Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the U.S. and one of the most popular procedures in Dr. Sabry’s practice. Breast augmentation can give women with small or unevenly sized breasts a fuller, firmer, better-proportioned look through the placement of saline or silicone implants in the breast.

Patients elect to undergo breast augmentation for many different medical and aesthetic reasons, including:

Balancing breast size
Compensating for reduced breast mass after pregnancy or surgery
Correcting a congenital breast defect

The breast augmentation procedure may sometimes be combined with a breast lift for more satisfying results. Under Dr. Sabry’s expert care patients enjoy great-looking, natural-feeling breasts that are perfectly balanced with their body and desired outcome.

Saline vs Silicone

In 2006 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved silicone breast implants for breast augmentation surgery in women over 22 years of age. Since they are much softer and feel more natural than saline-filled breast implants many patients are opting for them. Improvement in the manufacture of silicone implants has vastly reduced the potential for rupture.

There are several outstanding silicone implant options including round implants, anatomic or “tear drop” implants, implants with a softer gel and implants with a firmer “gummy bear” feel. All of these implants types will be available at your consultation so that together with Dr. Sabry you can choose the option that will give you the look and feel you want.

Saline implants offer several advantages. They also come in various sizes and shapes. They are filled with sterile salt water after being placed into the body and can be inserted through a much smaller scar. This short scar can be hidden in a crease in many cases, so even early after surgery patients have a sense of “no visible scar” at all. Many patients both young and old derive great satisfaction from this fact.

Your decision to opt for either silicone or saline implants will be made after Dr. Sabry has made a thorough examination of your anatomy and you have a complete understanding of the pros and cons of both and which is the best option for your desired outcome.

Murray Hill Plastic Surgery & Vein Center Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation Consultations

During your breast augmentation consultation with Dr. M. Zakir Sabry, he will answer questions you may have about the procedure and will discuss any safety concerns related to the surgery.

View Breast Augmentation Gallery

Preparing

You will have a comprehensive preoperative visit in our office approximately two weeks before your breast augmentation surgery. A complete list of “dos and don’ts” will be reviewed as well as the pre and postoperative instructions and any questions that remain. You will be directed to avoid anything that has a blood-thinning effect (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) for two weeks before surgery. If you are a smoker, you will be asked to quit smoking for 6-8 weeks prior to your procedure. Basic blood work for preoperative testing will be ordered, and any breast imaging studies that are required (age and past medical history appropriate) will be obtained.

The Procedure

Your implants will be placed either behind each breast or underneath breast tissue or the chest wall muscle. The procedure lasts one to two hours and is typically performed with general anesthesia, although local anesthesia combined with a sedative is also possible, Dr Sabry does not recommend it.

Incisions are made in inconspicuous places on the breast to minimize scar visibility (in the armpit, in the crease on the underside of the breast, or around the areola, the dark skin around the nipple). The breast is then lifted, creating a pocket into which the implant is inserted. Light dressing and supportive bandages are applied after surgery. They are replaced by a specially designed bra after 4 to 5 days.

Recovery

You will go home in a comfortable surgery bra that has adjustable straps. Most patients feel tired and sore after surgery, but this is easily managed with medication. Soreness usually passes in a day or two and many patients return to work within the week. It is important to avoid all exercise, heavy lifting, and other more strenuous activities for the first three weeks. Expect to be more tired during the first week and sore by the end of the day. If your job involves a lot of moving of your upper body, take the entire first week off. Any post-operative pain, swelling and sensitivity will diminish over the first few weeks. Dr. Sabry will see you for post-operative visits during your recovery. He and our staff will answer any questions you may have about your recovery, as well as your overall health and well-being.

The breasts will reach their final shape in two to three months. We schedule regular monitoring of breast implants after breast augmentation to ensure continuing breast and implant health. Standard follow-up visits are at one week, six weeks, and 12 months

Complications

Complications following breast augmentation surgery are uncommon and usually minimal. Under Dr. Sabry’s expert and meticulous care all measures are taken to minimize the potential. They may include capsular contracture, swelling and pain, infection around the implant, a change in nipple sensation, asymmetry, implant migration, unfavorable scarring, and breakage or leakage of the implant (implant rupture) as a result of injury or the normal compression and movement of your breast.

If a saline implant ruptures, the implant will simply deflate in a few hours and your body will absorb the salt water. If a silicone implant leaks, you will need to see the doctor for replacement of the implant.

In some cases making improvement to adjacent areas of the body is recommended to give an overall balanced result. This may involve sculpting a waist or enhancing the body’s silhouette. Subtle correction of the chest wall or décolletage will often make the difference between a good outcome and an outstanding one. Treating the breasts, décolletage and waist at the same time can bring the entire torso into harmony and proportion.