Breast Augmentation
Breast Augmentation with Implants
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation can enhance and improve the shape of a woman’s breasts through the surgical placement of breast implants. The procedure can also be used to correct congenital breast asymmetries, a condition in which women may develop one breast larger than the other making it difficult to wear certain clothing styles. Breast augmentation surgery can also restore the fullness and firmness lost during pregnancy or weight loss.
A breast size that is in proportion to a woman’s body can increase fashion choices as well as self confidence and improved body image. It is currently the number one cosmetic surgical procedure performed by plastic surgeons.
Who are the Ideal Candidates?
Breast augmentation is a very individualized surgical procedure. First a thorough pre-operative evaluation is performed in order to determine if you are a suitable candidate for the operation. If you are determined to be a good candidate, then a detailed “question and answer session” takes place to determine your wishes and develop a plan that will achieve your goals for the surgery.
Breast augmentation is an important personal decision. We are committed to educating our patients using the latest information available on aesthetic plastic surgery. During your personal consultation we will provide you with a thorough explanation of the surgery and perform detailed breast measurements to determine if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. You will be shown videos, photos, and given literature describing the surgery to further enhance your education on breast augmentation. Dr. Stamatiou has performed over two thousand breast augmentations over the 25 years in private practice and is well versed in all the different techniques and implants currently used for breast augmentation.
About the Procedure
There are multiple techniques performed for Breast Augmentation as are described by Plastic Surgeons in various websites and magazine articles which vary by type of implant used (anatomic or round, textured or smooth, saline or silicone), where the implant is placed ( sub muscular, sub glandular, or biplane) and where the skin incision is made ( under the breast, around the nipple or in the armpit). Therefore when speaking to the Plastic Surgeon in consultation not only should the various techniques be discussed, however also the pros and cons of each that lead the surgeon to use the technique that he prefers for the patient.
Breast Augmentation Choices
Dr. Stamatiou specializes in breast augmentation techniques using the most modern silicone gel implants. With over 25 years experience in USA and Greece, Dr. Stamatiou can enhance your figure with a straightforward and predictable outpatient procedure. The key to Dr. Stamatiou's success is that he is able to achieve natural results, harmonious to your body in which the implants not detected or able to be felt on palpation and are long lasting without an "expiration date".
We hope the information that follows will help you to understand the decisions that need to be made to achieve the results you want in the way you want them achieved. Breast enlargement is a personal choice. Dr. Stamatiou is proud to be able to use many different approaches to achieve the goals desired, while considering your own unique circumstances.
Another factor to be considered, while guided to your decision by Dr. Stamatiou, is that a woman's breast changes throughout her life due to age, pregnancies,breast feeding, weight loss/gain and menopause there may be a need to revise the breast augmentation. Therefore the technique that will be utilized needs to be versatile to any changes that may be desired in the future.
Each individual woman has an aesthetic goal and it is that goal through a safe, careful and custom-designed surgical procedure that Dr. Stamatiou aims to achieve.
Location of Scar
The first decision to make is where to perform the incision through which the breast implant is placed: breast fold, nipple areola and axilla
Breast fold By far the most common incision is placed within the fold of the breast. The scar is well-hidden and fades over time. Typically our patients find the scar to be of no significance whatsoever. Through this incision, Dr. Stamatiou is given the maximal visibility to control, the postoperative result. In addition, any desired touch-up surgery in the future can typically be performed through this scar and, therefore, no additional scars would be necessary. is able to have completely cover the implant by the muscle,underneath at the breast fold, and therefore the result is that the implant is not able to be felt under the skin. Another advantage of the"complete muscle coverage" technique, is that as the years pass the implant doesn't "bottom out" due to gravity and the cleavage remains full. If the muscle is not closed or reattached at the lower margin of the implant, in other words at the breast fold, and there is only skin over the implant, then the implant is able to be detected on palpation, in other words felt. This "variable" is one that can not be seen nor judged by before and after photos or even simply looking at the augmented breast without actually touching.
Nipple-Areola An alternative incision is placed around the lower portion of the areola (the dark area around the nipple). This is an appropriate choice for those women who do not want the incision performed in the breast fold, but who have adequate areolar diameter to allow for careful implant positioning. There are some concerns with this approach that will be discussed during your visit with Dr. Stamatiou. There is a slightly increased risk of loss of sensation or change to the shape of the nipple and areola, and an increased risk of contracture in periareolar surgery.. These are often deciding factors in women who elect not to use this approach.
Axilla-(armpit) For many years, breast implants have been placed through axillary (armpit) incisions. In a significant percentage with this armpit incision there is some loss of control in implant positioning, which may to lead uneven height of the implants at the breast fold, and any future surgery may not be able to be performed through the old scar. An additional scar therefore may become necessary at the breast fold. It is for these reasons that the armpit approach is not suavely recommended by Dr. Stamatiou.