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Dr Rory Dower

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Breast Augmentation

With compassion and quality forming the basis of our core values, Dr Rory Dower and his entire team strive to help patients feel like their best selves. Breast augmentation procedures performed by Dr Dower, plastic surgeon in Cape Town, South Africa, can be an ideal solution for women who are looking to improve breast volume, shape, and symmetry with beautiful results.

Genetics, hormonal changes, childbirth, and the effects of time are all factors that can cause dissatisfaction with breast size and shape. We understand that every woman has unique reasons, motivations, and goals for a breast augmentation procedure and our objective is to create a personalized treatment plan that will not only meet your needs, but also exceed your expectations. While each patient is different, our general approach to breast augmentation involves the combination of surgical precision and an artistic eye to create natural-looking results that you can be happy with well into the future. Through advanced surgical techniques and thorough discussion of your desires, we aspire to make your aesthetic dream a reality.

I have to say that I was quite nervous when I made the decision to go ahead with breast augmentation surgery but Dr Dower is an extremely kind and humble person (not what you’d expect from the average plastic surgeon) – and he knows exactly what he’s doing. I had confidence in him from the time I met him and with good reason – love my results!

B.H.

Benefits

A breast augmentation will provide different benefits to each patient, depending on their unique reasons for surgery. Dr Dower can help to ensure your own specific goals are being met, but in a general sense, this procedure can fulfill a variety of cosmetic desires, including:

Though breast augmentation can be an excellent solution for many cosmetic breast concerns, it is important to note that women with a large degree of breast sag or skin laxity may be better served by a breast augmentation mastopexy, commonly referred to as a breast lift with implants. A breast augmentation alone cannot significantly correct sagging breast tissue, but a breast lift with implants can simultaneously increase breast size, improve the projection of breasts, and elevate breasts to a higher position on the chest wall. If you are interested in a breast augmentation mastopexy, please inquire with Dr Dower or a member of our team.

About the Procedure

Our practice believes that no two patients are the same. For this reason, Dr Dower will tailor your treatment according to the unique dimensions of your breasts and body, the characteristics of your breast tissue, and your specific goals for the outcome. This can ensure your results align with your desires for surgery and appear in harmony with your silhouette.

Upon consultation, Dr Dower will speak transparently about the expectations and risks of the procedure. Once the goals for surgery are established, you will work together to decide the most effective incision location, implant type, and implant position for your desired result. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and typically utilizes dissolvable stitches, eliminating the need for stitch removal.

Implant Size and Shape

Choosing the size and shape of your implants is one of the most important aspects of the breast augmentation process. Dr Dower has extensive experience in creating beautiful results according to the proportions of a woman’s body contour, and can help you decide which kind of implant would be most beneficial to you. Your options include:

Implant Location

Your implants can be placed either above or below the chest (pectoral) muscle. The implant location that will provide the most optimal breast shape is typically determined by your anatomical features and personal preference. While both locations can provide natural-looking results, each has its own respective advantages and disadvantages.

Taking your unique anatomical features into account, Dr Dower can recommend the most beneficial implant location that will provide the best outcome according to your goals.

Incision Location

The size and type of implant desired, as well as the nature of your procedure, will typically determine the most ideal incision location. Each technique takes care to avoid significant scarring and can provide a beneficial point of insertion for the implant for various reasons. Different incision sites include the lower crease of the breast, around the areola (dark-pigmented area surrounding the nipple), and near the armpit.

Dr Dower typically uses the inframammary fold (IMF) incision during breast augmentation surgery due to its easy accessibility into the chest muscle and substantially low complication rate. However, he can utilize another incision location depending on patient preference; please don’t hesitate to raise any inquiries or concerns during a consultation.

Recovery after Breast Augmentation

Dr Dower will discuss specific recovery information with you personally, but generally, most patients require at least one week of healing time after the procedure.

Light activities can typically be resumed after a few days. Immediately after the procedure, you may experience some degree of bruising or swelling; this is to be expected, and any discomfort can be alleviated with pain medication. We recommend you abstain from aerobic exercise for a few weeks while your body heals.

Results of a Breast Augmentation

Because of Dr Dower’s efforts to remain transparent about every part of the process, as well as his prioritization of patient safety and comfort, high satisfaction rates are typically reported after the procedure. The full outcome of the surgery should continue to improve as the implants settle into their final position.

FAQs about Breast Augmentation:

Will Breast Augmentation Surgery affect my ability to breastfeed in the future?

Unlikely, but it depends on the surgical approach. Most BBA (bilateral breast augmentation) techniques are unlikely to affect your ability to breastfeed, and by this we are talking about incisions made under the fold of the breast or through the armpit. Where there may be more risk, is with a “smile” incision around the areola. This may injure nerves that decrease feeling in your nipple area which could reduce your let-down response and may affect your ability to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding can be affected by may different variables: there are women who struggle to produce milk who have never had breast surgery, and women who have had breast surgery who manage to breastfeed successfully. There are also women who have been able to successfully breastfeed some of their children and not others. This is one of those things that we cannot say yes or no with absolute certainty. One thing we can safely say, is that silicone does not find it’s way into the breast milk when using silicone implants for breast augmentation.

Will Breast Augmentation increase my chance of getting breast cancer?

There is no link between silicone implants and breast cancer, and according to published studies, silicone Implants have not been found to delay the diagnosis or effect the prognosis of breast cancer. There is however a link between textured implants and a very rare type of lymphoma (Breast Implant Associated-Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Thus far, there have been no confirmed cases of BIA-ALCL in women who have had only “smooth surface” breast implants. For up to date information about BIA-ALCL you can review the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website www.plasticsurgery.org/alcl.

Will breast augmentation work if I feel my breasts are sagging?

After breastfeeding, weight loss or just simple ageing, the nipples can sit low and a breast augmentation alone won’t always give the best results. In this case, a lift (the medical term is Mastopexy) may be suggested by your surgeon. It’s important not to go too big with the implant size when a lift is done, as this creates strain on the incisions and increases the risk of complications like wound break down.

Should I wait until after having all my children before having breast augmentation surgery?

Unlike other cosmetic procedures (like a tummy tuck for instance), there is no specific recommendation that you need to wait on having children before a breast augmentation. As long as you understand that your breasts will likely change size and shape during and after pregnancy. You may choose to have further surgery in the future because of this.

How long will the implants last?

In the past, surgeons recommended that breast implants be replaced every 10 years. This is no longer the case. If you’re happy with your implants and not experiencing any problems, it is unlikely that you need replacement.
That said, it's still possible that additional surgery will be advised, if your implants rupture or harden, if your breasts sag over time, or if you decide you want a new look.

Will I lose feeling in the nipple area?

With breast augmentation, there is always the risk of a change in nipple sensation (increased or decreased), Fortunately, the risk of total loss of sensation is low since there is no invasive cutting of the breast gland tissue, as there would be in breast reduction surgery. Alterations in nipple sensation usually recover within a few months. The risk of sensory loss is higher with very large implants due to stretching of the sensory nerves.

Can I choose the size and look of the end results?

Different women want different things and this is what makes the in-office consultation such an important time. There are a range of “sizers”, which are real implants that you can place in your bra (it is helpful to bring a couple of different size bras in the sizes you are considering, to make space for your sizers).

One of the important factors to consider is the shape of the implant you would like to have. Is the popular, round implant right for you, or would you prefer the “tear drop “, natural (but pricier) look? To get a great result, the breast implant size you choose should also be right for your frame and size.

Some surgeons offer computer imaging technology called VECTRA, a simulation of predicted results. It will help give you an idea of what you’ll look like, but the drawback is that it is not an accurate representation of the final result.

Do I need to make any life style changes before having a breast augmentation?

The best way to prepare for your breast augmentation surgery is to:

  • Be as close to your ideal weight as possible
    
Weight fluctuations can affect the size and shape of your breasts
  • Not smoke (or be willing to quit before surgery)
    
Smoking increases the risk of infection and wound break down. If you smoke, it is recommended that you stop for about a month before and after your surgery
  • Be in your best health
    
The healthier you are, the safer the surgery and the smoother your recovery will be
What is the down time and how soon after the procedure can I drive?

Although you can gently walk about immediately after surgery, you should avoid any excessive stretching or lifting during the first 7 to 10 days. You should also refrain from doing anything that will raise your blood pressure (including having sex) for this time, due to the risk of developing a hematoma.

Driving is allowed after 1 week (and not permitted prior to this, mainly due to seat belt irritation over your chest). You will need to have stopped your narcotic pain medication, and have full range of motion of your arms, to be able to stop the car or swerve in an emergency. You may resume light exercises at around 2 weeks and your normal exercise routine at around 4 weeks. Upper arm exercises and swimming can begin after 6 weeks.

 

If you are interested in breast augmentation, breast reconstruction surgery, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact our practice today about any questions or concerns you may have.

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