Breast Augmentation

The smallest incision possible will be used to insert your implant, and it will be made in the natural crease of your armpit or under your breast, making it as discreet as possible.
Although scars can appear red for some time after the surgery, over time they do fade and become far less noticeable.

Be sure to discuss your expectations frankly with Dr. Lesavoy. He will be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each. You may want to ask Dr. Lesavoy for a copy of the manufacturer’s insert that comes with the implant he will use – just so you are fully informed about it. And, be sure to tell Dr. Lesavoy if you smoke, and if you’re taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs..

Dr. Lesavoy will also explain the type of anesthesia to be used, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved. Because most insurance companies do not consider breast augmentation to be medically necessary, carriers generally do not cover the cost of this procedure.

While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days, if needed.

You should expect to take some time off from work (4-5 days) while you heal. Your stitches will be removed around 10-14 days post-surgery, so you will need to wear a sports or surgical bra for a minimum of four weeks after your operation.
Dr. Lesavoy will give you specific aftercare instructions based upon your personal circumstances, and these should be followed precisely, in order for you to make a fast and complication-free recovery from your breast augmentation surgery.

Follow Dr. Lesavoy’s advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct stimulation for two to three weeks, so you should avoid much physical contact. After that, breast contact is fine once your breasts are no longer sore, usually three to four weeks after surgery.

For at least six weeks, you’ll notice your scars being pink and firm. They may remain the same size for several months, or you may notice them appear to widen. Although your scars will never disappear completely, after several months, they will begin to fade.

Dr. Lesavoy recommends that routine mammograms be continued after breast augmentation for women who are in the appropriate age group, although you should alert the mammographic technician so they can use a special technique to assure that you get a reliable reading, as discussed earlier.

Regular examination by your Dr. Lesavoy and routine mammograms for those in the appropriate age groups at prescribed intervals will help assure that any complications, if they occur, can be detected early and treated.

Remember that the decision to have breast augmentation is highly personal and one that may not be understood by all. What is important is how you feel about it. If you’ve met your goals and you’re are happy with the results, then your surgery is a success.

The most common problem with breast implant surgery is capsular contracture, which occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This subsequent squeezing of the soft implant can cause the breast to feel hard. There are several treatments for capsular contracture sometimes requiring either removal or “scoring” of the scar tissue, or perhaps removal or replacement of the implant.

As with any surgical procedure, excessive bleeding following surgery may cause some pain and swelling. If excessive bleeding continues, you may need another operation to control the bleeding and remove accumulated blood.

In seldom cases, women can develop an infection around an implant. This infection may occur at any time, but most commonly occurs within a week after surgery. The breast implant may need to be removed in some cases for several months until the infection clears and a new implant can then be inserted.

Occasionally, some women report that their nipples become oversensitive, under sensitive, or perhaps even numb. You may also notice small patches of numbness near your incisions. These symptoms usually disappear with time but may be permanent in some patients.

There is no evidence that breast implants will affect fertility, pregnancy, or your ability to nurse. If, however, you have nursed a baby within the year before augmentation, you may produce milk for a few days after surgery. This may cause some discomfort, but can be treated with medication prescribed by Dr. Lesavoy.

Occasionally, breast implants may break or leak. Rupture may occur as a result of an injury or even from the normal compression and movement of your breast and implant, causing the synthetic shell to leak. If a saline-filled implant breaks, the implant will deflate in a few hours and the salt water will be harmlessly absorbed by the body.
However, If a break occurs in a gel-filled implant, one of two things may occur. If the shell breaks but the scar capsule around the implant does not, you may not even notice a change. If the scar capsule also breaks or tears, especially following extreme pressure, silicone gel may move into surrounding tissue, collecting in the breast and causing a new scar to form around it, or it may migrate area of the body. There can be a change in the shape or firmness of the breast. Both types of breaks may require a second operation and replacement of the leaking implant. Occasionally, it may not be possible to remove all of the silicone gel in the breast tissue if a rupture should occur.

Some women with breast implants have reported symptoms similar to diseases of the immune system, including scleroderma and other arthritis-like conditions. These symptoms may include joint pain or swelling, fever, fatigue, or breast pain. Research has not found a clear link between silicone breast implants and the symptoms of what doctors refer to as “connective-tissue disorders,” but the FDA has requested further study.

There is no evidence that breast implants cause breast cancer, but they may change the way mammography is done to detect cancer. When requesting a routine mammogram, be sure to go to a radiology center where technicians are experienced in the special techniques required to get a reliable x-ray of a breast with an implant. Additional views will also be required. Ultrasound examinations may be of benefit in some women with implants to detect breast lumps or to evaluate the implant itself.
While the majority of women do not experience these complications, you should discuss each of them with Dr. Lesavoy to make sure you understand the risks and consequences of breast augmentation.