Archives: LA Plastic Surgery Blog

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon – Q & A

Ask Doctor Grover – When should I replace my silicone breast implants?

There is no set rule as to when you should change your implants. Your implants, whether they are Allergan (McGhan) or Mentor (J&J) are warranteed for your lifetime in case of deflation or rupture. You should try not to stress or change your lifestyle to try to avoid implant failure.

Contact Newport Beach Board Certified Breast Augmentation Specialist Dr. Sanjay Grover.

Orange County Plastic Surgeon – Q & A

Ask Doctor Grover – Can Breast Implants be placed through Tummy Tuck Incision?

Yes, it is possible to place your implants via the abdominoplasty approach. This, however, is not the best idea as you have limited visibility and will be disrupting a portion of your inframammary fold and potentially affecting the shape of your result.  One smaller, but potentially disasterous complication could occur if you were to develop an infection from your abdominoplasty that would now be in direct communication with your new foreign body/implants. Additionally, the scars from the periareolar or inframammary approaches can heal beautifully.

Contact Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sanjay Grover to schedule a private, personalized consultation.

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon Q & A

Ask Doctor Grover – How do I detect a ruptured breast implant?

Many women, especially with older generations of silicone implants may have had ‘silent ruptures’.  Some data suggest that with older generations of silicone implants that there were 50% silent ruptures after 10 years based on MRI studies.  With current Mentor Memory Gel implants, there is a 1.1% rupture rate after 6 years for first time breast augmentation patients based on their 6-year ‘core’ data, and a 3.8% rupture rate for first time reconstructive patients.  The best way to detect a rupture would be with an MRI as this can detect 99% of ruptures.

The FDA has recommended women with silicone implants consider having an MRI every 3 and then 2 years following augmentation.  This may be a bit extreme.  Check with your plastic surgeon to find out their recommendations.  Mammograms can also detect approximately 85% of ruptures and ultrasound can detect approximately 90-95% of ruptures depending on the type of ultrasound used.

For more information, contact Orange County Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sanjay Grover.

Orange County Cosmetic Surgeon Q & A

Ask Doctor Grover – Which Breast Implant is right for me?

Many factors are involved in deciding the best size for a given patient.  First of all there is no one size that only fits a patient. I prefer to use a number of factors in deciding which size is best. First of all, I like to know if my patient is trying to achieve a conservative B cup or a large DD size. Body proportions, chest dimensions, breast dimensions, amount of breast tissue present, ‘looseness’ of the skin etc are all important factors.  Have faith in your Board-Certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

For more information, contact Orange County Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sanjay Grover.

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon Q & A

Ask Doctor Grover – Cohesive Gel Silicone Implants and Gummy Bear Implants

For more information, contact Orange County Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sanjay Grover.

Orange County Plastic Surgeon Q & A

Ask Doctor Grover – How do I know if I have Capsular Contracture?

It is likely you may have a capsular contracture if you feel that your breasts are quite hard and do not appear as though they have ‘settled’.  The other possibility is that your saline implants were overfilled significantly more than is recommended.  This would also cause your implants to feel quite hard.

For more information, contact Orange County Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sanjay Grover.

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon Q & A

Ask Doctor Grover – Replacing Breast Implants Increases Risk of Capsular Contracture?

For more information, contact Orange County Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sanjay Grover.

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon Q & A

Ask Doctor Grover – Which Breast Implants Techniques are best for me?

There are many options when considering breast augmentation…silicone, saline; smooth, textured; round, anatomical; moderate profile, high profile; on top of the muscle, completely under the muscle, or partially under the muscle; lift, no lift etc.

Generally speaking, if a patient has a somewhat droopy or ptotic breast and would like to avoid additional scars for a breast lift, they will be better served by having their implants placed partially under the muscle (dual plane) or on top of the muscle.  Having said this, patients who have lost weight or have had their breast tissue atrophy following nursing will have a much more naturally feeling breast with silicone implants versus saline implants.  As you can see, there are many options.

Meet with a few plastic surgeons to get a better understanding of what is best for you.  A nice place to find board certified plastic surgeons is at www.surgery.org, the website for The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

For more information, contact Orange County Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sanjay Grover.

Orange County Plastic Surgeon Q & A

Ask Doctor Grover -Endoscopic Auxillary Incisions

It is still possible to use the auxillary approach. This will be a more likely situation if you have saline implants and are planning on staying with saline implants. I prefer to use an endoscope for my transauxillary breast augmentations.

However, I do not prefer to place silicone implants via the auxillary approach. Most often, I will use the periareolar or inframammary approach for primary and secondary cases.  Having said  this, you should not fear the periareolar approach to your surgery as the scars, many times, heal beautifully.

For more information, contact Orange County Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sanjay Grover.

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon Q & A

Ask Doctor Grover – How Long Should I Wait Before Re-operation After Breast Implants?

You can change your implants at any time; however, this may not be the wisest thing to do early on. Generally speaking, you should avoid re-operation in the first 3 months unless there is an emergency that is ‘forcing’ you to do so. Your breast will evolve over the first 3-4 months and you will start getting ‘used to’ your new breasts. You likely had a detailed conversation with your plastic surgeon prior to undergoing this procedure and jointly decided on the size you were going for. Correct?

Give it some time. You may be very glad you did not rush into something too hastily. It does not have to do with bleeding.

For more information, contact Orange County Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sanjay Grover.