As your lifestyle, health, and aesthetic goals change, you may decide to remove or replace your breast implants. Healing from explant surgery is critical to achieving your desired outcome, enhancing your appearance and quality of life. With breast implant removal, board-certified Orland Park plastic surgeon Dr. David Dreyfuss helps Chicagoland women resolve implant-related health complications or enter a new stage of their lives.

Breast explant recovery is similar to healing from breast augmentation. You should anticipate taking one to two weeks off from your everyday activities to rest and focus on self-care. If you have any concerns or questions, Dr. Dreyfuss and his team are only a phone call away.

In this post, Dr. Dreyfuss shares eight tips for a quick and comfortable breast implant removal recovery.

What Is Breast Implant Removal?

Explant surgery is the process of removing breast implants. Women in Chicago are increasingly opting to remove their implants for multiple reasons. Some patients are dissatisfied with their results after breast augmentation, while others experience complications. The most common reasons for explant surgery are:

  • Don’t like the feel or look
  • Ruptures or leaks
  • Capsular contracture
  • Size adjustments

During the procedure, Dr. Dreyfuss may remove scar tissue or silicone from implant leaks. You may wish swap old implants for a different shape, size, or material, or you may no longer want implants at all. You don’t need a particular reason to remove implants. While the surgical process is straightforward, choosing a highly qualified plastic surgeon is vital to achieving an optimal outcome.

How Long Does It Take to Fully Recover From Breast Implant Removal?

You may have some uncertainties about getting an explant surgery, especially when you consider how this procedure might affect your life. Like most patients, explant recovery is a necessary detail to consider when contemplating the procedure.

Because you’ve already had breast surgery, you have some idea of what to expect. However, if your original procedure was several years ago, your previous recovery may not be the best yardstick.

Since everyone heals at a different rate, no surgeon can guarantee a specific recovery timeline. However, we can estimate based on other patients’ experiences.

  • On average, most women can return to work in a week.
  • Jobs that require strenuous lifting or movement require a longer recovery.

Remember, it’s vital to listen to your body and get plenty of rest. Rushing back into your usual routine too soon can cause complications and adversely affect your results.

Explant Surgery Recovery Tips

Expect to spend the first several days after surgery recovering at home. Typically, we remove sutures and fitted drains two or three days after surgery. During this time, you should not work or engage in physical activity. In addition, you must avoid exposing your incisions to the sun, abrasion, excessive pulling, or stretching as they heal.

Here are Dr. Dreyfuss’ top eight post-surgery recovery tips for explant patients.

1. Follow Your Surgeon’s Aftercare Instructions

Before you leave the surgery center and go home to recover, Dr. Dreyfuss and his staff will give you a list of what you can do to speed your healing process. Make sure you follow these instructions to the letter. If you have any questions regarding the directions, call us for clarification.

2. Wear a Compression Garment or Surgical Bra

Compression garments are vital to postoperative care for plastic surgery patients. They accelerate healing by helping you manage swelling, bruising, and discomfort after explant surgery.

There are several advantages to using compression garments:

  • Reduce swelling, bruising, and skin sagging
  • Promote blood circulation
  • Reduce postoperative discomfort
  • Are comfortable to wear
  • Help achieve optimal benefits

In many instances, Dr. Dreyfuss will fit you with a medically approved compression garment. You should wear this at all times, except when bathing or showering. After your initial follow-up appointment with Dr. Dreyfuss, he will advise when you can remove the compression garment for extended periods.

3. Avoid Strenuous Activities or Lifting Heavy Objects

After explant surgery, it will take several weeks to regain strength, but your endurance should return to normal in time. Follow these guidelines during your recovery:

  • Perform any muscle toning exercises Dr. Dreyfuss suggests.
  • Do not lift anything weighing more than 10 pounds – including children, laundry, and groceries – until six weeks after the surgery.
  • After six weeks, you may gradually lift heavier items if it does not cause discomfort around your incisions.
  • Walking and stair climbing are excellent workouts for strength and conditioning. Start taking five- to 10-minute walks around your home, yard, or neighborhood the day after your surgery and slowly increase every week week.
  • Do not do strenuous exercises like contact sports, tennis, jogging, or weightlifting for at least two months after your operation.
  • It is normal to get tired more quickly after surgery. Pace yourself, and don’t overdo it.

4. Get Plenty of Rest and Avoid Activities That Put Stress on Your Chest

Depending on your job, you may need to take between one and two weeks off work. During this time, sleep as much as you feel you need to. Your entire focus should be rest and recovery, to take catnaps throughout the day if you are drowsy. If you feel alert and well-rested, there’s no need to nap.

Getting enough uninterrupted sleep during recovery is crucial because your body does most of its healing during the REM sleep phase. Unfortunately, the cycle starts over when you wake up, so if you awaken before your REM phase, your brain will begin from scratch when you fall back asleep.

5. Eat a Healthy Diet and Stay Hydrated

The meals you eat in the days, weeks, and months after your explant surgery can affect your recovery and healing. Nutritional awareness can prevent post-surgery complications like infections and constipation.

When filling your fridge and pantry for recovery, consider opportunities to improve your typical diet. For example, you may reach for processed foods because they are convenient, but prepared meals often include artificial ingredients and added sodium and sugar.

Eating more fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean meats like chicken and turkey can enhance your body’s healing process. To prevent dehydration, keep a glass of water nearby at all times.

6. Attend Follow-Up Appointments With Dr. Dreyfuss

During early recovery from explant surgery, you will require additional medical attention to remove sutures and evaluate your healing process. Dr. Dreyfuss will schedule post-procedure follow-up appointments that he expects you to keep.

Dr. Dreyfuss sees each of his patients after their surgery multiple times to review healing progress, update recommendations for the safest recovery, and achieve the best benefits possible. The cost of these post-operation visits is part of your surgical fees.

7. Consider Physical Therapy or Rehabilitation

Healing from breast surgery means using your chest muscles and upper body as little as possible. We recommend you allow four weeks before resuming your usual exercise routine. Instead, you can get your heart rate up with gentle walks.

A physical therapist can design a post-surgery program that efficiently complements your healing and helps you adapt to your new chest contour while quickly normalizing breast sensitivity. In addition, massage therapy is beneficial and improves comfort levels during your recovery. 

8. Take Time to Adjust Emotionally and Psychologically After Surgery

Surgically changing any aspect of your appearance is a significant decision. While healing from your explant procedure, you may find yourself struggling with emotional ups and downs. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help when you need it. Find support from compassionate friends and family members, or work with a therapist. If you don’t feel mentally well, your recovery will be more challenging.

Why Partner With Dr. Dreyfuss?

In addition to amassing several years of surgical practice and earning certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. David Dreyfuss brings a unique blend of artistry, skill, and compassion to his craft. Patients from Chicago and beyond choose Dr. Dreyfuss for various surgical and non-surgical procedures, including breast augmentation, laser skin resurfacing, eyelid surgery, and much more.

When you call us for a consultation, know that Dr. Dreyfuss will work you personally, from your initial visit to the final post-operative appointment. If you’re seeking a change by removing your breast implants and need more information about explant surgery, we invite you to come and visit us to learn more about our practice.

You can book a virtual consultation with Dr. Dreyfuss or call our office at (815) 806-9400.

You’ve made your decision to enhance your breasts. That’s the big decision, but not the last, because now you have a series of choices to make about your procedure. You know you want to go bigger, or broader, or have a better shape. But how do you know what implants will work best? First, you must consider projection and proportion. Sound’s easy—right?

Breast implant size and profile are the essential variables that will ensure your successful breast augmentation. You want your results to look natural and proportionate with the rest of your body. So, getting the implant right is critical for optimal breast augmentation results.

Going Too Small

At Dreyfuss Plastic Surgery, we often see women who went too small when choosing their implants. They come to us in Orland Park unsatisfied, wanting a revision to go bigger this time. Though we are happy to help you with your revision surgery, we always counsel our patients that it is critical to get the size right the first time around if possible. Adding another surgery increases the risk of complications like capsular contracture, pronounced scarring, or losing nipple sensation. 

Chicago board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Dreyfuss will consult with you on the best implant options that fit your body type and anatomy. You will have access to the latest technologies and expertise to determine the right size, type, and projection with your implant. Remember, the implants not only have to look good but be comfortable to carry around for years.

Going Too Large

When women choose implants too large for their bodies, it can throw the whole body out of balance. Not only can the woman’s figure end up looking disproportionate, but going too large can also cause discomfort from carrying around too much weight. Pain in the neck and lower back may even result. Also, activities like exercise or housework may become painful. 

The breast tissue may weaken with the added weight causing breasts to sag and droop. If the patient chooses to take the implants out at some point, the skin may have been stretched too thin to bounce back.

How To Choose Your Implants Well

As we said before, choosing your breast implants correctly is critical for a successful breast enhancement. But the most crucial decision will be who does the surgery. Board-certified plastic surgeons are extensively trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery. They also are held to the highest ethical standards in medicine. So, if you are considering breast augmentation with implants, choose well.

Learn More

If you would like more information about breast augmentation surgery and choosing the right implants, we would love to talk with you. Contact Dr. Dreyfuss today for a consultation to learn how to get the figure you’ve been dreaming about for some time. 

Contact him today to schedule a consultation at our state-of-the-art facility in Orland Park.

Breast augmentation is still one of the more popular cosmetic surgeries performed today with hundreds of thousands of women in the United States receiving implants annually. As implants’ material and technology improving, demand for the procedure is predicted to stay strong. 

Building upon breast implant procedures 50 years in the making, medical manufacturers have been developing extraordinary technology that lowers risk and avoids complications while delivering more options with better outcomes. 

More Implant Options

When breast implant surgeries began in the 1960s, the only real choice for breast implants was to increase size. Silicone implants were not available; smooth saline implants were the only game in town. In 2006, silicone implants gained FDA approval, which triggered a flurry of research and development, resulting in significant advancements. 

Anatomically contoured “gummy bear” implants are the newest implant type. Distinguished by its more cohesive silicone gel, these implants do not leak when their shell is ruptured. Many plastic surgeons and patients alike believe these produce better outcomes when compared to traditional silicone implants with a fill that’s more liquid. Available in multiple shapes and sizes, gummy bear implants accommodate any body type. 

Advanced Surgical Techniques

The increased efficiency of today’s breast augmentation operations means less downtime and more comfortable recovery. In years past, surgeons would create a pocket to insert the implant using techniques which could cause damage to breast muscle and tissue. Currently, techniques are more precise, resulting in less postoperative pain, less bleeding, and shorter recovery. With the inception of the Keller Funnel, an FDA-approve device which allows for a “no-touch” technique with shorter incisions, recovery is easier and shorter for the patient. 

3-D Previews

Advanced technology also offers 3-D imaging, which gives the patient a preview of her results. This step has increased patient satisfaction with their outcomes. Board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. David Dreyfuss relies on this advanced tool to help his patients visualize what the procedure can do for them. It is significantly better than the previous attempts at predicting outcomes like using a stuffed nylon stocking or placing implants under the bra. In addition to the inclusion of all shapes, sizes, and manufacturers, the 3-D preview system can display differences in the symmetry and volume between a patient’s current breasts and those they will get surgically. 

A Better Understand of Complications

Researchers are cracking the risks related to breast augmentation surgery, specifically capsular contracture. This complication occurs when scar tissue hardens around the implants, causing discomfort and sometimes displacement. Although surgeons are not sure what causes this problem, researchers have made significant advances in identifying several factors that may be linked with capsular contracture. They include:

  • Submuscular vs. subglandular placement: Evidence reveals breast implant placement under the pectoral muscles develops less capsular contracture than implants placed above the muscle. 
  • Oversized implants: Research reveals that implants which aren’t proportionate to a patient’s body are more likely to develop extensive scar tissue. 
  • Smoking: Doctors today are now able to warn their smoking patients of the risks they’re more likely to encounter, including capsular contracture. With more people stopping smoking, better surgical outcomes have followed. 
  • Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon: The beginning of breast implant surgery saw family physicians and other unspecialized health practitioners trying their hands at breast augmentation surgery. Today’s standards and rules help keep the complex surgeries in the trained plastic surgeon’s offices. Plastic surgeons often undergo 14 years of schooling and training (residencies) before opening their own practices. To stay sharp and aware of the most current procedures, surgeons must undergo continuing education to keep their board-certification. 

 

Strict rules have also lead to surgeons operating only in fully accredited facilities that insist on strict infection protocols. 

As the advances in breast augmentation materials and techniques continue, so does the popularity of the procedure. If you’re interested in breast augmentation, a breast lift or reduction, do not hesitate to call the offices of Dr. David Dreyfuss at 815-806-9400. You can also schedule our consultation and ask your questions via our online form. We’ll make sure to get back to you quickly!

Breast augmentations are one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the US. This procedure is so popular because it is safe, effective and customizable to the individual. There are many choices to consider when thinking about breast augmentation and we have broken down the most important ones for you below! If you would like to get more details about this procedure, schedule a consultation or contact us here!

When it comes to breast augmentation, there are a lot of decisions you need to make beyond size, including:

  • Material: Silicone or Saline
  • Shape: Round or Teardrop
  • Placement: Under or Above Muscle
  • Incision: Under the Breast or Around the Nipple
  • Surgeon: Should always be Board-Certified & Experienced

A big decision in planning for breast enhancement surgery is to choose between silicone or saline breast implants. There are benefits to both, and you should decide on the implant which will work best for you. The purpose of this information provided is to help you choose the best implant design for your unique lifestyle and body.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants consist of a silicone shell which is inserted empty then inflated with a saline solution after proper placement. The position can be either above or below the pectoralis muscle. Saline is a salt water solution which is similar to a natural fluid found in the body.

The surface of the saline implant is either textured or smooth with the implant itself varying in shape, profile, shell thickness, and volume. One advantage of the saline implant is the amount of fluid can be calibrated easily to ensure the best volume and firmness possible after placement.

Advantages of Saline Implants

  • Ability to increase or decrease volume after placement
  • Silicone shell filled with a salt-water solution which is very close a natural body fluid found in your body
  • Ruptures are easier to detect
  • Smaller incision required than with silicone
  • Cost is less than Silicone Implants

Disadvantages of Saline Implants

  • Rippling is more common than with Silicone implants
  • Firmer feel than natural breast
  • Does not have the natural look or feel of a Silicone implant

Overview

Most patients who choose saline implants do so because they believe it is safer, in the rare event of a rupture, because of the harmless saline solution and their ability to provide early detection. The main drawback, however, is they lack the natural feel and look of normal breasts. Also, for patients with little breast tissue, rippling is a concern.

The FDA recommends patients be 18 years or older for Saline Implants.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone implants consist of a durable silicone shell filled with a cohesive silicone gel which has the feel of natural breast tissue. These implants are available in round and anatomic (teardrop) shape with textured or smooth surfaces. Most silicone implants are not adjustable, so, the incision used to insert the breast implant is larger than what is necessary for saline implants. Unlike saline implants, the size is permanent and not adjustable.

Some surgeons recommend silicone implants for women with little breast tissue to hide the implant. If the patient has enough breast tissue to cover the implant, the outcome will be comparable with saline or silicone implants. When the patient has little body fat and a small amount of breast tissue, the silicone implants can provide a more natural result. A recommendation will come during a breast augmentation consultation.

Silicone Breast Implant advantages:

  • Suitable for any body type
  • Less chance of rippling
  • Will not leak if ruptured
  • Predictable outcome with a set volume amount
  • Patients with little breast tissue can still have a natural breast feel and appearance
  • Feels much like the natural breast
  • A skilled surgeon can place breast implant with Areolar (nipple incision), inframammary (under the breast fold) or trans-axillary (under the armpit)

Disadvantages

  • Rupture hard to detect without MRI
  • Larger incisions necessary
  • Higher cost
  • Larger implant may eliminate some incision techniques

Overview

Many patients choose silicone because it has a more natural feel and look than its saline alternative. MRIs are recommended three years after surgery and every two years afterward to find any possible leaks or ruptures.

The FDA recommends patients should be 22 years or older for Silicone Implants.

Silicone Versus Saline Implants

A major concern with many breast augmentation patients is the risk of rupture. An advantage the saline implant has is it will deflate immediately making the rupture obvious to the patient. Also, with the saline solution very close to a natural body fluid, there is no issue other than aesthetic.

Implants may rupture because of capsular contracture or physical trauma. Capsular contracture is a response of the body’s immune system to foreign objects like breast implants. Because silicone implants are filled with a gel type filling, it is harder to determine when or if a rupture occurs. Therefore, we recommend a periodic MRI to make sure everything is OK with the silicone implant.

Making the Decision

There is a lot to process when deciding on the optimal breast implant for your surgery. The right choice is available when you consider your body type, desired outcome, and who will perform the surgery. At Dreyfuss Plastic Surgery, we take the time to listen to what you want and hear all your concerns. Dr. Dreyfuss will provide his professional recommendation based on his training and vast experience with breast surgery.

To learn more about choosing the right breast implant, contact us to schedule a breast augmentation consultation.

Call us at 815-806-9400 or Contact Us Today!

 

Breast enhancement is all about being bigger—but there’s more to it than that. You also want to find the perfect size for you, and that requires a little bit more work than finding the biggest implant you can get. If want help with finding the right size of implants, check out our handy guide on breast implant sizes.

How to Size Breast Implants

You might think it’s as easy as picking a cup size, but picking the right size is much more complicated. Since cup sizes are actually different across different bra manufacturers, it’s a pretty bad way to convey your desired implant size to your surgeon. Breast implants are actually measured in three ways: diameter, volume, and profile. The diameter is how wide the implant is, the volume is how much filling is inside of it, and the profile is how far the implant will project from the chest. Each measurement will affect each other, so finding the right combination of measurements is the key to finding the perfect size. So for a certain volume, a narrow diameter will result in a higher profile, or projection from the chest.

Perfect for Your Figure

A breast implant of a certain size will not look the same on every woman, which is why it’s important to size the breast implant perfectly to a woman’s anatomy. That means the implant should be adequately covered by the woman’s natural breast tissue, have a width that’s slightly smaller than the width of the natural breasts, and looks natural and proportional to a woman’s body. For instance, if a woman with a very small frame wanted very large implants, it’s important that she get implants that didn’t look too crowded on her narrow chest. That can be solved by getting an implant with a narrow diameter and a high profile, which can give her a dramatic look while looking perfectly balanced and natural.

Your Personality and Your Lifestyle

Your implants shouldn’t just reflect your body type; they should also reflect who you are. Big personalities tend to want bigger implants, but what if you’re not as outgoing? If you have an athletic lifestyle or a more subdued personality, you might not want the biggest breasts you can get. Your new breasts should not be at a size that could impede strenuous activity, and if you’re worried about attracting too much attention, you might want a more subtle increase in size than a dramatic one.
Now that you know more about the process, it might be time for you to start your breast augmentation journey. To work with a caring, talented plastic surgeon for your breast enhancement, contact the offices of Dr. Dreyfuss for a consultation.

Springtime is coming fast, and like a flower in springtime, it’s your time to blossom. If you’ve ever felt unfeminine or self-conscious because of small breasts, then this is your chance to finally feel pride and confidence about your body. Spring is a time of growth and renewal, which is why the perfect season to embrace a new, more feminine you. Let’s take a look at how breast augmentation can let your beauty, and your inner self, bloom.

What Can Breast Augmentation Do?

Breast augmentation is your ticket to fuller, more shapely breasts and an enhanced cleavage. Using implants that move and feel like real breast tissue, breast augmentation can increase the volume of the breasts and in some instances, reshape them. With a more feminine figure, you’ll be able to fit better in your beautiful spring sundresses and feel more confident during trips to the beach and the pool. You can restore breasts flattened by breast feeding and aging and transform them to their fuller, firmer selves.
Once your breast augmentation results have fully emerged, you can enjoy the remaining springtime by showing off your new silhouette and newfound sense of confidence. In the warm, radiant, glowing springtime, you can finally look as good as your feel.

The Power of Choice

Along with being the most popular plastic surgery procedure of all time, breast augmentation is also one of the most customizable procedures available. Many surgeons emphasize that your breast augmentation should reflect your lifestyle, aesthetic goals, and personality. With the help of your surgeon, you’ll be able to choose between the types of incisions used, the kind of implant chosen for the procedure, and the placement of the implant. Every single choice you make will directly affect your results, so you’ll be able to find the right combination for you, and only you.

What’s Right for You?

Enhancement means different things for everyone. To one person, enhancement might mean dramatic change. To another person, enhancement might mean a more natural, subtle improvement. Whatever your goals are or whatever you plan to accomplish with breast augmentation, Dr. Dreyfuss will be there help you achieve them.

It takes a kind, compassionate surgeon to understand your goals and help personalize your procedure just for you. For the chance to work with a surgeon like Dr. Dreyfuss for your procedure, contact Dreyfuss Plastic Surgery now for a consultation.

Interested in getting a breast augmentation, but not sure whether saline or silicone implants are right for you? Dr. Dreyfuss has put together this helpful infographic on facts about both saline and silicone breast implants. During your consultation, Dr. Dreyfuss will discuss your goals and help you decide which implant is best for you. To learn more about saline or silicone breast implants, please contact Dreyfuss Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation.

Saline Implants:

  • Saline implants are available for patients over 18 years old.
  • It is made of a silicone-based soft shell and filled with a saltwater solution.
  • They come in a variety of shapes and sizes with choices about the amount of projection and slope.
  • They can sometimes feel more firm than natural breast tissue.
  • They are sized specifically for your body, filled during the surgery.

Silicone Implants:

  • Silicone implants are available for patients over 22 years old.
  • They have a flexible silicone outer shell and are pre-filled with a thick gel.
  • They come in a wide range of sizes and shapes to accommodate different body types.
  • They are growing in popularity, because they look and feel like natural breast tissue.
  • They require a slightly larger incision since they are pre-filled.

Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants

A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, based on patient input, revealed 6 aspects of breast surgery that made a profound impact on satisfaction and quality of life.

1. Breast Characteristics
Clearly the main goal of cosmetic breast surgery – participants of the study commented about improvements in breast shape and the clothing options that were now available to them as a result.  One patient with breast implants reports, “Some things are much more fun to put on, and the stuff that I used to wear looks way better–I am sure they looked good before, too–but I just fill in a bit more, look a bit more busty in them.”

2. Physical Well-Being
Breast reduction patients can get relief from back and neck pain, which often allows increased activity and better health.

3. Psychosocial Well-Being
Patients in the study shared the positive changes in self perception and experiences in social settings. Increased confidence and feeling as if you fit the perceived “norm” of the female body are said to be a common benefits of breast surgery.

4. Sexual Well Being
When people feel more attractive, they generally experience more sexual pleasure.  If breast implants or another surgery improve a woman’s perception of her self and her body, sexual well being can consequently improve.

5.  Surgeon-Patient Relationship
Women who experienced a good surgeon-patient relationship – with open, honest communication – expressed more satisfaction with breast surgery.  Patients who had an adverse relationship with the surgeon or staff reported being fearful, uncomfortable, and less satisfied.

6. Overall Satisfaction

Researchers also included the simple category of general satisfaction.  Would you undergo the surgery again?  One breast augmentation patient responds, “there is not one day that goes by that I am not so pleased that I did it.”

You can access a similar article by the same researchers for free at BioMed Central.

Here’s the third installment in the breast augmentation video series brought to us by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In this segment, a patient discusses her satisfaction with breast implants and the reaction she got from friends and family. See our post last week for the previous episode.