Q & A Concerning Breast Augmentation by Dr. E. Ronald Finger

You Asked, We Answered – Breast Augmentation:  What You Should Know

By Dr. E. Ronald Finger | Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon | Savannah, Georgia – Breast Augmentation explained

1. What is a Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation Procedure? 

Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation refers to surgery that is performed with a special technique, never touching the periosteum of the ribs (which causes pain), cutting with a coagulating blade very carefully and slowly, injecting long-acting local anesthetics, and specific exercises to be done six hours after surgery. This dramatically reduces recovery time and discomfort. Many routine activities can be resumed within the next day or two.

Breast Augmentation Surgery can give women the confidence to go to the beach and wear a bikini.

2. What is an Auto-Breast Augmentation?

This means using your own tissue. Often one’s own tissue can be used during an uplift to give more fullness at the upper part of the breast – always desirable, but the patient has to have enough tissue for this. Another alternative to implants are fat transfer grafts, but one must have enough fat elsewhere for liposuction and use. Fat grafts can generally increase by only one cup size, and they are not as consistent as implants. Fat grafting is an excellent technique for filling in various depressions and defects.

3. How to tell if you need Breast Augmentation Surgery, a Breast Lift, or both?

If the nipple is below the inframammary (IM) crease, or if it points downward, an uplift (mastopexy) is probably needed. If breasts are too small, implants or fat grafts can be used to increase their size. If the nipple is above the IM crease, then breast implants should suffice.

4. What is the difference between Saline and Silicone Gel Implants used for Breast Augmentation?

 

Dr. Finger offers Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation and routinely uses silicone implants
Featured here is a Silicone Implant. Dr. Finger routinely uses Silicone Implants but has also performed many Breast Augmentation Procedures with Saline.

Saline implants are silicone bags filled with saline (salt water) to inflate the silicone bag. They are excellent implants and less expensive. The problem with saline implants are wrinkles that may be seen and felt, and eventually, deflation may occur. One of my patients had a deflated implant the night before her wedding. The timing of a deflation is not always convenient. In my opinion, the memory gel silicone implants are best in the long run. These implants feel and look more natural, are very durable, and will not deflate.

 

Summer Time is when most women feel most self-conscious about their breast, but the best time to have Plastic Surgery is when the weather is a bit cooler. You will swell less and be ready for the Summer Heat and Beach Time.

 

Breast Augmentations are one of the most popular procedures in the world - along with the Brazilian Butt Lift

 5. Should Your Breast Implants be placed in front or behind the muscle?

Both techniques are good, but neither are perfect—or there would be only one technique. If a patient has enough breast tissue, in front of the muscle is fine. Recovery is slightly faster, and there is no distortion of the implant when the patient moves her arms in certain positions, contracting the pectoralis muscle. This is usually not a problem, though. If breast tissue is minimal, the implants should go behind the muscle.

Recovery time behind the muscle was longer until the Rapid Recovery Technique. Both techniques should look very natural. In various studies, the encapsulation rate is less behind the muscle. Encapsulation (also called capsular contracture) is when the body creates scar tissue around the implants, which tightens around the implants making them feel firm and look distorted.

I have used both techniques, but have used the behind the muscle technique almost exclusively for the past six or seven years because of the lower incidence of capsular contracture in clinical studies.

6. What is the average cost of a Breast Augmentation?

This will vary according to the plastic surgeon that you choose. For most plastic surgeons, the cost will include the operating room, anesthesia, implants, doctor fee, and follow-up care. Saline implants are about $400 to $500 less than silicone memory gel implants. When an uplift is included, the cost will go up. The average cost in Georgia, for just breast implant surgery, is between $5,500-$6,500 for silicone gel implants.

 

 7. What is the best Incision for a Breast Augmentation Procedure? 

Typically there are three possible incisions: the inframammary (in the crease below the breasts), the periareolar incision (around the nipple), and the axillary incision (in the armpit). I have used all three many times, but studies indicate that the inframammary incision has a lower encapsulation rate, which is important. Therefore, I personally use the inframammary incision exclusively. Done properly, all described incisions should have no “stitch marks” and should be fairly inconspicuous when the scar is fully healed.

I have offered this procedure for many years. I offer the Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation Technique to patients opting for breast implants. The average length of the procedure without an uplift is one hour and thirty minutes. The initial downtime is only two to three days. This means my patients can have the procedure on a Thursday and return to work on Monday or Tuesday with no issues and little or no restrictions.

In Closure: 

If you are interested in speaking with us about your breast augmentation needs, please feel free to contact us at 912-354-4411. Also, check us out on Realself and feel free to inform yourself about Breast Enhancement Surgery. We offer a standard military discount of 20% Off the Surgeon fee and also have 12-month interest-free financing programs available to all who qualify. 

Our consultations are complimentary in Savannah, Georgia and in Bluffton, South Carolina. Click Here to schedule your appointment online.