be a full d. How long does it really take to see the actual size.Please e-mail me back this is really bothering me. How large does 339cc's silicone gel get
Mar. 2, 2010 by Kristil, Virginia
I addressed this question in a blog that is still on the home page. Breast implants do not 'give you' a size. Breast implants increase what you already have. So the 339cc will be added to your natural breasts. So your final breast size will be dependent on both the breast implants and your natural tissue. They never get bigger after surgery. Most women tell me that they seem smaller as they settle.
I just wanted to say this is the most informative website I have found! It has given me more information and answers than anyone I have spoke with.THANK YOU! I only wish I were closer to this facility and I had had my breast enlargement done there, I think I would be much happier with the results. I would recommend this site to anyone interested in looking into breast enhancement. Thier information is understandable,and very informative.
Mar. 2, 2010 by B. Lynn, San Diego, CA
Your welcome. I am glad that you enjoyed the new site. I still have lots of pictures and videos to get on the site but everything takes so much time. Have a great day.
I think that I will be on my period for my breast augmentation, is that a problem?
Mar. 2, 2010 by Dianne, Virginia
No, the menstrating component of the cycle is not a problem with the surgery. You will have a pad on, and that area is not a surgical area. The only point of interest about your period is its hormonal influence on your breast size. I often see patients at the time of surgery who are larger than they were at the consultation, or one breast is larger than the other. I typically will rely on the consultation measurements and less on the day of surgery assessments, because we want you looking good for the 3 weeks of the month rather than only the 1 of the menstration.
I'm 19 years old and my right breast has always been smaller than my left. It is a drastic difference. I cant wear swimsuits or certain tops because of its size difference. Can I get augmentation? Im worried that if I get saline, it will pop while im sleeping. Is there any way that I can get silicone at my age?
Mar. 2, 2010 by KCooper
I would absolutely not worry about the breast implant popping while you slept. The breast implants are very stable devices and will not pop like that. Silicone gel breast implants should not be used until the age of 22 according to the FDA as an 'on label use'. What that means is that you may acknowlege the risks of breast augmentation and decide to have silicone gel breast implants. In essence you can still get them, it is just an 'off label use' of the medical device.
Is it true that saline breast implants are filled with water?
Mar. 2, 2010 by Amy, Asheville, NC
Well, saline breast implants are filled with a liquid that acts like water, but it is filled with saline or salt water. This is not the kind of salt water from the ocean but rather salt water that is in our body. Humans are large bags of salt water, we drink fresh water because our body is very good and keeping our body's salt. The saline is sterile and comes from the sterile bags of IV saline. The kind that is put into our veins when an intravenous (IV) catheter is in place to rehydrate a person.
Is there a breast augmentation procedure which involves utilization of the patient’s own breast tissue and fat? In which duplication of the breast tissue (Glandular tissue) and fat, would be used in substitution of a silicone or saline implant.
Mar. 2, 2010 by S.B., Maryland
Great question. We have been looking into using fat injections into the breast to improve the size. I wrote a blog about this one on of my other sites. http://www.rejuven8u.com/blog/2008/11/04/fat-injection-for-breast-augmentation/ We are not clonnig breast tissue for augmentation. So other than fat or tissues for reconstrucion, breast implants are the bests option.
My 21 yr old daughter has a slight curve of the spine and protruding bones on the right side of her chest. She underwent breast augmentation as she was also flat chested. (She had round implants over muscle).The right breast dropped lower and to the side immediately after surgery as if it had been pushed off her chest by the protruding bones. 6 months later she had a revision by a different surgeon who assured us the reason for her problems had been due to surgical technique not the bones. He replaced with teardrop (larger) under the muscle. Now her problem is even worse. She has cleavage on left side, you can see the edge of the implant which looks too far into the middle , it is hard and high and painful with nipple distortion. (I am worried about Synmastia. Now the right breast has dropped lower again and is out to the side towards the armpit. She is a very slim build and the surgeon is now blaming that although he had no issue with my daughters slimness when he performed the revision. Is there any hope? She is devastated and can't live with this result. Have you ever fixed someone with my daughters problems before?
Mar. 2, 2010 by Angela, Virginia
Yes, I can absolutely help her and you with this difficult time. It sounds like both of the surgeons you selected were not experienced in breast augmentation enough to select the correct operation or correct breast implants. I will contact you about sending pictures.
My husband and I are both enjoying your web site and are seriously considering Breast Aumentation. We're thinking of it as my breast "renovation"! I'm in my 50's, fit and very athletically active. It just seems like my breasts are "deflated". I would like to know how age and fibrocystic mammary tissue affects the outcome. And if placement of the implants under the pectoral muscle interfers less with imaging. Thanks again for a very informative and user friendly web site! R & K
Feb. 28, 2010 by R & K
Thanks for your kind words. Your age has less to do with your breast augmentation result. The quality of your skin and breast gland are more significant. Breast implants under the muscle do not interfere with breast compression during mammograms. Additional views may be required to fully visualize the breast though. In general, there is no significant imaging issues.
