What is the appropriate age range for a breast augmentation procedure?
You need to be 18 years old to have a saline implant procedure and 22 years old to have silicone. Other than that, you can be any age, subject to your health. Dr. Lipton has performed breast augmentation of patients in their 70’s.
Does Dr. Lipton place the implant over or under the muscle?
Dr. Lipton can place your implants either beneath the pectoral muscle of the chest or on top of this muscle. Implants placed beneath the muscle tend to look more natural. The difference in appearance between saline and silicone is virtually imperceptible to detect when your implante is placed under the muscle.
Also, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, when implants are placed under the muscle, the implants have a significantly lower incidence of capsular contracture (where a shell of scar tissue forms around the implant and tightens over time).
On the other hand, your recovery is somewhat easier when implants are placed atop the chest muscle. However, if there isn’t adequate breast tissue, a saline implant placed above the muscle can lead to rippling, which can be noticeable over the muscle. For a variety of reasons, body builders may choose placement over the muscle. If so, silicone implants are usually recommended.
Dr. Lipton and your Breast Enhancement Consultant will discuss implacement options with you at your Signature Consult.
How Long Will My Breast Implants Last?
With today’s advanced implants (silicone and saline) made by the either of the two major manufacturers, Allergan and Mentor, most individuals can likely expect your implants will last a lifetime. This is why the manufacturers now offer lifetime warranties.
In the uncommon event of a rupture or deflation, you will simply schedule an implant replacement procedure. The manufacturer of the implant typically supplies your replacement implant at no cost to you per your warranty (with some limitations): Allergan Breast Implant Warranties
Is there a warranty?
The implants (both saline & silicone) have a lifetime warranty (with some limitations): Allergan Breast Implant Warranties
What are the risks of Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift or Breast Reduction procedures?
Like any surgery, there are many potential risks. Most are very rare, particularly with an experienced surgeon. The most common risks include:
Breast implant leakage or rupture: If your implants ever deflate or rupture, they can be replaced. Manufactures provide the replacement implant at no charge to you (with some limitations): Allergan Breast Implant Warranties
Breast Pain: Some pain after your procedure is expected. Pain is typically transient, meaning it will go away with time.
Infection: In any surgery procedure, infection is a possibility. Infection is typically treated with antibiotics until the infection disappears. I rare instances, the implant may need to be removed and replaced, after being treated with medication including antibiotics.
Loss of nipple or breast sensation: This is almost always transient, meaning sensation returns with time.
Encapsulation: hardening of the pocket around the implant. Encapsulation is the result of excess scar tissue forming around the implant. If encapsulation occurs, it may now be treated successfully with ultrasound, or the implant can be removed and replaced. Either method may be combined with antibiotics in some instances.
What Happens If My Breast Implant Ruptures or Deflates?
First of all, ruptures and deflations are not common. With today’s advanced implants made by the either of the two major manufacturers, Allergan and Mentor, most individuals can likely expect your implants will last a lifetime.
However, in the uncommon event of a rupture or deflation, you will simply schedule an implant replacement procedure. The manufacturer of the implant typically supplies your replacement implant at no cost to you per your warranty (with some limitations): Allergan Breast Implant Warranties.
Silicone: If a silicone implant ruptures, silicone may leak into the breast pocket, but it tends to stay either in or next to the implant. One of the downsides of silicone implants is you may not realize for a while if one of your implants has ruptured. This is one of the reasons that silicone implant manufacturers such as Allergan suggest you have periodic mammograms.
In most cases, it is a relatively simple part of your replacement procedure to extract the extruded portion of your implant. Infrequently, if the ruptured implant has gone unnoticed for a while, then the extraction process can be a bit more involved. More often, even if time has elapsed, the extraction portion of the procedure is routine.
Saline: If a saline implant deflates, your body simply absorbs and expels the saline water. You will notice it almost immediately. The saline replacement procedure is routine.
What if I am pregnant or breast feeding?
If you are pregnant or breast feeding you will need to wait around 6 months until you have had your child and completed lactating.
Where will my surgery be performed?
Your surgery will be performed at Dr. Lipton’s fully accredited, Texas-USA licensed ambulatory surgery center in the north Dallas Suburb of Lewisville, Texas, USA. The facility is adjacent to the practice and conveniently located 20 minutes from DFW International Airport, next to Interstate 35. It is across the street from the Medical City Hospital Complex.
For patients who prefer to have their procedure performed at a hospital, for an additional fee Dr. Lipton also performs plastic surgery procedures at nearby Medical City and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospitals.
Do I need a driver? Uber?
On the day of your procedure, you need a driver to take you home or to your hotel who will stay with you overnight. You cannot Uber home or to your hotel for safety reasons.
How long is a breast augmentation or lift procedure?
While the procedure may take 1 – 2 hours, you will normally be at the surgery center for around 3 – 4 hours. Step 1 of your lift procedure can take an hour or two more.
Will I be asleep during the surgery?
Yes, we use general anesthesia because in almost all procedures the implants are placed under the muscle. Best results are achieved when your body and muscles are relaxed and not tensing. Therefore, we use general anesthesia so that your body is calm and relaxed.
We also use long-lasting local anesthesia which does not have anything to do with sleeping, but the local anesthesia increases comfort for several hours after surgery to help your body heal faster. Many surgeons do not do this in order to make the procedure shorter and less expensive for the surgeon. We do.
Is there bruising?
Dr. Lipton’s breast patients seldom have any significant bruising. His gentle nature in surgery helps minimize bruising and hasten healing. Any bruising will typically last a few days to a couple weeks depending on how bruises normally last on a particular patient in general.
Patients who are worried about bruising may drink a little pineapple juice a few days before and for a few days after the procedure. Arnica Montana crème may help with any residual bruising too. It can be applied to the bruised area for a couple days after your procedure. Arnica can be purchased over the counter at most drug stores.
What is the downtime? When can I resume activities?
Recovery from breast augmentation surgery is not as difficult as you might think. For the first few days, you will have some discomfort, but it doesn’t usually require serious pain medication.
Your chest will likely feel tight, but this is perfectly normal as the tissue needs to stretch and the implants need to settle into place. When you first look at your new breasts, they may appear too high on the chest. But this is also normal, as settling will bring the implants down somewhat.
Most patients can return to work in just four or five days. You can begin non-impact activity in a week or so, but impact exercise needs to wait for at least one month. Wait 4 weeks to do things like jogging, treadmill, Stairmaster, elliptical and swimming.
Upper body exercises like weightlifting can typically resume in six weeks. You should also wait at least 6 weeks to participate in sports or recreation that might result in high impact to your breasts. So, hold off on skiing, mountain climbing, rugby, tennis, diving into a pool and other activities that might result in high impact.
