Breast Augmentation
Breast Augmentation is the enlargement of a woman's breasts by placement of saline or silicone prostheses. Women who undergo this procedure may achieve larger, shapelier breasts. Candidates for this procedure include:- Those who desire larger breasts.
- Women with a mild to moderate degree of breast sagging and smaller breasts who desire correction of their shape along with enlargement of their size.
- Women who have asymmetry or a congenital deformity of the breast where one breast that is noticeably smaller than the other.
Informational Video
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The following are the most common questions asked by patients when seeking consultation with Dr. Rothaus:
WHERE IS THE OPERATION PERFORMED?
The procedure is done on an outpatient basis in our AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.) ACCREDITED OFFICE BASED SURGERY FACILITY.
WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA WILL I RECEIVE?
It is most commonly performed under a local anesthesia with supplementation by intravenous sedation by a board certified anesthesiologist.
WILL I FEEL OR REMEMBER ANYTHING?
With this type of anesthesia, the patient is “asleep” and has no recollection of the procedure as with general anesthesia, but does not run the same risks as encountered with general anesthesia. The patient continues to breathe on her own without the need for placement of an endotracheal tube in their throat.
WHAT TYPE OF IMPLANTS ARE USED?
Both saline and silicone implants are now approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States for all patients over the age of 21. If you are under 21, however, the FDA rules restrict the choice of implants to the various styles of saline implants. Silicone implants generally feel softer and more natural than saline implants and have been proven safe by many scientific studies. Saline implants can be placed through a smaller incision than silicone implants and are obviously easier to replace if they have to be replaced due to rupture. FDA mandated studies, which were run by both Mentor and Allergan, led to re-approval of both silicone and saline implants in the United States. A detailed discussion of breast implant safety can be found at the following sites:
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual. The FDA mandated studies followed complications in a large group of woman undergoing breast augmentation. The most common complications noted in that study were re-operation, removal, rupture or deflation, capsular contracture, breast pain, or sensory changes.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE CONSULTATION? CAN I SEE PHOTOGRAPHS?
All patients require a consultation to:
WHERE IS THE INCISION FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION MADE?
The three most common sites for the small surgical incision required are in the fold at the bottom of the breast (inframammary fold), around the areolar (nipple-areolar complex), or under the armpit (axillary approach).
The implant is inserted in a surgically created pocket located between the breast tissue and the pectoralis muscle (subglandular pocket) or under the muscle itself (subpectoral pocket).
HOW MUCH DISCOMFORT WILL I HAVE? WHAT ARE MY POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS- shower,exercise, work, etc?
The patient goes home in a gentle compression dressing of gauze and ace bandages. She is able to remove the dressing after 48 hours, shower, and change into a sports bra. Initial discomfort is controlled with oral medication. Patients are generally seen the first and second weeks after the procedure. Light activities can be resumed as tolerated. Most patients return to work or school sometime at the end of the first week after the procedure. Aerobic activities can be resumed in about 3 weeks.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROCEDURE? IS IT COVERED BY INSURANCE? ARE THERE ANY PAYMENT PLANS?
Cosmetic breast augmentation is not covered by insurance nor are there any payment plans currently available. The total fee for breast augmentation ranges form $9,000 to $12,000, depending on the type of implant selected ($800 to $1,800), the type of anesthesia ($750 – $1,500), and the facility fee ($1,250 - $2,000). The surgeon’s fee represents the balance of the total sum.
The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation and the completion of any required testing. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.
Share this page:WHERE IS THE OPERATION PERFORMED?
The procedure is done on an outpatient basis in our AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.) ACCREDITED OFFICE BASED SURGERY FACILITY.
WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA WILL I RECEIVE?
It is most commonly performed under a local anesthesia with supplementation by intravenous sedation by a board certified anesthesiologist.
WILL I FEEL OR REMEMBER ANYTHING?
With this type of anesthesia, the patient is “asleep” and has no recollection of the procedure as with general anesthesia, but does not run the same risks as encountered with general anesthesia. The patient continues to breathe on her own without the need for placement of an endotracheal tube in their throat.
WHAT TYPE OF IMPLANTS ARE USED?
Both saline and silicone implants are now approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States for all patients over the age of 21. If you are under 21, however, the FDA rules restrict the choice of implants to the various styles of saline implants. Silicone implants generally feel softer and more natural than saline implants and have been proven safe by many scientific studies. Saline implants can be placed through a smaller incision than silicone implants and are obviously easier to replace if they have to be replaced due to rupture. FDA mandated studies, which were run by both Mentor and Allergan, led to re-approval of both silicone and saline implants in the United States. A detailed discussion of breast implant safety can be found at the following sites:
- http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/BreastImplants/ucm064106.htm
- www.mentorcorp.com/pdf/approved/Reconstruction.pdf
- www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/M1210-02_Silicone_Recon_Label.pdf
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual. The FDA mandated studies followed complications in a large group of woman undergoing breast augmentation. The most common complications noted in that study were re-operation, removal, rupture or deflation, capsular contracture, breast pain, or sensory changes.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE CONSULTATION? CAN I SEE PHOTOGRAPHS?
All patients require a consultation to:
- discuss their goals for the operation
- permit the doctor to take a relevant history and perform a pertinent physical examination
- learn from the doctor what are:
- the available procedures and their indications
- the recommended procedures and why
- the results
- the risks and complications
- the preoperative testing and preparation required
- the type of anesthesia
- where the procedure will be performed
- the post-operative care required
- recovery, including
- any discomfort expected
- restriction of activities
- return to work
WHERE IS THE INCISION FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION MADE?
The three most common sites for the small surgical incision required are in the fold at the bottom of the breast (inframammary fold), around the areolar (nipple-areolar complex), or under the armpit (axillary approach).
The implant is inserted in a surgically created pocket located between the breast tissue and the pectoralis muscle (subglandular pocket) or under the muscle itself (subpectoral pocket).
HOW MUCH DISCOMFORT WILL I HAVE? WHAT ARE MY POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS- shower,exercise, work, etc?
The patient goes home in a gentle compression dressing of gauze and ace bandages. She is able to remove the dressing after 48 hours, shower, and change into a sports bra. Initial discomfort is controlled with oral medication. Patients are generally seen the first and second weeks after the procedure. Light activities can be resumed as tolerated. Most patients return to work or school sometime at the end of the first week after the procedure. Aerobic activities can be resumed in about 3 weeks.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROCEDURE? IS IT COVERED BY INSURANCE? ARE THERE ANY PAYMENT PLANS?
Cosmetic breast augmentation is not covered by insurance nor are there any payment plans currently available. The total fee for breast augmentation ranges form $9,000 to $12,000, depending on the type of implant selected ($800 to $1,800), the type of anesthesia ($750 – $1,500), and the facility fee ($1,250 - $2,000). The surgeon’s fee represents the balance of the total sum.
The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation and the completion of any required testing. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.
