One of our happy patients
Breast Enlargement
Every woman wants to look beautiful. Having an attractive figure with shapely breasts will only add to a woman's beauty. Breast augmentation can make this possible for so many women who have small breasts. That little black dress looks stunning. Bathing suits actually fit well. And often times, after breast augmentation, women feel a much higher level of self-esteem.
Breast enlargement surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the United States. It is also one of the procedures that Dr. Moss performs most frequently. If you are considering breast augmentation with Dr. Moss, you should call his office to set up a consultation. You will probably find that Dr. Moss' Breast Augmentation consultation, including the technique for implant size selection, is the most complete and comprehensive available. Dr. Moss and staff pride themselves in the quality of both.
- Incision and Placement Choices
- Types of Breast Implants
- Your Surgery with Dr. Moss
- Breast Augmentation Sizing: "Experience the Result Before the Surgery"
- Breast Augmentation "Pain Suppression Pump"
Incision and Placement Choices
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All of Dr. Moss' incisions for breast augmentation are very small. The incision size is usually 4.0 cm. There are three common incision sites for breast augmentation surgery: within the breast fold (inframammary), around the nipple (periareola), or under the arm (axillary).
Dr. Moss primarily performs breast augmentation surgery using the inframammary approach. Occasionally, he will perform breast augmentation using the periareola approach, if the patient desires this incision and her breast anatomy is appropriate for this approach.
The inframammary approach is popular with many surgeons. The incision is concealed very well in the skin fold, especially after the patient's breasts have been made larger with implants. The scar is usually very well hidden looking straight on at the breasts. The inframammary approach also gives a surgeon good visual access to perform the surgery well.
Implant Placement Choices
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There are two placement choices for breast implants. The most popular is under the chest muscle (submuscular). The other placement is on top of the muscle and under the breast glands (subglandular).
Dr. Moss routinely places all breast implants under the muscle. He, like many plastic surgeons, feels that there are many advantages to this placement. Implants placed under the chest muscle are usually not as easily felt through the skin. This placement may help reduce the chance of scar tissue hardening around your implants, called capsular contracture. Submuscular placement will also make it easier to image your breast during a mammogram.
Types of Breast Implants
Dr. Moss uses the Mentor brand of implants. He offers both the saline and the newly FDA-released silicone gel filled breast implants. He feels that the Mentor implants are one of the superior brands of breast implants available. Mentor also provides patients with very generous limited warranties which are outlined in the Mentor pamphlet "Mentor Limited Warranties." This pamphlet is available from Dr. Moss or Mentor Corporation. Patients can enroll in the Enhanced Warranty at www.mentorcorp.com.
The saline breast implants that Dr. Moss uses are filled with a saltwater solution that is similar to the fluid that makes up most of the human body. Saline implants are inserted into the body without fluid, and then filled during surgery through a fill tube. When the fill tube is removed, the implant automatically seals itself.
Recently, the FDA approved silicone gel filled breast implants for breast augmentation in the United States. Patients who are implanted with silicone gel filled breast implants, for the purpose of augmentation, do need to be at least 22 years of age. Patients as young as 18 years of age can be implanted with saline filled breast implants. In addition, the FDA recommends that all patients who are implanted with silicone filled gel implants have an MRI of both breasts three years after the implantation and then every two years after that. (Please note that a patient's health insurance may not cover the cost of this MRI.) And lastly, there is a pamphlet (also available on-line) that the FDA requires a patient to review, before making a decision to have breast augmentation with silicone gel filled implants.
Please note that these silicone gel implants are of a newer, improved generation than those previously implanted in the 1980's and 1990's. The silicone elastomer outer shell is stronger to help prevent ruptures. And most importantly, the MemoryGel implants (Mentor's brand of silicone gel filled breast implants), contain a proprietary cohesive polymer, not a liquid or a semi-liquid. It holds together uniformly, while retaining the natural give of actual breast tissue.
Both the silicone gel filled breast implants and the saline filled breast implants are available in the smooth surfaced implant and in all three profiles (shape). You will find more information on implant surfaces and profiles immediately following this information.
Dr. Moss will review with all patients, during their initial consultation, the two types of breast implants (saline and silicone gel filled). He will provide patients with samples of both types of breast implants, so that they can feel the actual difference between them. In most instances, after presenting all the information to the patient, he will allow the patient to choose what type of implant that she wants. Silicone gel filled implants cost approximately $1000 more than saline filled breast implants, and this cost will need to be passed on to patients.
Dr. Moss has over twenty experience implanting saline filled breast implants and over ten years experience implanting silicone gel implants. He is very proficient in the implantation technique of both types of breast implants.
For more information about the types, shapes, and styles, click to read our breast implant choices information.
Implant Surfaces
Dr. Moss uses what is referred to as a "smooth surfaced" breast implant. Mentor Corporation has published statistics that show the "smooth surfaced" implants to have a lower deflation rate than the "textured surface" variety. In addition, the "smooth surfaced" implants are less likely to be felt or palpable through the skin. Currently, "smooth surfaced" implants are the most popular among women and physicians. Patients are welcome to handle and examine samples of these implants at their consultation. Both the saline filled and the gel filled breast implants are available with a smooth surface.
Implant Shapes and Profiles
Dr. Moss uses round shaped implants for all of his patients. These are the most popular choice of implant shape used today.
The round shaped implants from Mentor Corporation are available in three profiles: The Moderate Profile, The Moderate Plus Profile and The High Profile. These profiles are available in both Mentor's saline filled implants and their silicone gel filled implants.
Different Implant Profiles (these are saline filled)
Moderate profile implants offer a full, rounded shape. High profile implants provide greater forward projection for a more prominent silhouette in a narrower chest area. The Moderate Plus profile provides an intermediate option of shape and projection.
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You will be shown examples of all three styles during your consultation with Dr. Moss. When Dr. Moss examines you, he will provide you with guidance as to which style will better meet your needs. Dr. Moss has a complete set of implant "sizers" of all three styles. This allows you to see how all three styles fit your chest wall, and makes the selection process easier.
Your Surgery with Dr. Moss
Dr. Moss performs breast enlargement surgery in a hospital under general anesthesia (you're asleep) and you go home the same day. Dr. Moss uses special techniques to keep postoperative discomfort to an absolute minimum. Most patients are able to return to work in 2 or 3 weeks, depending, of course, on what type of work you do. Although most swelling is gone by 2 months, it generally takes 6 months before what you see can be considered a final result.
Breast Augmentation Patient Carla Moss
These are pictures of Dr. Moss' wife, Carla, before and after breast augmentation surgery, wearing an identical bra and sweater. Carla Moss had breast augmentation surgery in 2005. She chose to have 250cc Mentor saline moderate profile breast implants. She was a 36A bra before surgery and is a 36B bra after surgery. The implant size that she chose was fairly small. However, she is only 5'2" tall and weighs 100 pounds. Carla is very pleased with her result.
Breast Augmentation Sizing: "Experience the Result Before the Surgery"
Carla assisting a patient with a
breast
implant sizing bra
The implant size is determined before surgery in a "sizing" consultation. Your new breast size will be selected by you with guidance from Dr. Moss and his trained staff using actual implants. Time has been set aside for you during your initial consultation to have your "preliminary sizing." The purpose of this first sizing is to allow you to experience and become familiar with what your new appearance would be with breast implants. Many patients find this the most interesting and exciting part of the consultation. Patients also find that the "preliminary sizing" is most helpful in their decision as to whether they want to proceed with surgery.
Dr. Moss and his highly trained staff provide a Breast Augmentation Sizing experience that is most informative and complete. The office is equipped with a variety of breast implant "sizers," surgical bras, and a variety of t-shirts that will allow you to "experience the result before the surgery." These sizers are placed inside the cups of the bra to provide a realistic idea of what a patient will look like after breast augmentation surgery.
Patient during a breast augmentation sizing
checking her appearance
During your initial sizing, Dr. Moss and his staff will discuss with you what you want your new appearance to look like. They will guide you towards a range of implant sizes that will most likely satisfy the look you want. You are not expected to choose your implant size at your initial consultation and "preliminary sizing." You will also be shown actual Mentor saline breast implants and be allowed to touch and feel them.
During your preliminary sizing (at your initial consultation),
Carla will take a few pictures with her digital camera of you
without any breast implant sizers in the bra and with implant sizers in the bra.
They will be printed while you are there and you will be given these to take home.
There is no charge for this. It is part if your complementary consultation.
When you decide that you want to schedule surgery with Dr. Moss, you will be provided an opportunity to have another sizing. Occasionally, a patient will know the size she wants from the "preliminary sizing." However, most patients want to return for another sizing before choosing their final implant size. At this second sizing, Dr. Moss' staff will review what sizes a patient was initially enthusiastic about. Dr. Moss will examine you again and answer any questions that you might have. You will find that choosing the size of your implants is much easier on your second visit. You will be encouraged to bring your favorite articles of clothing with you so that you can visualize what you will look like after the surgery in your own clothes.
Dr. Moss and staff spend considerable time with you as you make this important decision. You choose your breast size!
Breast Augmentation "Pain Suppression Pump"
Breast augmentation patient wearing a pain suppression pump
Dr. Moss realizes that all patients want to be as comfortable and with as little pain as possible after any surgical procedure. Therefore, he utilizes a state of the art pain suppression pump post-surgically on all of his breast augmentation patients so that they can be made more comfortable during the initial 48 hours after surgery. Dr. Moss' price quotation for breast augmentation includes the pain suppression pump.
The pain suppression pump that Dr. Moss utilizes is called the Alpha Infusion Pump. The Alpha Infusion Pump has two slender catheters (about the size of a sewing needle) that are inserted into the breast cavity, next to the implants. There should not be any noticeable scar produced at the site of the catheter insertion. For 48 hours, Marcaine (a novacaine type drug) slowly drips into the surgical implant site to make post-operative recovery much more comfortable for the patient. The pump works on passive pressure and therefore requires no electricity or energy source or patient interaction of any kind.
All patients are seen by Dr. Moss the day after their breast augmentation surgery for their first post-op visit. Patients can decide at this visit if they would like to have the pain suppression pump removed or left in for one more day. If the patient decides to leave the pain suppression pump in, then she will return the next day to have it removed. There is not a big increase in the level of pain when the pain suppression pump is removed, as most patients already feel much better. There is very little discomfort involved in having the pain suppression pumps removed. In fact, many patients cannot even feel the catheters being removed from the breast implant cavity. At this point, patients may shower and wash their hair, as long as they follow Dr. Moss' instructions for showering.
Dr. Moss has found that he has been able to make his breast augmentation patients more comfortable with a combination of surgical technique, oral pain medication, and a pain suppression pump. He recommends that all of his breast augmentation patients utilize this pump for the highest level of post-surgical comfort. You will be given a brochure on The Alpha Infusion Pump and be shown an actual pump during your consultation with Dr. Moss.
Additional Breast Enlargement Photos
Click on the photos below to see additional or larger photos for each patient.
More Breast Enlargement Information:
Read breast enlargement articles written by Carla and Dr. Moss in our breast enlargement blog.
Read about breast augmentation options in our breast augmentation blog.
Read silicone breast implant articles written by Carla and Dr. Moss in our breast implant blog.
Read about pregnancy and breast enlargement written by Carla and Dr. Moss in our breast implant and pregnancy blog.
Watch Dr. Moss' breast augmentation surgery video.
Or, learn more about Breast Plastic Surgery:
Return to the main Procedures page or click on a link below to learn about other Breast Enhancement plastic surgery procedures:
Call us at 508.747.1322 or 781.337.2421
