New Hampshire Plastic Surgery Center
Manchester, NH
Breast enlargement, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical
procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breast. If you
are looking for a doctor to perform breast enlargement in New Hampshire,
consider Plastic Surgery Center of Manchester, NH. Breast enlargement
is performed to enhance the body contour of a woman who feels her
breast size is too small. Other reasons for breast enlargement are
to balance a difference
in breast size or as a reconstructive technique following breast
surgery.
By inserting an implant behind each breast surgeons are able to increase a woman's
bustline. After several months, scars are usually inconspicuous. Saline implants
are used. At times a breast lift is done at the same time.
Dr. Peter Pacik
Since 1972 Dr. Peter
Pacik, M.D., F.A.C.S. operates the Plastic Surgery Center and has been performing
plastic surgery in Manchester, New Hampshire. He has helped thousands of patients
from New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts diminish physical imperfections,
feel beautiful and confident in just a few short months after surgery.
Dr. Pacik completed his plastic surgery residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University
in Syracuse, New York in 1972. He is affiliated with the Catholic Medical Center
and the Elliot Hospital and is American Board certified in both General Surgery
and in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Planning Your Surgery
In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health and explain
which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you, based on the condition
of your breasts and skin tone. If your breasts are sagging, your doctor may also
recommend a breast lift.
Be sure to discuss your expectations regarding breast enlargement frankly with
your surgeon. He or she should be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives
and the risks and limitations of each. Be sure to tell your surgeon if you smoke,
and if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.
Your surgeon should also explain the type of anesthesia to be used, the type
of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved. Because
most insurance companies do not consider breast enlargement to be medically necessary,
carriers generally do not cover the cost of this procedure.
Preparing for Your Surgery
Your surgeon will give you instructions to prepare for breast enlargement surgery,
including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding
certain vitamins and medications. While making preparations, be sure to arrange
for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few
days, if needed.
Where Your Surgery Will Be Performed
Your surgeon may prefer to perform the operation in an office facility, a freestanding
surgery center, or a hospital outpatient facility. Occasionally, the surgery
may be done as an inpatient in a hospital, in which case you can plan on staying
for a day or two.
Types of Anesthesia
Breast enlargement can be performed with a general anesthesia, so you'll sleep
through the entire operation. Some surgeons may use a local anesthesia, combined
with a sedative to make you drowsy, so you'll be relaxed but awake, and may feel
some discomfort.
The Surgery
The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your anatomy
and your surgeon's recommendation. The incision can be made either in the crease
where the breast meets the chest, around the areola (the dark skin surrounding
the nipple), or in the armpit. Every effort will be made to assure that the incision
is placed so resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible.
Working through the incision, the surgeon will lift your breast tissue and
skin to create a pocket, either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath
your chest wall muscle (the pectoral muscle). The implants are then centered
beneath your nipples.
Some surgeons believe that putting the implants behind your chest muscle may
reduce the potential for capsular contracture. Drainage tubes may be used for
several days following the surgery. This placement may also interfere less with
breast examination by mammogram than if the implant is placed directly behind
the breast tissue. Placement behind the muscle however, may be more painful for
a few days after surgery than placement directly under the breast tissue.
You'll want to discuss the pros and cons of these alternatives with your doctor
before surgery to make sure you fully understand the implications of the procedure
he or she recommends for you.
The breast enlargement surgery usually takes one to two hours to complete.
Stitches are used to close the incisions, which may also be taped for greater
support. A gauze bandage may be applied over your breasts to help with healing.
After surgery, breasts appear fuller and more natural in tone and contour. Scars
will fade with time.
After Your Surgery
You're likely to feel tired and sore for a few days following your surgery,
but you'll be up and around in 24 to 48 hours. Most of your discomfort can be
controlled by medication prescribed by your doctor.
Within several days, the gauze dressings, if you have them, will be removed,
and you may be given a surgical bra. You should wear it as directed by your surgeon.
You may also experience a burning sensation in your nipples for about two weeks,
but this will subside as bruising fades. Your stitches will come out in a week
to 10 days, but the swelling in your breasts may take three to five weeks to
disappear.
Getting Back to Normal
You should be able to return to work within a few days, depending on the level
of activity required for your job. Follow your surgeon's advice on when to begin
exercises and normal activities. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct
stimulation for two to three weeks, so you should avoid much physical contact.
After that, breast contact is fine once your breasts are no longer sore, usually
three to four weeks after surgery.
Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain
the same size for several months, or even appear to widen. After several months,
your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely.
Routine mammograms should be continued after breast enlargement operations
for women who are in the appropriate age group, although the mammography technician
should use a special technique to assure that you get a reliable reading, as
discussed earlier.
The Best Candidates for Breast Enlargement
Breast enlargement can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence. The
best candidates for breast enlargement are women who are looking for improvement,
not perfection, in the way they look. If you're physically healthy and realistic
in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.
Your New Look
For many women, the result of breast enlargement can be satisfying, even exhilarating,
as they learn to appreciate their fuller appearance.
Regular examination by your plastic surgeon and routine mammograms for those
in the appropriate age groups at prescribed intervals will help assure that any
complications, if they occur, can be detected early and treated.
Your decision to have breast enlargement is a highly personal one that not
everyone will understand. The important thing is how you feel about it. If you've
met your goals, then your surgery is a success.
Call for a consultation
If you are looking for a doctor to perform breast enlargment in New Hampshire,
please give us a call for a consultation: (800) 640-0290.
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