Cincinnati Plastic Surgery Specialists in Breast Augmentation
Thank you for considering UC Health Plastic Surgery for your plastic surgery procedure. We offer a safe, comfortable atmosphere in our modern, state-of-the-art facility located in West Chester, Ohio, convenient to both Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. We offer a friendly staff of nurses and administrative support to help with your scheduling issues and questions.
What is Augmentation Mammoplasty?
The size and shape of the breasts can be enhanced through a breast augmentation procedure, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty. Breast augmentation is a very commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure that can enhance the body contour of women who feel that their breast size is too small or have lost breast volume due to weight loss or following pregnancy. Using saline or silicone implants, the bustline can be increased by one or more bra cup sizes. Breast augmentation can also add symmetry to breasts that are moderately disproportionate in size and shape, or have lost their firmness. If the breasts have been removed or disfigured by surgery to treat breast cancer, this procedure can improve breast appearance or create the appearance of a breast. Adult women of any age can undergo this procedure if they are in good overall health. However, a woman’s breasts should be fully developed prior to receiving breast implants. Women who plan to have children and breast feed should discuss this with their plastic surgeon because breast augmentation surgery may impact the ability to breast feed, and changes are likely to occur to the breasts as a result of pregnancy and childbirth.
Procedure Benefits
- Enhance the size and shape of the breasts
- Increase the bustline by one or more bra sizes
- Add symmetry to breasts
- Improve appearance of disfigured breasts
- Create the appearance of a breast if missing
Private Consultation
After you and your plastic surgeon discuss your needs and expectations, you will select an appropriate implant type and size for your body shape and existing breast tissue. Your surgeon will evaluate your overall health to ascertain that you are able to undergo this procedure. You should be prepared to discuss your complete medical history, including previous procedures and any medications you are taking (including vitamins). If your breasts are sagging, your surgeon may also recommend a breast lift. You will also discuss the cost of the procedure, keeping in mind that most insurance companies do not consider breast augmentation to be medically necessary and will not cover the cost of this procedure.
Preparation
Your surgeon may require that you have a mammogram (breast x-ray) before your surgery. After you schedule a surgery date, you will also make an appointment for pre-admission testing and a physical exam. The surgery should take place within 2 weeks after the results have been returned. If you have a medical condition such as high blood pressure, it must be controlled before you can undergo this procedure. For at least two weeks prior to surgery, you must stop taking any blood-thinning medications and herbal supplements. You will receive guidelines on eating and drinking, taking vitamins and medications, and smoking. Smoking should be stopped 2-3 months before the operation because it reduces the blood supply to your breast tissue. In fact, some surgeons will refuse to perform elective surgery on smokers due to this risk. You should arrange for someone to drive you home from our Cincinnati officces after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if needed.
Procedure Overview
The procedure is performed in 2-3 hours as an outpatient surgery in our surgical facility in West Chester. You will receive general anaesthesia or a combination of local and regional anaesthesia. The surgeon will make an incision either right below the breast, around the nipple, or in the armpit. The surgeon then creates a pocket right behind the breast tissue or behind the pectoral muscle on top of the chest wall, and the implant is inserted (and filled if using a saline implant). After placement of the implant, the incisions are closed and a gauze bandage is applied. The scars are located in areas where they are most inconspicuous and can be easily hidden by clothing.
Recovery and Healing Time
Typical recovery time after breast augmentation is 3-4 weeks. A contouring garment or bra is often used for a few days to help reduce swelling, which may last for 3-5 weeks. Pain is controlled with prescription medications, but most patients are comfortable with over-the-counter medications or do not even require pain medication after a few days. You may experience a burning sensation in your nipples for a week or two. The dressings will be removed in a few days and your stitches will be removed in 7-10 days. You should be able to return to work and social activities in a few days. You may engage in light exercise in about 2-3 weeks, and vigorous exercise a week or two after that, but physical contact with the breasts should be avoided for a month after surgery. The scars will be firm and pink for several months, but they will begin to fade substantially over time (up to a year). You may notice that the implants seem high at first, but they will settle over the next month or two. It may take between 12-18 months before the scars reach their final form. During that period, you should protect the scars from overexposure to the sun by using high SPF sunscreens, or the scars could become permanently dark. Routine mammograms should be continued, using a special technique to ensure a reliable reading.
Procedure Risks
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Redness
- Infection
- Scarring
- Difficulties in breast-feeding
- Increase or decrease in sensitivity of nipples or breast skin
- Numbness
- Stretch marks
- Asymmetry (between sides)
- Implant failure/deflation
UC Health Plastic Surgery in West Chester, has three nationally recognized Cincinnati plastic surgeons.
Located north of Cincinnati, we serve West Chester, Mason, Loveland, Indian Hill and the rest of Greater Cincinnati and Dayton for all of their plastic surgery procedure needs.
