Breast Augmentation Candidates

Is Breast Enlargement for You? Information from Our Minnesota Cosmetic Surgery Professionals

Free breast enlargement consultations with our board-certified (American Board of Plastic Surgery) surgeons are available to answer all of your cosmetic breast surgery questions. For some women, breast lift surgery with or without implants may give a superior result; consultations at Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, Ltd., give our patients the opportunity to speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon about their specific breast anatomy and cosmetic goals.

Candidates for Breast Enlargement

Some women who choose breast enlargement do so to restore breast volume lost as a result of pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or aging. Others request this outpatient operation to improve symmetry in breasts that have never matched in size, and many women simply seek the improvement in self-image or clothing fit that fuller breast size gives them.

Whatever the reason for requesting information about this operation, you must understand that this operation is appropriate for you if and only if:

• You have realistic expectations regarding potential risks vs. benefits.
• Your breast development is complete (for younger women).
• You have decided to undergo this operation to feel better about yourself, not to live up to the expectations of anyone else.
• You are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Basic Breast Enlargement Facts

At Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, our goal is to provide a thorough understanding of breast augmentation surgery. As leading Minnesota plastic surgeons specializing exclusively in cosmetic surgery, our doctors have the complete surgical training, board-certification (American Board of Plastic Surgery), and over 35 years of combined experience to help you understand facts and fallacies regarding breast enlargement surgery.

• Breast implants do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
• Mammography and breast self-examination can be performed on augmented breasts.
• Skillfully augmented breasts both look and feel normal in the majority of women.
• Breast implants do not harden, nor do they automatically need replacement after ten years.
• Nipple sensation and the ability to breast-feed are preserved in most patients.
• Breast implants (both silicone gel and saline) do not cause or increase the risk of developing arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, or connective tissue diseases.
• Saline implant leakage and deflation is uncommon and can be dealt with when it does occur.
• Silicone gel implants are now available for use in first-time breast enlargement patients over the age of 22. They are “cohesive” and cannot deflate.

Your Breast Enlargement Consultation

Any patient considering breast enlargement with implants must have a personal consultation, during which cosmetic goals and concerns will be discussed with Dr. Richard H. Tholen or Dr. Douglas L. Gervais at our Minneapolis, Minnesota office. Many of our patients who do not live within driving distance of the Minneapolis / St. Paul area arrange for a breast enlargement consultation and surgical procedure during the same visit. Our staff can help you with arrangements for local lodging, postoperative care and assistance, if desired, and follow-up arrangements. A complete medical and surgical history will be obtained from all patients interested in breast enlargement or breast implants. This should include information about previous surgeries or allergies to any medications. You must inform your surgeon of all prescription or over-the-counter medications, including herbal, vitamin, nutritional supplements, and appetite suppressants. Some of these can interfere with proper blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding after surgery. Breast enlargement patients must avoid aspirin or ibuprofen-containing products, Aleve™, additional vitamin E (the dose in a single daily multivitamin is acceptable), and any herbal remedies for a full two weeks before and after surgery.

Your pregnancy, breastfeeding, and mammographic history are important, as is the physical examination of your breasts, nipple-areola position, measurements, and skin and muscle tone. Mild to moderate ptosis (breast droop or sagging of the skin caused by loss of breast volume after pregnancy or breastfeeding, and normal to slightly low nipple-areola position) can usually be corrected with implants alone (standard breast augmentation). If the ptosis is more severe, or if nipple position is below the inframammary crease, a breast lift (mastopexy) procedure will likely be necessary. After examination, your surgeon will determine the exact type of breast lift that will be necessary and explain the additional incisions and resultant permanent scars that are involved. Breast lift surgery (with or without implants) requires additional operating time, incisions, and cost, but can correct more severe drooping or sagging of the breast skin, as well as raise nipple position. This is done without removal of the nipple-areola complex (though there is a scar around the areola to reposition it higher on the chest). This type of breast lift can preserve both sensation and ability to breast feed in about 85 percent of patients undergoing this procedure. Other conditions such as nipple inversion, tuberous breasts, significant asymmetry, Poland's syndrome, or problems from prior surgery (implant malposition, bottoming out, symmastia, or capsular contracture), can be corrected or improved.

Whether you are seeking breast enlargement or other procedures at our Minnesota practice, our Minneapolis / St. Paul cosmetic surgery professionals provide complimentary consultations. To schedule your consultation with our plastic surgeons, please contact Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, Ltd.

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