Breast Augmentation
Meet Andrew Nelson Kornstein, MD, FACS
Dr. Andrew Kornstein a distinguished board-certified plastic surgeon, boasts a career spanning 25 years. He is dedicated to enhancing lives through aesthetic surgery by achieving patient goals with a visionary approach so that they can feel young and youthful. His attention to detail and superior training sets him apart from others, allowing him to achieve long-lasting natural results for years to come.
Over the years, breasts can lose their shape or volume for various reasons. Sometimes, it may be due to aging or weight loss. Other times, it could be a result of surgery or pregnancy. Perhaps your breasts are small, and you just want to enhance them. In that case, a breast augmentation procedure can help increase the size of your breasts. At Azul® Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Spa, Dr. Andrew Kornstein can help you obtain the breasts you desire, offering an extra dose of confidence.
Candidates
The ideal candidate for breast augmentation is someone who wants larger breasts with better symmetry and more projection. If you have naturally small breasts, an augmentation procedure can be used to add more to their size. Suitable patients could also be those who experienced volume loss in the breasts (e.g., as a result of weight loss) and wish to bring them back to their former shape. If you have potential congenital issues that lead to deformities, breast augmentation can be used to improve aesthetics.
As per FDA guidelines, patients should be over the age of 18 for saline breast implants and 22 if they choose silicone. Patients should be in general good health and have no prior history of comorbidities that could lead to complications. Candidates should ideally be non-smokers, as smoking has the potential to interact with the body’s healing process. If you are a smoker, you should quit in the weeks before your procedure and avoid it during your recovery period as well.
How Breast Augmentation Works
Breast augmentation works by using implants to add more volume to the breasts. The procedure starts by putting the patient under local or general anesthesia, the former including some form of sedation. Once it takes root, an incision will be made, where the implant will be added.
Dr. Kornstein usually performs periareolar incisions (made around the areola), as they are easier to conceal. They also offer better visibility, improving the results while reducing trauma. Nipple sensation changes are usually avoided with this method, and if you’d like a different implant in the future, this simplifies the process.
A pocket will then be made where the implant will be added. While slightly more complex, Dr. Kornstein prefers to insert it underneath the pectoralis major muscle. Going for the submuscular route will make the upper breast look more natural. Long-term complications are avoided this way, as the implant is more secure and less likely to move with the breasts.
Recovery
As it is a surgical procedure, patients tend to need a bit of downtime. While you can return to work right after the surgery, we advise that you take five to seven days off to rest. Even after you return, it is important that you refrain from strenuous activities for at least two to four weeks.
Baths and other forms of submersion should also be avoided during this time to reduce swelling and prevent potential infections. You can take a shower after 24 to 48 hours, but make sure to keep the incision dry for the time being.
Swelling, bruising, and pain or tenderness can be present during recovery, but Dr. Kornstein can offer pain management suggestions. This should keep the discomfort at a minimum. You will have to wear a surgical or compression bra for four to six weeks, after which you can move on to a sports bra. This is crucial in the initial healing period, as it reduces swelling.
Full recovery is often achieved after around eight weeks, but this can vary from one person to another. Following Dr. Kornstein’s post-surgery instructions is recommended, as they can help keep the recovery period at a minimum. Be patient with your body and follow up to ensure recovery is as smooth as possible.
Results
Your breasts will be bigger from the moment the implants are introduced, but the final results may take a few weeks, or even months, to show. The swelling could conceal the results, and the compression bra can prevent you from showing them off. The skin needs about one to two months to stretch efficiently, and the implants can require some time to settle fully.
The longevity of the implants will depend on the type that you went for, with both silicone and saline lasting for 10 years or more. That said, silicone implants have a higher longevity rate, provided no changes occur. Regular monitoring at Dr. Kornstein’s office is recommended to determine whether or not the implants need to be changed.