"Dr. Luethcke is a very caring and compassionate doctor. He took the time to listen to my goals. He never made me feel uncomfortable. His staff is very friendly and caring also. My experience was more than I expected."
- Jody A.

 

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Procedures

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammaplasty, is the enlargement of the breasts by placing an implant either directly under the breast itself or under the chest muscle (pectoralis major) just below the breast. This is done with a saline or a gel implant (sterile salt solution) filled silicone rubber implant. In general, there is a very high patient satisfaction with this procedure, with satisfaction rates consistently around 90%. The major issues of concern with breast augmentation are firmness of the breast (capsular contracture), ripples or wrinkles in the implant shell which may be visible through the skin, rupture of the implant and interference with mammography. About 10-15% of women who have breast implants will require at least one other operation at some time in their lives to correct an implant related problem. Despite this, the vast majority chooses to continue with implants.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each plane of placement of the implant (above, or below the muscle). The optimum site depends on the individual patients natural breast aesthetics and the look she wants to achieve with augmentation. We most frequently use the plane below the muscle, but there are certainly instances in which placing the implant above the muscle offers superior results.

Size is, of course, always of paramount interest. It is important for the patient to have an idea of what their "ideal" look is. Photographs from magazines that illustrate this are very helpful for the doctor to see at the initial consultation. After the examination, the doctor can then more accurately let the patient know how achievable her ideal is and what may be necessary to achieve it. In general, most patients want to be around a C-cup. Noticeably larger in swimwear, but sophisticated looking in the work place. They want to feel more confident about their breast size and the way they look and feel, but at the same time do not want this to be the focus of their physical presence.

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