Your Questions
Your Questions
Q: Dr. Eppley, I first contacted you in March and have taken awhile to get a consultation scheduled. I am now down to Breastfeeding once a day, so even though my breasts don’t look exactly like they will once I’m completely done, I thought maybe I would still be able to get a good idea about what I need/want. As you’ll see in the pics, my right one is bigger. It is by far my dominant breast where Breastfeeding is concerned. I didn’t realize just HOW bad they look until I took these pictures!! Talk about being even more depressed. Lol. Anyway, I’ve been looking at doctors who offer the Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation as I have a 1, 3 and 5 year old. I see now from the pictures that I may need a lift as well as implants. I’m very interested in the teardrop shaped moderate profile textured gummy bear implants. Ones with a warranty is preferred. Also, will I be screened prior to the surgery to make sure there are no cancerous lumps or anything? Any info you can give would be great!
A: In looking at your pictures, if you go large enough with the implants I am not sure that you absolutely needs a lift. But you has a lot of skin and it will take substantial volume to fill it out. If you go with a ‘small’ breast implant size, then some type of lift/skin reduction will be needed.
In regards to our breast asymmetry, while two different size breast implants can be used, you are going to have to accept that there will always be some asymmetry between your breasts. Implants alone will not completely solve most breast asymmetry issues.
Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation uses a combination of early arm range of motion with intraoperative muscle injections to return the patient back to their normal life as soon as possible after surgery.
All breast implants have warranties that come from the manufacturer. These include lifelong implant replacement for device failure and a ten year from surgery contribution towards surgical cost ($3600) plus free implant replacement.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana
Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in getting breast implants but am concerned about the time it may take to recover. I have a 7 year old daughter and need to take care of her daily needs so I can not be limited afterwards. How long will my recovery actually be after surgery?
A: In regards to recovery after breast augmentation, I place all my patients on a rapid recovery program. This means that there are no physical restrictions after surgery and there is nothing you can not do if you feel comfortable. Patients start on arm exercises the first night of surgery to help recover quite quickly. Will you be sore…yes. But will you be limited from doing anything for your young daughter…no. In recovering from getting breast implants, the main source of discomfort from the submuscular dissection for the implant pocket, the lifting off of the pectoralis muscle from the chest wall. Therefore, recovering from breast augmentation is really about taking care of a big pulled muscle. What is the fastest way to recover from a pulled muscle? How do athletes recover quickly when they pull a muscle? Early range of motion and stretching is the key. This is why lifting the arms and stretching them, starting within hours after surgery, will get the discomfort to lessen quicker and range of motion of the arms come back quicker. Breast implants primarily affect lifting and moving of the arms as the insertion of the pectoralis muscle is on the upper humerus and not on the shoulder.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana