SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2006

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Breasts Defined

A beautiful Breast Augmentation should look and feel natural, creating a proportional, balanced shape. The enhancement should be imperceivable while simultaneously creating your distinctive, esthetically pleasing figure. An elegant form can alleviate self-consciousness without drawing more unwanted attention with a fake or false look.

ABOUT BREAST AUGMENTATION PROCEDURES

• Dr. Schafer can use any incision site but prefers transaxillary (armpit).
• With the armpit incision there is no need to cut through breast skin, milk ducts, fat, muscle or breast tissue.
• The armpit incision is a single, one-inch incision in an armpit crease, which reduces scar visibility until it completely disappears. Within a few months, there is no visible scar.
• Like putting your hand in your pants’ pocket, Dr. Schafer slides the breast implant under the muscle in the front of your armpit (pectoralis major).
• If you choose to have an incision made in the lower portion of the breast, the breast tissue is raised to create a pocket for the implant.
• You may choose to have the implant placed over or under the chest wall muscle.

CHOOSE YOUR SIZE
Implant sizes are measured in cubic centimeters (cc’s). The size of the implant along with it’s placement and your own breast tissue will determine your final size. One way to test drive size is to buy the bra size you would like to be, stuff it, and live with it for a few days. Bring the bra with you when consulting with your surgeon, and place implants in the bra to better determine your desired implant size.

• Different sizes of implants may be used to correct breast asymmetry: Dr. Schafer’s implanting technique gives him the option of using inflatable implants allowing him to fill the implants during the procedure to compensate for asymmetry.

CHOOSE YOUR POSITION
Subglandular: The implant is placed over the pectoral muscle and under the breast tissue.
PROS: A somewhat shorter recovery. This position is better for patients with mild pre-operative sagging who do not plan to have a lift procedure performed.
CONS: Since the implant is closer to the surface, it could be more visible under the breast tissue. Outcomes can be unnaturally high and rounded, and there’s a greater chance of irregular and hardened scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture). Though implants may interfere in mammography, knowledgeable radiologists take additional views in their effort to detect tumors.
Submuscular: The implant is placed below both the pectoral muscle and overlying breast tissue.
PROS: Less risk of implant visibility and capsular contracture, and less mammography interference.
CONS: This positioning may not be recommended for highly muscular or athletic builds.

• Most women prefer placement under the muscle as it does NOT interfere with breastfeeding, mammograms or nipple sensitivity.

BREAST AUGMENTATION RECOVERY

• Dr. Schafer’s Rapid Recovery Method uses a safer alternative to general anesthesia which aides in an easier and quicker recovery.
• Dr. Schafer’s implant technique decreases bruising so patients can return to work quickly.
• Dr. Schafer has established The Weekend Recovery so you can have your procedure on Friday, and be ready and able to go back to work on Monday.
• You’ll be able to return to light exercises in a matter of days.