Breast implants make small breasts larger. They may but do not necessarily improve their shape. Breasts made larger by implants may have the same tendency to droop and sag as the same size breasts without implants. Drooping and sagging breast sometimes, however, can be corrected partially with implants.

Full, shapely breasts can make any woman feel more feminine, beautiful, and secure. We believe that every woman deserves to love her body; that's why we have mastered the art of breast augmentation at our offices in Oklahoma City. Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure designed to increase and enhance the size and shape of a woman's breast. The end result is a more curvaceous, sexy bust line and a natural, sculpted look.

• Q. How is the procedure done?

  The operation consists of developing a pocket behind the breast tissue. An implant is placed in this area between the breast and the chest wall or beneath the muscle behind the breast. The implant thrusts the breast forward, but it is not actually within the breast tissue. The most common way to gain access to the area behind the breast in our office is through an incision approximately two inches long in the axilla (armpit). The size of the implant to be used is determined by the amount of the existing breast tissue that you have and by your height, weight and general body stature. There is probably no greater tendency to develop cysts or lumps in breasts with implants than without. Implants are not known to cause cancer at the present time, although, the use of implants have been known to cause cancer in certain animals. For unknown reasons, the incidence of breast cancer, according to most studies, is less after one has had breast implants.

• Q. Where is the operation done?

  This operation is done in our office surgical suite as an outpatient surgical procedure. You will be given local anesthetic with heavy sedation and you will have no pain whatsoever during the procedure. Generally there is little risk in the use of local anesthesia with sedation. However, in some cases, there can be a reaction. Local anesthesia is safer than general anesthesia. You will be sent home (or to your hotel, if from out of town) a short time after the operation with supervision and postoperative instructions.

• Q. What may I do after the surgery?

  For the first few days you must rest and relax. You will be wearing a jog bra without under wiring, which will be provided for you at my office. You may sit or lie on your back or either side. You may be up to the bathroom and for meals. There should be no housework at all for the first two full days. It is important to be cool and calm. Avoid overheating and excitement of any kind during this period of time to eliminate the possibility of accidental injury or bruising. You may raise the arms above the shoulders as needed after the first day. A shower can be taken after the first full day. Passive sexual activity may be resumed on the second day but no vigorous activity for at least one week. You should wear the recommended bra most of the time in the first week. Sutures will be removed in 7-10 days. The time for your next return appointments will be the first day after surgery, then approximately one week later and then on an as needed basis. I will determine the time of the appointments after the first two weeks and you must understand that these appointments must be kept. You will receive follow-up evaluation and instructions at no charge. Most of the discomfort will be over after the first two or three days; however, you may have some tenderness and soreness, which could last for a few weeks. After the first two days, you may drive a car if not taking pain medication and do light housework such as washing dishes. You should avoid hot baths and vigorous activity for at least two weeks unless instructed otherwise and should not participate in any sports such as jogging, swimming, bowling, tennis, etc. until after surgery is approximately three to four weeks old.

• Q. What complications can occur?

  As with any surgery, you will have a scar. Fresh scars are usually firm and red for period of approximately six months and then they gradually improve over the first year. I prefer the underarm incision, since this area scars less and it leaves no scar whatsoever on the breast. No guarantee can be made concerning the appearance of your scar, since each person heals differently and neither the physician nor the patient can completely control the patient’s healing. As with any operation you could possibly develop an infection, although, this is rare. Infection, if at all present, is generally limited to a very small area and simply means delayed healing for a few days. The most serious infection would result in removal of the implant. After a satisfactory period of healing (three to six months), the implant would be replaced. Following surgery, you may expect some bruising near the incision and on the breast itself, but a larger amount of bleeding could occur, but is very unusual. This would require opening up the incision, evacuating and removing the blood or blood clots, controlling the bleeding, re-insertion of the implant and re-closing of the skin incision. This is very unusual, but it does rarely happen and certainly can be irritating, but isn't real serious. BECAUSE OF BLEEDING, NO ASPIRIN, ADVIL, IBUPROFEN PRODUCTS OR VITAMIN E CAN BE TAKEN FOR TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO SURGERY AND IF IT IS KNOWN BY THE DOCTOR, THE SURGERY WILL BE CANCELLED. Numbness, tenderness or burning of the nipples or skin around the incision may be present after surgery, but this is generally temporary. A change in sensation of the nipples that may be permanent is rare, although it can happen. In approximately 5-10% of the cases, breast become firmer following implant surgery. The implant itself does not become firm, but the firmness is due to the formation of scar tissue around the implant. If this contracts excessively, it can result in undesirable firmness. While some firmness is beneficial to some patients, excessive firmness is ordinarily not desirable. If excessive firmness develops a second operation may also be required in a certain percentage of patients. It is also the opinion of this office that there are a small percentage of women who cannot tolerate breast implants without having permanently firm breasts. On the day of the operation, you should not have had anything to eat or drink for 6-8 hours prior to scheduled surgery. If you have anything to eat or drink during this time before your surgery, you must tell the doctor and the operation may be cancelled. Also, if you have taken any aspirin recently, the surgery will be cancelled. Try to arrive promptly, slightly before scheduled time. Think pleasant thoughts, since you will have no discomfort at all during surgery and will be given adequate pain medication afterwards. Following surgery, you will be observed for a period of time before leaving for home or your hotel room. Also additional instructions will be available for the person taking you home. Also, someone must be with you for the first 24-48 hours. Prior to your surgery, you should have a baseline mammogram if you are over 40 years of age.

• Q. What type of implants are used?

  Saline implants are primarily used. The FDA requires saline implants to be used for primary augmentation. If you have had breast augmentation surgery you may qualify for silicone implants under a “Silicone Study”.

• Q. What is the cost?

  Saline - $3,500.00    Silicone - $4,800.00 This includes surgery, surgery suite and anesthesia. You will have a prescription for antibiotics and pain control, which you will purchase at your pharmacy.