breast surgery Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Tarola Plastic Surgery

16-Year Comparison of Surgical Procedures from 1997-2012

In the past 16 years, there was a 360% increase in the number of tummy tucks performed in the United States. From 1997 – 2012, there was more than a 540% increase in the number of breast lift procedures.

1997 in blue
2012 in red

Breast Augmentation – 101,176 – 330,631
Lipoplasty (liposuction) – 176,863 – 313,011
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) – 34,002 – 156,508
Blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery) – 159,232 – 153,171
Rhinoplasty – 137,053 – 143,801

Statistics courtesy of American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

The difference between saline and silicone breast implants

A common question we receive at our clinic is “what’s the difference between saline and silicone breast implants?” Saline and silicone breast implants are similar in that they both have an outer silicone shell, however the implants differ in material and consistency.

Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water and are inserted empty, then filled once they’re in place. Saline breast implants are available to women ages 18 and older for breast augmentation and to women of any age for breast reconstruction.

Silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel which is a thick, sticky fluid that closely mimics the feel of human fat. Most women feel that silicone breast implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue. Silicone breast implants are available to women 22 and older for breast augmentation and to women of any age for breast reconstruction.

If you would like to see breast implants in person, call our office to schedule a consultation anytime at 615-624-8914.

You can also read more information about the types of breast surgeries we perform here.

Questions about breast augmentation…

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is increasing the size of a normal breast, usually with a saline or silicone gel breast implant. This is accomplished by placement of the implant above or below the pectoralis muscle through an incision usually either in the fold under the breast, around the lower half of the areola, or in the axilla. Placement of the implant under the muscle is preferred in women with little breast tissue, is associated with a lower capsular contracture rate, and makes mammography slightly more accurate, however, submuscular placement can cause implant movement with more physical activity. Your plastic surgeon
can further discuss the pros and cons of each option during consultation.

What is the difference between saline and silicone gel implants?

Both saline and silicone implants are composed of an outer silicone shell and come in varying shapes and sizes. In the event of rupture, the damage is almost immediately noticeable with saline implants as the saline is absorbed by your tissue, as opposed to silicone implants which make rupture detection more difficult. Silicone gel implants have a more natural feel and appearance, are less prone to rupture and rippline and have been proven safe by the FDA. According to the FDA, you must be 22 years of age to receive silicone implants and 18 years of age for saline implants. Silicone gel implants are more expensive than saline.

What is breast reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is a physically and emotionally rewarding procedure for women who have lost a breast, usually do to cancer, that is aimed at restoring a woman’s sense of normalcy and breast symmetry in clothing without the need for an external breast prosthesis.

Who is a candidate for breast reconstruction?

Most women are candidates for some type of breast reconstruction procedure but there are a number of factors to consider and determining which procedure is most appropriate for each woman. These factors include the stage of breast cancer, the need for radiation therapy, overall health status and the amount of recovery time a woman will allow herself.

What should I expect after breast reconstruction?

There are several plastic surgery techniques pain at restoring a breast to a near normal size and shape after mastectomy. Each one of these techniques will achieve a slightly different result. A woman can expect that the reconstructed breast will not have the same sensation and feel as her original breast. There will be visible incisions of varying size or shape from either the mastectomy and/or the reconstruction. Some reconstruction techniques believe scars from the incision lines at a donor site separate from the breast such as the abdomen, back or buttocks.

What should I expect in my consultation with a plastic surgeon?

Be prepared to discuss your goals and expectations of reconstruction. Your plastic surgeon will ask you general medical questions including any medical conditions, prior surgeries, current medications and drug allergies and the use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs or herbal supplements. Your surgeon will inform you of your available breast reconstruction options and the associated risks and potential complications. Your surgeon will perform an examination and take photographs for your medical record. Finally, you and your surgeon will decide on a treatment course and discuss the likely outcomes including what to expect before and after surgery, the expected recovery and any risks or potential complications.

What are the options for breast reconstruction?

Your reconstruction can be performed in either an immediate or delayed setting. If immediate, your reconstruction will be performed in the same setting as you are mastectomy. If delayed, the reconstruction can be performed weeks to years following the mastectomy. Basically, there are 3 forms of reconstruction: Implant based reconstruction; autologous reconstruction; and a combination of autologous and implant based reconstruction. Implant based reconstruction is usually a 2-stage technique in which a tissue expander is placed during the first operation and the tissue expander was replaced by a permanent implant with a second operation. Autologous reconstruction involves using tissue from another area of your body, usually your back or abdomen, to replace the skin and tissue loss by the mastectomy. An implant is used in conjunction with autologous reconstruction if additional volume is required above and beyond that which is supplied by the tissue flap.

How much does breast reconstruction cost?

The cost for breast reconstruction can vary widely but is always a factor in any surgery. Once a diagnosis of breast cancer is made or a woman is found to be at a significant increased risk for developing breast cancer, breast reconstruction following mastectomy and any subsequent revisions related to the reconstruction are almost always covered by health insurance.

For more information on breast surgery, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Nicholas Tarola by calling 615-624-8914 or go to www.tarolaplasticsurgery.com.

Personality Factors Affect Quality of Life after Breast Reconstruction

Women Who Want ‘Revenge on Cancer’ May Have Better Psychological Responses

Certain personality traits are linked to higher quality of life scores in breast cancer patients who undergo breast reconstruction after mastectomy, reports a study in the January issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Silvio Bellino, MD, and colleagues at the University of Turin, Italy, gave a battery of psychological tests to 57 women with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. The goal was to look at how various personality dimensions and patterns of interpersonal functioning affected quality of life after surgery.

Personalities Affect Women’s Outlook after Breast Loss and Reconstruction

After adjustment for other factors, two personality types were linked to higher quality of life scores. This included women with high scores for the temperamental characteristic of “harm avoidance” – a group that Dr. Bellino and coauthors characterize as “apprehensive and doubtful.” For these patients, they write, “Restoration of body image could help…to reduce social anxiety and insecurity.”

Patients rated as “vindictive/self-centered” on a scale of interpersonal problems also had higher quality of life scores. “Vindictive/self-centered patients are resentful and aggressive,” according to Dr. Bellino and colleagues. “Breast reconstruction could symbolize the conclusion of a reparative process and fulfill the desire of revenge on cancer.”

None of the other psychological or other factors evaluated – including the characteristics of the cancer and its treatment – were significantly related to quality of life scores. Overall, mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction yielded significant improvement in quality of life.

As survival rates improve, there is increased attention to the quality of life in breast cancer survivors. More women are undergoing breast reconstruction immediately after mastectomy, which seems to reduce the psychological impact of treatment. The new study is one of the first to look at how personality factors might affect patient satisfaction and quality of life after mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

The results suggest that some personality characteristics have an important impact on psychological recovery after breast cancer treatment. Based on their findings, “A preoperative personality assessment of patients requiring breast reconstruction will be useful to identify predictive factors of better subjective quality of life after surgery,” Dr. Bellino and colleagues believe. Such an assessment could help to identify women who could benefit from a brief course of psychotherapy during the period after reconstruction, with the goals of “preventing depressive symptoms and improving interpersonal relations.”

Questions to ask your Breast Augmentation Surgeon

If you’re considering breast augmentation, it is important to be an active participant in the process. The ASPS has developed the following list of questions to ask during your consultation:

Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure?
Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally-or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
Am I a good candidate for breast enhancement or breast enlargement?
What will be expected of me to get the best results?
Where and how will you perform my breast augmentation surgery?
What shape, size, surface texturing, incision site and placement site are recommended for me?
How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
How many additional implant-related operations can I expect over my lifetime?
How will my ability to breastfeed be affected?
How can I expect my implanted breasts to look over time?
What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my implanted breasts?
How will my breasts look if I choose to have the implants removed in the future without replacement?
Do you have breast augmentation before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?
If so, at which hospitals?
How are complications handled?
After pregnancy? After breastfeeding?