By Debra Hull
Sometimes life just isn’t fair. Do you ever wonder just what Mother Nature was thinking when she “endowed” some women with breasts that barely fill a swimsuit top?
Or, perhaps you’re one of the many who have worked hard to get your body into shape, and still look out of proportion due to a smaller bra size. Maybe you have always dreamed of going from adequate to awesome in the décolleté department. Each of these scenarios can weigh heavily in a woman’s thoughts, and have a negative impact on her overall body image. Needless to say, it’s not a great mind-set to approach Hilton Head’s enviably-long swimsuit and sun-dress season with. The good news is that while it’s certainly not “lunch-hour” plastic surgery, a breast enlargement can be done with a minimum of pain and recovery time —just in time for that yellow polka-dot bikini!
Help for this Summer’s Swimsuit?!
Thanks to the new generation of gel implants, it’s not too late to do something to feel good in those sensational summer clothes! According to Dr. Robert A. Laughlin, the principal of Hilton Head Island Plastic Surgery (HHIPS), a woman can be swimsuit-ready just one week after a breast augmentation (enlargement) and cleared for unlimited activities three to four weeks post-operatively. The quicker recovery time is due to the benefits of the gel implants that were introduced in 2005.
What is a Breast Augmentation?
A breast augmentation (enlargement) involves surgery to insert an implant beneath the breast tissue which creates a lifted, fuller profile. Two types of implants are generally used: saline (salt-water)-filled or silicone-gel-filled implants.
After the silicone scare in the early 90s, breast implant manufacturers developed a new generation of gel implants that are more cohesive (less liquid) and have thicker outer membranes. As a result, they are less likely to leak from the implant’s outer shell into surrounding tissues. If they do, by chance, get punctured, the gel will stay in place, whereas a saline-filled implant will deflate. Most importantly, the new gel implants do not need to be placed under a woman’s pectoral (chest) muscle in order to appear “natural.” This advancement significantly reduces pain and recovery time.
“The new gel implants are less likely to produce a ‘rippling’ effect that is sometimes a challenge with the saline implants,” explained Dr. Laughlin. “The gels have a more ‘natural’ feel — even with a small amount of breast tissue overlying the implant, so we don’t have to go under the muscle,” he added.
Because healing of the pectoral muscle does not need to be accomplished, pain is reduced, and the woman can use (contract) the muscle sooner. As a result, heavy lifting, picking up objects, even swinging the arms strenuously when walking can be accomplished approximately two weeks post-operatively instead of the four weeks required for under-muscle placement. Upper body workouts can also be resumed in the same time-frame. The reduction in pain and increased mobility makes the recovery process much easier.
How Do I Get Started?
According to Dr. Laughlin, the first step in the process is to schedule a consultation appointment during which you can discuss your goals with the surgeon. Ask what the consultation fee is when you call for your appointment. HHIPS does not charge for the initial consultation. While sizing is discussed in great detail at the consultation, it is during the pre-operative visit, that HHIPS’ patient care coordinator works with the patient to help determine the desired breast size. This is accomplished by placing different-sized implants within a bra until the desired size is achieved.
Most of HHIPS’ patients elect to have their surgery in the comfort of the practice’s nationally accredited, in-office operating suite which provides an extremely private setting and significant savings over other types of facilities.
A board-certified anesthesiologist provides a light, general anesthetic. Incisions for a gel implant are made under the breast at the fold area where the breast attaches to the chest wall, or if the size of the areola permits, at the lower edge of the areola. The incision is approximately one and a half or two inches long, depending on the size of the implant chosen.
After approximately two hours of being monitored in the practice’s recovery suite, the patient is discharged to her home in the care of another responsible adult. Stitches are generally removed seven days post-operative.
Although life may not be fair, no-one said that you have to fight fair! For those women who are self-conscious about the current status of their breasts, go on: make an appointment, feel good about yourself, buy a new swimsuit, and hit the beach!
Robert A. Laughlin, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a board-certified plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon with over 30 years of experience. He is the principal of Hilton Head Island Plastic Surgery. The practice, with a fully-accredited, operating suite, is located on the campus of the Hilton Head Regional Medical Center. Hilton Head Island Plastic Surgery is pleased to provide competitively-priced fees and financing options. For more information call (843) 681-4088 or visit them on the web at www.hiltonheadislandplasicsurgery.com
