Patients claim that breast enhancement leaves them feeling normal
Too small, too big, too…? Like it or not, your breasts here to stay. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with what have if you don’t like ‘em. Not if you know Dr. Ben Lee of Englewood, CO, a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has done hundreds of breast enhancement procedures.
Studies show that most women feel that their breasts are their most important feature when it comes to attractiveness. And you don’t need a survey to tell you they’re pretty high on a man’s list of what he notices in a woman. That’s why esthetic breast enhancement is the most sought-after procedure in Dr. Lee’s cosmetic surgery practice today.
Age and childbearing take a toll on breasts. Even taking better care of yourself can have a negative effect on your breasts. Many women who come to Dr. Ben Lee for breast enhancement do so after losing weight. The nice resilient breast tissue of their youth is no longer there and after shedding those pounds, they’re left with a bad case of droopy chest.
“After about age 40, the fibrous breast tissue called stroma starts to be replaced with fatty tissue and the skin begins to lose its elasticity,” Dr. Lee says. “The combination of these factors is the principal cause of sagging breasts.”
While there is little to be done about the loss of stroma (although according to Dr. Lee there may be some encouraging news coming out of stem-cell research), there are some common surgical procedures that have given positive results for thousands of women over the years. They fall into four general categories: reconstruction, augmentation (enlargement and/or reshaping), reduction, and lifts.
Nature has blessed women with an incredible variety of breast shapes and sizes. But sometimes the size or shape is not what an individual wants. Board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Ben Lee are there to help. “Sometimes a woman’s breasts are too large and uncomfortable, some are smaller than she wants, or sometimes they just aren’t the right size or shape for the rest of her body,” Dr. Lee comments. “And there are also times when breast reconstruction is needed, like after injury or breast cancer surgery.”
Breast enhancement isn’t just about vanity. Self-image and self-esteem are often the motivation. “Many women tell me that after breast enhancement, they feel ‘normal’ again,” Dr. Lee says.
Dr. Ben Lee is widely respected when it comes to breast enhancement, whether it’s major reconstructive surgery or the latest in surgical implants. If you and Dr. Lee agree that an implant is right for you, the next step is choosing the type.
Silicone implants were removed from the cosmetic surgery market in 1992 after several complaints about leakage, not because they were dangerous, but because they were unable to be proven safe under some very strict FDA guidelines. They were still allowed for reconstructive procedures and in some closely monitored investigational studies.
“There are some definite advantages to silicone implants and the manufacturers were able to convince the FDA that a need existed,” Dr. Lee explains. “They continued to be used in other countries without any unusual problems, so in late 2006, the FDA approved their use again in women 22 years old or older.”
Each type of implant has its pros and cons. Experienced plastic surgeons like Dr. Lee use both, each in its own best way. Dr. Lee will discuss this with you in detail during your consultation.
Saline implants have the advantage that if they should leak they will collapse and the solution will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body. Their disadvantage is that due to their lower density (water vs. gel), they may show some rippling if placed near the skin’s surface. Some women also say saline doesn’t feel as natural to the touch as does silicone.
Since silicone is an elastic gel, it feels and moves much like natural breast tissue. A leaking silicone implant may not collapse like saline does. “Although the silicone implants we use today are safe from a medical point of view, I do like to see my silicone patients regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly,” Dr. Lee says.
Dr. Lee will also discuss the different implant techniques with you and will help you choose the one that best accomplishes the outcome you want from your breast enhancement.
Breast implants are not necessarily a life-long solution to your appearance. Weight loss, pregnancy, aging and menopause may all have affects. If that should be the case, further surgery may be an option. On the other hand, some women do not experience those affects or, even if they do, are still comfortable with the natural changes.
“There’s no reason a woman today should be unhappy with such a major appearance factor as her breasts,” Dr. Lee says. “I would encourage any woman who feels that her breasts are causing her physical or emotional problems to come in for a consultation.”