Breast Augmentation FAQ's

in Dallas, Texas

1. What is an ideal breast size?

You decide for yourself. The plastic surgeon acts only as your guide for your breast augmentation procedure. Generally, younger patients choose to have larger sizes compared to their older counterparts. Also, west coast patients tend to request larger breast implants compared to patients on the east coast. Your ideal breast size is one that compliments your individual image.

2. What is the difference between breast implants placed in front of your chest muscle (Subglandular) and breast implants placed behind it (Submuscular)?

Since implants tend to lack the feel of human tissue and have distinct outlines, they are sometimes placed behind the muscles of the chest wall. Breast implant placement in front of the muscle and behind the muscle has distinctively different effects.

Subglandular implants

1. Cleavage is sharper and more defined.

2. Implants and natural breast behave as a unit in long term. There is no tendency to have a double bubble effect.

3. Operation is less painful and recovery is quicker.

4. Implant outline and ripples are more palpable.

Submuscular implants

1. Cleavage tends to be blunted because of muscle attachments to breast bones.

2. Natural breasts can sag and settle below the implants and thus give a double bubble effect to breasts.

3. Because of tightness felt in muscles there is more discomfort in early post operative period.

4. Implants are covered by muscles and outline is less palpable.

3. How does Dr Rai determine whether to place the breast implant in front of the muscle (Subglandular) or behind it (Submuscular)?

Dr Rai uses the following criteria for making his recommendation:

Patients who have enough of their own breast tissue to provide adequate coverage for the breast implant can choose to have the breast implant placed in front or behind of the muscle.
Patients who lack breast tissue in front of the muscle should have the breast implants placed behind their muscle to avoid breast implant palpability.
Patients who have sagging in their breasts and do not want to have a breast lift should have their breast implants placed in front of their muscles.
For patients who desire to have TUBA ( Transumbilical Endoscopic Breast Augmentation ), Dr Rai recommends a subglandular placement of the breast implants.

4. What is a double bubble effect?

If the breast implants are placed behind the muscles in a patient with sagging breasts, a double bubble effect can occur. This is because the implants are held higher by the muscles compared to their natural breasts, which have sagged below the muscle. The same thing will happen if the patient develops breast sagging after augmentation.

5. How is the double bubble effect corrected?

Since the double bubble effect is caused by a disharmony between the level of the breast implant and that of the patient's own breast, it can be corrected by either lifting patient's own sagging breasts or by changing the position of the breast implants from a submuscular to a subglandular location.

6. What about breast feeding?

Breast augmentation with breast implants should have no bearing on your ability to breast feed. However, certain women have difficulty breast feeding due to factors other than the breast implants.

7. Can I still have a Mammogram after breast augmentation?

Mammograms involve pressing on the breast tissue. The presence of breast implants can add to the discomfort related to mammograms. Furthermore, it may require additional X-rays to visualize all of the breast tissues. Breast implants placed behind the muscle are less likely to interfere with a mammogram.

"I am very pleased with my appearance since I had my surgery. I feel more confident-like the way I look and the way my clothes look on me. I no longer have to worry about buying a push-up bra. In fact it's nice not to have to worry about one at all. I can now wear lingerie and clothes I never could before because I had no cleavage to fill it out. I feel more feminine being able to wear these things now. I didn't go for a drastic enlargement, so a lot of people haven't noticed. This is what I wanted. However, I do notice "more looks" because I can wear more revealing clothing because I don't have to use a push-up bra. I would recommend breast augmentation to anyone who is considering it. It is an easy procedure, quick recovery and Dr. Rai and his staff are wonderful. They tell you exactly what to expect and really take care of you. I have had no problems."

- A.H.
Read more testimonials

8. Does breast augmentation hurt?

You may require mild to moderate strength pain medication for a few days after your surgery. Discomfort is related to pressure from the implant against the chest wall. Larger breast implants are likely to cause more pressure and tightness and therefore more discomfort compared with smaller breast implants. Submuscular breast implants are more painful compared with subglandular implants.

9. How about returning to full activity?

You can expect to return to full activity within four to six weeks after breast augmentation.

10. How long does the operation take?

Surgery takes one and a half to two hours to perform. We like to observe our patients for one to one and a half hours after surgery before they are discharged from our surgery center. After that, patients go home to rest.

11. Will I need to replace my breast implants after a certain time?

Breast implants don't need to be replaced on any scheduled basis. A small percentage of implants develop deflation and need to be replaced after initial augmentation. Breast implant replacement is a simple procedure and can be done safely.

12. Do my implants have a warranty?

Currently, there are two U.S. manufacturers of breast implants, Inamed and Mentor. Both manufacturers have warranties that cover breast implants against deflation for ten years with no additional cost to you. In case of deflation of the breast implant, the manufacturer will provide a replacement implant and up to $1200 in financial assistance to cover the costs of the additional surgery. Enhanced warranties can be purchased for an additional fee.

13. What kind of Incision choices do I have for breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation can be performed with any of following incisions:

Periareolar incision: This is made at the junction of areolar margin and the skin of your breast. A tunnel is made through the breast tissue to reach under the breast or behind the muscle through which the breast implant is inserted.
An Inframammary incision is made in the crease of breast.
An Axillary incision is made in the natural crease of your armpit.
An Umbilical incision is made in the umbilical crease.

Axillary and umbilical incisions are used for Endoscopic breast augmentation.

If you have any more questions about Breast Augmentation or would like to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Rai at his Dallas, Texas Surgical Center, please call or email.

For answers to all of your cosmetic surgery questions contact us online today,
or call us to set up your personal consultation with Dr. Rai at the
Cosmetic Surgical Center 972-392-3511, or toll-free at 1-800-558-7355.

The doctor to trust for your beautiful new look

972.392.3511
800.558.7355