Category Archives: Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation, Breast Enlargement: “What about the muscle?”

Categories in: Breast Augmentation, Breast Procedures
Listed in Tags:Breast Augmentation, breast augmentation techniques, breast enlargement, breast enlargement techniques, breast implants, latest breast augmentation techniques, saline breast implants, silicone breast implants

Cosmetic breast enlargement or breast augmentation is done to give a women a more attractive, full, and larger shape to the breast. The operation has a very high success rate and is considered extremely safe. The operation is almost always done on an out-patient basis with a reasonably quick recovery. Women interested in the cosmetic operation often ask about “muscle work” or “the muscle” and this educational writing on breast augmentation will review this.

The chest of a women has a large flat fan shaped muscle called the pectorals major muscle beneath the breast. This is the large chest muscle you see in male body builders. This pectoralis muscle is the main muscle for breast enlargement. The serratis anterior muscle and the rectus abdominus muscles play a smaller role for breast surgery, but most of the focus is on the pectoralis muscle.

Breast implants are placed either beneath the pectoralis muscle or on top of it. Placing it beneath the muscle is called sub-muscular placement. Placing the breast implant on top of the muscle is called sub-glandular. This means beneath the breast- BUT on top of the muscle! Breast augmentation technique involves placing the implant in one of these two locations.

Most medical studies show superior results with placing the breast implants beneath the muscle. The muscle provides improved coverage and lower complications. Dr. Saunders emphasizes how the muscle and breast together are an important concept he calls “soft tissue coverage.”
“Soft tissue coverage” is all the muscle, breast, and skin that are covering the breast implant and “hiding” it. The more tissue or coverage that hides the breast implants- the better the result will be.

Imagine a women who naturally was as “flat as a board” and then gets extremely large breast implants. She now is at the beach! She will look fake, round, and not natural. Many people don’t want this result after breast augmentation surgery. She looks like this because she has poor “soft tissue coverage.” She has mainly “skin” covering the breast implants. She will also have a worse “feel” and a worse “look” to the breast with higher complications.

It is placing the implants beneath the muscle that gives us the most “soft tissue coverage” possible. Dr. Saunders tries to get the breast implants behind all the muscle possible that a women has on her chest. These breast augmentation techniques give the best results with the softest breast, most natural result, and lowest complications. Understanding the importance of the muscle is the key to understanding the latest breast augmentation techniques.

More info: Saline vs Silicone Breast Implants

Breast implants placed on top of the muscle sometimes is done. As far as breast enlargement techniques is concerned- this can be a mistake! It is not the first choice for location as described above. Higher complications can occur in this location. These problems might be seeing the breast implants (wrippling) or feeling the breast implants (palpability) more than normal or desired. Options include placing them beneath the muscle or switching to Silicone breast implants. Saline breast implants versus silicone breast implants is discussed in detail in another educational writing. You can link to this now. It is called – Breast Implants Saline or Silicone? For extra discussion- consultation is recommended in this situation.

People interested in breast augmentation cosmetic surgery or breast enlargement cosmetic surgery or other topics such as breast augmentation cost, breast augmentation recovery, or breast augmentation technique should please call the office for an appointment. Dr. Saunders will review your breast surgery with you in detail!

Dr. Saunders is a board certified plastic surgeon who practices exclusively cosmetic surgery. Please check out the breast enlargement before and after photos on our web site. Also, please come in for a complimentary consultation to learn about your choices and options!

Click here to visit our Breast Augmentation photo gallery.

Breast Augmentation, Breast enlargement: What is settling?

Categories in: Breast Augmentation, Breast Procedures
Listed in Tags:Breast Augmentation, breast augmentation dropping, breast augmentation settling, breast enlargement, breast implants drop and fluff, breast implants dropping, breast implants settle, breast implants settling

Cosmetic breast augmentation or breast enlargement is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures done each years! Statistics by the American Society of Plastic Surgery show that this operation is in the top three almost every year. Results and patient satisfaction is usually very high with cosmetic breast surgery.

However, women need to understand that it is not an operation where the breast implants are placed and “presto-chango” you wake up with perfect breasts. It takes time for healing to occur- and that is what this writing will focus on. Breast augmentation or breast enlargement involves putting breast implants behind the muscle. They are almost always placed there. The muscle is the pectoralis muscle predominantly, but also the serratis on the side to a lesser degree.

The placement of breast implants behind the muscle is called sub-muscular breast augmentation or breast enlargement. The muscle provides soft-tissue coverage and improved results. However, the space behind the muscle is very tight at first and it takes time for this space to stretch out.

This process or “stretching” is commonly referred to as breast implant dropping, breast implant settling, and or breast implant drop and fluff! These are layman terms for the changes that occur after this cosmetic breast operation. This stretching out of the muscle does take time- a short period of time usually but sometimes several months or even longer. Most people however can look good in just a couple of weeks! This is true especially in clothing or swim suits, but undressed it can be seen longer.

This process of breast augmentation settling is gradual, because it takes time for the muscles to stretch out and relax. It is similar to the slow changes that happen to the abdominal muscles with pregnancy. However, getting stretch marks in the skin with breast implants is exceedingly rare but more common with pregnancy.

During this process of breast enlargement settling, the breasts will gradually change and soften. The shape and appearance changes also. The breasts tend to slowly look more round and natural. It takes time, so be patient! Sometimes the breasts even look bigger as the muscle relaxes and the implants “come out.”

Breast enlargement settling gradually occurs and the implants “drop” during this process. When this happens the nipple comes down. It might seem unusual but breast implant settling or breast implant dropping occurs inside. So as the breast implant drops- the nipple moves up! This is extremely normal! When breast implants settle this is what happens.

Breast augmentation recovery or breast enlargement recovery has two phases. The first phase is the short period around the actual operation. This is the part unfortunately where pain is involved. However, Dr. Saunders uses a “Pain-Buster” to really decrease this and help make it as pain free as possible. The second phase of breast augmentation recovery is this slow stretching of the tissue and muscle that is called breast enlargement dropping or breast augmentation settling.

This second phase does take time as described above but usually there is no real pain with this phase! Breast massage or breast implant displacement are stretching maneuvers that are done to speed up the breast implant dropping. Dr. Saunders has a breast implant massage technique video that shows this in detail. He also has another educational writing that talks about and explains breast implant massage in detail.

People interested in breast augmentation or breast enlargement or other topics such as breast augmentation cost, breast augmentation recovery, or breast augmentation technique should please call the office for an appointment.

Dr. Saunders is a board certified plastic surgeon who practices exclusively cosmetic surgery. Please check out the breast augmentation before and after photos on our web site. Also, please come in for a complimentary consultation to learn about your choices and options!

Click here to visit our Breast Augmentation photo gallery

Breast Augmentation Massage or Breast Enlargement Massage

Categories in: Breast Augmentation, Breast Procedures

What is breast augmentation or breast enlargement massage? What is this, and what does it have to do with cosmetic breast implants?

Breast augmentation massage is also called implant displacement. It is a series of maneuvers or techniques to move the implants around inside the body. The purpose is to help the breasts heal and soften after surgery and to minimize scarring in the future. This will be discussed in more detail below.

The first purpose of breast enlargement massage is to help the breasts heal and soften after cosmetic breast surgery. The tissue and muscle on top of the breast implants will be swollen and “tight” after surgery. This tissue will gradual soften and stretch over time. The swelling will also gradually resolve as part of breast augmentation recovery. Massage will help this stretching thru physical movement and range of motion of the implant. Massge will also help with swelling by incresased lymphatic drainage.

The second purpose of breast augmentation massage after surgery is to help minimize scarring in the future. This is called capsular contracture or “hardening of the implants.” The idea is that breast augmentation massage after surgery will minimize this from occurring- like stretching will minimize stiff joints.

It has been shown in medical studies of breast augmentation that the implant placed beneath the muscle leads to lower levels of scar tissue formation. It is thought that the muscle might get “internally” massaged as the muscle contracts to decrease scar formation! Massage done by the patient is also believed to decrease this scar tissue from occurring.

Breast implant massage or breast implant massage exercises are recommended by Dr. Saunders after cosmetic breast surgery. During breast augmentation recovery, you will be shown how this is done. It is a two step process. The first is “pushing” from the sides and the second is “pinching” from the top. Both parts are held for a minute or so and then repeated multiple times. The whole process of breast implant massage technique is repeated several times in the day. Please see Dr. Saunders video on breast implant massage technique that shows exactly how the breast augmentation massage is done!

People will ask, “How long should I do massage? When should I stop?” Breast massage is recommended to be done essentially forever! This might sound hard but it is not. Once the breasts have softened, massage can be simplified. Usually it is done just once a day for a minute or two. During a person’s daily shower is a good time this can be performed. It is maintained to minimize scar tissue formation.

Doing regular breast augmentation massage after surgery does not guarantee that a person will not get capsular contracture. It is done to decrease the chance!

If a patient has breast implants and a breast lift, the instructions for the breast augmentation massage technique might be different to allow for better healing. Dr. Saunders will review this with you personally.

Breast Implants Saline or Silicone?

Categories in: Breast Augmentation, Breast Procedures

When women are considering cosmetic breast augmentation, they have a choice about breast implants. There are two main breast implants to choose from with breast enlargement: Saline breast implants and Silicone breast implants. It is important to learn the difference about these breast implants and this is the purpose of this educational writing.

Many women ask, “Which implants are best?- breast implants saline vs silicone?” First, it is important to understand that one breast implant is not better than the other! Silicone breast implants are not “better” than saline breast implants or vice versa. There are choices and options. Think of it more like picking your favorite favor. It is not wrong or right. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types. It is important to learn about both to make the best choice!

Saline breast implants are filled with saline. Saline is the medical word for salt water. Humans are about 70% salt water. The implant shell can be thought of as a “plastic bag.” The bag holds the saline. It is, however, an expensive and extensively studied bag! A women who chooses saline breast augmentation for her cosmetic breast enlargement essentially is picking a salt water filled “balloon” that is very natural in shape and feel.

Silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel. The silicone is a “gelatin” and not an oil that was used in older and out-dated silicone implants in the past. The breast implants silicone gel is sometimes just referred to as “gel” implants. This still means silicone breast implants. These implants are also commonly referred to as “cohesive”, “gummy-bear”, or “gel” implants. They are all silicone breast implants that are FDA approved. The “bag” holding the silicone is the same as for saline breast implants.

Neither silicone breast implants or saline breast implants cause disease. This is a frequent worry of women choosing breast implants. Many people lean towards saline because they heard something about silicone causing disease. Dr. Saunders was the principle investigator of the silicone research study at Christiana Care Hospital System. This study was part of the national study examining silicone breast implants.

The conclusion of the FDA study was that silicone implants are extremely safe and do not cause disease! They were taken off the market for almost 15 years to study the safety! After this extensive review they are again available. It is Dr. Saunders’ opinion that silicone implants or breast implants silicone gel are one of the most extensively studied medical products in medical history!

Dr. Saunders does not “push” one breast implant over another. He believes it is a choice. He wants his patients to choose the best breast implant for their breast augmentation that they want and feel most comfortable with!!

SALINE:

Remember, it is a choice (not wrong or right) when picking your breast implants for breast enlargement surgery. Saline implants have the advantage of being psychologically safer because they are salt water. They also are placed with the smallest incision, because they are empty and filled after being placed at surgery. They feel like a water balloon, so they are not as soft and natural as silicone breast implants. Saline implants are natural, extremely safe, feel wonderful to most patients, and give outstanding results frequently.

SILICONE:

Remember, it is a choice (not wrong or right) when picking your breast implants for cosmetic breast augmentation surgery. Silicone breast implants are totally safe, have FDA backing , do not cause disease, and have been used and studied for more than 40 years! They require a slightly larger incision than saline breast implants because they are pre-filled. They are more expensive than saline breast implants. Silicone breast implants are the most natural breast implants for feel and appearance. The FDA recommends MRI’s periodically to follow them.

Summary of the advantages and disadvantages:

Saline:
1- Filled with a natural salt water
2- Less expensive- saline breast implants cost vs silicone
3- Requires the smallest incision to place
4- Slightly less natural feel and appearance than silicone

Silicone:
1- Filled with silicone gel
2- More expensive – breast implants silicone cost vs saline
3- Requires a slightly bigger incision to place
4- More natural feel and appearance
5- MRI recommended periodically by FDA

People interested in saline or silicone breast implants, or breast augmentation cosmetic surgery or breast enlargement cosmetic surgery or other topics such as breast augmentation cost, breast augmentation recovery, or breast augmentation technique should please call the office for an appointment. Dr. Saunders will review your breast surgery with you in detail! He will help you figure out which breast implant is best for you!

Choosing Breast Implant Size in Delaware — Do Your Homework!

Categories in: Breast Augmentation, Breast Procedures
Listed in Tags:Breast Augmentation, Breast Enlargement before and after photos, Breast Implant Size, do your homework

Cosmetic breast augmentation or breast enlargement is a fantastic plastic surgery procedure with high satisfaction and results! Once a women has decided on proceeding with her breast augmentation, it is time to decide on breast implant size. This is an extremely important part of the process before breast enlargement surgery or cosmetic breast enhancement. It also is one of the fun parts of your surgery!

Dr. Saunders uses the term “Do Your Homework” because effort is important. For anyone who has children, you know that effort, when doing your homework, is important, or you don’t learn as much. Dr. Saunders tells his Delaware plastic surgery patients and his Pennsylvania plastic surgery patients to put maximal effort into their homework to get the best results. Picking your size for breast augmentation is extremely important and fun, and Dr. Saunders will work closely with you to help you find the right size for you.

“Homework” has two parts. The first is photographs, and the second is the “Rice Test.” Photographs can help a patient choose breast implant size before breast augmentation surgery. Patients should look at Playboy, the Internet , or Dr. Saunders’ web page. Look for women who you think have the size you like. Pick three or four different pictures or women, as we are looking for consistency. We don’t want someone to hope for a C cup and bring in photos of Dolly Parton, who is obviously much bigger. This would not be consistent. Finding this out before surgery allows us to make changes that will increase our chances of getting the perfect size after breast enlargement surgery. The pictures can also be found on the Internet or Dr. Saunders web page in the breast augmentation before and after photos section. Dr. Saunders also has a video on his web page that can help you with the different sizes and choices for you.

When looking at the photos, do not get misled by the models statistics saying she is a particular bra size and she looks like a different cup size. It is extremely common for the women to look like a natural C cup, yet say she wears a D cup. Many bras run small, like Victoria’s Secret. Do not let this confuse you. The goal of surgery is to like your breast size with no bra on. You then will find a bra that fits. This bra might have a different letter cup. Many bras run small as described. Manufacturers of bras tremendously vary. You can be a C cup at one store, a D cup at another, and a B cup at a third. To repeat, the goal of a cosmetic breast augmentation procedure is for the patient to be happy with no bra on! After healing we can find a bra that fits, but the cup size might vary from one bra to another.

The Rice Test is the second part of “Doing Your Homework.” Rice bags are made and stuffed in your bra. Take an old pair of stockings and cut them off six inches above the ankle. Pour dry rice in to the stocking and tie a loose knot. Wear a sports bra with no padding or under-wire. Use one for each breast. Press the bags flat and try and shape them like a breast, so they look natural. Try on different outfits with them on. Take out the rice bags and add more rice to each side. Keep trying more and more rice until you find the best size for you!! When you are done, pour the rice into a measuring cup and measure the rice. Use the metric scale if your measuring cup has it. The “Rice Test” is a volume test. We are looking for the volume of rice added to your breast that makes you happy.

Dr. Saunders uses five different factors or variables to help you pick your implant size before your breast enlargement procedure. The first two are the photos and the “Rice Test” results. The third factor is your precise measurements done by Dr. Saunders on your examination, including your breast base diameter and breast height. The final two factors are your desires and goals as a patient and Dr Saunders’ opinion to help you achieve these goals. By putting all these variables together, his patients have extremely high satisfaction rates from his after cosmetic breast augmentation.

Dr. Saunders is a board certified plastic surgeon who practices exclusively cosmetic surgery in Delaware and Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Please check out the breast enlargement before and after photos on our web site. Also, please come in for a complimentary consultation to learn about your choices and options!