Breast Augmentation Procedure Steps | Huntsville Cosmetic SurgeryBreast augmentation currently ranks as the number procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon in the US. The procedure can be fairly customized to suit the unique needs of a patient. While different options may be available for incision locations, implant placement and types of implants, the overall steps in the breast augmentation procedure largely remain the same.

At the time of initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss the steps involved in the procedure to make the patient more familiar with the surgery. This will help to resolve her pre-op anxiety and concern. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon McLain provides breast augmentation to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities.

Anesthesia

The first step in the breast augmentation surgery will be to place the patient under anesthesia. In case of general anesthesia, an anesthesiologist or an anesthetist nurse will administer it and will remain present throughout the surgery to monitor her response. Once the surgery is over, she will be brought out of anesthesia.

The patient will be moved to an observation area for a few hours until the effects of anesthesia subside. The patient should have someone to drive her back home after the surgery, and preferably stay overnight for help.

Incisions Placement

Following anesthesia, the cosmetic surgeon will start the procedure by making incisions in discreet locations. These could be at the crease of the breast, in the underarm, around the lower half of the areola, or in some cases, in the navel area. The incision location will be decided during surgical planning in consultation with the patient.

Implant Placement

Through the incisions, the surgeon will place the breast implants in front of the pectoral muscle right behind the breast tissue or below the pectoral muscle. The decision on implant placement will be made in advance after considering the implant size, the patient’s breast anatomy and her aesthetic goals.

The surgeon will explain the limitations and benefits of both options to help the patient make the best choice. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for breast augmentation.

Incision Closure

Once the surgery is completed and the implants are positioned correctly into the breast pockets, the incisions will be closed with absorbable or removable sutures. Until the incisions are healed, the patient should take special care to keep the site completely clean in order to minimize infection risks. Strain in the incision area should be minimal during the first week after the surgery.

Bandages and Drains

Once the surgery is completed, the treated areas will be covered in bandages to protect the incisions and support healing. Temporary drain tubes will be placed below the skin to collect fluid and reduce infection risks. The patient will be provided with a special surgical bra, which should be worn at all times for a few weeks until the breasts firm up and acquire their new shape.  

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Breast Augmentation Cosmetic Surgery near Athens, AL | HuntsvilleBreast augmentation ranks as the number one procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon in the US today. Figures compiled by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons show that over 4.5 million breast augmentation surgeries were performed from 1997 to 2012 in the country. FDA approvals for new, ultra cohesive breast implants have further increased the popularity of this surgery.

Breast augmentation is one of the more customizable plastic surgery procedures, which can be tailored to match with the anatomical and aesthetic needs of a patient. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon McLain provides breast augmentation to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities.

 

Candidacy 

Healthy women, having a stable body weight and no near-term plans for a pregnancy or breastfeeding may make good candidates for breast augmentation if they have one or more of the following needs:

  • Increase breast size to improve overall body proportion and feminine figure
  • Create more symmetrical breasts
  • Correct congenital defects in one or both breasts
  • Restore loss of breast volume following weight fluctuations or pregnancy
  • Have more voluptuous looking breasts to improve aesthetic appeal
  • Reconstruct breasts following a mastectomy

 

Customization

The cosmetic surgeon will closely engage with the patient during the initial consultation to determine their choices and customize breast augmentation accordingly.

 

Types of Implants

The FDA has approved saline and silicone gel implants for women above the age of 18 and 21 respectively. Form stable implants made of ultra cohesive silicone gel are also now approved by the FDA, and becoming a popular choice. Patients will also be required to choose implant size, shape, texture and profile to suit their unique aesthetic needs.

 

Position of Implants

Implants may be placed below the pectoral muscle, or in front of the pectoral muscle behind the breast tissue. The surgeon will explain the pros and cons of each option to help the patient make the right choice. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for breast augmentation.

 

Location of Incisions

The surgeon will usually have the option to place the incisions in discreet locations under the breast crease, in the armpit, along the areola circumference, or in the navel.

 

Surgical Procedure

Following general anesthesia or IV sedation, the surgeon will place the incision in the pre-determined location. A breast pocket will be carved through the incision to accommodate the implant in a subglandular or submuscular position. The implant will be inserted through the incision and adjusted in the breast pocket. After the firm placement of the implant, the surgeon will close the incisions with removable or dissolvable sutures.

 

Recovery

The surgeon will prescribe pain medications for the first few days to manage mild pain in the incision areas. Drain tubes and sutures may be removed at the end of first week or 10 days. Most patients can return to their normal routine or go to work at this stage.

 

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Your Breast Augmentation Cosmetic Surgeon near Florence | HuntsvilleWith advancements in surgical techniques and innovations in quality of breast implants, breast augmentation procedure has become safer and less invasive than before. However, the choice of the cosmetic surgeon continues to be the single most important factor that has a bearing on the final outcome of breast augmentation.

The patient should spend her time and effort to select the right breast surgeon for her needs. Dr. Landon McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon providing breast augmentation and other procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

Personalized Care

Breast augmentation surgery is a personal journey for any woman, and she will be best placed through this journey with a cosmetic surgeon who is willing to engage and provide personalized care and attention. Dr. McLain will remain closely involved with the patient right from the initial consultation through the surgery and the recovery phase.

He will address all concerns and doubts of the patient in detail, and incorporate her innate aesthetic goals and aspirations into the surgical plan. Dr. McLain believes that a good rapport and open communication between the patient and the surgeon is fundamental to the success of a highly customizable procedure such as breast augmentation. He enjoys an excellent relationship of trust with all his patients.

 

Breast Augmentation with Dr. McLain

In most cases, Dr. McLain will perform breast augmentation using general anesthesia, but for certain patients he may use local anesthesia with IV sedation. He will give an option of both saline and silicone breast implants to the patient from renowned manufacturers such as Allergan and Mentor. To ensure the right selection of implants, he will encourage the patient to sample various implants for their size, shape, texture, and material.

Dr. McLain will place the incisions in discreet locations, which could be in the armpt, in the fold beneath the breast, or along the perimeter of the areola. The placement of implants could be below the pectoral muscle or between the muscle and the breast gland tissue. The final options for the patient will be determined according to her breast anatomy and her personal aesthetic needs.

 

Involvement in the Field

In addition to serving patients through his private cosmetic surgery practice, Dr. McLain devotes time lecturing, making presentations, and publishing scientific papers in the field of cosmetic surgery. He serves as faculty for multiple live surgical workshops sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS).

Dr. McLain helps to train cosmetic surgeons from different parts of the world. He is an examiner for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS). Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas.

 

Professional Memberships

Dr. McLain is associated with various professional organizations, including:

  • American Board of Cosmetic Surgery – Board Examiner
  • American Board of Cosmetic Surgery – Diplomate
  • American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery – Fellow
  • American College of Surgeons – Fellow
  • American Medical Association

He has been a part of several philanthropic medical missions to Honduras and Peru.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Your Breast Augmentation Cosmetic Surgeon near Madison, AL |HuntsvilleBreast augmentation currently ranks as the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US. One of the reasons behind its popularity is that the procedure allows sufficient scope for customization. This also means that the cosmetic surgeon has a greater role to play in terms of tailoring the procedure according to the patient’s needs and helping her achieve higher satisfaction levels.

Patients should objectively assess a surgeon’s qualifications and experience, and engage closely during the initial consultation to see how comfortable and confident she feels with all aspects of the surgeon’s practice. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon McLain provides breast augmentation to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

Customized Surgical Plan

Dr. McLain believes that customization is important in any procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon and a cookie cutter approach will defeat the purpose. This is more so in a procedure such as breast augmentation will provides a greater opportunity for customization. Dr. McLain will involve the patient in the decisions related to breast implant surgery.

He will discuss about the implant options such as saline, silicone and ultra cohesive silicone implants, including different shapes and sizes of implants. The most appropriate implants will be chosen after careful deliberation and taking into account the patient’s original breast anatomy and her personal aesthetic goals.

Dr. McLain will educate the patient about the options regarding locations of the incisions, which could be below the breast crease, in the armpits, or around the areolas. He will also involve her in the decision about the placement of implants, which could submuscular or subglandular, explaining the pros and cons of each option.

 

Combining with Other Procedures

Dr. McLain’s goal is not merely to increase the breast size through breast augmentation, but also to create attractive, youthful and symmetrical breasts that accentuate the overall figure. To ensure these goals, he may recommend breast augmentation in conjunction with breast lift to eliminate sagging or otherwise enhance breast shape.

For moms who have had their last child, Dr. McLain will usually recommend a combination of breast augmentation and tummy tuck surgery. He will also correct conditions of severe asymmetry or inappropriate nipple position along with the procedure. A combined procedure can make the patient’s entire effort more worthwhile in many cases, and make the overall procedure more conservative and cost-effective than independent surgeries.

 

Using the Principles of Science and Art

Dr. McLain manages to achieve the right balance between the science and art of breast augmentation surgery. According to him, best results in this procedure are achieved when the surgeon combines science and art to produce results that are more sustainable, natural looking and aesthetically appealing at the same time.

Dr. McLain utilizes his professional training in studio art that he received as part of his undergraduate studies. Following advanced training in general surgery and oral & maxillofacial surgery, Dr. McLain completed an AACS accredited fellowship program in general cosmetic surgery. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofical surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for breast augmentation.

 

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Practice Overview

McLain Surgical Arts, led by double board certified cosmetic and oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Landon D. McLain, is a premier practice providing cutting edge procedures in aesthetic as well as oral and maxillofacial surgery. The practice offers the dual benefits of cosmetic surgery as well as oral health procedures under the same roof.

As an experienced cosmetic surgeon, Dr. McLain provides customized treatments that are tailored to meet the specific health and aesthetic needs of a patient. The practice is equipped with latest technologies to help deliver the safest and most effective outcomes in every procedure. Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, AL and surrounding communities.

Oral and Maxillofacial Procedures

McLain Surgical Arts provides a comprehensive range of oral and maxillofacial procedures, including the following:

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Wisdom teeth are also called the third molars. Very often these teeth may come in impacted, requiring extraction. Dr. McLain is highly trained and experienced in performing this procedure with satisfying and sustainable results for his patients.

Dental Implants

Dental implant surgery is a complex procedure, but it is by far the most effective procedure for teeth replacement. Dr. McLain provides advanced dental implants to restore both function and aesthetics.

Jaw Surgery

As a leading double board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. McLain specializes in procedures that repair jaw related irregularities, improve bite and breathing ability, and enhance orthodontic outcomes. He provides this surgery to patients in Huntsville, AL and nearby areas.

Facial Trauma Surgery

Dr. McLain puts his extensive training in dental, medical, and cosmetic surgery to full use when performing advanced and complex procedures such as facial trauma surgery. He can achieve corrective results while maintaining the aesthetic balance at the same time.

Aesthetic Surgery Procedures

McLain Surgical Arts is fully equipped to provide the latest and proven aesthetic surgery procedures. Dr. McLain is a trained and experienced cosmetic surgeon providing these procedures.

Breast

Breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, breast augmentation with lift, and breast revision are some of the key breast cosmetic surgery procedures offered by Dr. McLain.

Body

Major body contouring procedures performed at McLain Surgical Arts include liposuction and tummy tuck surgery. Liposuction is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US today. Both women and men can benefit equally from these procedures.

Face

With his strong training background in oral and maxillofacial surgery, Dr. McLain is in the perfect position to provide facial cosmetic surgery as well as oral and maxillofacial procedures.

Skin

A number of non-surgical skin rejuvenation procedures are also provided at Dr. McLain’s practice. These may be performed independently or in conjunction with facial plastic surgery procedures. The procedures include Botox, dermal fillers, laser skin resurfacing, and other aesthetician and skin care services and products.

Dr. McLain practice is based out of Huntsville, AL, and serves Birmingham and Decatur, AL, as well as parts of Georgia and Tennessee. Dr. McLain is a recognized leader in the field, who is involved in multiple lecturing, training, and research activities, in addition to providing cutting edge treatments to his patients.

Breast Lift Augmentation

How to Prepare For Breast Implant Removal | Huntsville | ScottsboroIt’s pretty common for a woman to ask during her consultation if she should get a breast lift or breast implants. The answer may be both. Particularly after pregnancy, weight loss, or simply aging, combining a breast lift with breast augmentation is often the ideal solution for women at my Huntsville, AL practice who want fuller breasts but also need additional support. Let’s take a look at the reasons behind that to determine which procedure best suits which patient.

It surprises some women who are considering breast enhancement that breast implants don’t provide a lifted appearance. Breast augmentation merely makes the breasts larger, adding more volume in the upper portion. But for anyone whose breast skin is starting to lose its elasticity, implants may actually increase any sagging that’s already occurred.

Good candidate

If you have had children, lost weight, or simply seen the effects of gravity over time, you may be a good candidate for combining a breast lift with augmentation. It’s common to feel satisfied with the appearance of your breasts for most of your life and then to lament their lost volume after pregnancy, and it’s also normal to want the breasts you had when you were younger. In some cases, a breast lift on its own can accomplish that goal, but often, I recommend a lift with implants to restore both fullness and a perky appearance.

Adding a lift does require longer incisions than breast augmentation alone, usually with a scar that extends from the bottom of the areola to the crease where the breast connects to the chest wall. For most women, though, that fine scar is a welcome tradeoff for the vastly improved results they achieve. It’s also important to understand that experienced surgeons who are qualified to perform these types of combination operations can minimize scarring and use special techniques that help incisions heal and fade quickly.

Full Mommy Makeover

If you’re considering these procedures after you’ve finished having children, you may also want to think about a full mommy makeover, which combines cosmetic breast surgery with a tummy tuck, liposuction, or other procedures to treat several areas at once. This type of combination surgery can be more cost-effective and also requires you to recover only once, rather than with multiple operations.

Combining treatments can be a wonderful way to bring about the cosmetic results you desire, but it’s important to consult with a qualified surgeon for these slightly more complex procedures. That way, you can ensure both your safety and your beauty. Be sure to contact us if you’d like to start planning a procedure that meets all your goals.

Trans-axillary Breast Augmentation…what’s the confusion?

I am often surprised at what my patients tell me they read, hear or have been told about some of the more commonly performed cosmetic surgeries they are interested in.  Breast augmentation is one of the usual ones cited as confusing by some of my patients, especially regarding the different incision types.  Occasionally, patients report that some of the misinformation comes from other surgeons, even ones that I know are very experienced.  This is often regarding one of the newer techniques used for breast augmentation… the transaxillary or armpit incision.

The truth about incisions to place breast implants is fairly simple.  In most patients, if the surgeon is experienced in all types of incisions, the results should be similar regardless of the approach used.  There are 6 different approaches possible to place breast implants commonly used today.  They are…

  1. Transaxillary
  2. Periareolar
  3. Inframammary
  4. Trans-umbilical (limited to saline implants only)
  5. Trans-abdominoplasty (through the tummy tuck incision)
  6. Trans-mastopexy (through mastopexy or breast lift incisions

 

In my practice, the transaxillary, inframammary and trans-mastopexy incisions are by far the most common approaches requested.   However, the transaxillary incision seems to be a source of some confusion for patients and surprisingly, some surgeons.  I have been told by more than a few clients that they were informed that they could only get saline or very small silicone implants if they chose the armpit incision… or that there is a higher risk of asymmetry using the transaxillary technique.  That is entirely untrue.  I have personally placed large gel implants via the armpit approach and have had wonderful results with a very high rate of symmetry and patient satisfaction using this technique.  For this reason this has become my most requested approach to breast augmentation.   So why is it that this “myth” continues to be espoused.

Here are a few of my theories as to why…

  1. Lack of any actual experience with this technique by some surgeons offering breast augmentation
  2. Increased cost of materials required for the transaxillary technique  (i.e.  different retractors, and endoscopic instruments),
  3. Lack of training in this particular technique in many residency programs, and
  4. Overall, a higher degree of technical demand placed on the surgeon (the inframmamary and periareolar incisions are typically easiest to learn)

So what are the advantages of the transaxillary/armpit approach to breast augmentation?  Primarily, it is that this format keeps an incision off the breast as long as possible.  Of course, breast implants do not last a lifetime in most cases, so any replacement, adjustment or removal will require a different incision type.  There are also several studies that suggests this incision type has a lower degree of complications versus others;  specifically related to a higher chance of being able to nurse after breast augmentation, lower risk of infections and lower rates of capsular contracture.

To summarize, the armpit or transaxillary incision for breast augmentation is a wonderful option for most patients seeking breast enhancement and can be used to place both types of implants (saline or silicone), all sizes and in either plane (above or below the muscle).  If you want to keep incisions off the breast as long as possible, this may be a great option for you.   For more information on breast augmentation or other cosmetic procedures at McLain Surgical Arts please call 256.429.3411 or complete the online contact form on our website

Dr. McLain

“Do not hire a man who does your work for money, but him who does it for love of it. “

Henry David Thoreau