Breast Augmentation - Dr Sam Speron

Why chose breast augmentation with breast implants?

Many women choose to have their breasts augmentation in order to satisfy their own desire for a fuller bustline. Your breasts may not have developed to a size that meets your expectations, or one breast may be significantly smaller than the other. You also may have been happy with your breasts in the past, but feel that they look different now. Often, after weight loss, childbirth or as a result of aging, the breasts lose volume and their shape changes. Breast augmentation can enhance your breast size and shape, and give you the more proportional figure that you always wanted. 

Dr Speron has a tremendous amount of experience with breast augmentation.  It is the procedure he performs most commonly.  He is able to offer all types of options to his patients:- he performs all the various breast augmentation approaches including minimally invasive and no-scar approaches

- he uses all types of implants including Mentor and McGhan as well as saline implants & silicone implants

- he does not use drains for breast implant surgery

- he offers the pain pump, if patients request it (his patients typically take narcotics for < 24 hours even without this)

- all patients receive "nerve blocks" during surgery when they are asleep, which means the pain cycle is controlled from the very beginning

Dr Speron is one of the leading breast augmentation surgeons in the Chicago area and offers a wealth of expertise with both saline implants as well as silicone implants.  Patients routinely fly in from all over the country and from around the world and his office is able to help accommodate out-of-town guests.

Am I a good candidate for breast augmentation?

One or more of the following feelings or conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for breast augmentation:

• you are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small

• clothes that fit well around your hips are often too large at the bustline

• you feel self-conscious wearing a swimsuit or form-fitting top

• your breasts have become smaller and lost their firmness after having children

• weight loss has changed the size and shape of your breasts

• one of your breasts is noticeably smaller than the other

Your Personal Consultation For Augmentation Mammoplasty (Breast Augmentation)

During the consultation, you will be asked about your desired breast size and anything else related to the appearance of your breasts that you feel is important.  The point will be to determine what natural breast augmentation you can achieve.

This will help your surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved.

How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for breast augmentation surgery?

Your plastic surgeon will examine your breasts and perhaps take photographs for your medical record. He will consider such factors as the size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin and the placement of your nipples and areolas (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipples). If your breasts are sagging, a breast lift may be recommended in conjunction with breast augmentation to obtain a more natural breast enhancement.

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries including breast biopsies, and medications that you currently take. You will be asked whether you have a family history of breast cancer and about results of any mammograms. It is important for you to provide complete information when seeking breast augmentation.

There is no scientific evidence that breast augmentation increases the risk of breast cancer. The presence of breast implants, however, makes it more technically difficult to take and read mammograms. This may be a special consideration for women who perhaps are at higher risk for breast cancer because of their family history or other reasons. Placement of the implant underneath the pectoral muscle may interfere less with mammographic examination, but other factors may also need to be considered with regard to implant placement. Your plastic surgeon will discuss this with you during your breast augmentation consultation.

If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, be sure to tell your plastic surgeon. He or she may recommend that you stabilize your weight prior to undergoing breast augmentation surgery.

Breast Augmentation and Pregnancy

If you think that you may want to become pregnant in the future, you should mention this to your plastic surgeon. Pregnancy can alter breast size in an unpredictable way and could affect the long-term results of your breast augmentation. There is no evidence that breast implants will affect pregnancy or your ability to breast-feed. Implants do not interfere with the pregnancy.  Most breast implants have a soft silicone shell filled with saline water. Many implanted medical devices are made from this same nonreactive material. Breast augmentation with implants do not harm or pose a risk to normal pregnancy in any way.

Pregnancy does not interfere the breast implants. While pregnancy does not remove the possibility of rare events such as deflation or hardening, there are no unusual implant complications during pregnancy. While the breasts will usually increase in size during pregnancy (engorgement), this process does not involve or affect the breast implants themselves. Augmented breasts are more resistant to the loss of volume and shape that often accompany pregnancy and breast feeding. In these cases, the skin can be stretched while the breast tissue volume is diminished. The end result is sagging with loss of shape as well as volume. Because the augmented breasts maintain more of their volume (the implant volume does not decrease), women with implants are less likely to see such drastic changes.

Most women can breast feed following breast augmentation. While some may supplement with formula, this is common in women without implants as well. None of the incisions available prevent breast feeding. Implant placement under the muscle allows for an extra layer of protection between the implants and the milk ducts, better mammograms and a more natural look and feel.

How do I pick my new breast size so I can obtain a natural breast augmentation?

Patients usually ask what size implant is “right” for them.  No one can really answer that question except the patient themselves.  Your plastic surgeon will ask you what size you would like to be.  During your examination, a determination will then be made based on your body dimensions, skin elasticity and a simple test - we provide patients with a properly sized bra and t-shirt and multiple implants of different sizes. These breast implants are actual saline filled and silicone implants that are usually used in breast augmentation, so the look these implants give does reflect the final appearance patients can expect.  By trying on various sizes, it is easy for patients to zero-in on the size that they like best. This simple test gives a very realistic idea of the final result of breast augmentation.  In our opinion, it is far superior to computer imaging of the breast.  Patients agree that it is a tremendous help not only in their decision to have breast augmentation surgery but also to help decide what size is "right" for them.

How Breast Augmentation is Performed

Individual factors and personal preferences will help you and your plastic surgeon to determine your appropriate breast size, the location of incisions, and whether the breast implants will be placed on top of or underneath the chest muscle.

What type of breast implants will be used?

In 1992, because further studies were needed to establish the safety of breast augmentation with implants, the Food and Drug Administration decided that silicone gel-filled implants would not be generally available for cosmetic breast augmentation. Currently, all women undergoing breast augmentation receive saline-filled implants which consist of a silicone shell filled with sterile saltwater.  Dr Speron is involved with the silicone breast augmentation study and this si an option for certain women.

New scientific data on the safety of breast implants is rapidly being collected. In the future, it is possible that additional types of filler materials may become available. Your plastic surgeon will be able to provide you with the latest information on breast enlargement.

Where are the incisions placed for breast augmentation?

One of the advantages of a saline-filled breast implant is that, because it is filled with saltwater after being inserted, only a small incision is needed. Often, an incision of less than one inch is made underneath the breast, just above the crease, where it is usually quite inconspicuous.

Another possible location for the incision is around the lower edge of the areola. Currently, this is the most popular in our office because of the cosmetic result.  A third alternative is to make a small incision within the armpit.

Once the breast augmentation incision is made, the surgeon creates a pocket into which the breast implant will be inserted. This pocket is made either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath the pectoral muscle which is located between the breast tissue and chest wall.

Your Breast Augmentation Surgical Experience

The goal of your plastic surgeon and the entire staff is to make your breast augmentation surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible.

How should I prepare for breast augmentation surgery?

In some instances, your plastic surgeon may recommend a baseline mammogram before surgery and another mammographic examination some months after surgery. This will help to detect any future changes in your breast tissue. Following breast augmentation, you will still be able to perform breast self-examination.

If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery - usually 3-4 weeks. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery - usually 2-3 weeks. Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions.

Breast augmentation is usually performed on an outpatient basis. If this is the case, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you at least the first night following surgery.

What will the day of breast augmentation surgery be like?

Your breast augmentation surgery may be performed in a hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite.

Medications are administered for your comfort during the breast augmentation surgical procedure. Frequently, local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing breast augmentation, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances.

When breast augmentation surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. Your breasts will be wrapped in gauze dressings or a surgical bra.

You may be permitted to go home after a few hours, unless you and your plastic surgeon have determined that you will stay in the hospital or surgical facility overnight.

How will I look and feel initially?

A day or two after surgery, you should be up and about. Any dressings will be removed within several days, and you may be instructed to wear a support bra. Your plastic surgeon will probably permit you to shower between 1-3 days following surgery. Stitches will be removed within 2-5 days.

Some discoloration and swelling will occur initially, but this will disappear quickly. Most residual swelling will resolve within a month.

When can I resume my normal activities?

After breast augmentation surgery, it is often possible to return to work within just a few days or a week, depending on your job. Vigorous activities, especially arm movement, may be restricted for two to three weeks.

Sexual activity should be avoided for at least the first week following breast augmentation surgery. After that, care must be taken to be extremely gentle with your breasts for at least the next month.

Understanding Risks

Every year, many thousands of women undergo successful breast augmentation surgery; however, anyone considering breast augmentation surgery should be aware of both the benefits and risks.

I understand that every surgical procedure has risks, but how will I learn more so that I can make an informed decision about breast augmentation?

The subject of risks and potential complications of breast augmentation surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your plastic surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office.

Some of the potential breast augmentation complications that may be discussed with you include reactions to anesthesia, blood accumulation that may need to be drained surgically and infection. Although rare, an infection that does not subside with appropriate treatment may require temporary removal of the implant. Changes in nipple or breast sensation may result from breast augmentation surgery, although they usually are temporary.

When a breast implant is inserted, a scar capsule forms around it as part of the natural healing process. The capsule may sometimes tighten and compress the implant, causing the breast to feel firmer than normal. Capsular contracture can occur to varying degrees. If it is severe, it can cause discomfort or changes in the breast's appearance. In such cases, more surgery may be needed to modify or remove the scar tissue, or perhaps remove or replace the implant.

Breast implants are not lifetime devices and cannot be expected to last forever. If a saline-filled implant breaks, its contents are harmlessly absorbed by the body within hours. A definite change in the size of the breast is clearly noticed. Rupture can occur as a result of trauma to the chest, but more commonly it occurs spontaneously with no apparent cause. Additional surgery will be required to replace the implant, if desired.

If you are at an age when mammographic examinations should be conducted on a periodic basis, it will be important for you to select a radiology technician who is experienced in taking x-rays of augmented breasts. Additional views of your breasts will be required. Your breast augmentation plastic surgeon, in some instances, may recommend other types of examinations such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. It is possible that the presence of breast implants could delay or hinder the early detection of breast cancer.

Some women with breast implants have reported problems including certain connective tissue and immune-related diseases. Women without implants also have these disorders, so the key question is whether breast implants increase the risk of developing the conditions. Several large studies have been completed that provide reassurance that women with breast implants do not have a significantly increased risk for these diseases.

Results of Breast Augmentation (Breast Enhancement)

Breast augmentation will make your small breasts fuller and enhance their shape. The degree of your breast augmentation is a personal choice and is determined before surgery.  Your breast augmentation will be noticeable right away.  You will find it easier to wear certain styles of clothing.  Like many women who have had breast augmentation, you may have a boost in self-confidence.

Massage of Breast Implants After Breast Augmentation

Massage of scars and implants is begun once you are 3 weeks out from your breast augmentation surgery date.  Implant massage exercises (like the ones pictured below) are probably beneficial.  I do not believe, however, that a woman gets contracture only because she did not massage her implants. 

How long will the results of Breast Augmentation last?

Except in the event of implant deflation requiring surgical replacement with a new implant, the results of your breast augmentation surgery will be long-lasting. However, gravity and the effects of aging will eventually alter the size and shape of virtually every woman's breasts. If, after a period of years, you become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a breast "lifting" to restore their more youthful contour.

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon After Your Breast Augmentation

You will return to your breast augmentation plastic surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated. Your surgeon will encourage you to schedule routine breast evaluations and mammograms at the frequency recommended for your age group.

Please remember that the relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room after your breast augmentation. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact your surgeon.

What do our Breast Augmentation patients say?
"I love my new look.  It looks and feels so natural!" - LJ, Highland Park
"I feel so much better about myself...when I walk down the street, I feel so alive!" - AK, Miami
"I love my new look.  No one even knows I had surgery!" - CL, Chicago
"Tell all your patients to not even think about it.  This is the best thing they could ever do for themselves and for their self-esteem!" - BR, Hinsdale

DR SPERON'S BREAST AUGMENTATION PICTURES

39 year old Breast Augmentation female patient before and 6 months after bilateral breast augmentation (175cc round saline implants). Notice the old left breast biopsy scar from a surgery 2 years before her breast augmentation.  Compare it to her periareolar scar (close-up picture at the end of this page with all the other close-up scar pictures). 

39 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 6 months after bilateral breast augmentation (175cc round saline implants). Notice the natural breast shape. 

30 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 12 months after bilateral breast augmentation (250cc round saline implants). Notice the stretch marks. 

30 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 12 months after bilateral breast augmentation (250cc round saline implants). Notice the stretch marks. 

38 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 2 years after bilateral breast augmentation (265cc round saline implants). Notice the lasting projection. 

23 year old athletic female Breast Augmentation patient before and 6 months after bilateral breast augmentation (275cc round saline implants). Notice the great shape. 

34 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 6 months after bilateral breast augmentation (300cc round saline implants). Notice the lift without the breast lifting scars.

41 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 6 months after bilateral breast augmentation (325cc round saline implants). Notice the natural contour. 

24 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 6 months after bilateral breast augmentation (350cc round high profile saline implants). Notice the asymmetry before and after her surgery.  She certainly looks equal and great in a bikini or bra, but the slight asymmetry is noticeable when she is naked.  Without a lift (where you cut out extra skin but have more scars), it is impossible to correct breast shape asymmetries with just breast augmentation. 

24 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 6 months after bilateral breast augmentation (350cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the natural tear-drop shaped breasts.

24 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 6 months after bilateral breast augmentation (350cc round high profile saline implants).

19 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 4 days after bilateral breast augmentation (175cc round saline implants).  Notice the minimal swelling and bruising.  The implants are always initially "top heavy" and "bottom out" to look more natural or tear drop shaped within 1-3 months.

Breast Augmentation - The Scars: 

Anytime a human being gets cut (with surgery or trauma), scars heal the following way:  Initially they are red, raised and hard.  Within 6-12 months, they are flat, white and soft.  Younger people (<18 years old) have scars that might stay active or red for up to 2 years.  Older people (>65 years old) have scars that might stay active or red for less than 3 months. 

Inframammary Scars (Most plastic surgeon's make this 4-5 cm but mine are usually 2.5 cm since I use the endoscope)

            6 weeks after surgery                          6 weeks after surgery                        3 months after surgery

            6 months after surgery                       6 months after surgery                        1 year after surgery

Periareolar scars

       6 weeks after surgery                           6 weeks after surgery                            3 months after surgery  

      3 months after surgery                            6 months after surgery                        6 months after surgery

         1 year after surgery                                1 year after surgery                                    1 year after surgery

Axillary Scars

            6 weeks after surgery                            6 months after surgery                        6 months after surgery

MORE BREAST AUGMENTATION PICTURES & PHOTOS

34 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before, 6 weeks after and 3 years after bilateral breast augmentation (250cc round saline implants).  Even with the slight postoperative asymmetry, this is considered an average result.

34 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before, 6 weeks after and 3 years after bilateral breast augmentation (250cc round saline implants).  Notice the much improved and very natural breast shape.

34 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before, 6 weeks after and 3 years after bilateral breast augmentation (250cc round saline implants).  Her flat and fallen shape is replaced with a youthful and full breast shape.

43 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 6 weeks after bilateral breast augmentation (260cc round saline implants).  Notice her fuller breast shape.

43 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 6 weeks after bilateral breast augmentation (260cc round saline implants). 

27 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 2 years after bilateral breast augmentation (210cc round saline implants).  Notice her fuller, natural breast shape.

27 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 2 years after bilateral breast augmentation (210cc round saline implants).  Notice her fuller, natural breast shape.

20 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 2.5 years after bilateral breast augmentation (280cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice her lasting projection.

25 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 2.5 years after bilateral breast augmentation (250cc round saline implants).  Notice her lasting result.

25 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 2.5 years after bilateral breast augmentation (250cc round saline implants).  Notice her lasting result.

21 year old female 1 year after breast augmentation by another surgeon.  This patient had her surgery performed by another surgeon in the area - not by me!  Notice the right side.  The implant has been placed too low.  This is a frequent problem seen after this procedure because plastic surgeons are traditionally taught to place the implant 2 cm below the crease - which is not correct, especially in older patients!  Unfortunately this is a very difficult problem to correct.  That is why it needs to be done correctly the first time.

21 year old female after correction with an internal breast lift.  No new scars were added and the same crease scar was used.  This procedure is successful about 50% of the time.  The best way to correct this problem would be a vertical breast lift - but this adds significant scarring.

36 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 1 year after breast augmentation (150cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the nice shape.

36 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 1 year after breast augmentation (150cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the maintained projection.

18 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 2 years after breast augmentation (225cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the improved symmetry and lasting natural appearance.

18 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 2 years after breast augmentation (225cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the lasting projection.

18 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 2 years after breast augmentation (225cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the maintained tear-drop shape.

20 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 3 months after breast augmentation (230cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the much improved symmetry.

20 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 3 months after breast augmentation (230cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the natural look.

20 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 3 months after breast augmentation (230cc round high profile saline implants).  The projection will look even better and more tear-drop shaped by her 6 month follow up.

41 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 2.5 years after breast augmentation (240cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the natural look.

41 year old female before and 3 months after revision of her breast augmentation with exchange to silicone and internal breast lift.  The same inframammary fold scar was used (it was also repositioned higher because it was too low).  The left picture shows her 2 years after two separate breast augmentation procedures by two other plastic surgeons.  This patient had her surgery performed by two other surgeons in the area - not by me!  Notice the right side.  The implant has been placed too low and too far to the side.  This is a frequent problem seen after this procedure because plastic surgeons are traditionally taught to place the implant 2 cm below the crease - which is not correct, especially in older patients!  Unfortunately this is a very difficult problem to correct.  That is why it needs to be done correctly the first time.  This is a great result, especially considering no breast lift scars were used!

41 year old female before and 3 months after revision of her breast augmentation with exchange to silicone and internal breast lift.  She had her old 450cc saline implants removed and exchanged with bilateral 650cc silicone high profile implants.  Notice the dramatic difference in shape.

41 year old female before and 3 months after revision of her breast augmentation with exchange to silicone and internal breast lift.  Notice the improved fullness of her upper breast.  The internal breast lift is successful about 50% of the time.  The best way to correct this problem would be a vertical breast lift - but this adds significant scarring.

25 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 1.5 years after breast augmentation (260cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the much improved symmetry and lasting natural appearance.

25 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 1.5 years after breast augmentation (260cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the lasting tear-drop shaped appearance.

25 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 1.5 years after breast augmentation (260cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the lasting projection.

26 year old Breast Augmentation patient before and 3 months after breast augmentation (150cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the nice contour.

22 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 3 years after breast augmentation (275cc round saline implants).  Notice the improved symmetry and maintained natural appearance.

22 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 4 years after breast augmentation (275cc round saline implants).  Notice the nice projection.

22 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 4 years after breast augmentation (275cc round saline implants).  Notice the lasting result.

23 year old before and 3 months after exchange of implants from saline to silicone with internal breast lift (250cc round saline implants replaced with 200cc round high profile silicone implants).  Her first surgery was done by another plastic surgeon in the area and not by me!  Her implants were previously placed under the breast but I exchanged them and put them under the muscle.  She had a lot of rippling and wrinkling of the implant especially when she leaned over.  She complained that they did not feel natural and were very palpable.  These are the complaints I usually hear from women who have implants under the breast and not under the muscle.  She also wanted a slight reduction in size.  Only her old periareolar scar was used.

23 year old before and 3 months after exchange of implants from saline to silicone with internal breast lift (250cc round saline implants replaced with 200cc round high profile silicone implants).  Her first surgery was done by another plastic surgeon in the area and not by me.  Notice the improved projection and decreased nipple to inframammary crease distance, which recaptures her youthfulness and perkiness.

24 year old female Breast Augmentation patient before and 4 years after breast augmentation (255cc round high profile saline implants).  Notice the improved symmetry and lasting result.

Dr Speron has a tremendous amount of experience with breast augmentation.  It is the procedure he performs most commonly.  He is able to offer all types of options to his patients:

- he performs all the various breast augmentation approaches including minimally invasive and no-scar approaches

- he uses all types of implants including Mentor and Mghan as well as saline implants & silicone implants

- he does not use drains for breast implant surgery

- he offers the pain pump, if patients request it (his patients typically take narcotics for < 24 hours even without this)

- all patients receive "nerve blocks" during surgery when they are asleep, which means the pain cycle is controlled from the very beginning

Dr Speron is one of the leading breast augmentation surgeons in the Chicago area and offers a wealth of expertise with both saline implants as well as silicone implants.  Patients routinely fly in from all over the country and from around the world and his office is able to help accommodate out-of-town guests.

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