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GULF COAST PLASTIC SURGERY'S GUIDE TO

BREAST AUGMENTATIONEVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE,DURING AND AFTER YOUR SURGERY

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If you are considering breast augmentation, this guide was created just for you. There are undoubtedly many questions on your mind, and this guide will discuss the answers to those questions in an easy-to-understand way. As always, the staff at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery is glad to discuss the surgery with you further as well. Keep reading to get all the essential information about breast augmentation surgery.

The short answer: A breast augmentation is a surgical way to permanently enlarge the breasts. However, a breast augmentation is actually much more than that. When performed correctly, breast augmentation surgery is both art and science. The patient's wishes, the patient's body, and the ultimate well-being of the patient are all taken into account so that Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque or Dr. Patterson can give each person their ideal result.

Who is thisebook for?

What is aBreast Augmentation?

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Do I Need a Lift or an Augmentation?One of the most common mix-ups regarding breast augmentation involves breast placement.One of the most common mix-ups regarding breast augmentation involves breast placement. Many people who consider breast augmentation would actually benefit more from a breast lift. To determine which might be best, consider the breast volume. Are your breasts already large enough, but the position is too low for your liking? A breast lift can reposition the breasts while keeping the volume largely intact. A breast augmentation, on the other hand, is best for patients whose breasts are smaller than desired. If there isn't enough volume, a breast augmentation can be the answer. Some patients may need both an augmentation and a breast lift. The augmentation will add the desired volume while the lift will position the breasts properly and remove sagging.

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is a breast augmentation right for me? To determine whether breast augmentation is right for you, it is important that you think about the reasons that you're considering the surgery. The very best reason to have breast augmentation surgery is simple: It should be because you want it. This is not a decision that others should make for you. While you can certainly take the wishes of another person (like your partner or spouse) into account, ultimately breast augmentation surgery should only be pursued if you truly want it. Have you been unhappy with the appearance or size of your breasts for a long time? Do you want to recapture the look of your breasts prior to pregnancy? Do you want to fill out a swimsuit better? Any of these reasons - and in fact, any personal reasons that you may have - are legitimate reasons for choosing breast augmentation. This is one time that it truly is "all about you."

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IMplant typesSalineSaline implants are approved by the FDA. These implants are composed primarily of the same type of saline that occurs naturally in the human body. Saline implants have a firmer feel than their gel counterparts, but they still feel natural to the touch. Saline implants can be adjusted to the desired volume level during the surgery. These implants include a warranty of your choice, ranging from standard to lifetime replacement warranty.

SiliconeGulf Coast Plastic Surgery uses FDA-approved silicone breast implants. This is by far the most popular type of implant chosen by our patients because it offers a more natural-looking shape and feel when compared to saline-filled implants. This patented cohesive gel retains its form after placement, and will not “leak” into the body, even if there is a rupture in the outer surface of the implant. Form stable implants, sometimes called “gummy bear” implants are made from a more solid silicone and can be teardrop-shaped or round for a very natural look. They are more firm but they are the most durable implants. Memory gel and “gummy bear” implants include a warranty of your choice, ranging from standard to lifetime replacement warranty.

Textured or Untextured?Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery has access to all implants available in the United States. Most manufacturers offer both textured and untextured implants. Smooth implants have the advantage of minimal wrinkling. However, they do have less ability to adhere to the tissues in the chest for proper placement. Textured implants can maintain their position more easily, but they may be more likely to wrinkle. Both texture types are safe and reliable, so it is purely a personal choice as to which works best.

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Implant Shapes & Implant Profile

Implants are offered in round or teardrop-shape and come in an assortment of profiles that help determine the amount of projection your breast will have after surgery. Your plastic surgeon will recommend the best shape and profile for your body and for the goals you want to achieve.

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implantplacementEither submuscular or subglandular placement will be used to make surethe implants are ideally situated in the chest cavity.

Subglandular

In this placement, the implant is inserted into the area just beneath the breast gland. It lies atop the pectoralis muscle. This type of placement ensures that the muscle won't be impacted by the implant in any way, and may be less invasive than a submuscular placement. Athletes often require a subglandular placement so as not to interfere with the function of their pectoralis muscle. However, this type of implant is more likely to move than a submuscular implant. It also looks less natural than implants placed under the muscle.

Submuscular

In this placement, the implants are placed within a pocket of the pectoralis muscle. The muscle may need to be slightly stretched to accommodate the implant. The submuscular implant is generally considered to be the more secure of the two placement types since the implant is firmly held within a pocket of muscle. The type of placement chosen will depend upon several factors, including body type and personal wishes. In certain situations, patients may require a certain type of placement due to their lifestyle. However, in most cases, the surgeons at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery use submuscular placement. In general, implants are more easily camouflaged and have a more natural look when done with submuscular placement.

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implantplacement

Inframammary

Transaxillary

PeriAreolar

The inframammary incision is the most commonly used incision type and is strongly recommended by Drs. Leveque, Butler, and Patterson for most patients. This type of incision is made directly underneath each breast so the implant can be inserted during surgery. Our surgeons have found that patients who have this incision type have less positioning issues, less problem scarring, lower incidence of nerve injuries, and less muscle hardening than may be observed with other incision types.

Transaxillary incisions, incisions in the armpits, are considered to be a suboptimal approach by many experienced plastic surgeons, including Drs. Patterson, Leveque, and Butler. These incisions are not ideal for many patients because they require the use of specialty equipment and they have greater risk. Further, transaxillary incisions may be more expensive than inframammary incisions.

Periareolar incisions, those that move in a circular direction around the breast areola, are generally not highly recommended due to the potential risk of implant contamination, major scarring, or loss of sensitivity in the areola area.

(In decades past, some plastic surgeons used a navel incision technique called a transumbilical approach. This is not the safest or most effective choice for today and is no longer commonly used.)

Implant Incision LocationsThere are three types of incisions that may be used in breast augmentation surgery today.

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Choosing thePerfect cup size

Many women are surprised to hear that breast

augmentation isn't mainly about cup size. It is actually important that you don't get hung up on a certain cup size because it might not be the right goal. Bra cup sizes are very inconsistent among manufacturers which makes cup size a less accurate measurement. At Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery, we utilize VECTRA 3-D IMAGING which allows you to “try on” implants of various sizes and styles BEFORE surgery. Ultimately, most patients just want to have beautiful and proportionate breasts that look good with the rest of their body. In addition to Vectra 3-D Imaging, you'll be able to try on a variety of "sizers," a series of implants in a variety of sizes, to choose the best look for you. By utilizing sizers and Vectra 3-D Imaging, you will get a very realistic idea of what the implants will look like on your body once the surgery is complete.

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before the procedurePrior to the breast augmentation procedure, there are several important things you need to do to prepare properly. By preparing for the surgery the right way, you'll have the easiest and fastest possible recovery.

Ask Questions

The ideal time to ask questions is during the breast augmentation consultation. If you find that there are any questions not answered by this e-book, feel free to talk to our staff. We want every patient to be as prepared as possible.

Are you ready?

Getting ready for the breast augmentation surgery usually requires several steps. Patients may occasionally need to have blood tests performed several days prior to surgery to make sure that there are no health issues. You will typically have a pre-surgery appointment after your consultation to review all of your doctor’s instructions and to make sure you are fully prepared.

Smokers should stop smoking (including e-cigs) as far in advance of the surgery as possible. Be sure to tell our staff how long it's been since you've smoked on the day of the surgery.

If you're taking medication, whether prescription or nonprescription, please inform your doctor. You may be advised to make some medication changes prior to surgery. Some drugs like ibuprofen, NSAIDs, or certain herbal supplements can cause blood thinning, a potential danger during surgery. You may need to stop taking these medications a week or more ahead of time to be sure that the surgery is as safe as possible.

Research

One of the most important things about preparation is research. Make sure that you fully understand what the surgery will involve. While you won't have to spend the night in the hospital, breast augmentation is a major surgery and should be recognized as such.

What to look for in before and after photos

We are happy to show potential breast augmentation patients example photos from patients who have previously had the same surgery. Our patients range very widely in terms of height, weight, and breast size, so the photos can be very different from one result to the next. Look for photos of women who have a build and breast size similar to yours in the "before" photo to get an idea of the kind of results you can expect. If you see a certain set of photos that you really like, point it out. This can be extremely helpful for your doctor in terms of understanding exactly what type of look you want.

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Financial Options: CareCredit

Breast augmentation surgery is not covered by insurance plans. However, if you don't have the cash to pay for the surgery there may be another option in the form of CareCredit, Alepheon and LendingUSA. These companies specialize in helping patients pay for breast augmentation, other plastic surgery procedures, and even non-surgical beauty treatments. (Links to these financing companies websites are found on our website. Please know that Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery has no financial interest in any financing company.)

These companies offer a unique type of credit card that offers financing options that standard credit cards like MasterCard or Visa don't have. For example, CareCredit offers short-term financing ranging from 6 months to 24 months. As long as you make the minimum monthly payments, no interest is charged for the whole promotional period.

The Day of the Procedure

On the day of the procedure, you'll be given an arrival time that gives you sufficient time to change into a hospital gown and get settled in bed. At this time, you may be given some IV medication to help you relax. You'll then meet with your surgeon and be taken into surgery. You will be given anesthesia at this point. Once you are asleep under general anesthesia, Dr. Butler, Dr. Patterson or Dr. Leveque will perform the surgery.

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POST-OP

Breast augmentation patients go home on the same day as the surgery. Your surgeon will go over your recovery instructions thoroughly at your pre-op appointment. It is important to follow your doctor’s orders exactly so you don’t have any complications during surgery. Most patients experience some post-op pain, but it is well-controlled with pain medications. Prescription pain medication may be necessary during the first few days following surgery, but after that most patients find that over-the-counter pain relievers are all that is needed to keep them comfortable.

Your breasts will be swollen and sitting high on your chest immediately after surgery. As the swelling subsides and the chest muscle stretches to accommodate the implant, your implants will settle into position. The final results are visible four to six months after surgery.

AND RECOVERY

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Meet the doctorsDr. jocelyn leveque

Dr. Leveque obtained her board certification by The American Board of Surgery in February, 1999 and The American Board of Plastic Surgery in March, 1999 with a recertification in plastic surgery in 2009 and again in 2019. She became a fellow of the American College of Surgeons in October, 2000. She also holds memberships in many prestigious professional organizations including the America Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Southeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

She was valedictorian of her high school class and received the Joseph M. Brunini and the Presidential Scholarship to attend Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. She graduated cum laude from this prestigious institution with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Biology and Chemistry. She then attended the University of South Alabama College of Medicine earning a Doctor of Medicine degree. In medical school, she was very active in the American Medical Association Medical Student Section and received the AMA recruiting award. Dr. Leveque remained at the University of South Alabama Medical Center to complete a five year general surgery residency which was ranked as one of the top general surgery programs in the country. Dr. Leveque spent the next four and a half years in New Orleans, Louisiana at Tulane University first completing a plastic surgery residency then an appointment as an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Department of Plastic Surgery. She has been in practice in Pensacola for 20 years and is the co-founder of Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery. Dr. Leveque’s mission is to provide the highest level of quality care to the cosmetic and reconstructive patient in a relaxing, stress-free environment by a compassionate and highly skilled staff. She believes honest communication is the key to establishing a good patient/physician relationship.

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Dr. Patterson, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, maintains memberships in elite plastic surgeon associations including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons. He is an active member of the American Medical Association, and is currently a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

Dr. Patterson's education started at Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He then graduated medical school, earning an M.D. at the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Medicine. Dr. Patterson's surgical training took place at Birmingham's Carraway Methodist Medical Center and the highly esteemed Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in Louisiana. His plastic surgery residency was completed at the University of California San Diego, where he trained with some of the foremost plastic surgeons in the world.

Dr. Patterson has a passion for helping patients achieve their appearance goals. His artistic abilities and medical expertise combine to help you get the beautiful body you want.

Dr. Nathan Patterson

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Dr. peter butler

Peter Butler, M.D., FACS is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the National Board of Medical Examiners. He is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPA), Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and the prestigious Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. He is an active member of the American Medical Association. Dr. Butler has been practicing plastic surgery for 20 years. He is the co- founder of Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery, one of the largest and most well-regarded practices in North Florida.

Dr. Butler attended Florida State University, where he majored in biology and chemistry. Dr. Butler not only excelled academically at FSU, but athletically as well. He played for the FSU Lacrosse Team and was even a walk-on kicker for the FSU football team. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Biology, Dr. Butler decided to pursue a graduate degree in chemistry. While the lab held great allure for Dr. Butler, he longed to combine his love of science with his passion for helping people. Medicine seemed to be the ideal way to realize both dreams. He was accepted into the University of Florida College of Medicine. After medical school, He chose a general surgery residency position at the University of North Carolina’s program at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. During the five-year general surgery residency, Dr. Butler honed his surgical skills. He was also known for his ability to relate to his patients and explain complicated medical issues in an easy to understand way. Dr. Butler accepted a fellowship in plastic surgery at the University of Utah where he had the opportunity to learn plastic and reconstructive surgery from some of the best academic surgeons in the United States.

Dr. Butler believes that he and his patients are partners in achieving the best results possible. “I think one of the most important things a plastic surgeon can do is listen,” says Dr. Butler. “During their initial consultation, I take the time to really talk with a prospective patient. I want to understand thoroughly why someone has come to see me, what his or her expectations might be and what I can do to help.”

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Ready to discuss a cosmetic procedure? Call or send us a message anytime, and we'll be happy to schedule your consultation with Dr. Peter Butler, Dr. Nathan Patterson or Dr. Jocelyn Leveque. (If you would like to meet with one, two or all three of our award-winning plastic surgeons before deciding on which surgeon is right for you, we are happy to arrange that.)

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