Breast Augmentation Performed by Boston Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Bartlett

Many women seek breast augmentation in Boston to achieve a more feminine figure. Richard A. Bartlett, M.D., feels that breast implants can provide a tremendous benefit, but that the decision to have surgery should be made only after careful consideration. This requires an in-depth consultation.

Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

Dr. Bartlett begins every breast augmentation consultation by educating the patient about the risks and benefits of breast augmentation surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Bartlett will provide written information about breast implants and the operation for review at home.

Dr. Bartlett will discuss your particular situation and make specific recommendations. At this time he also will discuss incision placement as well as pain management post-surgery.

Some patients, especially women who have had children and have loose skin near the breast, may need a breast lift, also called a mastopexy, concurrently with the breast augmentation procedure. This combination procedure is known as augmentation mastopexy and is also referred to as a breast augmentation with lift.

Getting a breast lift and implants creates increased volume, perkiness, and projection while eliminating a drooping appearance. The procedure also only requires a single recovery period.

Whether or not you need a breast lift depends on the degree of skin laxity and the size of the implant you choose. In cases where only elimination of sagging is required, a breast lift without implants is also an excellent choice.

After the initial breast augmentation consultation, you will return to our Boston area office to “try on” implants. This involves placing implant sizers in your bra and looking in a mirror. This method is incredibly accurate in determining your goals with breast augmentation and choosing an implant size.

It is important to have realistic expectations regarding your breast enlargement procedure. Viewing breast augmentation before and after photos is essential for developing these expectations.

View Breast Augmentation Gallery

Breast Implant Options

Breast implants come in a variety of sizes, shapes, profiles, textures, and types. The choices made regarding these qualities affect the look and feel of the breasts. During a consultation, Dr. Bartlett discusses implant options with patients in order to ensure that they have the best breast implants for their needs and goals.

In terms of type, patients can choose between saline breast implants and silicone breast implants. While saline implants are silicone shells that are filled with a sterile salt water solution during surgery, silicone implants are silicone shells that come pre-filled with silicone gel. Each option offers its own benefits and drawbacks.

Gummy bear implants are a popular type of silicone implant. Gummy bear implants come pre-filled with a highly cohesive thick silicone gel with a consistency similar to that of a gummy bear. These implants are referred to as form-stable implants due to their ability to retain their form when a rupture occurs. Leaks are incredibly rare with gummy bear implants.

The size of a breast implant must be chosen relative to the patient’s frame in order to result in a natural appearance. Large breast implants may be an ideal option, or small breast implants may be the right choice. Only with an examination can the proper implant size be chosen.

Breast implants come in different profiles. Low, moderate, and high profile breast implants are available, along with varying gradations of these such as moderate plus. These classifications relate to implant width and projection measurements.

Smooth and textured implants are options, as are round and anatomical (teardrop-shaped) implants. Patients can find out more about these during their consultation.

Breast Augmentation Surgery – What to Expect

• About the Surgery – breast augmentation takes approximately 2 hours
• Surgical Setting – performed on an outpatient basis
• Anesthesia – general anesthetic
• Surgical Incisions – can be placed under the breast, around the nipple/areola area, or in the armpit (axilla). One of the latest advances in patient care has been the liberal use of local anesthetic in the implant pocket. This technique significantly reduces post operative pain.

 

Healing After Breast Enlargement

After the patient returns home, they will need to rest and recover. Some swelling and bruising may temporarily affect breast shape during the recovery process. Breast implants also tend to “settle” over time.

As part of healing, patients will need to wear a surgical bra with no underwire. This garment will be necessary to support the tissues while they heal and will help to reduce swelling. Ice packs can also be used to help ameliorate swelling in the region.

Most patients will take a week off from work. Light exercise is permitted at 2 weeks. The final results of breast augmentation can be judged 3 to 6 months after surgery.

Breast Augmentation Cost

There is no one single standard price for a breast augmentation, since the details of each case define procedure cost. Breast augmentation cost depends on the time required to perform the surgery, breast implant price, the incision techniques used, and many other factors.

Contact Us to Set Up a Consultation

To find out more about breast augmentation in Boston, schedule a consultation with experienced board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Richard A. Bartlett – contact our office today to get started.