In the age of ‘mommy makeovers’, breast lift surgery, or mastopexy , has become an increasingly popular option for post-baby body comebacks. A mastopexy raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening and repositioning the surrounding tissue to create a more youthful and pleasing breast contour. A breast lift can also reduce the size of areolas that can become enlarged over time.

All surgical procedures carry varying degrees of associated risks. During your initial consultation with your Doctor, you will be asked to provide a full medical history and other information that will help your surgeon determine whether you face an increased threat for any risks.

Risks and possible complications of mastopexy include: unfavorable scarring, excessive bleeding or hematoma, skin loss (tissue death), blood clots, reactions to anesthesia, skin discoloration, persistent edema (swelling), asymmetry, temporary or even permanent loss of sensation in the nipples, unsatisfactory aesthetic results, or recurrent looseness or sagging of skin.

Ensuring that you are in optimal health before your surgery can lessen some of the aesthetic risks.  You can help the health process by making sure your body is nourished and in optimum health:

• Refrain from smoking before and after surgery
• Eat a well balanced diet
• Get plenty of rest
• Avoid sun exposure before and after surgery
• Your doctor may ask you to stop or begin taking certain medications before surgery

Most doctors recommend that you have breast lift surgery after you are done having children, still, some women choose not to wait to have the corrective procedure.

As with any surgical procedure, careful thought and consideration must be placed on your lifestyle, level of activity and aesthetic preferences.  Be sure to thoroughly review all of your options with your plastic surgeon.

To learn more about breast lift surgery in NJ, visit www.DoctorsofCosmeticSurgery.com or call the Lombardi Plastic Surgery Center at 732-460-9555.

About Dr. Lombardi:

Dr. Lombardi is a Plastic Surgeon in NJ and the founding surgeon of The Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Center in Eatontown, New Jersey. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Lombardi has received highly specialized training in all aspects of cosmetic surgery including Breast Augmentation, Facial Rejuvenation, and Body Contouring procedures. He is trained in the latest cutting edge techniques of cosmetic surgery including laser surgery, Botox, Restylane, and all of the newest facial fillers. In addition, Dr. Lombardi is the first plastic surgeon in Monmouth County to perform Thermage, or the non-surgical Facelift.
To learn more about Dr. Lombardi, visit http://www.doctorsofcosmeticsurgery.com/

Are Silicone Breast Implants Safe?

The history of silicone breast implants in the US is a long and controversial one.  Many years after their introduction, women with silicone breast implants began complaining of illnesses and ruptured implant.  In 1992, the complaints led the FDA to issue a moratorium which meant that moving forward, silicone gel implants would be available in the U.S. only for use in clinical trials and for breast reconstruction procedures performed on women who already had these implants and needed a replacement for medical reasons.

After a comprehensive evaluation of the evidence for the Association of Silicon Breast Implants with human health conditions, the Institute of Medicine concluded in June that there is “no definitive evidence linking breast implants to cancer, neurological diseases, neurological problems or other systemic diseases.”  Furthermore, the US Department of Health and Human Services issued this statement:

“For some years controversy has existed over silicone implants used for breast augmentation or replacement after mastectomy. Adverse effects from their use have been widely reported in the popular press, with conflicting information often appearing in the medical literature. This controversy and the attendant publicity led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first to ban any use of these implants and then to permit limited use, mainly as replacement after mastectomy.

“Silicone is used not only in breast implants but also in implants located literally throughout every part of the body. It has been used: to construct heart valves and other cardiovascular prostheses; to fashion catheters which are used for purposes ranging from drug delivery to cardiac monitoring; in dentistry; in the gastrointestinal tract; as a facilitator for nerve regeneration; in ophthalmology; in the ear, nose, throat, and respiratory tract; as a prosthesis or ingredient in prostheses for many parts of the skeletal system; as a tissue expander; as a cosmetic agent for treatment of scars and wrinkles; in the urogenital tract, including penile prostheses; and in many other applications.”

Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/cbm/silicone.html

This statement was released after many clinical trials showed no increased risk of breast cancer, connective tissue diseases, neurological diseases or other illnesses in women with silicone breast implants. As a result, the 14-year moratorium on silicone implants ended in November 2006 when the FDA approved the silicone gel breast implants for cosmetic breast augmentation surgery.

Why Choose Silicone Breast Implants?

You may be wondering why, after all of the controversy, would women still opt for silicone breast implants versus saline implants.  Many women feel that silicone breast implants look more natural and feel more natural, to the extent that some say it’s difficult to discern a silicone implant from a natural breast.  Also, silicone implants are less likely to produce the rippling effect, which adds to their natural look.

Because silicone gel is much thicker than saline, it does not more around as much as saline.  Because of this, implants can be placed over the muscle which also gives a more natural look.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both silicone and saline breast implants, and careful thought and consideration should be taken into any decision.  Be sure to review all of your options with your plastic surgeon.

About Dr. Lombardi:

Dr. Lombardi is a Plastic Surgeon in NJ and the founding surgeon of The Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Center in Eatontown, New Jersey. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Lombardi has received highly specialized training in all aspects of cosmetic surgery including Breast Augmentation, Facial Rejuvenation, and Body Contouring procedures. He is trained in the latest cutting edge techniques of cosmetic surgery including laser surgery, Botox, Restylane, and all of the newest facial fillers. In addition, Dr. Lombardi is the first plastic surgeon in Monmouth County to perform Thermage, or the non-surgical Facelift.
To learn more about Dr. Lombardi, visit http://www.doctorsofcosmeticsurgery.com/

Saline and silicone breast implants are similar in that they both are made of an outer silicone shell. The implants differ in material and consistency, however.  Some surgeons and patients feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue.

• Saline breast implants: Saline implants are filled with saline, usually at the time of surgery. Saline implants have been criticized for feeling hard or unnatural, but improved surgical techniques — such as placing the implant behind the chest muscle and slightly overfilling it — have lessened these complaints.

• Silicone breast implants. Silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel — a thick, sticky fluid that closely resembles the feel of human fatty tissue. Some women feel that silicone breast implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue.

Are Silicone Breast Implants Safe?

Yes, silicone breast implants are safe and FDA approved.  In the early 1990’s it was believed that silicone breast implants were responsible for connective tissue diseases in some women. After a thorough evaluation of the evidence for the Association of Silicon Breast Implants with human health conditions, the Institute of Medicine concluded in June that there is “no definitive evidence linking breast implants to cancer, neurological diseases, neurological problems or other systemic diseases.”

Furthermore, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states:

“Silicone is used not only in breast implants but also in implants located literally throughout every part of the body. It has been used: to construct heart valves and other cardiovascular prostheses; to fashion catheters which are used for purposes ranging from drug delivery to cardiac monitoring; in dentistry; in the gastrointestinal tract; as a facilitator for nerve regeneration; in ophthalmology; in the ear, nose, throat, and respiratory tract; as a prosthesis or ingredient in prostheses for many parts of the skeletal system; as a tissue expander; as a cosmetic agent for treatment of scars and wrinkles; in the urogenital tract, including penile prostheses; and in many other applications.”

Source:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/cbm/silicone.html

More information regarding breast implant surgery can be found at  http://www.doctorsofcosmeticsurgery.com/sub/breast.jsp

Dr. Lombardi’s dedicated plastic surgery blog is online at http://lombardiplasticsurgery.com/

About Dr. Lombardi:

Dr. Lombardi is a Plastic Surgeon in NJ and the founding surgeon of The Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Center in Eatontown, New Jersey. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Lombardi has received highly specialized training in all aspects of cosmetic surgery including Breast Augmentation, Facial Rejuvenation, and Body Contouring procedures. He is trained in the latest cutting edge techniques of cosmetic surgery including laser surgery, Botox, Restylane, and all of the newest facial fillers. In addition, Dr. Lombardi is the first plastic surgeon in Monmouth County to perform Thermage, or the non-surgical Facelift.
To learn more about Dr. Lombardi, visit http://www.doctorsofcosmeticsurgery.com/

Q: How much do breast implants cost?

A: Prices range between $5,500-$6,800 depending on the type of implant chosen and the length of the procedure.  This pricing includes the surgeon’s fee, implants, anesthesia and surgery center facility fee.

Q: Financing plastic surgery: monthly payments?

Can I pay for breast implants, lip enhancement, and rhinoplasty surgeries on a monthly basis instead of paying for them all at the same time?

A: We work with a financing company called Care Credit that has very competitive rates and allow for your surgery to be paid in full and for you to make monthly payments to them.

Q: How much do silicone breast implants cost?

I am considering breast augmentation with silicone implants.  How much more do silicone implants cost versus saline?

A: The silicone breast implants cost approximately twice as much as the saline implants to purchase, this extra cost will be added to your surgical fee.  There is no additional cost for the procedure besides the additional cost for the silicone implants.

If you are considering breast augmentation surgery, or would like to have your questions answered about any other surgical procedure, please use my contact form to submit your questions.

More information regarding plastic surgery FAQ can be found at http://lombardiplasticsurgery.com/

About Dr. Lombardi:

Dr. Lombardi is a Plastic Surgeon in NJ and the founding surgeon of The Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Center in Eatontown, New Jersey. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Lombardi has received highly specialized training in all aspects of cosmetic surgery including Breast Augmentation, Facial Rejuvenation, and Body Contouring procedures. He is trained in the latest cutting edge techniques of cosmetic surgery including laser surgery, Botox, Restylane, and all of the newest facial fillers. In addition, Dr. Lombardi is the first plastic surgeon in Monmouth County to perform Thermage, or the non-surgical Facelift.
To learn more about Dr. Lombardi, visit http://www.doctorsofcosmeticsurgery.com/

In my previous blog, I discussed the pros and cons of over the muscle breast augmentation.  Below, I will discuss under the muscle breast augmentation.

One of the determining factors in deciding where to place a breast implant is the shape desired by the patient.  The relationship of the implant to the pectoralis muscle causes varying degrees of shapes.

Advantages of placing a breast implant completely behind the muscle include a more natural breast shape (as opposed to a rounder shape achieved by placing the implant over the muscle), low interference with mammograms, little to no implant visibility, a reduced risk of capsule contracture, little to no rippling, and no visible scars on the breast (the incisions are made at the anterior axillary fold- under the breast).

Disadvantages of under the muscle breast augmentation include slightly more post-op discomfort and difficulty finding a surgeon completely competent in this procedure.  Not all cosmetic surgeons have mastered this delicate skill of placing the implant totally behind the pectoralis muscle of the chest wall.

Because of the natural shape achieved and the reduction in interference with mammograms, this is a preferred method of breast augmentation of many cosmetic surgeons.

As with any surgical procedure, careful thought and consideration must be placed on your lifestyle, level of activity and aesthetic preferences.  Be sure to thoroughly review all of your options with your plastic surgeon.

About Dr Anthony Lombardi

Dr. Lombardi, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, received his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey–New Jersey Medical School. He completed his General Surgery Residency locally, at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey and his Plastic Surgery Residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey–New Jersey Medical School.

Dr. Lombardi has been in practice in Monmouth County his entire career and is the founding surgeon of The Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Center in Eatontown, New Jersey. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Dr. Lombardi has received highly specialized training in all aspects of cosmetic surgery including Breast Augmentation, Facial Rejuvenation, and Body Contouring procedures. He is trained in the latest cutting edge techniques of cosmetic surgery including laser surgery, Botox, Restylane, and all of the newest facial fillers. In addition, Dr. Lombardi is the first plastic surgeon in Monmouth County to perform Thermage, or the non-surgical Facelift.

To learn more about Dr. Lombardi, visit http://www.doctorsofcosmeticsurgery.com

One of the most common questions that arise for patients considering breast augmentation is whether the implant should be placed over the muscle, or under.

There is no universal answer, as each patient and their desired results vary greatly.  There are advantages, and what some would call disadvantages, for each, depending on your desired outcome.  In this blog, I will discuss over the muscle implants.

Over the Muscle Breast Implants

Advantages of placing breast implants over the muscle include the achievement of a full and round look (considered to look less natural), less complex surgery, and in cases of sagging or drooping breasts (ptosis), an implant over the muscle can help lift the breast, substituting the need for a breast lift (mastopexy).  Additional benefits may include less post-op discomfort and the ability to insert oversized implants.

Disadvantages of over the muscle breast implants may include a higher rate of movement of the implant, interference with mammograms, and slight visibility of the implants (rippling of the skin over the implant).

As with any surgical procedure, careful thought and consideration must be placed on your lifestyle, level of activity and aesthetic preferences.  Be sure to thoroughly review all of your options with your plastic surgeon.

About Dr Anthony Lombardi

Dr. Lombardi, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, received his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School. He completed his General Surgery Residency locally, at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey and his Plastic Surgery Residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey–New Jersey Medical School.

Dr. Lombardi has been in practice in Monmouth County his entire career and is the founding surgeon of The Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Center in Eatontown, New Jersey.

He is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Dr. Lombardi has received highly specialized training in all aspects of cosmetic surgery including Breast Augmentation, Facial Rejuvenation, and Body Contouring procedures. He is trained in the latest cutting edge techniques of cosmetic surgery including laser surgery, Botox, Restylane, and all of the newest facial fillers. In addition, Dr. Lombardi is the first plastic surgeon in Monmouth County to perform Thermage, or the non-surgical Facelift.

To learn more about Dr. Lombardi, visit http://www.doctorsofcosmeticsurgery.com/sub/dr-anthony-lombardi.jsp

A: During pregnancy, breasts grow a lot in size. This is due to the growth and development of the milk glands. Fat actually goes away from breasts at this time, as the milk glands “fill” the breast. It’s important that you work with a lactation consultant if you have breast implants.
Most women who have implants are able to successfully breast-feed. Breast implants really do not have a significant impact on lactation and the ability to produce milk. Women with implants are sometimes concerned with stretch marks and implants rupturing because of the increase in breast size during pregnancy and while breast-feeding.
For most women this is not an issue. Implants can withstand pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stretch marks really depend on an individuals skin condition, their past history, genetics and their diet.
There are creams and procedures that are able to minimize stretch marks so they are not noticeable.

Know your Doctor:

Anthony S. Lombardi, M.D., F.A.C.S., P.C., who is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery as well as general surgery, performs laser rejuvenation techniques, including botox and other wrinkle reduction therapies, microdermabrasion, hair removal, vein removal, pigmentation reduction, and acne treatments, including laser treatments, topical and oral medications, vitamin therapy, and nutritional counseling.

Dr. Lombardi is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Lombardi received his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed his residency in general surgery at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ.

He also completed a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Dr. Lombardi frequently lectures on the psycho-social aspects of plastic surgery, as well as on body dismorphic disorders.

Visit Dr.Anthony Lombardi website

A: Saline implants require a smaller incision, this can make your final scar less conspicuous, also because the implant is filled with salt water when it deflates the body absorbs the fluid and it is excreted naturally.  Also, some saline implants, with higher profiles can make the breast look more augmented.

Q: What are the advantages of silicone implants?

A: Silicone implants usually give you a more natural look, because the gel conforms to the overlying tissue better than a saline implant.  It also can give a more natural feel and has a less likely chance of creating rippling (a palpable or visible implant shell)

Know your Doctor:

Anthony S. Lombardi, M.D., F.A.C.S., P.C., who is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery as well as general surgery, performs laser rejuvenation techniques, including botox and other wrinkle reduction therapies, microdermabrasion, hair removal, vein removal, pigmentation reduction, and acne treatments, including laser treatments, topical and oral medications, vitamin therapy, and nutritional counseling.

Dr. Lombardi is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Lombardi received his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed his residency in general surgery at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ.

He also completed a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Dr. Lombardi frequently lectures on the psycho-social aspects of plastic surgery, as well as on body dismorphic disorders.

Visit Dr.Anthony Lombardi website

Silicone implants come prefilled from the manufacturer with cohesive gel silicone.

Silicone implants require a larger incision and cannot be adjusted in volume intra-operatively.

Come to this blog and learn about the new procedures and techniques in plastic surgery and the benefits and risks plastic surgery presents.

Know your Doctor:

Anthony S. Lombardi, M.D., F.A.C.S., P.C., who is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery as well as general surgery, performs laser rejuvenation techniques, including botox and other wrinkle reduction therapies, microdermabrasion, hair removal, vein removal, pigmentation reduction, and acne treatments, including laser treatments, topical and oral medications, vitamin therapy, and nutritional counseling.

Dr. Lombardi is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Lombardi received his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed his residency in general surgery at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ.

He also completed a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

He received a B.A. degree from Seton Hall University and completed medical school at St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies.

Dr. Lombardi frequently lectures on the psycho-social aspects of plastic surgery, as well as on body dismorphic disorders.