Breast Augmentation – FAQs

It’s perfectly natural to have many questions about breast augmentation. Most Michigan residents do. After all, we’re not Hollywood celebrities who change their looks to keep up with the latest fads. We’re not trying to be someone we’re not. We just want to fine tune ourselves in a way that’s safe and effective, with minimal disruption to our daily lives.

The best way to learn about today’s modern plastic surgery is to come have a conversation with Dr. Sampson. Until then, he offers some answers to questions about breast enhancement his Michigan patients most often ask.

How much pain is involved in breast augmentation?

Breast enlargement is surgery, obviously, and you can expect to experience some discomfort. Most of my breast augmentation patients in Michigan report that the procedure causes much less pain than they anticipated, however. Most find that the majority of their discomfort eases within a day or two, and many discover they only need over-the-counter pain relievers.

How soon can I go back to work?

Everyone recovers at their own pace, but most of my patients are back to work in a week or even less. Allowing yourself a week’s time off is a good idea.

What about resuming other activities?

You’ll be up and around the day after your surgery, and you can start resuming gentle activities almost right away. You can plan to take walks and do light work in just a couple of days, keeping in mind that you will tire more quickly than normal. More vigorous activities, such as working out at the gym, should wait a few weeks.

Are silicone implants really safe?

Yes, silicone implants are safe. During the fourteen years the FDA restricted their use in order to compile more safety data, the implants were never banned in Europe. And no one has ever proved a connection between silicone and auto immune diseases or any other health condition. Silicone breast implants are among the most studied medical devices in the United States, and the FDA re-approved them for use for almost all women in November, 2006.

How do I know what size implant I should choose?

I look forward to helping you make this decision in consultation. With all the information available to you—from physicians, implant manufacturers, and the Internet—the choices can be quite confusing. I have helped thousands of women achieve their perfect size through examination of their physical characteristics and through open, honest discussions of their goals.

How can I avoid an obvious fake look after surgery?

Fortunately, the days when women came out of surgery looking like they had rubber balls on their chest are largely over. Implants have improved in shape and construction over the years, for one thing. For another thing, we can place your implants under the chest wall for a natural, gradually-sloping profile. And, during your consultation we’ll spend time talking about how your body type may influence your choices. When you come in for your appointment, together we can create a surgical plan that will have you looking both shapely and natural.

Will I lose nipple sensitivity?

I take great care around the nipple to preserve nerve connections; however, a small percentage of women experience persistent decreased sensitivity after surgery.

Will I be able to breast feed after surgery?

Most women are able to breast feed after breast augmentation. Be sure to let me know if you have recently nursed a child; in that case surgery may affect future milk production.

Will I still have mammograms, and will the exams be more difficult?

You will have routine mammograms after surgery on the same schedule as if you had not had breast augmentation; you’ll just need to tell the technician you have implants so they can use the right approach. Depending on your age, you may want to have a baseline mammogram before surgery.

Are there ways to avoid capsular contracture?

You’ll be glad to know the incidence of capsular contracture is in decline. Implant manufacturers are constantly testing and fine tuning their products to reduce this risk. Placing implants under the muscle instead of under breast tissue is thought to reduce the possibility of capsular contracture even further. And you’ll be advised to massage your breasts after surgery to help smooth the developing scar tissue. A small fraction of patients experience capsular contracture, and even fewer require surgery to correct it.

What if I’m unhappy with both the size and shape of my breasts?

This is a common problem for many women, especially women who have had one or more pregnancies or who are over the age of 30. The breasts naturally will begin to droop and lose form as a woman ages, in many cases requiring me to perform both breast augmentation and breast lift to achieve a complete breast makeover that restores volume and enhances shape. I also perform plastic surgery to correct breast asymmetry, a common problem that requires either augmenting a smaller breast or performing breast reduction on the larger breast.

We’ll discuss all aspects of your Michigan breast enhancement surgery during your consultation appointment. Call us at (517) 780-0080 and schedule time to come in soon. We’re conveniently located in Jackson on quiet 4th Street, close to Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing, and Ann Arbor.