Frequently Asked Quetions

Will I have the opportunity to feel different types of breast implants when I go for my consult?

If you imagine a balloon or a zip lock bag filled with water, this is similar to how a saline breast implant feels. Saline breast implants feel a bit smoother (both inside and outside the body), while silicone gel breast implants are softer, and more natural feeling implant.

Are silicone implants as safe as saline?

The FDA restricted the use of silicone implants for fourteen years to perform rigorous safety studies. In 2006, the FDA approved the use of a new generation of silicone implants for women age 22 and older, concluding that no evidence was found linking these implants to increased health risks. Many women prefer silicone implants because they look and feel more natural than saline. Others prefer saline because they are less expensive and are filled after the implant is placed. It is no longer as much a safety concern as it is a matter of personal preference. During your consultation, Dr. Heil will help you evaluate the options and make an informed decision about your procedure.

What to expect after receiving your breast implants?

Immediately following your breast enlargement, your breasts will be bandaged to promote healing. You will also feel tired and achy for several days following your surgery. Within one or two days, your dressings will be removed at your first post-operative visit and you might be fitted with a surgical bra. Depending upon your job and its level of physical activity, you can expect to return to work within about 1 week. Some patients experience a burning sensation in their nipples during the first few weeks. Your breasts will be sensitive during this time, so physical contact is discouraged. Swelling might take several months to fully subside. Scars will remain firm and pink for 2 to 3 months, and although they will never completely disappear, they should fade.

Will breast augmentation improve the appearance of sagging breasts?

Breast implants can fill out the stretched skin in the case of mildly sagging breasts, giving them a fuller, more youthful appearance. Many women achieve better results by combining breast implants with a breast lift. During your private consultation with Dr. Heil, he will perform a brief physical exam, listen to your concerns, and provide his professional opinion about which procedure will be best to help you achieve your cosmetic goals.

How long will it take for implants to “settle” into place?

This depends on the individual. Most women are pretty much able to see what they are going to look like around the 2 or 3rd post operatative check-up. Slight settling may occur after this time, and may continue for up to one year.

How will breast implants affect having a mammogram?

Breast implants will obscure some breast tissue on mammograms. Special views have to be taken to try to see as much tissue as possible. Tell your mammographer before the procedure so that they can take these special views. Be sure your mammography exams are interpreted by a radiologist experienced in the evaluation of women with breast implants.

Am I too old or too young to have breast augmentation?

In general, the minimum age for breast augmentation is 18, simply this is because a woman must be mature enough to make a completely informed decision before she undergoes breast enlargement. The FDA restricts the use of silicone gel implants for women under the age of 22, due to the different risk-factors and recommended long-term implant care. In terms of maximum age, women undergo breast augmentation into their 60's and even 70's, both for the purposes of breast reconstruction and enhancement. Whether or not an older woman can have breast augmentation is largely a matter of her general health.

Will I be able to breast feed after breast augmentation? Will silicone leak into my milk?

Breast augmentation may affect your ability to breast feed. Many women with implants, however, have successfully breast fed. There is no risk to your child with breast feeding if you have saline or silicone gel breast implants.

When can I resume regular exercise?

The time a patient resumes regular exercise varies based on the operation performed. All patients are encouraged to start a slow walking routine on the second postoperative day. Regular aerobic and more vigorous activities are not allowed during the first 2-3 weeks in order to decrease the risks of bleeding, swelling, and bruising. Weight lifting and contact sports are allowed at 1 month in most cases.

Who is a good candidate for a breast lift surgery?

Women with small, sagging breasts are ideal candidates for breast lifts. Women with larger breasts can also be good candidates for breast lifts; however, the results may not last as long after the surgery. Any woman who decides to undergo breast lift should have realistic expectations about her results. Although perfection may not be achieved with breast lifts, significant improvements can be made to the shape and contour of droopy breasts.

Can breast lift surgery increase breast size?

Although breast lift surgery will not make your bust size bigger, there are options that can increase your cup size. Many women opt for a breast lift combined with breast implants rather than conventional breast lift surgery. Not only does your bust size increase following a breast lift with implants, but your implants will also maintain the new younger-looking breast shape for longer after your surgery.

What results can I expect after breast lift surgery?

Every woman’s breast lift results are different, but in general, breast lifts give women fuller, perkier breasts that sit higher on the chest. Although your breasts may not be perfect, they will appear less deflated or droopy following this surgery. It is important for women who undergo breast lifts to understand that there will be permanent scarring following the procedure so that they have reasonable expectations about their breast lift surgery results.

How long is the recovery period?

Women typically recover from breast lifts within a matter of days, and are generally up and about by the day after surgery, although bending and lifting may be difficult. You should be able to return to work after about a week, depending on how you feel. You will also be wearing a surgical bra for the first few days, followed by a support bra for a few weeks after surgery. Breast lifts generally leave some bruising along the incisions, which will diminish in seven to ten days. Breast lift scars will be prominent for at least three months following your surgery. Although the scarring will always be visible, it will fade over time.

What risks and complications are involved with breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction complications may include issues that are common potential problems for all surgery: bleeding, infection, hematoma, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and scarring. Specific potential breast reduction surgery risks are asymmetrical breasts, uneven nipples, altered or loss of breast sensation, and the inability to breastfeed.

What are the benefits associated with breast reductions?

There are two major benefits of breast reduction surgery: relief from pain and increased personal satisfaction with appearance. Many women have breast reductions because their oversized breasts cause back, neck, and shoulder pain and limit their physical activities. Women also seek breast reduction surgery to obtain breasts that are more proportionate to their frames.

How long do the results of breast reduction surgery last?

Once breast reduction surgery is performed, breasts will remain smaller than they would be if the procedure had never been performed. However, patients who gain weight, become pregnant, or take hormones after breast reductions may notice an increase in breast size due to a natural increase in breast tissue. Also, the effects of aging and gravity may cause breasts to sag over time.

Will my insurance cover the cost of breast reduction?

Breast reductions may be covered by medical insurance if the purpose of the breast reduction surgery is to alleviate physical discomfort and pain caused by oversized breasts. In some cases, however, the cost of breast reduction surgery may not qualify for insurance coverage. During these cases, or in instances when medical insurance only pays a portion of the fees, healthcare financing for breast reduction procedures is available.

What does it mean for a surgeon to be board-certified?

In order for a surgeon to refer to him/herself as a "board-certified plastic surgeon," s/he must be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). To be certified by the ABPS, a doctor has to have at least 5 years of surgical training and experience, with a minimum of 2 years of plastic surgery training in an accredited residency program, and must pass rigorous oral and written exams. This board-certification guarantees that a surgeon has extensive experience in all areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

If you have further questions, contact our office at 724.776.2111 for surgical consultation with Dr. Brian V. Heil, a board-certified plastic surgeon and breast augmentation specialist. Consultations can be scheduled in our Cranberry Township and Pittsburgh locations.