Breast Augmentation

Do you ever wish that your breasts were larger, fuller or shapelier? Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure that uses breast implants to enlarge and shape the breasts. First you will have a personal consultation with Dr. Carli. During this meeting, Dr. Carli will assess your physical and emotional health and discuss your specific cosmetic goals.

Dr. Carli will help you understand the factors that may affect your results. As part of the consultation, your breasts will be examined and perhaps photographed for your medical record. During the physical exam, Dr. Carli will consider the size and shape of your breasts, chest and the quality of your skin as well as the placement of your nipples and areolas. A baseline mammography before surgery will be done to detect any future changes in your breast tissue.

The technique used for your surgery depends not only on Dr. Carli's preferences, but also on your desired results.

A small incision is made in one of 3 locations underneath the breast just above the crease, around the lower edge of the areola, or within the armpit. Once the incision is made, Dr. Carli creates a pocket where the implant is inserted. This pocket is made either directly behind the breast tissue or beneath the pectoral muscle. Most women today receive saline filled breast implants - silicone rubber shells that are filled with sterile salt water. In the unlikely event that a saline implant leaks, the body harmlessly absorbs the saltwater.

As with any cosmetic surgery there are some possible risks and complications, so you must fully understand the risks as well as the benefits of the procedure.

Breast augmentation will be performed at Dr. Carli's Outpatient Surgery Center and you will be able to go home the same day with a ride. You will have general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep through the surgery. You will emerge from surgery wearing a support bra with dressings. After surgery, you will rest in the recovery area where you will be closely monitored until you are ready to go home.

The first few days after surgery, you will be up and around but you will have some discomfort. Dr. Carli will prescribe pain medication to help with the discomfort. Although everyone heals at a different rate, you can generally use your arms minimally for the first week. At 2 weeks you can resume most normal activities and 3 weeks before resuming strenuous activities such as weight lifting and aerobics. After a few weeks most of the swelling has subsided and you will start to see your final results, although, it takes at least 3 months for your muscle to stretch and the implants to settle.

Ultrasound Treatment

An ultrasound treatment is offered to all breast augmentation patients. This treament helps minimize scar tissue formation following the insertion of the breast implants. It is done in the Doctor's office, and starts between five to ten days post-operatively. The treatment last approximately 20 minutes, and is done 2 times per week for three weeks for a total of 6 sessions, unless otherwise specified by Dr. Carli. This technique is performed as a complimentary adjunct to your surgery.

Unitl a few years ago, it was felt that massaging the breasts after breast agumentation could minimize the scar tissue formation. Studies nowadays have proven tot he contrary that massaging is not helpful and in some cases cause more trauma to the tissue, i.e., more scar tissue formation.