FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do all plastic surgeons have the same surgical approach with breast augmentations?

No. As a double-board certified plastic surgeon, with over 20 years of experience performing breast augmentations and many other types of breast surgery, Dr. Vanek has developed techniques that he believes provide the greatest benefits for his patients, starting with their safety and comfort, and certainly focusing all aspects of being extremely pleased with their results.

How do I choose my new size?

Your body shape, build, and tissue characteristics for breast augmentation will all be important to determine the size of your implants. Increasing your breast volume by two cup sizes is the goal of a typical patient. Larger volume enhancements have technical considerations that Dr. Vanek will discuss with you according to your individual body habitus. As a general rule, every 125-150cc of implant volume equals an increase in a single cup size, but there are no agreements by bra manufacturers or breast surgeons as to what volume equals which cup size.

What implant shape should I select?

Anatomical (teardrop) implants have a tapered top, so the fullness is more emphasized on the bottom pole of the breast. If these shift, however, the visible change can be more pronounced.

Round implants give a full look to the upper pole of the breast and can potentially rotate in the envelope – though such a shift shouldn’t be visible. Round implants in a submuscular position can achieve the same result as a teardrop implant without the possibility of breast distortion
The silicone shell itself may also be textured or smooth. A smooth implant is freer to subtly move in its pocket, which some women feel is more like natural breast tissue. Textured implants more firmly anchor themselves, making it more difficult for them to rotate.

What is the difference between saline and silicone implants?

Note that all breast implants have a silicone component: the casing that holds the material inside. The silastic silicone material is used in all pacemakers, MediPorts, IV tubing, and many medical devices used for implantation that have been on the market since 1962. The implants are filled with either saline or silicone gel. Saline is the technical name for sterile salt water used in IV fluids. In the rare occasion that they rupture or leak, the solution is sterile, however the implant would deflate and need to be replaced. Saline implants have a somewhat higher risk of rippling relative to gel implants, which have a higher cohesivity.

Silicone implants are filled with cross-linked silicone gel. This is thicker and has a more viscous formulation which many women prefer because they act, feel and look more like natural breast tissue. This is the most studied material in medicine and has no systemic biological effects if it should leak. Silicone leaks or ruptures are not as obvious and are often not even detectable by the patient. This is why Dr. Vanek wishes to see you over the long term with periodic examinations and properly timed mammography. You do not need additional testing over your lifetime as a result of having breast implants. Your breast surveillance will adhere to the recommendations by the American College of Surgeons, of which Dr. Vanek is a proud member.

What are Gummy Bear implants?

This is a modified version of silicone, technically known as “form-stable silicone.” With fewer liquid properties, they resemble a thick and chewy candy, thus the nickname. Due to the material, they may be less likely to leak or rupture, and more likely to stay intact in the case of a rupture.

Will people know I have had a breast augmentation?

There are two areas that Dr. Vanek especially pays close attention to. First, he will position your implants to look very natural from the top and all sides. You can view many photos on this website to see how natural his breast augmentation patients appear, which makes him as happy as his patients are. The other area is with scarring. Dr. Vanek keeps incisions short and well-hidden in the crease underneath your breast, so they can be covered by a bra or bathing suit top. He also uses lasers and scar cream to make them as invisible as possible.

Are breast implants safe?

Yes. Silicone and saline breast implants have evolved over the years, and have an excellent safety record. There was a 14-year study and moratorium on silicone gel implants for cosmetic surgeries in the US beginning in 1992. After thousands of studies, panels, and investigations by physicians and government agencies, silicone gel implants were approved for all use. In particular, many studies have shown that women who get implants are not at an increased risk for getting breast cancer, implants do not delay the detection of breast cancer, and having implants does not hinder the patient or their physician in finding breast tumors. Breast implant patients who do get breast cancer have the identical chance of obtaining remission, or being free of cancer for 5 years, as women without implants.

How long do breast implants last?

Modern breast implants can potentially last a lifetime, but manufacturers do not consider them ‘lifetime devices’, meaning that breast implants have the possibility of leaking over time. A deflated implant is not an emergency and replacement can be performed when convenient. If a saline implant leaks, the saltwater is harmlessly absorbed by the body. If the implant does not show deflation, it can potentially be left in for a lifetime. For silicone implants, even if the outer shell ruptures, the silicone inside remains intact and will likely not leak outside of the shell.

Will a breast augmentation affect my nipples?

As to nipple appearance, immediately after your procedure, they may seem to sit a little higher on your chest wall, which is normal and temporary. A breast augmentation does not typically affect your long-term areola or nipple appearance, but some women choose to have additional procedures performed with a breast augmentation, such as fixing inverted nipples, or simply making them appear perkier. As to nipple sensation, many women say that they do notice different or lessened sensation for 6-12 months following breast augmentation surgery. For a very small percentage, there may be permanent change in nipple sensation.

Can I still breastfeed after getting implants?

Yes. Dr. Vanek chooses to place the implant behind the muscle because it gives you the optimal position for breast surveillance in your future mammograms. Whether the implant is behind the muscle of above the muscle, it will not interfere with the gland secreting milk through the nipple. There is also no danger of breast implant material being passed into the breast milk and affecting your child in any way. We will address this concern during your consultation.

Is there much follow-up treatment needed?

All post procedure visits and phone calls are included. Dr. Vanek has made the commitment to his patients to follow up with them until the end of his career. One of Dr. Vanek’s greatest joys is to see patients in follow-up for years after any procedure. You will return to the office for an assessment one day and one week after breast augmentation. There are no sutures to remove. Usually Steri-Strips are applied over the small incision, and you wear a surgical sports bra for three weeks post operatively. At that point, you can go bra shopping! Most patients usually are driving and can return to work within a few days, unless work activities require significant lifting, pushing, or arm stretching, which should be avoided for 2-3 weeks. Dr. Vanek will discuss your specific job requirements and activity restrictions at the time of your consultation. You can begin walking the day after your surgery but returning to exercise programs is a personal decision beginning about 2 weeks after surgery. Strenuous activities such as bench presses, pushups, hiking, or jogging should be avoided for about 3 weeks. Ease into it. Lifting anything over 25 pounds should be avoided for 3 weeks after surgery. Then there are no restrictions. There are typically no long-term changes in your physical functions after breast augmentation.

At about 8 weeks post operatively, Dr. Vanek uses Sciton BBL laser wavelengths to reduce the visibility of your scars and optimize the healing process. This is performed at no charge during months 2, 3 and 4 after your surgery and is coordinated through routine visits to the office. There is no charge for these laser treatments, as Dr. Vanek believes they make a substantial difference in your outcome.

How quickly can I return to normal activities?

You should be up and about within a day or two after surgery, and any lingering discomfort can be controlled with prescribed pain medication. You will be able to shower almost immediately. Most patients usually are driving and can return to work within a few days, unless work activities require significant lifting, pushing or arm stretching, which should be avoided for two weeks. You can begin walking the day after surgery but returning to exercise programs is a personal decision, beginning about two weeks after surgery. Strenuous activity like bench presses, push-ups, biking or jogging should be avoided for about six weeks. Lifting of anything over 5 pounds should also be avoided for six weeks. There are typically no long-term changes in your physical functions.

Is the procedure or recovery very painful?

The pain from breast augmentation surgery is usually in the moderate range and generally can be well controlled with medication in the first week or two following surgery. Because of the technique that Dr. Vanek uses and his experience, the majority of patients say that their pain level is less than they expected.

How much does surgery cost?

At your consultation you will receive a detailed written summary of all costs associated with your breast augmentation, including hospital-related costs. The level of expertise and care that you will receive, along with the quality of all materials involved with your procedure and post-operative care, actually add up to a much higher rate than we charge. We realize that many of our patients want and deserve the best treatment and results, but simply cannot afford what that level should really cost. So, you will find that our costs are highly competitive, and we urge our patients to consider all the factors involved with your procedure, of which patient satisfaction with your beautiful results is highly important. As you can see from the actual patient photos on this website, our patients look amazing and they are very happy.

Can I really get a modelling photoshoot for free?

Yes! Dr. Vanek’s patients look so gorgeous after their procedures that he thinks they should all become models, so he will provide your first professional shoot after you are healed. Some of these beautiful ladies are now pursuing modelling careers. Whether you do it for your career, your confidence, your significant other, or just for the fun if it – he would love to see your photos added to our homepage to make it even more exquisite than it already is!