Breast Augmentation in Birmingham
Breast Implants for the Birmingham, Anniston, Gadsden and Tuscaloosa Areas
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure for women who desire to enlarge their breast size. Birmingham plastic surgeon, Dr. Eich, and his staff will work with you to help you select the proper size and position of your breast implants to obtain the increased fullness and shape you desire from surgical augmentation.
Many women with a desire for breast implants visit our office from cities all over the region, such as Birmingham, Anniston, Gadsden, and Tuscaloosa. Breast enlargement is one of the most popular procedures for women in our Birmingham office.
The Ideal Candidates for Breast Augmentation
Healthy women who desire larger breasts are usually good candidates for this enlargement procedure. If the breasts droop very much, then a breast lift or mastopexy may be needed in addition to or instead of augmentation.
For the best long term outcome, it is important that the patient’s breasts be stable in size prior to augmentation. Generally, breast augmentation should be performed on women who are 18 or older, but it is more important that the breasts have stopped growing for at least six months.
Types of Breast Implants
While all breast implants have a silicone shell, they may be filled with either saline or silicone gel. Saline implants are filled to the desired size with sterile salt water at the time of insertion allowing a smaller incision to be used. Because the saline is similar in consistency to water, they may feel firm or less natural. Silicone implants are pre-filled when manufactured, so they require a slightly longer incision to insert. Because silicone forms itself to the adjacent tissues better than saline, and because of its softer consistency, silicone usually looks and feels more like a natural breast that saline. However, if you choose silicone breast implants, the FDA and the implant manufacturers recommend an MRI every two to three years, as any damage that may occur to a silicone implant may not be evident to you.
There are various sizes, shapes and textures to choose from, and Dr. Eich will help you select the implant most likely to achieve your individual goals.
Birmingham’s Favored Procedure for Breast Enlargement
Dr. Eich performs a variety of techniques in placing breast implants. Although breast implants can be inserted through an incision around the areola, under the fold of the breast or under the armpit, Dr. Eich feels that the incision under the fold of the breast is the most reliable. The site of the incision, the size and type of implant (whether silicone or saline) and the position of the implant relative to your chest muscles will be discussed at your consultation in our office in Birmingham.
Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia in Dr Eich’s cosmetic surgery suite in Birmingham, Alabama. The procedure involves making an incision under the breast. A pocket is created for the breast implant, and the implant is inserted.
Typical Recovery Expectations from Breast Enlargement Surgery
Post operative discomfort is most noticeable for about three days after breast augmentation; by two weeks, most people feel much better although they may still be sore. Swelling after surgery is mostly gone at six weeks, but it can take up to six months for all of the swelling to resolve and for the implants to finish settling into position. You may shower as usual after surgery, but you must avoid getting into standing water such as a bath or pool. Breast enlargement recovery requires that you wear a special bra at all times for six weeks and avoid heavy lifting or exercise for approximately six weeks.
