Breast size is important to many women.  Breast augmentation enlarges a woman's breasts through the surgical placement of breast implants.  Many women may be dissatified with the size of their breast, or may desire to restore breast volume after weight loss or breast feeding.  Breast augmentation to increase fullness and projection of the breasts improves the balance in a woman's figure and can enhance self-imange and confidence.

Dr. Ehrmantraut has been performing breast augmentation in Maryland for over eight years.  For many women in Maryland breast enhancement procedure has greatly transformed their lives.  During your consultation, Dr. Ehrmantraut will evaluate your medical history, review your goals, perform an examination, explain all the different types of procedures and implants, and provide his best recommendation on how you can best meet your goals.  Also during your visit, our knowledgable staff will provide you with our brouchure and surgical cost information tailored just for you.

Description of the Breast Augmentation Procedure

Selecting a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

It is extremely important to be sure your surgeon is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.   Just because a physician is board certified, it does not mean they are properly trained to perform breast augmentation.  Always clarify that your plastic surgeon is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  You can also verify this by going to their website at www.abplsurg.org.  It is also very important that the surgeon performs the surgery in the main OR of a hospital or a fully accredited surgery center.  

Breast Augmentation should only be performed in a certified surgical center.  Surgical Centers may be certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), or Medicare/CMS.  Be sure to find out which organization has certified the surgical center before having surgery there.

Dr. Ehrmantraut only performs breast augmentation in Maryland certified surgery centers, including the surgery center at Calvert Memorial Hospital and the Pembrooke Square Surgery Center in Waldorf.

Goals of Breast Augmentation

 Women explore breast enhancement for many reasons.  Usually they have concerns about the size and shape of their breasts.  They may desire more proportioned or fuller breasts.  Loss of breast volume may be due to weight loss after dieting or exercise, decrease in breast size after having children, or inadequate breast development in relation to body shape and size.  Some individuals may have one breast that is noticeably smaller than the other.  Other patients would like to improve drooping, pendulous breasts.  Some women; however, have unrealistic reasons for breast augmentation.  To be a good surgical candidate for breast augmentation a patient must desire a size and style of breast implant that is best for her body type and physical characteristics.  Also a patient must have an internal motivation to do the surgery for themselves, and not be driven by a loved one or other outside influences.  Having realistic goals of breast augmentation is extremely important when considering the surgery.

 Choosing the Breast Implant

 When choosing a breast implant there are many items to consider, including the symmetry of your breasts, the width of your breasts, your skin and tissue characteristics, and the location of the incision and the implant.  Breast implants come in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures.  The shape may be round or anatomic (shaped like a breast).  The most commonly used implant is round.  Anatomic breast implants are designed to produce a more natural shape and may produce greater projection of the breast. Choosing the right size is critical.  Both the patient and the plastic surgeon need to consider the patient’s physique, liftestyle and goals.  The surgeon will also take measurements of the patient’s chest prior to surgery as this will also determine what size implants may be used.  The texture of implants may be smooth or textured.  Texturing is designed to help keep the implant from shifting in place and to reduce the rate of capsular contracture in the long term.

 Another critical consideration today is the choice of implant filler.  In November 2006 the FDA approved the return of silicone breast implants.  A patient may now choose to have implants filled with sterile salt water, Saline, or an elastic gel, Silicone.  Saline implants may feel somewhat firmer than natural breast tissue.  If they leak, a saline implant will deflate and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body.  Silicone gel implants have a softness that feels and moves more like natural breast tissue.  If they leak, elastic silicone gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast capsule.  A leaking implant filled with silicone gel may not deflate.  It is recommended patients with silicone gel filled implants undergo a MRI every 3 years to assess their condition.  Additional considerations of silicone gel filled implants is they require a larger incision size for insertion and some health insurance plans may not cover patients who choose to have them.

Risks and Benefits of Breast Augmentation

For many women, breast enhancement surgery brings great rewards, both physically and emotionally.  However, it is important to consider the risks, as well as the benefits when making your decision.  Breast implants are not lifetime devices, and breast augmentation is not necessarily a one-time surgery.  Patients may need additional surgeries on their breasts due to complications or unacceptable cosmetic results.  Many of the changes following implantation are irreversible.  Breast implants may affect your ability to breastfeed, either by reducing or eliminating milk production.  Also, routine screening mammography for breast cancer is more difficult and requires additional testing.

Overall, breast augmentation is a safe and effective surgery.  Most women are extremely pleased with their results and increase their self-image and confidence.

Other Breast Enhancement Procedures

For many women who desire breast augmentation, a breast lift is also required to acheive their goals.

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