Breast Implant Removal

Broadway Plastic Surgery Breast Implant Removal FAQs

These are questions about our process and about the procedure in general.

What is breast augmentation?

Breast Augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure intended to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breast.

By inserting a breast implant behind each breast, surgeons are able to increase a woman’s bustline by one or more bra cup sizes. Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most in-demand aesthetic procedures performed in the United States. Because a woman’s breasts — natural or surgically modified — are an integral part of her physical and emotional identity, it’s important to point out what breast augmentation can and cannot do. Some women approach this surgery unrealistically, thinking that a bigger, more shapely bustline will change their lives in extraordinary ways. The procedure can give you greater self-confidence, which in turn may change the way that people respond to you.

Why do people get Breast Augmentations?

There are many reasons people decide to get Breast Augmentation surgery, including:

• To enhance a woman’s body contour when she feels, for personal reasons, that her breast size is too small
• To correct a reduction in breast volume after pregnancy
• To balance a difference in breast size
• As a reconstructive technique following breast surgery

What can I and can’t I do right before surgery?

The Broadway Plastic Surgery staff will give you instructions to prepare for 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.

What will happen during the initial consultation?

In your initial consultation, plastic surgeon Dr. Broadway will evaluate your health and explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you, based on the condition of your breasts and your skin tone. Be sure to discuss your expectations frankly with your doctor, and he will describe your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each.

The consultation is a vital part in making your decision on whether you should have breast augmentation surgery. Plan on spending approximately 1.5 hours meeting with Dr. Broadway and his staff. During the consultation, you will:

• Be asked to fill out a detailed medical history form. This will give your doctor an opportunity to assess if you are a good candidate for surgery. He will also discuss your past surgical experience and current medical status.
• Meet with your doctor and discuss the surgery itself and the risks involved. He will review the different implants available and you will be able to see and touch them. This is a good opportunity to ask any questions or concerns you may have about the surgery.
• Have an examination. Your doctor and a Patient Coordinator will examine you and thoroughly measure you. Based on this examination, a recommendation of implant styles & sizes will be made to help you get the cup size you desire.
• Have an opportunity to try on the implants.
• Have the chance to visually view the potential changes from a breast augmentation procedure on our computer imaging system, if you are deemed a candidate.
• See before & after pictures of other similar patients after your examination.

You can schedule your surgery right then or can call us after you have had time to consider your options. We will do everything we can to make you feel comfortable in your decision and share with you any other information you

What can I expect during and right after surgery?

The surgery will be performed at Renewal Surgery Center, which is a licensed and certified facility. The surgery itself takes just over an hour. Absorbable sutures are used to close the incisions and may also be taped for greater support. A bandage may be applied over your breasts to help keep the implants settled.

You’re likely to feel tired and sore for a few days following your surgery, but you’ll be up and about in 24 to 48 hours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication. You will be given detailed instructions in caring for your incisions and when to remove your bandages. As you begin the healing process, you will experience different sensations as your nerves heal. Everyone heals differently and some patients do not experience any of these symptoms at all. Remember that you will have surgery on two breasts and each one will heal differently than the other.

Most patients are able to return to work in a week, depending on the level of activity required for your job. You may begin driving once you are off your pain medication for at least 24 hours. Follow your doctor’s advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities.

Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. After several months, your scars will begin to fade. Although they will never disappear completely, the final appearance of the scar is usually a thin pencil line that hides in the breast fold or around the areola.

Should I still get mammograms after having breast augmentation surgery?

Routine mammograms should be continued after breast augmentation for women who are in the appropriate age group, although the mammographic technician should include special views of the breast tissue to assure that you get a reliable reading.

What are the known risks of breast augmentation surgery?

As with any operation, there are risks associated with this procedure. Fortunately, complications are very uncommon.

Capsular contracture occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant becomes thickened and tightens around the implant. This can cause the implant to feel hard or to become misshapen. This can be treated by removal or scoring of the scar tissue. This occurs in less than 5% of cosmetic breast augmentation patients.

As with any surgical procedure, excessive bleeding can occur following a breast augmentation procedure and may cause unusual swelling and pain. If excessive bleeding occurs, another operation may be needed to control the bleeding and remove the accumulated blood. This is a very rare complication.

Post-operative infection is uncommon, but possible. We reduce this to a minimum by giving intravenous antibiotics during the procedure. Most infections are mild and resolve without incident. If a serious infection develops, the implant will probably need to be removed. The implant can then be replaced with a new implant several weeks later.

Nerves that supply skin or nipple sensation may be cut or damaged while the pocket or space for the implant is being created. If sensory loss occurs, the nerves slowly recover over a period of 1-2 years in about 85% of cases.

With saline implants, if for any reason the valve or implant covering fails, the saline will leak and be excreted into your body. This causes no medical harm, as the saline fluid in the implant is the same fluid used in intravenous injections. The implant will need to be replaced in a secondary procedure.

With gel implants, the gel is a solid. If the shell tears, the gel will stay in the pocket and will not leak outside of the implant pocket. The breast may become firmer, more tender, or assume a different shape if a gel implant fails. The implant would need to be replaced. The implant manufacturer guarantees the implants and would provide a new implant for you and often will cover some of the expenses of the replacement surgery.

What type of implants do you use for breast augmentation?

Broadway Plastic Surgery currently offers both saline and silicone gel implants. There are different styles and shapes available; during your consultation, we will show you the different types available. A recommendation of the type, style and size range will be made to you based on your measurements, body type and personal body goals. We will work with you to achieve your goals. Broadway Plastic Surgery has been offering our breast augmentation patients high-cohesive silicone gel breast implants since 2002, years before they were approved by the FDA and before other Denver-based surgeons were able to offer them. These gel implants are pre-filled, feel more natural, have fewer wrinkles, and are lighter in weight. They are semi-solid and will keep their shape should the shell rupture. During your consultation, pros and cons will be reviewed with you. Dr. Broadway was one of the first six plastic surgeons nationally chosen to participate in the breast implant study with Sientra. The study was very successful and we have been very pleased with the results. Dr. Broadway feels very comfortable offering his patients MemoryGel and Sientra high-strength silicone gel implants.

What if I cannot wait for my breast augmentation consultation?

If you have been thinking about breast augmentation cosmetic surgery for the last couple of years, you know it is a very difficult decision to make. There are many questions you have about the surgery, the implants and recovery. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is your first step to learn more about this surgery and about the physician performing it. However, you are ready to see the doctor NOW, and you do not want to wait 4-8 weeks for a consultation. Unfortunately, there are times it can take that long for your appointment. As a convenience to our patients, you can now meet with our Patient Advocate for your first consultation. This complimentary consultation is very informative and you will learn so much about the complete process. This is truly a one-on-one educational experience from someone who has been through the process herself. She can share her personal experience as well as give good concise information on the procedure.