San Francisco plastic surgery patients have an extensive new local resource encompassing all aspects of cosmetic breast enhancement surgery. I have consolidated my years of experience, and the common questions that my patients ask, to create a site that is both informative and understandable. If you are considering cosmetic breast surgery, SanFranciscoBreast.com is a comprehensive collection of consumer information.
The web site is illustrated with videos and before and after pictures. The list of topics covered is long and includes:
SanFranciscoBreast.com is a specialty site dedicated to all aspects cosmetic breast surgery. Since the site is focused only on the breast, it gives me the opportunity to describe each procedure in detail, and to provide you with specific information to help you make an informed decision.
RealSelf.com is emerging as one of the most visited consumer information sites for plastic surgery procedures. RealSelf allows you to learn about procedures and ask question anonymously. Your questions are answered by Board Certified Physicians, including Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, like myself. While the answers cannot be as detailed as those provided by an in office consultation, it is a good place to find answers to many common questions.
Site sponsors include four prestigious plastic surgery profession societies, in which I am proud to be an active member. They include:
Dr. Mele has Achieved Gold Elite Status on RealSelf.com
I have recently increased by participation on the site and was awarded Gold Elite status for 2010, and multiple Top Doctor awards. Below are just a few. For 2011, I will have to go for Platinum.
All the questions I answer on ReaiSelf.com are also broadcast on my Twitter Feed. If you would like to receive these tweets, click Dr. Mele’s Twitter Page, or the Twitter logo on the top left of this page. You will also receive a tweet, and a link, each time a new post is added to the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog.
This is part four of four videos reviewing breast lifts and breast implants bay area. Some topics covered include if a breast implant alone can lift the breast, and if a breast lift can safely be performed with breast augmentation surgery. I also cover some of the basics for a safe operation including age and health requirements.
Breast Implants? Breast Lift? Both?
The most reliable way to get these questions answered is to visit a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic plastic surgery. They are uniquely qualified to listen to what you would like corrected, and provide you with the safest and most predictable way to get there. You don;t have to know everything about how to do a breast lift or breast augmentation, but a general working knowledge can make the experience more comfortable. Here are a few general rules that can help:
I Like My Breasts’ Shape, But the Size is Wrong
If you are happy with the shape of your breasts, but the size is too small, breast augmentation alone is sufficient to provide the change you are looking for. If the size is too large, breast reduction alone is the option most worth considering, especially if you are experiencing neck, back and shoulder pain.
I Like My Breasts’ Size, But the Shape Needs a Lift
On the other hand, if you are happy with the size of your breasts, but not the shape, the breast lift can help. Normally, a breast lift does not remove breast tissue. Instead, it tightens the skin, lifting and firming the breasts. If you are happy with the size of your breasts, but feel they are too low without a bra, a breast lift might be a good option for you.
The Breast Lift with Breast Implants Bay Area
After having children, after weight loss, or sometimes for no good reason at all, the breast can deflate. The combination of lost volume and too much skin leads to dissatisfaction with both the size and the shape of the breast. This is best addressed with both a breast lift and a breast augmentation. Breast augmentation mastopexy can improve both the shape and the volume of the breasts, by tightening the skin and adding volume to the breast tissue.
Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Implant Video
This segment tries to answer some of the more common questions regarding breast augmentation, breast lifts and breast implants. The video comes from a recent airing of KRON’s Body Beautiful with Vicki Liviakis. The 800 number shown was for the live broadcast only, so if you have questions, please call my office directly at (925) 943-6353, or use the contact form to the left. Additional information can also be obtained from the links at the end of this article.
This episode includes:
Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift or the combination Augmentation Mastopexy.
Can one do a Breast Lift with Breast Implants?
Will a Breast Implant lift the breast?
Can Liposuction be used for Breast Reduction?
What are the age limits for Breast Implants?
Can Breast Implants be used for younger patients with birth defects?
How old is too old for Breast Augmentation?
Should I have a physical examination before cosmetic surgery?
How are pectoral implants used for male Breast Enhancement?
What is included in a Breast Implant Warranty?
What is the recovery after a Breast Reduction, and does it depend on the size of the reduction?
If you are interested in learning what specific treatment will work best for you, a personal consultation appointment would be the best way to find out. A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon can help define your goals and tailor the treatment to best achieve the results you desire. To schedule your consultation, please call (925) 943-6353.
Additional information on Breast Augmentation and Breast Lifts can be found here:
What happens when a breast implant leaks, depends on the type of breast implant. When the breast implants are saline filled, the saline is water with 0.9% salt (NaCl). A small defect in the shell, or leak at the valve, will allow the saline to quickly escape. Since saline has the same saltiness as our body, the fluid causes no harm. There is no reaction to the leaking saline, and it is quickly absorbed. The leaking saline breast implant will deflate, and it becomes quickly obvious that there is a problem. No additional tests are usually necessary, and under most circumstances, arrangements are made to replace the defective breast implant; the sooner the better. Did you know that breast implants come with warranties?
Silicone gel filled breast implants give a different result. Silicone gel is cohesive (sticky) and tends to stay together. Because of this, it is possible to have a “silent leak” with silicone breast implants. A silent leak is when the implant has leaked, but there is no evidence of the problem on physical examination. The silicone gel can leak out of the implant, but continues to be contained by the capsule, the thin scar that forms around the implant that helps keep the implant from moving. Saline is absorbed by the scar, so a silent leak is not possible with saline implants.
If the silicone gel gets outside the scar, the body will try to contain it by forming additional scar. This can lead to lumps in the breast. To avoid this complication, the FDA has recommended that women with silicone gel filled breast implants get an MRI three years after surgery, and then every two years thereafter. The hope is that a leak can be detected in the silent stage, and treated (replaced) before the gel escapes the capsule and begins to form more scar tissue in the breast.
In addition to breast augmentation mastopexy, this video discusses breast implant leaks and breast implant replacement surgery. Combining breast augmentation with other surgeries is also reviewed. The two most common combinations breast lift with breast implants and breast augmentation and tummy tuck (the mommy makeover) are mentioned.
This is segment three of four from a recent airing of KRON’s Body Beautiful with Vicki Liviakis. The 800 number shown was for the live broadcast, so if you have questions please call my office directly at (925) 943-6353, or use the contact form to the left. Additional information can also be obtained from the links at the end of this article.
This episode includes:
Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift or the combination Augmentation Mastopexy.
How soon should a Breast Implant deflation be treated?
What is the recovery after Breast Implant replacement for deflation or size change?
Is leaking saline dangerous?
Is it a good idea to bring my friend, boyfriend or husband to the consultation appointment?
Why would I need a Breast Lift with my Breast Augmentation?
Can Breast Augmentation be safely combined with other surgery? Mommy makeover?
What are the indications for Breast Reduction surgery?
If you are interested in learning what specific treatment will work best for you, a personal consultation appointment is the way to find out. A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon can help define your goals and tailor the treatment to best achieve the results you desire. To schedule your consultation, please call (925) 943-6353.
Additional information on Breast Augmentation and Breast Lifts can be found here:
