| 1. |
Can any woman get breast implants? |
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- Women from their late teens to almost any age can get a breast augmentation as long as their general health permits.
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| 2. |
Why get breast implants? |
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- Because your breasts have always been smaller than you’d like.
- Because you lost size in your breasts after pregnancy or weight loss.
- Because your breasts became droopy after pregnancy or weight loss.
- Because your breasts are asymmetrical.
- Because you feel out of proportion.
- Because you’ve always felt unhappy with the way off the rack clothes fit you.
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| 3. |
What are breast implants made of? |
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- All current breast implants consist of a Silicone shell filled with either a silicone gel or a salt water (saline) solution.
- The shell may be smooth or “textured”, round or teardrop shaped.
- Drs Gilman or Ehrlichman will help you determine what will be best for you.
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| 4. |
Are they safe? Aren’t there doubts about silicone? |
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- Silicone has been studied for over 40 years. Silicone implants were off the market for several years while the FDA reviewed past studies and current studies. The FDA has now allowed silicone implants back on the market. There has not been any credible study to show that silicone causes or is associated with any systemic disease in humans and this includes breast cancer.
- Saline implants are filled with the same liquid as found in an ordinary intravenous solution. Saline implants have never been taken off the market.
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| 5. |
Who will determine the size? |
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- You can put on a bra with the cup size you desire to be and we can see what size fits you to determine an actual implant size that is right for you.
- While Drs Gilman or Ehrlichman will be there to guide you, the ultimate decision of size is yours to make.
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| 6. |
Where is the procedure done? |
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- We have an office operating room accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the same organization that accredits most hospital operating rooms in the United States.
o We can also do the operation in the Hospital if desired.
- We have an office operating room accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the same organization that accredits most hospital operating rooms in the United States.
- We can also do the operation in the Hospital if desired.
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| 7. |
Do I have to have a general anesthetic and how long does the procedure take? |
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- We do most breast augmentations under “conscious sedation” anesthesia administered by our board certified anesthesiologists from Greater Boston Anesthesia Associates. This is often called “twilight sleep”. You will not be aware of the operation and yet most find that you wake up with much less anesthetic “hangover”.
- The whole operation normally takes about 45 minutes.
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| 8 |
Is there a scar? |
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- The implants are almost always placed under the Pectoralis Major muscle (sub-pectoral) through a small incision that almost always leaves an inconspicuous scar. The incision can be placed:
- In the crease under the breast (infra-mammary)
- Along the lower border of the areola(peri-areola)
- In the armpit (axillary)
- Around the belly button (umbilical)
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| 9. |
What is the recovery like? |
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- We recommend staying close to home for the first 5-7 days
- No strenuous activity for 2 weeks
- Exercise can begin after 2 weeks and full activity by the end of a month.
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| 10. |
Is it painful? |
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- Most patients are surprised at how little discomfort they have and just describe a tight aching sensation.
- A pain medication will be prescribed to help you during the first few days.
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| 11. |
Am I likely to have complications? |
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- No, the vast majority of patients heal without any complications.
- There is a list of potential complications that your surgeon will review with you, however, the chance of you having one of these is very small.
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| 12. |
Can I get mammograms when I have breast implants? |
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- Yes, though additional views and supplementary ultrasound may be used to visualize the breast.
- In some cases an MRI may be recommended.
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| 13. |
How long has Plastic Surgery Specialists been doing this operation? |
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- This is our 26th year in practice and breast augmentation is one of the most common and popular operations that we do.
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| 14. |
Are you board certified? |
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- Drs Gilman and Ehrlichman are both certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and are both members or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
- Drs Gilman and Ehrlichman are both on the Harvard Medical School faculty as Clinical Instructors in Plastic Surgery.
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