Breast Augmentation in Allen

Breast Augmentation

“Breast augmentation” is the most common plastic surgery procedure performed in the United States. Despite it’s popularity, it is a much more complex procedure then it would seem at first glance. The essence of the procedure is of course to enlarge the breasts. But a great surgical outcome involves much more than simply deciding on the size of an implant.

Each patient is unique – unique in what they want to achieve and unique in what the anatomy of their breasts will allow breast augmentation to achieve. It is not a one size fits all “cookie cutter” procedure that can be shaped for on line.

Dr. Charles Slack— certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery—is highly experienced in breast augmentation surgery. He received additional specialized training through the Georgetown University Fellowship for Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Breast. This, along with his years of experience have given him an important understanding of the subtle nuances of breast augmentation needed to make the decisions that lead to great surgical results.

Breast Augmentation can be used:

  • to augment (add to) the size of the breasts
  • to restore volume and firmness to the breasts after pregnancy, breastfeeding, and/or weight loss
  • to improve the shape of breasts that have sagged and lost fullness
  • to correct asymmetry when breasts are unequal in size or shape
  • to provide the foundation for a new breast following a mastectomy (breast removal)
  • to improve a breast’s appearance that has been disfigured due to a congenital abnormality or trauma

 

BREAST AUGMENTATION COMMON FACTS

Consider the information below a ”primer” on breast augmentation. However, the best way to learn all that you can about your own circumstances is to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Slack. He will discuss your concerns and goals in depth with you, and he’ll explain exactly what can and cannot be achieved for you with breast augmentation. Patients find Dr. Slack to be the kind of surgeon whose wisdom and compassion make him easy to talk to about the sensitive topic of breast surgery.

A good candidate for breast augmentation surgery is in good physical and mental health and has realistic expectations. Age can be an important factor as well. It’s usually recommended that a patient’s breasts be fully developed before breast augmentation is performed. In fact, the FDA has approved breast implants only for women 18 years or older (for saline implants) and 22 years or older (for silicone implants). Exceptions for younger patients may be made, particularly in cases involving breast augmentation that is performed for reconstructive purposes.

Breast augmentation can be achieved through several different surgical procedures. Dr. Slack is highly trained in the safest and most well-established breast augmentation procedures. He will explain which procedure is right for you. Well before you schedule surgery, he’ll make sure that you understand and feel comfortable with your treatment plan.

Most commonly, breast augmentation, or enlargement, is achieved with a breast implant. There are numerous types and sizes of breast implants. Choosing the appropriate implant is a critical part of the process to help you  achieve satisfactory breast augmentation. The factors  considered in determining the right implant for you include:

  • your breast anatomy;
  • your body type;
  • your desired increase in size;
  • your lifestyle;
  • your, breast implant and incision preferences; and
  • Dr. Slack’s surgical judgment and recommendations.

The space into which a breast implant is inserted is called the implant pocket. In all breast augmentation techniques an implant, filled with either saline or silicone, is placed behind or on top of the chest muscle (pectoralis major muscle).

Placement of the breast implant under the chest muscle generally produces a more natural look and feel. The additional thickness provided by the muscle coverage of the breast implant reduces the chances of developing visible rippling in the upper aspect of the breast and blunts the more obvious, rounded, “augmented” appearance of the upper aspect of the breast. Under the muscle placement also allows for better visualization of breast tissue with mammograms when compared to breast implant placement on top of the muscle.

Occasional issues with under the muscle placement that may lead some patients to choose placement of the implant on top of the muscle. Post-operative pain is one such issue. Another known concern is animation deformity, the elimination of implant movement with vigorous pectoralis muscle contraction. For most patients it is mild and easily accepted. In more severe cases the problem is corrected by performing a pocket switch procedure. This procedure moves the breast implant from an under the muscle pocket to a new pocket on top of the muscle.

The placement of the incision for the implant is another aspect that differs among the breast augmentation techniques. Incisions can be made along the breast fold, in the belly button, within the armpit or along the lower border of the areola.

Dr. Slack performs breast augmentation procedures on an outpatient basis either at an accredited surgery center or in the hospital. Most breast augmentation procedures are performed under general anesthesia but can be performed under sedation (twilight sleep) if the patient desires. Anesthesia is provided by either board certified anesthesiologist or their certified nurse anesthetist.

Breast augmentation usually takes 1-2 hours to complete depending on the type of procedure.

Patients experience varying degrees of swelling and pain after surgery ranging from very minor to severe in some cases. Most patients feel moderate pressure or chest tightness and muscle soreness after surgery. The pain is mainly due to cutting and stretching of the muscle during surgery and is therefore most severe with certain arm movements (pushing, pulling, lifting). Narcotic pain medication and muscle relaxers are provided after surgery and should make you comfortable. Most patients are able to transition over to Motrin or Tylenol in 3-5 days.

A return to normal daily activities, including light work duties and driving, can be accomplished within a week or so. Dr. Slack and his staff will give you complete post-surgery information and guidelines to follow. They are always available to you during your recovery period.

“Dr. Slack and his staff are nothing short of AMAZING! From the second you walk in for a consultation, to the pre-operative appointment, to surgery day, to post operative appointments everyone just makes you feel so welcome and answers any and all of the questions you have. I had consultations with a couple different surgeons for my breast augmentation, actually had a non- refundable deposit put down with a different surgeon and a surgery date scheduled when I decided to do one last consultation, that happened to be with Dr. Slack. I cant tell you how HAPPY I am that I decided to do that consultation last minute. When I met Dr. Slack and his staff I just knew I was in good, caring hands. I decided during that appointment to forego my non-refundable deposit (which wasn’t cheap) with the other surgeon and schedule my breast augmentation with Dr. Slack. I had my surgery done early Thursday Morning – last thing I remember was the anesthesiologist coming in at 7:30 and putting that good stuff in my IV, then I was awake, fully functioning and texting my husband by 10:00!! I was home before lunchtime that same day, took a long nap and woke up to eat dinner around 5:30 WITH NO PAIN!! Thought that may have been too good to be true so I didn’t get my hopes up that I would wake up the next morning feeling the same way. Woke up Friday morning again WITH NO PAIN, so I skyped into a zoom meeting (24 hours after surgery) and worked on my laptop for a few hours, then took it easy the rest of the day and took my pain meds just in case I did start hurting. Saturday morning I woke up in absolutely no pain again so my husband and I went out shopping and to Hooters for lunch (where I promptly took the opportunity to show my new girls off the waitresses). I was back at work on Monday with absolutely no issues as well as 0 pain.

Moral of this review is – if you want to go to the BEST surgeon in the metroplex, you’ll go see Dr. Slack!” -Whitney D.