Like the skin, a woman’s breast goes through natural changes throughout her life. The changes may be subtle, but they occur. The alterations could range from appearance to size and from shape to texture. Sometimes, the changes are a result of pregnancy, weight gain, or a debilitating illness.
This is why women should know what is going on with their breasts at each stage of their lives. If you’re not familiar with the different stages that your breasts go through, read on so you can learn what you can expect as each year passes by.
During Your 20s
As you cross the teenage stage, your body will start to settle into your adult weight. Your metabolism may drop, so the size of your breast changes as you add or drop some weight.
Pregnancy may happen within this decade, and will enlarge your breasts to prepare for lactation. Pregnancy can also change the color of your areolas and the size of your nipples. After pregnancy and lactation, your breasts may return to their pre-baby state. It may be unlikely, however, especially after multiple pregnancies.
You may also feel some lumps and bumps in your breasts, which are due to fibrocystic changes and are common for women in their 20s. These common lumps are often normal. Regardless, you can check with your doctor if you notice lumps, especially the ones that aren’t painful, as they are usually associated with cancer.
During Your 30s
If you have multiple pregnancies in your 20s, your breasts’ skin may start to stretch. In most cases, extended skin leads to stretch marks and ptosis or drooping breasts. Ptosis can still occur even in the absence of pregnancy as you deal with weight changes in your 30s.
During Your 40s
Once you reach this period, your body will start to transition to the menopausal stage. As the estrogen production in your ovaries decreases, your breasts will go through a stage called involution, in which fat will replace the breast tissues and make them feel soft.
You may feel lumps in your breasts, but they’re mostly soft. If the lumps are firm, consider them a red flag and should be evaluated immediately.
It’s normal to see changes in your breasts. However, it’s difficult to determine whether the changes are normal or due to a disease. That’s why it’s always best to do a self-breast exam so you can notice differences that may be worth a visit to the doctor.
If you’re unhappy with your breast shape and size at this stage in your life, you have the option to have a breast enhancement surgery. Contact Dr. Mussat today if want to learn about the procedures that can enhance your breasts.
Successful breast augmentation procedures involve several important decisions that you and your doctor will have to make together. One of those decisions is what your preferred type of breast implant incision will be.
Like types of implants and size, implant incision placement is a personal decision that you need to make. Although Dr. Mussat will guide you in this regard, the choice is still up to you. After all, it is only you who truly knows what you want your breasts to look and feel after the surgery.
Breast Implant Incision Types
As there are several types of incisions, you may be confused as to what incision to choose for your procedure. Take a close look at the most common incisions, which includes their pros and cons, so you can make an informed decision.
Dr. Mussat will make an incision in the natural folds of your armpit to create a channel from the underarm down to the breast. This point of access will allow her to insert the breast implant and place it just behind the nipples. The advantage of this type of incision is the distance between the incision site and breast, which leaves no scars on the breast.
The incision scar may be visible in the armpits, especially when you lift your arms or wear a bikini or a sleeveless top. However, the scars will fade overtime.
The disadvantage of this type is it has a risk of breast asymmetry. Therefore, this is more suited for saline breast implants, as they’re not filled upon insertion.
Dr. Mussat will make this incision around the outer perimeter of your areola, that dark pigmented skin that surrounds the nipple. This makes the incision scar less visible.
The biggest advantage of this type is that the surgeon has greater control of the implant placement, which provides higher accuracy of the implant’s position.
The downside to this is there’s a higher risk of loss of nipple sensation. If you plan to have a baby in the future, this type may not be for you as breastfeed may not be possible.
The incision site is along the crease found at the bottom of your breast, where the breast and skin meet. This incision will create a pocket for the placement of the implant, which provides better visibility and accuracy.
Although the scars are visible, they should fade with proper care. They’re easily covered with clothing as well. Also, there’s minimal risk of nipple sensation loss with this type of incision.
Now that you know the common incision types, you can choose which one you feel will work best for you. Feel rest assured knowing that Dr. Mussat is confident and competent to perform these incisions. For more information about breast augmentation, call her practice today.
This is a great question many of our mom patients ask us whenever they consult about breast augmentation. If you plan to have a baby in the near future, such as in the next year, then it’s best to hold off your plan to have breast augmentation until after you’ve finished having children.
On the other hand, if pregnancy and childbirth are part of your plans, but not anytime soon, then there are factors that you have to keep in mind. These factors will help you make informed decisions and make your breast enhancement journey a truly satisfying one.
- Implants do not affect fertility or the baby’s health.
A 10-year study confirmed that breast implants do not make conception difficult for women or increase the risk of miscarriage. Studies have also shown that silicone or saline implants do not increase the risk of birth defects. The same goes for breastfed babies.
What this means is that your decision to get breast implants won’t foil your plans to have children in the future.
- Pregnancy can change your augmentation results.
There’s a possibility that pregnancy can change the quality of your breast implant results, but not significantly. Factors that can affect your surgical output are the age you become pregnant, your breast tissue characteristics, your breast implants’ age, and the changes that happen to your breasts during pregnancy. Many of our patients who had breast implants before pregnancy are still happy with their results even after childbirth and lactation.
- Breast Implants can affect milk production.
It’s generally safe to breastfeed a baby even with breast implants. However, not all mothers are able to. Others have found success with breastfeeding while others don’t due to low milk production. This also depends on the type of incisions selected. Therefore, it’s best to discuss your incision options with Dr. Mussat to ensure that you can breastfeed your baby in the future.
In addition, studies suggest that almost 90% of women who are unable to breastfeed their babies, experience these symptoms because of psychological issues. They believe that lactation can alter the results of their breast augmentation significantly or that their implants may be affecting their milk production. As mentioned above, however, breastfeeding can change the results but not significantly.
Each woman is unique. Therefore, it’s best to consult with Dr. Mussat about pre-pregnancy breast augmentation. She’ll be able to consider your medical history, conduct some tests, and evaluate your overall health to help you decide whether to go ahead with the procedure or to wait after childbirth to get breast implants.
For more information about breast augmentation, schedule a consultation with Dr. Mussat today by contacting her Chicago-based practice.
Women get breast augmentation for a myriad of reasons. One of the most common is to feel more feminine than before. Yet, before a woman can enjoy the full benefits of her breast enhancement surgery, she needs to go through the recovery stage first. Like the pre-surgical preparations, recovery period is an essential part of any woman’s breast augmentation journey.
If you are wondering what your breast augmentation recovery will be like, here are some things you can expect during this stage.
The First 24 Hours
You can expect grogginess and weakness after you wake up, so it’s best to arrange for someone to drive you home, or to your accommodation if you live outside of Chicago. You can also expect pain once the anesthesia wears off, but you can find relief with prescription pain medication that Dr. Mussat will prescribe to you.
The First Seven Days
Continue to expect soreness, bruising, and swelling after 24 hours post surgery. You can also feel pain, but it will become less intense as each day passes. At this time, you can take over-the-counter pain medication, like Tylenol, to find pain relief. However, Dr. Mussat advises to avoid aspirin and ibuprofen, as they can increase the risk of hemorrhage. With Dr. Mussat’s consent, you can take a shower after two days.
The First Two Weeks
You may return to work in the first week after surgery. You may resume your normal activities as well. However, you’ll need to limit them to less strenuous ones, as heavy lifting or bending may strain and open the incisions. Your surgeon may remove the bandages at this time, and will ask you to wear a surgical bra or compression garment to help the implants settle at their proper, permanent position.
Six weeks after
The pain, swelling, and bruising will have subsided by this time, and you may return to your exercise regimen. You may also start bra shopping at this time, and flaunt your new curves.
Throughout your recovery period, Dr. Mussat will check up on you regularly to ensure that you’ll heal properly.
As you can see, the most crucial part of the breast augmentation recovery is the first two weeks. After that, you can slowly return to living your amazing life. If you have more questions about breast augmentation, or would like to book an appointment, call Dr. Mussat’s office today.
A good 92% of all cosmetic surgery patients are women, while surprisingly, only a fraction of plastic surgeons are women. Despite the disparity, there’s been a rise in demand for trained, highly skilled female plastic surgeons like Dr. Florence Mussat from female patients for their breast augmentation. To many female patients, a female plastic surgeon represents comfort, familiarity, and best of all, superior results. Let’s learn about why some patients prefer a female plastic surgeon for a procedure like breast augmentation.
- Empathy
Patients should always seek certified, highly trained surgeons, like Dr. Mussat, for their breast augmentation. However, one other factor that could further distinguish a surgeon is their ability to understand a patient’s aesthetic goals and motivations. For many women, having a surgeon that understands how aging, pregnancy, or breastfeeding has affected their breasts can be incredibly comforting and validating. Many patients feel that a female surgeon can relate to why the patient wants the restoring benefits of breast augmentation—femininity, confidence, and youth. It’s that connection and understanding that’s essential for attaining results that the patient is satisfied and happy with.
- Natural Aesthetics
Many women who seek breast augmentation often want results that are perfectly balanced and proportioned with their figure—a new figure that complements their frame, personality, and lifestyle. Many women turn to female plastic surgeons for breast augmentation because they want the vision and gaze of someone who can see them in the same way they see themselves. For some women, breast augmentation is about restoring their own confidence, not necessarily fulfilling certain standards. A female surgeon has likely felt the same way about their body as the patient, and can truly understand what a female patient needs. With that familiarity, female patients also feel more comfortable to discuss their feelings about their breasts, and what they want fixed.
- Compassion
A good rapport with your plastic surgeon is one of the most essential ingredients to an excellent plastic surgery experience. There have been many published studies that showed on average, female surgeons discussed options with patients for a longer time than male surgeons. Many female patients also feel that women are more compassionate and more likely to listen to their concerns and opinions. One of the best ways your surgeon can give you the breast augmentation results you want is by discussing it with you, rather than imposing their decisions with you, and in this area, female surgeons excel.
Dr. Mussat is not only a board-certified, highly-trained breast augmentation surgeon, but she is also a compassionate, caring doctor. For a chance to work with a uniquely equipped surgeon like Dr. Mussat, contact her offices now, for a consultation.
