*There's no guarantee of specific results. Results may vary from person to person.
What is Breast Enhancement / Augmentation?
There are so many women dissatisfied with the look of their breasts, and as a result the breast augmentation industry is booming. Breast augmentation is a beneficial procedure that can address conditions such as breast asymmetry and can help women who have had surgery on their breasts due to breast cancer. It is also beneficial for anyone else who simply does not like the look of her breasts, whether it is due to genetics, aging, pregnancy or breast feeding.
Reasons for Breast Augmentation
- Being genetically disposed to smaller breasts.
- Being genetically disposed to breasts that are not symmetrical, with one breast having a different size or shape than the other.
- Reduced firmness from aging.
- Drooping or sagging breasts after child bearing and breast feeding (this condition requires two procedures: breast lift and breast augmentation).
- Breast cancer patients often seek breast reconstruction surgery because a breast is partially or totally removed as part of the cancer treatment.
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INFORMATION ON BREAST AUGMENTATION
La Nouvelle Medical Spa uses only the best breast implants made by Mentor Worldwide LLC, a Global Leader in Aesthetic Medicine. Mentor has been making breast implant devices for more than 20 years. Mentor's breast implants are for use in both breast augmentation and breast reconstruction and are of the highest quality, and made under strict standards of design and testing. Because of this, Mentor has achieved a tremendous level of respect in the medical community and is recognized by La Nouvelle Medical Spa for outstanding product integrity.
There is no right choice for every woman. Dr Hanna will help you the patient to review options, using your anatomy, and appearance goals to find the right solution.
About Silicone Breast Implants
- Silicone Breast Implants are FDA approved
- Each implant is filled with Mentor’s proprietary cohesive gel
- The gel filler holds together uniformly and retains a natural give that resembles breast tissue
- The implants have a set fill volume for predictable results
- Silicone Breast Implants come in four projection options: Moderate Classic, Moderate Plus, High, and Ultra High Profile to give you just the look you want
- They come in two shell surface options: smooth and textured
- Our Silicone Breast Implants are covered by the Mentor Premier Advantage Warranty
What is gel cohesiveness and why is it important?
Gel cohesiveness is determined by the amount of cross-linking within the silicone gel filler: the more cross-linking, the more cohesive the gel and the firmer it is. This helps it to maintain its shape. As such, highly cohesive silicone gel filled breast implants are able to retain their molded, teardrop shape whereas Silicone Implants (round) are more pliable.
Breast Augmentation Procedures
- How is the procedure done?
- Once anesthesia has taken effect, Dr. Hanna will make an incision and create a "pocket," or space, behind each of your breasts. The breast implants will be placed in the pockets and positioned for optimal appearance and symmetry. After comparing each breast to ensure proper implant placement, Dr. Hanna will then close the incision – usually with stitches, although tape or glue can be used.
- Will my breast surgery be performed in a hospital?
- Breast augmentation surgeries are performed in our outpatient surgical suite located at La Nouvelle Medical Spa inside St. John's Medical Hospital. We are fully accredited facility by the Institute for Medical Quality.
- How long does the breast implant procedure take?
- Although every case is different, on average, the surgery lasts one to two hours.
- What anesthesia will be used?
- We are using local anesthesia in our office. Dr Hanna will discuss with you the most appropriate choice of anesthesia for you.
- When can I resume my normal life?
- Most patients are able to return to work within a few days. But it is best to avoid any strenuous activities that could raise your pulse and blood pressure for a couple of weeks.
- Should I be at my ideal weight before I get breast implants?
- You should be close to your ideal weight. A significant loss of weight after receiving breast implants could alter the results in a manner that is not satisfactory to you. There could be some ptosis (drooping) and a reduction in size. A significant gain in weight could cause an increase in breast size.
Understanding Breast Implants
- What gives the breast its shape?
- The breast consists of milk ducts and glands, surrounded by fatty tissue that provides its shape and feel. Situated beneath the breast is the pectoralis major muscle or chest muscle. Factors which may combine to stretch the skin and cause the breast to droop or sag include pregnancy (when milk glands are temporarily enlarged), rapid weight loss, and the effects of gravity as you age.
- What is a breast implant?
- A breast implant is a sac (implant shell) of silicone elastomer, which is surgically implanted under your chest tissues. Implants may be filled with either saline or silicone gel.
- Silicone Breast Implants?
The MemoryGel or Silicone Breast Implants you’ve been hearing about have actually been trusted and in use for almost 20 years. Silicone Breast Implants feature a cohesive, gelatin-like silicone substance that acts as a solid rather than a liquid. It holds together uniformly while still retaining the natural give of breast tissue.
Silicone Breast Implants feel more like natural breast tissue. Over a million women all over the world have them. After almost two decades of research with surgeons and patients, Silicone Breast Implants, exclusively from Mentor, are available in the US.
Silicone Breast Implants are available in a variety of profiles (which refers to the amount of forward projection off the chest wall, in relation to the base width of the implant). This allows you and Dr. Hanna to achieve a better match between desired breast projection and your individual body frame.
- What is the silicone used in breast implants?
- Silicone is derived from silicon, a semi-metallic or metal-like element that, in nature, combines with oxygen to form silicon dioxide, or silica. Beach sand, crystals, and quartz are silica, which is the most common substance on earth. Heating silica with carbon at a high temperature can produce silicon. Further processing can convert the silicon into a long chemical chain, or polymer, called silicone - which can be a liquid, a gel, or a rubbery substance. Various silicones are used in lubricants and oils, as well as in silicone rubber. Silicone can be found in many common household items, such as polishes, suntan and hand lotion, antiperspirants, soaps, processed foods, waterproof coatings, and chewing gum.
- Are silicone breast implants safe?
The Institute of Medicine concluded that:
"There is no evidence that silicone implants are responsible for any major diseases of the whole body. Women are exposed to silicone constantly in their daily lives."11 Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Medicine 2007. Information for women about safety of silicone breast implants (full article ).
- Is there latex in breast implants?
- No. Mentor does not use latex in any of its implantable devices. These include tissue expanders, saline volume sizers, saline-filled breast implants and silicone gel-filled breast implants. Latex gloves are not allowed on the floor during the manufacturing process. At no time during the manufacturing process is latex or talc-containing material utilized. (Natural latex contains proteins which may cause allergic reaction in some individuals.)
- Are there different styles of breast implants?
- Breast implants come in a variety of shapes, and sizes. Mentor breast implants come in either round or contoured shapes.
- Who Is eligible for Silicone Breast Implants?
- Silicone Breast Implants are indicated for females for the following uses (procedures):
- Breast augmentation for women at least 22 years old : Breast augmentation includes primary breast augmentation to increase the breast size, as well as revision surgery to correct or improve the result of a primary breast augmentation surgery.
- Breast reconstruction : Breast reconstruction includes primary reconstruction to replace breast tissue that has been removed due to cancer or trauma or that has failed to develop properly due to a severe breast abnormality. Breast reconstruction also includes revision surgery to correct or improve the result of a primary breast reconstruction surgery. (A separate patient brochure is available for and should be read for breast reconstruction.)
- Contraindications : Breast implant surgery should not be performed in
- Women with active infection anywhere in their body.
- Women with existing cancer or pre-cancer of their breast who have not received adequate treatment for those conditions.
- Women who are currently pregnant or nursing.
General Lifestyle and Post-Operative
- I’m over 50 years old. Am I too old to get breast implants?
- General good health is important, not age.
- Will the feeling in my breast or my nipple change?
- Feeling in the nipple and breast can increase or decrease after implant surgery. The range of changes varies from intense sensitivity to no feeling in the nipple or breast following surgery and may affect sexual response or the ability to nurse a baby.
- Will my breasts still move like normal breasts?
- This depends upon multiple factors, such as the type of implant you receive, the pocket dissection, the way your body holds the implant and whether or not there is any degree of capsular contracture. It is possible for many women to have breast implants that are soft and move nicely, while other women have results that are firmer with an implant more fixed in position.
- How long should I wait to resume exercise after breast implant surgery?
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Dr. Hanna will be your best guide regarding how long you will need to remain off work and will advise you when and how to resume activities. Recovery periods vary from woman to woman. Generally the first few days are the most uncomfortable. The average time to return to full activities is four to six weeks.
It is important not to sweat into the incision while it is healing. Therefore, curtail activity and sun tanning until after the incision is healed and sealed. Don’t over-do activity, especially of the upper body, too early. Let your body rest and heal. You want to minimize swelling around the implant.
Going into a Jacuzzi or bath after a month is usually ok. During the early time, one to two weeks following surgery, you don’t want to soak the incision.
Be sure you check with Dr. Hanna before returning to your workouts. Patients vary greatly in recovery times. Walking is generally recommended to encourage circulation. The larger the implant you receive the heavier the breasts will be. You should wear good support bras while running to minimize pull on the skin and ptosis (drooping) of the breast.
- Can I go to a tanning salon or sunbathe if I have breast implants?
- Tanning at salons or sun bathing will not hurt the implant but may make the scars worse. You should avoid getting sun or tanning rays on the incisions for at least one year after surgery as tanning rays will turn the incisions dark for a long time. The implant may feel warm and may take longer to cool down than your body.
- When can I fly and/or SCUBA dive?
- Many women scuba dive and fly in airplanes with implants. There may be slight expansion and contraction of the shell with changes in pressure. This should correct itself within 24-48 hours.
Pregnancy
- What will happen during pregnancy?
- Every woman is different and will have varying experiences during pregnancy – both before and after. Your breasts will enlarge and will go through all the usual changes associated with pregnancy. The amount of breast enlargement will vary from woman to woman and the size of the breast implants will factor into this as well.
- Can I breast-feed with breast implants?
- Many women with breast implants successfully breastfeed their babies. Some breastfeeding difficulties have been reported following breast surgery particularly when a surgeon uses a periareolar (around the nipple) incision. It is important that you let Dr. Hanna know if you are planning or considering getting pregnant after your surgery.
