Breast reconstruction is a personal decision that each breast cancer patient must consider carefully. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation about when, why, and how to reconstruct the breasts after a mastectomy. If you have questions about breast reconstruction, talk to Dr. Brantner about what’s right for you. In the meantime, we’re debunking a few of the most common myths about breast reconstruction.
4 Myths about Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction must take place immediately after a mastectomy. There’s no right time for breast reconstruction. Many women choose reconstruction immediately after their mastectomy, while others wait to finish radiation treatments or until they’re sure reconstruction is right for them. Breast reconstruction can be effective years after a mastectomy.
Radiation or chemotherapy makes breast reconstruction impossible. Radiation affects blood circulation and the elasticity of the skin, while chemotherapy may affect the timeline of breast reconstruction. These treatments can limit reconstruction options, but in most cases, they don’t disqualify patients from breast reconstruction. If you’ve undergone (or are currently undergoing) radiation or chemotherapy treatments, discuss your breast reconstruction options with Dr. Brantner.
Unnatural looking implants are the only option. Women who choose breast reconstruction have a variety of options, ranging from breast implants to breast reconstruction using body tissue. Thanks to surgical advancements, both options can result in natural looking breasts that help cancer survivors reclaim their confidence and sense of femininity.
It’s harder to detect breast cancer after reconstruction. Detection of breast cancer relies on a variety of factors, none of which breast reconstruction has been proven to affect. Ask Dr. Brantner which screening techniques and breast exams are best for after your reconstruction.
Although most patients have spent months or years considering the results of their breast augmentation, many feel both nerves and excitement in the weeks prior to surgery. It’s easy to doubt yourself, over prepare for life post-surgery, or bottle up concerns in an effort to carry on as normal. You’re in good hands with Dr. Brantner, but there are a few things you can do to make your breast rejuvenation easier.
3 Things NOT to Do Before a Breast Augmentation
Bite your tongue. Dr. Brantner has spent his career giving women beautiful, natural results. But every body is different. Talking to Dr. Brantner about your breast augmentation concerns doesn’t just soothe your fears; it also may affect your end results. Be open and honest with Dr. Brantner about your ideal look, your lifestyle, and any questions you may have about the surgery or healing process.
Go on a shopping spree. It’s tempting to hit your favorite stores for bigger bras, bust-enhancing shirts, and flattering work dresses in the weeks before your breast augmentation. It may seem like you’re saving time, but shopping before surgery usually leads to returns, returns, returns. There’s no telling exactly how clothes will fit your body after surgery. Breast implants settle over time, giving you a subtle different shape in month five than you had the week after surgery. You’ll also spend several weeks post surgery going braless to ensure a proper settling of the implants. Trust us, you’ll have plenty of time for shopping once you’ve healed.
Carry on as normal. In the weeks leading up to surgery, Dr. Brantner will give you a pre-surgical checklist to follow. He may adjust your medications, diet, or fitness routine in the weeks before your procedure. If you don’t follow his pre-op instructions, it may lead to complications during surgery or difficulty healing afterwards. But there are also day-to-day tasks to consider. Before surgery, most patients clean the house, schedule babysitters, and plan for other daily tasks they won’t be able to complete during recovery.
Have a question about recovering from breast augmentation surgery? Call Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Johnson City, TN.
A breast augmentation consultation is the time for you and your physician to sit down, get comfortable, and discuss your procedure. During a consultation, Dr. Brantner will explain the procedure, discuss the best way to achieve your goals, and answer any questions you may have about surgery or recovery. Dr. Brantner does his best to make each patient feel comfortable and knowledgeable during her consultation. You can make the surgical process even easier by learning these common breast augmentation terms.
Terms to Know: Breast Augmentation Edition
Areola: The pigmented ring of skin around the nipple.
Breast augmentation: Also known as augmentation mammaplasty or breast implant surgery, breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to enlarge the breasts. You may hear Dr. Brantner refer to this procedure as a “breast auggie” or simply “auggie.”
Breast implants: Medical devices placed in the chest wall to enlarge or reconstruct the breasts. Made of silicone or saline.
Saline implants: Implants filled with saltwater.
Silicone implants: Implants filled with elastic gel.
Submammary/subglandular placement: Breast implants placed behind the breast tissue and over the pectoral muscle.
Submuscular/subpectoral placement: Breast implants placed beneath the pectoral muscle.
General anesthesia: Drugs or gasses typically used during surgery to sedate a patient, relieve pain, or stimulate unconsciousness.
Local anesthesia: Drugs injected around the site of the operation to relieve pain.
Intravenous sedation: Sedatives injected into a vein through an IV to help patients relax.
Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.
Inframammary incision: An incision made beneath the fold of the breast.
Periareolar incision: An incision made around the nipple, just at the edge of the areola.
Transaxillary incision: An incision made in the armpit.
Sutures: Stitches used to hold together skin and tissue while the body repairs itself.
Call Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to schedule a consultation, request information about a procedure, or schedule your surgery.
For decades, breast implants have been the top cosmetic surgical procedure in the U.S. 286,000 breast augmentations were performed in 2014 alone. But despite its popularity, the world is full of misconceptions about breast enlargement surgery. Make a list of personal questions to ask your surgeon at your cosmetic consultation. To get you started, we’re answering 4 common questions about breast implants.
Top Questions about Breast Augmentation
Are breast implants safe? Breast implants are among the most studied medical devices in existence. After years of extensive research, the FDA has approved both saline and silicone breast implants for medical use.
How do I achieve the most natural results? A variety of factors must come together to give you your perfect breast implant. First, you must determine your ideal outcome. Saline implants are recommended for women under 22, but they may cause slight rippling under the skin, especially when placed over the muscle. Silicone implants give a more natural shape, but cost more than saline implants. Patients must also consider implant placement, scar placement, body type, and lifestyle before finding their perfect breast.
What Size Implant Do I Need? During your surgical consultation, Dr. Brantner will help you determine the right size breast implant for your surgery. He will measure your chest wall, shoulders, and current breast size to help you find your ideal breast size. Height, weight, body type, and desired results are also crucial factors in finding the right size implant. As with any surgery, optimal breast size is different for each patient. Dr. Brantner is here to help you find your best, most natural results.
Will You See My Scar? There are three sites you can choose for your incision: under the armpit, beneath the breast, and around the nipple. Every patient heals differently, but in most cases, the scars are small and easily concealed. Discuss the pros and cons of each scar placement with Dr. Brantner at your consultation.
Are you considering cosmetic breast enhancement surgery? Call Dr. Brantner’s office to schedule a consultation.
For decades breast augmentations have topped the charts for popular cosmetic surgery procedures. Breast augmentations are an easy way to improve self-confidence, especially in seasons when bulky sweaters don’t cover up a woman’s shape. Many women who dislike the naturally small size of their breasts know exactly what they need to boost self-image. Other patients flip through before/after pictures, surgical booklets, and blogs to determine which breast size, implant type, and scar position is right for them. If you’re considering a breast augmentation procedure this summer, here are a few things you need to know.
How to Prepare for Breast Augmentation Surgery
Book a consultation with Dr. Brantner
Choose the size, position (above or below the muscle), and type (silicone or saline) of your breast implants
Determine where you want your scar
Ask Dr. Brantner whether your medications need to be adjusted
Stop smoking and avoid ingesting blood thinners like aspirin, Vitamin E, or supplements like fish oil
Make an appointment at ETASC to get a blood test
Surgical Terms to Know
Augmentation mammaplasty or breast augmentation: The medical term for the process of enlarging the breasts through the insertion of silicone or saline implants.
Capsular contracture: A complication in a limited number of breast augmentation procedures. Scar tissue that normally forms around the implant may become firm, tightening around the implant.
General anesthesia: Drugs used to put patients to sleep during surgery.
Local anesthesia: Drug injected directly into the site of the incision to alleviate pain. (Dr. Brantner uses a unique application of local anesthesia that reduces pain for several days instead of only hours).
Inframammary incision: Incision below the curve of the breast.
Periareolar incision: Incision around the areola.
Transaxillary incision: An incision made in the armpit.
Saline implants: Breast implants filled with saltwater (saline implants have no complications if the implant ruptures).
Silicone implants: Breast implants filled with plastic gel (silicone implants have a reduced risk of implant rupture, but higher chance of complications if rupture occurs).
Submammary/subglandular placement: Breast implants placed beneath the breast tissue over the pectoral muscle.
Submuscular/subpectoral placement: Implants placed beneath the pectoral muscle (recommended by Dr. Brantner in most cases).
To determine if you’re a good candidate for breast augmentation surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Brantner.
As the weather warms many people stop thinking about short-term health goals and begin contemplating life changes. For many that means eating healthier, exercising regularly, and developing better habits. As the world starts thinking about swimsuit season, many people also start considering cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic breast lifts and augmentations are among the most popular cosmetic procedures for women in early spring. If you’re considering a breast rejuvenation procedure, read our 5 best blogs on cosmetic breast enhancement.
Everything You Need to Know about Breast Enhancement
Is a Breast Reduction Right for You? While breast augmentations get more press, innumerable women have improved their self-esteem with breast lift surgery. If you have large, sagging breasts that cause physical or emotional discomfort, breast lift surgery may be the body rejuvenation procedure for you.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Most women who decide to get breast implants learn that choosing a breast size isn’t as simple as it sounds. This guide to choosing a breast implant size offers helpful insights for making the decision.
Breast Implants (It’s All About Choices):Getting the body of your dreams isn’t all about breast size. If you’ve elected to have a breast augmentation you’ll need to decide the position of your scar and whether to place the implants above or beneath the pectoral muscles.
Breast Augmentation Myths: Debunked: In some social circles there’s a stigma attached to breast augmentation surgery. We examine the most pervasive myths about “boob jobs” and explain why they’re false.
Medical Myths About Breast Implants: Are you worried about the correlation between breast implants and cancer? Are you concerned you won’t be able to breastfeed after a breast augmentation? We address the most common medical misconceptions about breast enhancement in this blog.
If you’d like to learn more about cosmetic breast rejuvenation, contact Jim N. Brantner MD, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Breast reconstruction must take place immediately after a mastectomy. There’s no right time for breast reconstruction. Many women choose reconstruction immediately after their mastectomy, while others wait to finish radiation treatments or until they’re sure reconstruction is right for them. Breast reconstruction can be effective years after a mastectomy.
Augmentation mammaplasty or breast augmentation: The medical term for the process of enlarging the breasts through the insertion of silicone or saline implants.
