Breast Augmentation
According to Dr. Camille Cash, plastic surgeon in Houston, breast augmentation is popular with a variety of her patients for a variety of reasons, not one of them frivolous. Many women who have felt under-endowed their entire lives or whose bodies have changed after childbirth simply want to look better and feel more self-confident. "These are not necessarily women who want to call attention to their bodies, they're lawyers, students, teachers and moms who want to look better in their clothes," Dr. Cash states. "They seek surgery for themselves, and as a woman I can understand and identify with that."
Dr. Cash recalls a recent Houston breast enlargement patient who struck her as a great example of the typical motivations and results she sees. "She's a mom with three kids, a regular minivan mom," Dr. Cash says. "She came to talk to me about a tummy tuck and decided to get breast implants as well, to fill her post-childbirth empty skin back up. After surgery, the patient told me what a huge impact her procedure had on her intimate life with her husband. She was amazed!" Another patient, a trial lawyer, feels a little more confident each time she steps into court in her business suits. Yet another 68 year old woman had breast enhancement in Houston just in time for her 50th high school reunion. Dr. Cash believes that part of these effects are due to the women's new, more appealing shapes, but the real impact is on how the patients feel about themselves. "It's wonderful to see them feeling so self-assured and empowered," she says.
If you're eager to find out more about what breast augmentation in Houston with Dr. Cash may do for you, request a consultation to meet with her soon.
Breast Augmentation in Houston with Dr. Cash
Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries Dr. Cash performs. The procedure not only enlarges the breasts, it creates a more proportionate physique and restores fullness that can be lost after pregnancy, nursing or weight loss. The procedure is surprisingly straightforward, causes just moderate discomfort and involves a fairly smooth recovery for most people. Dr. Cash's Houston breast enhancement patients report a very high level of satisfaction after surgery and find that their self-confidence and body image is greatly improved.
Dr. Cash can offer both silicone and saline-filled breast implants, and each type has its advantages. She can show you samples during your consultation and help you choose which is best for you. A variety of factors, including your choice of implants and size, will determine which incision Dr. Cash will use. Some women have circumareolar incisions (around the nipple) with corresponding scars that are nearly undetectable after surgery. Others require incisions below the fold of the breast, where scars will be visible but normally covered by breast tissue. Dr. Cash also performs transaxillary breast augmentation for her Houston patients, this places the incision in the patient's underarm and leaves no scars on the breast itself.
During your consultation, Dr. Cash will listen to your priorities and take time to ensure you understand your choices. She will also educate you about the risks of breast augmentation surgery and answer all the questions you have. Then you and she can create a surgical plan together.
Candidates for Breast Enhancement
The best candidates for Houston breast enhancement are women who are otherwise relatively content with their bodies and who just want to add that finishing touch. Breast implants can give you more ample breasts than you were born with, they can re-create your pre-pregnancy bustline, they can help balance a figure that's out of proportion and they can even have a positive effect on your overall outlook on life. But they will not change your looks dramatically nor solve any general issues you may have.
It's also important that you're generally healthy, preferably a non-smoker, and that you'll follow your doctor's instructions for recovery and beyond. This includes being prepared to deal with the possibility of implant rupture, which does occur in a fraction of cases.
Breast Augmentation Surgery and Recovery
Dr. Cash most often performs breast augmentation for her Houston patients as outpatient surgery at the St. Joseph Medical Center downtown. She uses general anesthesia for the procedure, which usually takes one to two hours.
Working through the incisions, Dr. Cash will create implant pockets either directly behind your breast tissue or behind the chest muscle. She'll position your implants carefully in place, then suture your incision closed. An hour or two after your procedure you'll be up, walking around and ready to go home or to a recovery center to rest.
Your breasts will feel sore and tight for a few days following your procedure. Most patients characterize the discomfort as tolerable, and you'll have pain medication if you need it. Cold compresses can also help. You will probably feel able to return to work and low impact activities in a few days to a week, but you will still have some swelling for a bit longer. And you'll need to refrain from vigorous exercise for a few weeks.
Common Questions
How will I choose what size I should be?
Dr. Cash is very experienced in helping her Houston breast enlargement patients choose the size that's right for them. She'll show you implants of different sizes, and you can view her set of before and after pictures as well. You may also want to bring photos from magazines to your consultation. Don't worry about this aspect of breast augmentation too much. You can't be expected to find the answer on your own, given the variety of implants available and the various surgical techniques. Dr. Cash will help you–as a woman, she knows this choice is of critical importance to you.
Are silicone implants safe?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took fourteen years of study to declare silicone implants safe, after the hysteria around some of the old-style implants. Today's silicone implants are made of cohesive gel, and even if their shells should rupture, the material most often stays put inside the breast.
What is capsular contracture and will it happen to me?
Capsular contracture is a condition in which the scar tissue that forms around the implant tightens. With breast augmentation surgery, everyone has scar tissue called a capsule. The only problem is when the tissue or capsule contracts severely. A small fraction of patients experience this condition. If it is detected early, it can sometimes be treated with medication; but occasionally further surgery is required.
How will I know if I have a capsular contracture?
Capsular contractures can develop shortly after surgery or years later. It is often described as a firm or painful breast that may be out of position or misshapen. Dr Cash routinely sees her patients back for follow up visits to check for capsular contractures or other complications.
Will I be able to breastfeed after augmentation?
Most patients are able to breastfeed after breast implant surgery. There is no absolute guarantee, however.
Will my nipples lose sensation?
A small percentage of women experiences a change in nipple sensation after surgery; a very small percentage loses sensation altogether. Dr. Cash takes every precaution to see that this doesn't happen, but you should know it is a risk.
Will I be able to have mammograms in the future?
You will have regular mammograms just as you did before surgery. Just tell your technician you have implants; most are familiar with the right techniques to use to get a good image.
Dr. Cash invites you to visit her for a personal, private plastic surgery consultation in Houston at 1315 St. Joseph Parkway, #1305. Call 713-571-0600 for an appointment today.