FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

 

What Effect Will Implants Have On Me?

Many women report increased self-esteem and confidence in their appearance.

How Long Is The Recovery?

Recovery is quite brief and patients usually return to light activity with two to three days after surgery. Full activity is resumed within two or three weeks.

Who Is A Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

The best candidates for breast augmentation are women who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Gonzalez. If you're physically healthy and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.

What Are The Alternatives to Breast Augmentation?

The decision to undergo breast enhancement surgery should not be taken lightly. While the procedure is now commonplace and the satisfaction rate is nearly 97%, the alternatives should be considered. The non-surgical alternatives include water- or silicone-enhanced bras, pushup bras and vacuum-based breast enlargement systems.  The surgical alternatives include fat transfer (in which some of your own fat is obtained via liposuction then your breasts are enlarged by transferring this fat into them) and breast lift procedures. These will all be discussed with you in your consultation.

What Are The Risks?

All Surgeries Are Associated With Some Uncertainty and Risk. Breast augmentation is relatively straightforward. With any operation, there are associated risks and there are specific complications associated with this procedure.

Potential side effects of having breast implant surgery include, but are not limited to hardening of the implant area via encapsulation and contracture, infection, bleeding, hematoma (blood clot in the breast), pain, changes in nipple sensation, ability to see the edges of or feel the implant, scarring and the possibility of an autoimmune reaction caused by silicone.  Although a controversy still exists as to whether or not silicone-filled implants may cause the so-called "breast implant disease," the reporting of this problem has been virtually non-existent with the use of saline implants.

 

While there is no evidence that breast implants cause breast cancer, they may change the way mammography is done to detect cancer. When you request a routine mammogram, be sure to go to a radiology center where technicians are experienced in the special techniques required to get a reliable x-ray of a breast with an implant. Additional views will be required. Ultrasound examinations may be of benefit in some women with implants to detect breast lumps or to evaluate the implant.

Saline breast implants are silicone envelopes filled with sterile saline (salt water). Although it is rare for implants to break or leak suddenly, if this does occur, the body harmlessly absorbs the saline. Any of these problems may necessitate additional corrective procedures. There is no evidence that breast implants will affect fertility, pregnancy or your ability to nurse. If, however, you have nursed a baby within the year before augmentation, you may produce milk for a few days after surgery. This may cause some discomfort, but can be treated with medication prescribed by your doctor. These and other factors must all be considered before deciding to under breast augmentation. While the majority of women do not experience these complications, you should discuss each of them with the Doctor to ensure that you fully understand the risks and consequences of breast augmentation.