​Breast implant surgery is one of the procedures that Dr. Chavez performs often.  During the initial consultation she will discuss with you the different types of breast implants, sizes, placement of the implants, and the surgical procedure. She will help you decide which approach will give you the best results. Her skills, insight, and experience have resulted in thousands of happy breast implant patients.

There are many different reasons that one decides to get breast implants, (technically known as augmentation mammoplasty). 

• To enhance the body contour of a woman who, for personal reasons, feels 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
• To balance a difference in breast size

During a breast augmentation a breast implant is inserted behind each breast and a woman’s bust line is increased.

You may ask Dr. Chavez about anything you don’t understand concerning the breast implants procedure during your consultation.
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CANDIDATES FOR BREAST IMPLANTS

​Breast implants can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence. Before you decide to get breast implants, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Chavez. The best candidates for breast implants 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 for  breast implants.
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TYPES OF IMPLANTS FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION

​A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or a salt-water solution known as saline. During your consultation, Dr. Chavez will evaluate you and discuss the best type of implant to attain the results you desire.

RISKS OF BREAST IMPLANT SURGERY​

Breast implant surgery is relatively straightforward, but as with any operation, there are risks  and specific complications associated with this procedure.

• • The most common problem, capsular contracture, occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This squeezing of the soft implant can cause the breast to feel hard. Capsular contracture can be treated in several ways.
  • As with any surgical procedure, excessive bleeding following the operation may cause some swelling and pain. If excessive bleeding continues, another operation may be needed to control the bleeding and remove the accumulated blood.
  • A small percentage of women develop an infection around an implant. This may occur at any time, but is most often seen within a week after surgery. In some cases, the implant may need to be removed for several months until the infection clears. A new implant can then be inserted.
  • Some women report that after breast implants their nipples become oversensitive,  less sensitive, or even numb. You may also notice small patches of numbness near your incisions. These symptoms usually disappear within time, but may be permanent in some patients.
  • 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 implants, you may produce milk for a few days after surgery. This may cause some discomfort, but can be treated by Dr. Chavez.
  • Occasionally, breast implants may break or leak. Rupture can occur as a result of injury or even from the normal compression and movement of your breast and implant, causing the man-made shell to leak. If a saline-filled implant breaks, the implant will deflate in a few hours and the salt water will be harmlessly absorbed by the body. If a break occurs in a gel-filled implant, however, one of two things may occur. If the shell breaks but the scar capsule around the implant does not, you may not detect any change. If the scar also breaks or tears, especially following extreme pressure, silicone gel may move into surrounding tissue. The gel may collect in the breast and cause a new scar to form around it, or it may migrate to another area of the body. There may be a change in the shape or firmness of the breast. Both types of breaks may require a second operation and replacement of the leaking implant. In some cases, it may not be possible to remove all of the silicone gel in the breast tissue if a rupture should occur.
  • Research has found no clear link between silicone breast implants and the symptoms of what doctors refer to as “connective-tissue disorders,” but the FDA has requested further study.
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When  a routine mammogram is requested, 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. While the majority of women do not experience these complications, you should discuss each of them with your physician to make sure you understand the risks and consequences of breast augmentation.

​PLANNING FOR YOUR BREAST IMPLANTS SURGERY

In your initial consultation for breast implants, your health will be evaluated and your physical structure to determine  which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you. This will be  based on the condition of your breasts and skin tone. If your breasts are sagging, Dr. Chavez may also recommend a breast lift.

Be sure to discuss your expectations honestly with her. She will be equally honest with you, describing your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each. And, be sure to tell her if you smoke, and if you’re taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs. She will 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 implants to be medically necessary, carriers generally do not cover the cost of this procedure.

PREPARING FOR YOUR BREAST IMPLANTS

You will be given instructions to prepare for your breast implant 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.

ANESTHESIA

The surgery will be performed with general anesthesia, so you’ll sleep through the entire procedure.
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DAY OF YOUR BREAST IMPLANTS SURGERY

​The method of inserting and positioning your implant for your breast augmentation will depend on your anatomy and Dr. Chavez’s recommendation. The incision will be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest or around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple).  Efforts will be made to assure that the incision is placed so resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible. Working through the incision, Dr. Chavez will lift your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket underneath your chest wall muscle (the pectoral muscle). The implants are then centered beneath your nipples. She believes that putting the implants behind your chest muscle may reduce the potential for capsular contracture. This placement may also interfere less with breast examination by mammogram than if the implant is placed directly behind the breast tissue.

After breast implants the placement behind the muscle 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 Dr. Chavez before surgery to make sure you fully understand the implications of the procedure she recommends for you.
The surgery for breast implants usually takes one hour to complete. Stitches are used to close the incisions. A gauze bandage may be applied over your breasts to help with healing.
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AFTER YOUR BREAST IMPLANTS SURGERY

​You’re likely to feel tired and sore for a few days following your breast implant surgery, but you’ll be up and around in 24 to 48 hours. Most of the discomfort after surgery can be controlled by medication prescribed by Dr. Chavez.

You will be given a surgical bra and within several days, the gauze dressings will be removed. Your stitches will come out in a week, but the swelling in your breasts may take three to six months to disappear.
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RECOVERY AFTER YOUR BREAST IMPLANTS

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After your breast augmentation, you should be able to return to work within a few days, depending on the level of activity required for your job. Follow Dr. Chavez’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.  They may remain the same size for several months, or even appear to widen.  Months later, scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely.

For women who are in the appropriate age group, routine mammograms should be continued after breast implants.  The mammographic technician should use a special technique to assure that you get a reliable reading.
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YOUR BREAST IMPLANTS RESULTS

​The results of your breast augmentation can be exciting as you finally obtain the what you’ve always desired.
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