Serving the Santa Barbara Area with Breast Augmentation and Enlargement: FAQs about Breast Implants
Many of our Santa Barbara-area patients have questions about their breast augmentation or enlargement procedure. At Pacific Plastic Surgery, Dr. Douglas J. Mackenzie works to educate each of his patients about their cosmetic surgery procedure and answer all their questions before they undergo surgery. Because each patient is unique, it's important to have a consultation with Dr. Mackenzie at our Santa Barbara office to discuss your desires for breast augmentation. Contact Pacific Plastic Surgery today to schedule your appointment with our skilled plastic surgeon, Dr. Douglas J. Mackenzie, and find out if you are a candidate for breast enlargement. Learn more about the different types of breast enhancement surgeries on our breast augmentation page. Below you will find many common questions that our breast augmentation patients have prior to implant surgery.
- What types of breast implants are approved by the FDA?
- Are silicone gel implants safe?
- What is the difference between putting the implant above or below the muscle?
- What is a double bubble deformity and can it be corrected?
- What are the benefits to saline vs. silicone breast implants?
- What qualifies me for silicone breast implants?
- What is Mondor's Disease aka "Mondor's Cord"?
- How do I determine bra size and what factors are involved?
- Do I need antibiotics when I get my teeth cleaned?
- What is a pain pump?
- When can I go back to the gym after breast enlargement surgery?
- Can I breastfeed after having breast implant surgery?
- What does the warranty offer?
- What are Arnica and Bromelain?
- What if my breast implants leak?
- What is capsular contracture and how can it be fixed?
- What is "ptosis"?
- What is an inverted nipple repair?
- Why are some saline breast implants overfilled?
- Should I have my breast implants exchanged every 10 years?
- How long do breast implants last?
- Should I massage after breast enlargement surgery?
- Do you perform TUBA (transumbilical breast augmentation) and what are the incision locations?
- Which incision location is best for my breast enlargement procedure?
- Will it hinder the detection of breast cancer if I get breast implants?
- Who will administer anesthesia?
- How long will it take for implants to settle into position?
- Will having breast implants affect my health insurance coverage or eligibility?
1. What types of implants are approved by the FDA?
Both saline filled and gel/silicone implants.
2. Are silicone gel breast implants safe?
Yes. These implants are very popular world-wide and have been approved by the FDA.
3. What is the difference between putting breast implants above or below the muscle?
Above the muscle can reduce your recovery time, but disadvantages may include increased risk of rippling, implant edges more visible, increased risk of capsular contracture and more difficulty imaging your breast during a mammogram. Below the muscle usually gives a more natural result and may minimize your chance of a capsular contracture. However, it is more painful unless a pain pump is used. During your consultation at our Santa Barbara office, we will discuss your breast augmentation procedure, and your individual cosmetic goals to determine the placement of your breast implants.
4. What is a double-bubble deformity, and can it be corrected?
The double-bubble can occur with women who have sagging breasts, or a sharply defined fold under the breasts. The fold is usually lowered during breast augmentation surgery, but the "old" fold may still place a crease on the lower breast, thus creating a "double bubble" contour. A mild double-bubble usually resolves with time, but may need additional surgery to improve it. A breast lift (mastopexy) may prevent or treat the problem.
5. What are the benefits to saline vs. silicone breast implants?
Saline breast implants are filled with a saltwater solution similar to the fluid that makes up most of the human body. The incisions can be smaller and you will know when an implant ruptures as it will deflate and the fluid gets absorbed by the body. Gel implants are filled with silicone gel that typically gives a more natural feel resembling breast tissue. There is usually less wrinkling with gel implants.
Contact Pacific Plastic Surgery in Santa Barbara to discuss breast enlargement or augmentation with silicone or saline breast implants. Dr. Douglas Mackenzie will help you determine what type of breast implants will fit your individual needs.
6. What qualifies me for silicone breast implants?
You must be female and at least 22 years old.
7. What is Mondor's Disease, also known as "Mondor's Cord"?
A Mondor's Cord is a superficial inflammation of a vein(s) on the lower aspect of the breast, usually under the fold of the breast. It may occur in 1-2 percent of breast augmentation patients, frequently after an inframmamary incision. Fortunately, it is a self-limited problem that usually resolves with warm compresses after several weeks.
8. How do I determine bra size, and what factors are involved?
Dr. Mackenzie will take several measurements of your chest and breasts at the time of your consultation. You may also try on implants with a bra to see what size you like in your clothes. Height, weight, current bra size, and desired bra size are also important information. Dr. Mackenzie utilizes all of these factors when considering implant size to achieve your desired result.
9. Do I need antibiotics when I get my teeth cleaned?
No.
10. What is a pain pump?
A pain pump greatly reduces the post-operative discomfort after breast augmentation. The pain pump is placed during surgery. It is a small tube that comes out of each side of the breast and connects to a canister. It slowly drips an anesthetic or numbing agent into the pocket where the implant is placed. It is non-narcotic and minimizes your need for narcotic pain pills, which also minimizes your risk of nausea. The medication lasts 2½ to 3 days and is then removed during a short appointment at our office in Santa Barbara . After breast enlargement (augmentation) surgery, a pain pump can greatly improve your overall recovery experience.
11. When can I go back to the gym?
Three weeks after surgery you can begin working out again. We recommend starting slow with upper body weight lifting as you may still have some tenderness.
12. Can I breastfeed after having breast implant surgery?
Yes. You may have no problems breast feeding or may need to supplement your baby with formula. There is no way of knowing if supplementation would have been required even without the implants.
13. What does the breast implant warranty offer?
Mentor offers Lifetime Product Replacement Policy for ruptured breast implants in certain circumstances. There are other warranties that can be purchased through Mentor that offer up to $2,400 financial assistance for the operating room fees, surgeon fees and anesthesia. We will provide you with the warranty information during your visit.
14. What are Arnica and Bromelain?
Arnica is a homeopathic remedy designed to reduce the bruising and swelling that accompanies surgical and non-surgical procedures. Bromelain is a nutritional supplement with anti-inflammatory properties. We offer both of these products to all of our surgical patients free of charge.
15. What if my breast implants leak?
Additional surgery will be necessary to remove and/or replace the implant. The warranty may cover some or all of the expense.
16. What is capsular contracture, and how can it be fixed?
Capsular contracture is when the scar tissue or capsule that normally forms around an implant begins to tighten or squeeze the implant. It is more common when breast implants are placed above the muscle. Symptoms may include firmness, pain, distortion, or malposition of the implant. Surgery to remove the capsule tissue and replace the implant is usually needed.
At Pacific Plastic Surgery in Santa Barbara, Dr. Mackenzie is also experienced at revision breast augmentation surgery to improve the appearance of patients who have had breast enlargement in the past, and are unhappy with their results due to capsular contracture.
17. What is "ptosis"?
"Ptosis" is the medical name for sagging. In very minor cases only an implant is needed to improve the shape of the breast. Usually a breast lift (mastopexy) with or without breast implants is needed. There are different types of mastopexies that can be performed depending on the degree of ptosis.
18. What is an inverted nipple repair?
Some women have inverted nipples. This can be corrected in the office using local anesthetic or while in surgery if other procedures are being performed at the same time.
19. Why are some saline breast implants overfilled?
Only saline implants can be overfilled, and are actually designed to be overfilled within a certain range. This minimizes implant wrinkling and maximizes implant lifespan. The implant companies have recommended safe fill ranges for each size implant and will not void the warranty if filled within this range.
20. Should I have my breast implants exchanged every 10 years?
Generally, no. Breast implants may last for many years, but do not last forever. If the breast remains soft and shapely, and there is no indication of implant leak or rupture, they do not need to be replaced. Despite this, occasionally patients will want to exchange older implants to give them peace of mind that they will be less likely to have an implant rupture in the near future.
21. How long do breast implants last?
Breast implants are not considered life-long devices. You will most likely have another surgical procedure(s) on your breast which may include removing or exchanging the implants.
22. Should I massage after breast enlargement surgery?
Ask your surgeon. It is unique to each patient, and each surgeon's practice.
23. Do you perform TUBA (transumbilical breast augmentation), and what are the incision locations?
Dr. Mackenzie does not offer the TUBA procedure nor is it recommended by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The TUBA is not a scarless procedure – a scar is placed in the belly button, and ridging can occur in the upper abdomen. If a patient is adamant about avoiding scars on her breasts, the underarm (transaxillary) approach is a great option. At Pacific Plastic Surgery in Santa Barbara, breast augmentation and enlargement is only performed using approved surgical procedures.
24. Which incision location is best for my breast enlargement procedure?
Dr. Mackenzie offers several different incision options which include: under the armpit (axillary), under the fold of the breast (inframammary), around the brown part of the breast/areola (periareolar) or through the areola, and around the under side of the nipple like an upside-down hat (transareolar). You and Dr. Mackenzie will decide which incision is best for you. Saline implants often allow more options, as the implant is inserted empty, and therefore can go through a smaller incision.
25. Will it hinder the detection of breast cancer if I get breast implants?
You should get mammograms based on your age and family history. Your primary care provider should direct this, and certainly if you are due for one, should have it before surgery. Breast implants obscure a small amount of breast tissue from the mammogram, and additional views may be needed during mammography. It is important to tell the technician that you have implants.
26. Who will administer anesthesia?
Dr. Mackenzie only uses physicians who are board certified anesthesiologists.
27. How long will it take for implants to settle into position?
At least 3 months.
28. Will having breast implants affect my health insurance coverage or eligibility?
Health insurance policies vary widely, change frequently, and are often difficult to predict. It is best to ask your carrier.
Contact Pacific Plastic Surgery Today
If you live in the Santa Barbara area and are interested in breast augmentation or enlargement surgery, contact Dr. Douglas Mackenzie at Pacific Plastic Surgery today. We can answer all your questions about your surgery, and give you the beautiful results you desire.
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Contact our Santa Barbara office to learn more about breast enlargement and augmentation with FDA-approved silicone or saline breast implants.
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225 W. Pueblo St. Suite A
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
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