Breast augmentation or breast enlargement increases the size or volume of the breast giving it a more full, attractive and perkier shape. It is sometimes called a “boob job” or just a “breast aug” for short. It is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic operations each year as recorded by the American Society of Plastic Surgery with about a third of a million women getting augmentation each year. It has extremely high success rates, safety and overall satisfaction. Dr. Saunders specializes in breast surgery, and this procedure is one of his favorites that he has worked long, hard and extensively on to help women achieve the breasts they have often just dreamed about.
Breast augmentation is an outpatient cosmetic procedure that takes about an hour. Implants are placed through small incisions to enlarge and enhance the breast. The operation typically requires general anesthesia. Recovery can be surprisingly quick with many people getting back to work or light activity in under a week. Risks are considered very low, and the operation is extremely safe. Satisfaction typically is very high with many women feeling it is “one of the best things they have done in their life!”
Most commonly breast implants are placed beneath the chest muscle called the pectoralis major muscle. This muscle gives added soft tissue coverage on top of the implant that leads to a softer and more natural appearance with lower complications. All sutures are absorbable, and the small incision is closed with delicate and meticulously placed stitches.
At Brandywine Cosmetic, Dr. Saunders uses both saline and silicone breast implants. The vast majority of patients choose the new silicone implants that are also called cohesive, gummy bear, and gel implants. The research studies on silicone implants are comprehensive and vast; and the extreme safety is widely published. Dr. Saunders was the principle investigator of the Silicone research study at Christiana Care Hospital System. This FDA study was nationwide and involved millions of patients and was over a decade in length. The conclusions proved the safety and high success rates with silicone implants. For those interested in saline implants instead of silicone, these are available for you as well.
It is very important to do one’s “homework” before any breast procedure, as it requires significant effort from the patient and the doctor to get the best satisfaction and success. The homework involves watching videos, doing the rice test, and finding pictures of the result and size you want. Dr. Saunders asks that the patient put a lot of thought and effort into picking her size. If she does this, we maximize our chances of getting the best results.
Dr. Saunders believes the Pain Buster has made a huge improvement in the recovery of this operation by decreasing pain. The pain buster is filled with Lidocaine which is a local anesthetic. It is completely safe and lasts 72 hours. It is not filled with narcotics which could be unsafe. The pain buster has made one of the most substantial improvements in the recovery of this operation that Dr. Saunders has ever seen. He also uses it for my tummy tucks or abdominoplasty cases.
Breast augmentation is extremely safe. No surgery is without risks or complications. The consultation will review these problems in detail. Risks are very low, but it is important to have a very good understanding of the operation and what can go wrong.
Many patients have extremely high satisfaction after breast augmentation. It is important to understand and have realistic expectations, however. Surgery doesn’t transform someone into a movie star.
All of Dr. Saunders surgeries are performed in his state-of-the-art surgery center located in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.
Brandywine Cosmetic Surgery
Wilmington, Delaware • (302) 652-3331
Chadds Ford, Pennsylvnia • (610) 459-1559
Learn more about Dr. Saunders’ research:
chrissaundersmd.com/educational-writing-beta
chrissaundersmd.com/book
chrissaundersmd.com/book-two
