Patient - Breast Augmentation

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Click on an image below to see a larger version.

Before

One of the most difficult things in my practice is to get patients who have had breast augmentation back for checkups after I have discharged them. Even though I strongly recommend a visit every couple of years, at no charge, to see how they are doing, few ever return unless they actually have a problem. When I get a chance to see a follow up from 16 years ago, I  jump at the chance. 

This patient had breast implants in 2003. She was 21, was a 34 "padded" B cup and wanted to be a full C cup. Her breasts were a challenge because she was so small and her skin was tight.  I placed a pair of Mentor smooth, round Style 1600 implants under the muscle. The implants were 325 cc and I filled them to 350 cc. After surgery, she was a 34 D cup (bras are not standardized so cup size is somewhat imprecise) and was very happy with this. She retained all of the normal feeling in her breasts. They were soft and felt very natural. 

Fast forward 16 years. 

She has had one pregnancy and put on 13 lbs over the years. She remains very happy with her decision to have implants. Her health is perfect. 

After

The viewer will notice how round and tight her breasts looked 6 months after her surgery. This is a reflection of her tight, small breasts. They look a bit more "natural" on the oblique view. Years later, they look, and feel, almost natural. 

Some say that patients with implants should have them replaced every 10-15 years with new ones. I disagree, and this patient shows why. My view is that if the breasts look and feel fine, and the patient is happy, leave the implants alone. I have seen many implants removed that were 10 or more years old and, when removed, looked like the day they went in.