Breast Learning Center

Procedure Overview

Breast augmentation procedures have safely been used for decades to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. Depending upon the combination of your physical characteristics and your concerns, Dr. Ditesheim will suggest a variety of options for breast enhancement surgery that include: whether or not the implant should be placed on top of – or underneath the breast muscle, the location of the incision, the size of the implant and the type of implant to be used. It is not practical to select an exact “cup size” as a goal of surgery. It is more important to create the best aesthetic shape taking into consideration chest dimensions as well as overall height and weight. To provide Dr. Ditesheim with a better idea of your personal goals, we encourage you to come to your consultation with a favored bra size, or photo. Breast augmentation may also be an excellent compliment to a breast lift.

Pre-Operative Overview

We customize a plan for each individual patient in order to take you through the entire breast augmentation surgical process. Dr. Ditesheim has hand-selected each individual who participates in your care; from the nursing staff to the anesthesiologist. With over 25 years of experience, Ditesheim Cosmetic Surgery strives to provide the highest standards of safety and care. We believe that preparation is the key to a successful cosmetic surgery and recovery. Pre-operative suggestions such as: dietary recommendations, quitting smoking, and prescription advice (current and future) to reduce post-surgical swelling and bruising will provided. You will have ample opportunity to address any questions or concerns, as we are always readily available and approachable.

Surgery

The experience in the office is about 3 hours, including relaxing you before the breast augmentation procedure, the time in the operating room to position the breast implants and the post procedure time in the recovery room. The entire time you will be cared for by an anesthesiologist ( MD) who will keep you comfortable and pain free. After the breast augmentation procedure, you will likely sleep for a few hours at home and then have a light meal. Some women will be pain free and drive themselves to the office the next day, others with more muscle work may have more soreness, or pressure type discomfort for 3-5 days. Breast augmentation procedures generally take about 2 hours to complete and are most often performed on an outpatient basis. Breast augmentation procedures may be performed in partner hospitals near Charlotte, North Carolina, or in our own AAAASF (American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities) accredited surgical suite. Breast augmentation procedures require general anesthesia. Our commitment to patient safety is a top priority and thus, all general anesthesia is administered by a board certified anesthesiologist; that is a medical doctor specializing in general anesthesia care, as opposed to a nurse. In addition, we have a complete pain management program in place to ensure a more comfortable recovery process.

Recovery

Once you have had your breast augmentation procedure, your recovery is an important part of the final outcome. Dr. Ditesheim will provide you with a prescription for pain medication to ease any discomfort following surgery. At the Ditesheim Cosmetic Surgical Center, we want you to feel as prepared and comfortable as possible during the post-surgical healing process. We will be checking in on you regularly as we are firm believers in being proactive in your recovery.

For most women, there is no restriction in daily activity. Because of potential tenderness and hypersensitivity after breast augmentation surgery, strenuous exercise and sexual activity should be limited in the first two weeks. Implants placed under the muscle may produce more discomfort and have a longer healing time for resuming activities. Following the breast augmentation surgery, normal activities such as: working, driving, and socializing may be resumed within a week.You are encouraged to start walking as soon as possible; however the excessive use of your arms should be restricted for at least 5-7 days. It is also important to wait 6-8 weeks before returning to an exercise program as vigorous exercise performed too soon after a breast augmentation surgery could cause the implants to shift.