Strax Talks About Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants
By Dr. Jeffrey Hamm
Board Certified Doctor at Strax Rejuvenation
The number of options and methods available for breast augmentation makes it difficult to answer the question “How much does it cost?”
The cost of breast augmentation varies widely, depending on factors such as the plastic surgeon’s skill, the location where you have the surgery performed, whether the surgery takes place in the outpatient office or in a hospital, what type of surgery you choose, and the kind of anesthesia used.
Breast implants also have a cost–for example silicone gel or saline (salt water)–is typically part of the surgery fee.
The average total augmentation procedure cost ranges from $,000 to $8,000, which includes the implants that typically cost $1,000 to $1,500; the anesthesia fee which is typically $450 to $1,500; the facility fee which typically ranges from $0 to $1,500, and the remaining cost is the surgeon’s fee.
The plastic surgeon’s training and skill are important factors in the cost however, it is very important to note that higher fees do not necessarily mean higher quality results. The most qualified surgeons who have performed extensive surgeries typically command higher fees but you don’t ever want to go with the surgeon that is not qualified or credentialed. Some surgeons offer financing.
It’s best to find a board-certified surgeon who has years of surgical training and a background in breast augmentation surgery. Using a board-certified plastic surgeon may not always guarantee the best results; however, board certification does require specific and rigorous surgical education and training that improves satisfaction levels with breast augmentation procedures.
Breast augmentation with breast implant surgery is typically considered a purely cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, which is not covered by insurance, however, most surgical practices are willing to accept payments with a variety of financing options. Be sure to ask your surgeon or a staff member about payment plans.(Read more about patient financing.)
Maximizing Your Satisfaction Level Starts With Education – Strax Can Help
Breast implants give women more control over the size, shape, and profile of their breast. Breast implant plastic surgery can improve the appearance of breasts after aging and childbearing have taken their toll—restoring a more youthful appearance.
Review the following information to educate yourself prior to seeing a surgeon and to maximize the satisfaction level of your breast augmentation:
Breast augmentation with implants (augmentation mammoplasty): implants are inserted behind breast tissue or above the breast muscle. Implants range in volume from 120 mL (milliliters) to 850 mL. In addition to the volume range, implants vary in shape, profile, outer thickness, and outer surface layer.
Silicone Implants: Some women feel that silicone implants are smoother and softer than saline-filled implants. These implants feel like a semisolid gel. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed silicone implants from the general consumer market in 1992 as a precautionary measure over conflicting reports of possible complications. However, they were re-approved in 2005. You may also choose Saline implants.
Saline Implants: Saline implants are empty when placed into the body and then filled with saline (salt-water), so the incision is smaller. Saline implants are generally more noticeable to the eye and more susceptible to rippling and wrinkling than silicone implants. Saline implants are generally recommended more for women with very little breast tissue, or for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.
Placement of Breast Implants
Breast implants are placed in the breast in one of three different ways:
- Subglandular implant placement (between the breast tissue and pectoralis muscle)
- Partial submuscular implant placement (the implant is partially covered by the pectoralis muscle)
- Complete submuscular implant placement (underneath the pectoralis muscle)
These placements vary from shallow (subglandular) to deep (complete submuscular). The optimum implant location depends on the size of the breast implants, your anatomy, and other factors related to your goals and expectations. Talk to your plastic surgeon for a more detailed explanation and a recommendation for the optimum placement based on your physiology and aesthetic goals.
Incision Types for Breast Implants
Implants are inserted behind the breast tissue or above the breast muscle through incisions carefully placed by the surgeon. Because breast augmentation is performed for aesthetic reasons, the incisions are made in locations designed to be as inconspicuous as possible after surgery. Four main types of incisions are used for breast augmentation surgery.
- Areola (periareolar incision or nipple incision)
- Transaxillary (transax or armpit incision)
- Crease (inframammary fold incision)
- Belly-button (transumbilical, navel, or TUBA incision)
Make sure you tell your surgeon about ALL medication that you are taking. But never stop taking any medication abruptly without first speaking to your doctor.
Considering Strax Breast Augmentation?
Here are some questions to ask your plastic surgeon.
- Am I a good candidate for breast augmentation?
- What type of breast implants do you recommend for me?
- How many breast augmentation procedures have you performed?
- Do you have any before-and-after pictures of former breast augmentation patients I can see?
- What are the risks associated with breast implants?
- What guidelines should I follow prior to my breast augmentation procedure?
- What type of anesthesia will be used during my breast augmentation procedure?
- Are breast implants painful?
- Will pain medication be administered after my breast augmentation procedure?
- Will I need to miss work after my breast augmentation procedure?
- When can I exercise after my breast augmentation procedure?
- Is there anything you will recommend or prescribe to help with scars after my breast augmentation procedure?
- Will a breast augmentation procedure cause stretch marks?
After you have all your questions answered, be sure to share your expectations with your plastic surgeon.
Talk to your Strax Rejuvenation board-certified plastic surgeon to find the best options for your individual needs and condition.
About Strax
Founded in 2004, Strax Rejuvenation & Aesthetics Institute is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading plastic surgery and wellness centers. Strax has successfully performed over 30,000 surgeries since 2004. To guarantee patient safety and care, all surgeons at Strax must be board certified and credentialed by independent risk managers. All surgeons’ prior medical performance histories are closely scrutinized before they are permitted to perform surgery at Strax’ facility. Supported by a full staff of MD Anesthesiologists registered nurses and physician’s assistants, patients are guaranteed to receive the very best possible experience in a warm, friendly and nurturing environment. Strax Rejuvenation offers Lap-Band® Surgery, Breast Augmentation, Liposuction, Facelifts, Neck Lifts, Hair Grafts, Eyelid Surgery, and Vaginal Rejuvenation. Non-surgical procedures include Fraxel Laser and Lipo X Treatment, Dysport, Restylane, Juvederm, and many more.
To learn more, visit: http://www.straxrejuvenation.com. You can also connect with Strax on Facebook and see other patients’ comments and feedback. Visit:http://www.Facebook.com/straxre
