Some of the most common complications include improper implant selection, implant malposition, and capsular contracture. The risk of these complications can be dramatically reduced with proper surgeon planning and execution. Dr. Chang will discuss all the implant options with you, and depending on your aesthetic preferences and anatomy, we will pick the implants that will most likely deliver the results you want. Dr. Chang has always been regarded for his technical execution and prides himself in carefully creating the implant pocket so that the implant sits naturally and is less likely to move with time. Dr. Chang uses multiple strategies to prevent bleeding, infection, or contamination of the implants that would lead to capsular contracture.

The keys to long-lasting, natural, and aesthetically-pleasing results are proper pre-operative implant selection and precise surgical execution to control the implant pocket and pristinely insert the implant.

Breast augmentation or augmentation mammaplasty aims increase the size of the breasts and achieve an aesthetic contour of the breasts to have natural upper pole fullness, cleavage, and a rounded but defined outer breast shape. Young patients with smaller-than-desired breasts and patients who have experienced breast deflation from pregnancy or weight loss are excellent candidates for this surgery. 

Overview & Why Choose Dr. Chang

Breast Augmentation (Implants)

  • Small Breasts – Young patients with smaller than desired breasts. 

  • Deflated Breasts – Patients who have experienced breast deflation from pregnancy and/or weight loss and want to restore the youthful volume and contour of their breasts. The nipple-areola complexes must be properly and symmetrically located, and the skin quality has to be excellent, otherwise patients are better suited for a breast augmentation-mastopexy.  

  • Breast Asymmetry – Patients with asymmetric breast sizes can benefit from a breast augmentation with different sized implants. The nipple-areola complexes must be relatively symmetric. For more significant cases of asymmetry, patients might be better suited for a breast augmentation-mastopexy.

  • Tuberous Breast Deformity – Patients with tuberous breast deformity, which is characterized by a constricted breast, particularly of the lower pole, with herniation of the breast tissue into a widened nipple-areola complex.

  • Healthy Patients – Healthy, non-smoking patients without major medical conditions that would make surgery or general anesthesia unsafe are candidates for this surgery. Conditions that pre-dispose to increased complications such as diabetes, vascular disease, autoimmune conditions, immunodeficiencies, etc. are still candidates for surgery but require additional pre-operative counseling and optimization.


  • Realistic Expectations – Dr. Chang views surgery as a partnership between the patient and him. It is important trust and confidence go both ways. Together, we will discuss your goals and if we can reasonably achieve those goals based on your anatomy.

Who Is a Candidate?

  • Breast Examination – Dr. Chang will perform a physical examination of your breasts. This will include measurements of the size, location, and symmetry of the breasts and nippleareolar complexes. Dr. Chang will assess the skin quality, the weight/volume of excess breast tissue relative to your desired size, and the positions of the nipple areolar complexes to help determine the best surgical approach. Dr. Chang will palpate for any noticeable breast masses.

  • Clinical Photographs – Clinical photographs from multiple views will be taken of your breasts. These photos are used to help plan for your individualized surgery and compare before and after surgery. No photographs will be published online without your written consent.

  • Imaging Studies – Based on your age, genetic risk, and personal and family history of breast conditions or tumors, you may be recommended for a mammogram, ultrasound, CT, or MRI study. If a lesion is identified, you may be recommended for a biopsy and a consultation with a breast oncologic surgeon prior to proceeding with surgery. 
  • Medical Evaluation – Dr. Chang will review your medical conditions, medications, prior surgeries, and personal and family history of breast diseases, masses, and cancers. Some patients may be referred to their primary care doctor or a specialist to ensure you are medically optimized for a safe surgery under general anesthesia and post-operative recovery.  

Pre-Operative

  • Overview – The implant plane determines outcomes such as degree of implant visibility/palpability/rippling, animation deformity, and capsular contracture. Similar to incision type, Dr. Chang can place implants in any plane in any patient, but the best outcome is achieved when you and Dr. Chang decide together based on your preference and Dr. Chang’s assessment of your anatomy. 

  • Sub-Glandular – The implant is underneath the breast tissue but on top of the pectoralis major muscle and fascia. This plane has no risk of animation deformity but a higher risk of capsular contracture and implant visibility/palpability/rippling, especially in thin patients.
 
  • Submuscular – The implant is completely covered by your chest wall muscles. This plane has the lowest risk of capsular contracture and implant visibility/palpability/rippling but a higher risk of animation deformity.

  • Dual-Plane – The implant is partially covered by the pectoralis major muscle on top, which reduces the risk of implant visibility/palpability/rippling on the upper pole of the breast, and covered by breast tissue on the bottom to minimize the risk of animation deformity.

  • Sub-Fascial – This is a specialized technique where the implant is positioned between the pectoralis major muscle fascia and the muscle itself. In this position, the fascia remains connected to all the network of supporting ligaments of the breast so that as much of the normal breast anatomy is preserved. There is no risk of animation deformity and slightly less risk of implant visibility/palpability/rippling and capsular contracture, compared to subglandular. 

Implant Plane

  • Saline vs. Silicone – While the implant shells are made of silicone, the filling inside can be either saline or silicone. Silicone implants have a more natural feel but are only FDA-approved for patients 22 years and older. 

  • Round vs. Shaped – Implants can be either round or shaped like a teardrop to resemble the natural shape of the breast. Because all shaped implants have a textured surface and a textured surface is associated with breast-implantassociated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Dr. Chang only uses round implants.

  • Base-Width, Projection, and Volume – Implants vary in terms of base-width or the diameter of the circular implant, the amount of projection from the chest wall, and total volume.

Implant Type

  • Overview – Choice of incision determines location and visibility of your final scar. In addition, different incision choices have higher or lower risks of complications and allow for differing amounts of control of final implant position. While Dr. Chang can use any incision approach in any patient, the best outcome is achieved when you and Dr. Chang decide together based on your preference and Dr. Chang’s assessment of your anatomy.

  • Inframammary Fold – A 3-5 cm transverse incision in the inframammary fold. This incision is well-hidden underneath the breast and completely covered when wearing a bra or bikini top. The incision is visible from below on the naked breast. This approach has the lowest risk of infection and capsular contracture. It also provides the most amount of control in preventing the implant from bottoming out (falling downward), so it is the best for larger implants.

  • Periareolar – A small incision that is hidden along the junction of the areola and breast skin. This is the most inconspicuous scar.

  • Trans-Axillary – An incision within the axilla. There is no scar on the breast itself, but this scar can be visible if wearing a sleeve-less top. 

Incision:

Technique

  • Pain Management & Medications – Local anesthetic (numbing medication) will be injected at your surgical sites to minimize your immediate post-operative pain. You should take acetaminophen and an NSAID around-the-clock, according to instruction, for the first 72 hours and then as-needed thereafter. You can purchase these over-thecounter. You will be given a small number of low-dose narcotic pain medications for breakthrough pain only for the first 72 hours. 

  • Recovery Period – You are expected to go home the same day of surgery and should be ambulating without restriction the same day of surgery. Depending on your occupation, you may return to work as early as the following week. You may resume light cardio exercises at 2 weeks after surgery. You should not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds or extend your arms extensively over your head for the first 2-4 weeks after surgery. You may resume all physical activities at 4-6 weeks after surgery. Your incisions will take 2-4 weeks to completely heal, but the final scar will take 6-12 months to mature. Scar care will be discussed at your 1 month post-operative appointment. Your implants will be located a little higher on your chest than expected, and they will drop into position over the next couple of months. We will discuss breast implant massage protocols in clinic. 

  • Follow-Up Visits – If you have any urgent concerns, you may call the office at any time. Otherwise, expect follow-up visits at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. 
  • Dressings and Incision Care – Your incisions will be dressed with surgical bandage strips and/or surgical skin glue. You will be wearing a comfortable surgical bra stuffed with gauze pads. The bra should be snug but not overly tight. You should try to wear the surgical bra as much as possible but may remove to shower and to wash the bra. You may shower the day after surgery but cannot bathe or swim until instructed to do so. 

Post-Operative

  • Unmet Expectations – Despite thorough pre-operative planning and discussions, you still may not be fully happy with your aesthetic results.

  • Asymmetry – No one’s breasts are perfectly symmetric. While the goal is near-perfect symmetry, there may be some asymmetries in breast size or position, nipple-areola complex size or position, and scars.  

  • Implant Rupture – Both saline and silicone implants can rupture. For saline implants, you will notice a relatively abrupt decrease in your breast size, and your body will absorb the saline naturally. For silicone implants, the silicone generally stays within the capsule of the implant but sometimes can spread outside.

  • Implant Malposition – The breast implants may move into an incorrect position, typically falling too low on the chest from gravity or too close to the middle or too far out on the sides.

  • Capsular Contracture – A capsule of your body’s tissue forms around the outside of the implant. Occasionally, this capsule can become very thickened and can be palpable, distort the implant, or cause pain.

  • Poor Scarring – Everyone scars differently. The final scar takes 6-12 months to mature. In rare cases, hypertrophic scars or keloids may form and may require secondary revision.

  • Infection – Infections are managed with antibiotics. In severe cases, you may need an additional procedure. 

  • Bleeding – Significant bleeding after surgery may require an urgent return to the operating room. Smaller collections of blood may be treated conservatively or managed with a small procedure in the office or the operative room.

  • Changes in Sensation – Temporary changes in breast and nipple-areola complex sensation are expected. Permanent changes may also occur, both decreased and increased sensation.


Complications

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