You know the old adage, “Be careful what you wish for”. It may appear your family member or friend received a beautiful breast augmentation result, yet sometimes there’s a back story, and revisions may need to be made. Revisional surgery should only be done in the hands of a surgeon with a lot of expertise and an artistic eye.
“People need to do their homework. At the very least look for board certification, and their before and after photos,” says New York plastic surgeon Adam Schaffner, MD, FACS. Dr. Schaffner is a board certified plastic surgeon and has done many fellowships and additional training and specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery of the face, breast and body.
By Adam Schaffner, MD, FACS
and The Plastic Surgery Channel
Some surgeons have an innate ability to create gorgeous results and others have tens of thousands of surgeries behind them.
“Let’s find out if the eye of the surgeon matches the desired result of the patient, including their body type,” says Schaffner, “It also doesn’t hurt to look at online reviews, but don’t use that as your only criteria.” Schaffner advises patients to take a really close look at before and after pictures. Also talk with others about which surgeon they selected, and why.
3D Imaging
New technologies have surfaced that can help surgeons and patients communicate and make better choices. 3D imaging is an invaluable tool that helps take away all the guesswork! You can see for yourself what a particular implant type and size will look like on your body.
By visualizing the patient’s expectations and coming up with a shared understanding of options helps both the patient and surgeon decide on the best possible operative plan.
“Along with 3D imaging, we also do precise measurements for analysis to find out what changes need to be made. This allows us to identify potential problems before they happen,” discusses Dr. Schaffner, “When they go to the operating room, we want the best possible results achieved.”
Different Types of Implants and Support
“Sometimes patients want to feel and see the implants and that’s always a good idea,” says Schaffner. It’s just another tool to help patients understand how the implant may feel in their body after surgery.
Often, internal support devices may be used in breast revision cases. Mesh-like materials act as an ‘internal bra’ and gives surgeons alternatives to help in difficult breast augmentation cases where there has been a complication. The causes for complications can include anything from capsular contracture, to rippling, to rupture of the implant. Sometimes it’s just gravity that has taken over and the patient wants a lift in her breasts or a change in implant size.
GalaFLEX® mesh and SERI® Surgical Scaffold can both be used for breast revision and abdominal wall procedures. This provides reinforcement of soft tissue in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
How to Locate a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
Because state laws permit any licensed physician to call him, or herself a “plastic” or “cosmetic” surgeon, even if he or she has not been trained as a plastic surgeon or has had no surgical training at all, prospective patients must select their doctor carefully.
A board-certified plastic surgeon has privileges to perform these procedures at an accredited hospital. A “board-certified plastic surgeon,” is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify physicians in the full range of plastic and reconstructive procedures. These physicians must have at least five years of approved surgical training, including a residency in plastic surgery. He or she must also pass comprehensive written and oral exams in plastic surgery.
Membership in the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is by invitation only and is limited to ABPS-certified surgeons who demonstrate wide experience in the major aesthetic surgical procedures.