BREAST AUGMENTATION (BREAST ENLARGEMENT)

 

TOTAL COST: Usually less than $4800.00 for saline implants and less than $5800 for silicone gel implants.

 

Women who are interested in having a breast enlargement may call Dr. Bandeian’s office for a consultation. The cost of the consultation is applied to the surgical fee. The initial consultation typically takes between 1 and 2 hours. Dr. Bandeian explaines the pros and cons of saline and silicone gel implants, and his patients decide which tyhpe they want. Dr. Bandeian will discuss with his patients the size of the implant that he plans to use. To help his patients determine what size implant is appropriate, Dr. Bandeian asks his patients to try on different size breast implants under bras. Breast enlargement can help minor degrees of breast sagging, but more advanced sagging will not be improved with breast enlargement. Most of his patients request inflatable breast implants that will be filled with saline (salt water) at the time of surgery. Silicone gel implants are also available.  One advantage of the saline implant is that it can be inserted through a very small incision. Dr. Bandeian usually makes the incision around the areola (colored skin around the nipple) but he will insert it through an incision in the armpit or below the nipple at the request of the patient.  He usually puts the implants beneath the chest wall muscles, but he can put the implant on top of the chest wall muscles. Dr. Bandeian gives his patients 3 prescriptions: one for antiseptic soap to use before surgery, one for prophylactic antibiotics and one for pain medication.

 

Breast enlargements are done at Kingsport Day Surgery Center, which is adjacent to Indian Path Hospital. Patients are put to sleep for their surgery by an anesthesiologist and a nurse. The operation takes approximately 2 hours. Patients should have a responsible adult drive them home from the surgery center and stay with them on the night of their surgery. Dr. Bandeian instructs his patients to call him personally on the evening of their surgery to let him know how they are doing. He then sees his patients in his office the day after surgery and several times thereafter. Dr. Bandeian usually instructs his patients to start wearing a good support bra, a few days following surgery. He also instructs them to avoid driving or doing any housework for the first 7 days. After one week, stitches are removed and most women can return to work. Swimming, tennis, and upper body aerobics should be avoided until 6 weeks after surgery.