Introduction to Breast Augmentation in Albany
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular and highly - requested plastic surgery procedures, especially in Albany. It involves using breast implants or fat transfer to enhance the size and fullness of the breasts while improving the shape or symmetry as needed. In Albany, many women are seeking this procedure for various reasons, including enhancing their body image, correcting uneven breasts, or regaining shape and volume loss due to pregnancy or weight loss.
Popularity of Breast Augmentation
Data shows that the demand for breast augmentation has been on the rise. For example, globally, elective plastic surgery is more popular than ever. In the U.S., from 1997 to 2022, the number of cosmetic surgical procedures increased significantly. In Albany specifically, the procedure is a common choice among women looking for cosmetic enhancement.
Understanding Breast Augmentation
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgery performed to increase breast size and improve breast shape. The procedure involves placing the implant behind the breast or chest muscle through a small incision. Over the years, it has proven to be one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for women. The goal is to have a more attractive chest, and it can also be combined with a breast lift for women concerned about sagging breasts and who also want added volume.
Who is a Good Candidate?
The best candidates for cosmetic breast augmentation in the United States are healthy women with realistic expectations about what can be achieved in breast surgery. If you are unhappy with the size of your breasts, have lost shape and volume due to pregnancy or weight loss, or have breasts of different sizes and want them to be more proportionate, you may be a suitable candidate. However, it's important to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon who will listen to your concerns and goals carefully and clearly explain what is possible to achieve with breast augmentation.
Types of Breast Implants
| Type of Implant | Description | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saline Breast Implants | Filled with sterile salt water. Should the implant shell leak, the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body. They are FDA - approved for augmentation in women age 18 or older. | Require a shorter scar than other implants as they can be inserted empty and then filled. There is less risk if they rupture. | Can be prone to visible “rippling”. |
| Silicone Breast Implants | Filled with silicone gel, which feels more like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell or escape into the breast implant pocket. They are FDA - approved for augmentation in women age 22 or older. | Look and feel more like natural breast tissue. | You may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly for ultrasound or MRI screenings to ensure the implants are functioning properly. |
| Gummy Bear Breast Implants (Form - Stable Implants) | The consistency of the silicone gel inside is thicker than traditional silicone gel implants. They maintain their shape even when the implant shell is broken. Shaped gummy bear implants have more projection at the bottom and are tapered towards the top. | More cohesive, leading to a natural feeling with a lower risk for leak or rupture. | Placement requires a slightly longer incision in the skin. If a shaped implant rotates, it may lead to an unusual appearance of the breast that requires a separate procedure to correct. |
| Round Breast Implants | Tend to make breasts appear fuller. Higher profile options can achieve even more projection. | Same shape all over, so there is less concern about them rotating out of place. | May not be as suitable for specific cosmetic concerns like ptosis (sagging) in some cases. |
| Smooth Breast Implants | The softest feeling. They can move with the breast implant pocket, which may give more natural movement. | Offer more natural movement. | May have some palpable or visible rippling under the skin. |
| Textured Breast Implants | Develop scar tissue to stick to the implant, making them less likely to move around inside of the breast and become repositioned. Texturing offers some advantage in diminishing the risk of a tight scar capsule. | Less likely to move or rotate. | Breast implant - associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA - ALCL) occurs most frequently in patients who have breast implants with textured surfaces. |
Ranking of Latex Breast Augmentation in Albany: Top Doctors
In Albany, there are several well - regarded doctors who perform breast augmentation. Healthgrades found 155 doctors who perform this procedure in the area, and here are some of the top - rated ones:
| Doctor's Name | Rating (out of 5) | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Susan Gannon, MD | 4.60 | 455 Patroon Creek Blvd Ste 101, Albany, NY 12206 |
| Dr. Gabriel Kaufman, MD | 4.70 | 317 S Manning Blvd Ste C364, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Todd Beyer, MD | 4.80 | 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Meera Menon, MD | 4.40 | 50 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Jonathan Canete, MD | 4.90 | 50 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Francis Cullen, MD | 4.80 | 5 Palisades Dr Ste 110, Albany, NY 12205 |
| Dr. Jerome Chao, MD | 4.30 | 13 Century Hill Dr, Latham, NY 12110 |
| Dr. Edward Lee, MD | 4.50 | 50 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Matthew McDonald, DO | 4.90 | 7 Southwoods Blvd Ste 2, Albany, NY 12211 |
| Dr. Eugene Hoffert, MD | 4.90 | 250 Delaware Ave Ste 207, Delmar, NY 12054 |
Preparing for Breast Augmentation in Albany
Consultation
Before your breast augmentation procedure, you will have a thorough consultation with your chosen plastic surgeon. During this consultation, you can discuss your goals, the type of implants that will suit you best, and the surgical plan. The surgeon will also take measurements of your breasts and consider your post - operative goals to recommend a range of implant sizes and profiles. Some clinics, like Deluca Plastic Surgery, utilize the scientifically - designed Mentor breast implant sizing system, allowing you to “try on” different implants and get a feel for how they look and feel. They also use 3 - D computer simulations based on your breast photos and advanced AI algorithms to simulate your breasts in their new size and shape, helping you make a more informed decision.
Pre - operative Instructions
- You may be asked to fast for at least 12 hours before the surgery.
- Stop or adjust certain medications, such as blood thinners, as needed. For example, you may be told not to take aspirin or other medicines that can increase bleeding.
- If you smoke, your surgeon will ask you to stop smoking for a time before and after the surgery, usually for 4 to 6 weeks.
- Coordinate with a close friend, family member, or other caregivers who can assist you with transportation and care for at least 24 hours after surgery.
- Purchase and/or pack essentials like comfortable clothing, medications, books, magazines, and other types of entertainment for your recovery period.
- Read all the information you receive, such as patient information from the maker of the implant you choose, and keep copies for your records.
- Healthcare professionals need to review the FDA's patient decision checklist with you to ensure you understand what implants can do and what the risks are.
- You may need a baseline mammogram before surgery.
The Breast Augmentation Procedure
Anesthesia
Breast augmentation can be done using different types of anesthesia. Sometimes, local anesthesia, which numbs only the breast area, can be used. However, often general anesthesia is used to bring on a sleep - like state during the procedure. Before surgery, you should talk with your plastic surgeon about the anesthesia that will be used for your specific case.
Incisions
During breast augmentation, the surgeon makes an incision in one of three possible places:
- Inframammary: The crease under the breast.
- Transaxillary: Under the arm.
- Periareolar: Around the nipple.
Implant Placement
After making the cut, the surgeon separates your breast tissue from the muscles and connective tissue of your chest. This creates a pocket either behind the glandular tissue in the breast (subglandular placement) or behind the chest wall muscle (submuscular placement). The surgeon then puts the implant into this pocket and centers it behind your nipple. Saline implants are put in empty and then filled with sterile salt water once they're in place, while silicone implants are filled with silicone gel before surgery.
Recovery from Breast Augmentation
Immediately After Surgery
After the surgery, soreness, swelling, and bruising are normal. You will have a compressing bandage over the breasts as well as a supportive surgical bra. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medications for the early stages of recovery. Some patients may have drains used to reduce swelling. Most patients take pain medication as prescribed for about a week after surgery. Light activities, such as gently walking through your home, can be performed immediately after the procedure, but you should avoid strenuous activity.
Short - Term Recovery
Most patients will require at least a week of downtime to rest and recover before they are ready to return to work or other normal activities. For at least two weeks, you should avoid movements that could strain your incision sites, including raising your arms and lifting. Strenuous activities that involve forceful contraction of the pectoralis muscle should be avoided for two weeks after the procedure, and heavy exercise should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks. It's best to avoid exercise until about three weeks after your breast augmentation surgery. When you resume any strenuous activity, you should continue to wear a supportive surgical bra or sports bra and stick to lighter activities.
Long - Term Recovery
While results from a breast augmentation are immediately noticeable, swelling will also be visible for several weeks. Residual swelling means that the final results will not be seen until about six months after the breast augmentation surgery. However, most patients find that their breasts will look and feel natural by about six weeks after the surgery. You may need to have follow - up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your healing and ensure there are no complications. Scars will fade over time but will not go away completely.
Risks and Complications of Breast Augmentation
Common Risks
- Capsular Contracture: Scar tissue that changes the shape of the breast implant. This can make the implant appear misshapen and make the breasts firm to the touch, which is often associated with discomfort.
- Breast Pain: Some level of pain is normal after the surgery, but persistent or severe pain may be a sign of a problem.
- Infection: Any surgery carries a risk of infection. Symptoms may include warmth, redness, and fever in the breast area.
- Changes in Sensation: There may be changes in feeling in the nipple and breast. In some cases, this can be temporary, while in others, it may be permanent.
- Implant Position Changes: The implant may move or shift from its original position, which may require additional surgery to correct.
- Implant Leaks or Tears: Implants can rupture or leak over time. Saline implants will collapse if they leak, and the saline will be absorbed by the body. Silicone implants may not show obvious signs of leakage, which is why regular screenings are recommended.
Less Common but Serious Risks
Breast Implant - Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA - ALCL)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found a possible link between breast implants and BIA - ALCL, a type of lymphoma. It is not common, but people who have had breast implants with textured surfaces have a low but increased risk of getting it. More research is needed to fully understand the link.
Breast Implant Illness
Some people with breast implants report systemic symptoms such as tiredness, memory loss, skin rash, trouble thinking clearly, and joint pain. Studies have not shown that breast implants are the cause of these symptoms, but for some people, the symptoms get better when the implants are removed. Experts don't fully understand the exact link, and research is ongoing.
Cost of Breast Augmentation in Albany
The cost of breast augmentation in Albany varies from $7500 to $9500 depending on a number of factors, such as the type of implants used, the surgeon's fee, the use of the hospital or surgical facility, and the cost of anesthesia. Insurance typically does not cover breast augmentation as it is considered a cosmetic elective surgery, except in cases of extreme asymmetry or other developmental problems or for breast reconstruction due to mastectomy or lumpectomy. Some clinics may offer financing plans to help patients cover the cost of the procedure.
Conclusion
Breast augmentation in Albany is a popular and viable option for women looking to enhance their breast size and shape. With a variety of experienced doctors, different types of implants available, and a well - defined process from consultation to recovery, patients have the opportunity to achieve their desired aesthetic goals. However, it's crucial to understand the risks and complications associated with the procedure and to have realistic expectations. Before making a decision, patients should thoroughly research their options, consult with a qualified plastic surgeon, and carefully consider all aspects of the process.
If you're interested in learning more about breast augmentation in Albany, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with a local plastic surgeon. You can also share this article with others who may be considering the procedure to help them make an informed decision. Explore further by researching the top - rated doctors in the area and reading patient reviews to gain more insights into the experience of breast augmentation.
