Earlier this year Boob Job®, a topical cream produced by the British beauty product manufacturer Rodail, hit the European market as a breast augmentation in a bottle. The company claims that by rubbing the cream on the breast and decollete areas the breasts will increase up to a half cup size, tightening and firming the breast tissue. How? It claims to work with your fat cells, blocking them as they move throughout the body after eating to stay in the areas the cream has been applied, namely the breasts.

With reported celebrity clients like Victoria Beckham and Scarlett Johansson it’s easy to  see why the product hit the market with a splash. But does it really work?

Non-surgical breast enhancement products have been on the market for years in the forms of creams and pills. However, despite the hundreds of different natural breast enhancement products on the market, both the FDA and the Better Business Bureau have yet to find evidence of these products actually producing results. In some instances these products claims have been found to be defrauding customers. In 2003, the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against the makers and marketers of Bloussant for false and unsubstantial claim. The old adage, “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is” still applies to these products today.

Despite the numerous natural breast enhancement products on the market, breast augmentation surgery is the only proven method for breast enlargement. If you are interested in a breast enhancement in the Denver, Colorado area, please contact our office to schedule a complimentary consultation with our experienced cosmetic surgeon. Consulting with Dr. Nick Slenkovich can help you make a fully informed decision on which breast enhancement option is best for you.

Initially, your breasts will be high and may be slightly boxy or have some asymmetry. The implants will slowly drop into the pockets as your muscles relax. usually between 6 weeks and 4 months after surgery.

You will feel some soreness and discomfort for the first several days after surgery and you will want to sleep on your back initially. You will want to have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours following your surgery, since you will be sleepy from the medications and may need assistance.

Dr. Slenkovich does not typically use drains or pain pumps for the breast augmentation procedures he performs.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING THE RECOVERY PROCESS?
Breast pain may be fairly significant for the first several days following a breast augmentation, but the pain should dissipate after a week.  Fatigue and soreness are very normal!

Energy levels after surgery:
Week 1: , 60-70%
Week 2: 70-80%
Week 3: 90-100%

It will take approximately 6 months to a year for your scars to fully mature.  Until then, use sunscreen on the incisions.  For more information on scar care view our scar care after breast augmentation entry.

You can expect to have follow-up visits with us 1 week, 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year after your surgery.

WHEN CAN I GO BACK TO WORK AND RESUME EXERCISE?
Most women take a week off work, but depending on your pain tolerance, motivation and physical exertion at work, you could require four days to two weeks off of work.

Early walking beginning the first post-op day is an excellent way to help you heal and prevent blood clots and stiffness.

You should be able to resume all normal activities, including working out, about six weeks after your breast augmentation surgery.

Most women find that bench presses or push-ups are more uncomfortable early on than lower body exercises and light aerobics.  Be patient with the healing process and listen to how your body is responding.

WHAT ARE SOME REASONS FOR NEEDING REOPERATION ON THE BREASTS?
Breast implants are not considered a lifetime device, although many women have them for decades without problems.  Breast implants are the number one studied man-made implantable device, but there is still a chance for complications.  Reasons for revision breast surgery may include implant failure, mal-position, asymmetry, infection, hematoma, capsular contracture, unsightly scarring, or unsatisfactory results.

These risks and benefits are discussed in detail with you at your consultation and Dr. Slenkovich will explain the steps he takes to prevent breast augmentation complications.

Make the Right Decision for You

Many women feel intimidated by the choice of breast implant size, but at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Slenkovich works to help you receive the greatest amount of satisfaction possible from your breast augmentation. This means helping you to be realistic with your own expectations of your result and helping to choose an implant size that best fits your body.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Slenkovich will perform measurements to determine what size implant will give you the best result. This includes measurements of your rib cage and breasts.

At Colorado Plastic Surgery Center we will never pressure you into a breast implant size that you are not comfortable with. Please contact breast implant Denver cosmetic surgeon Dr. Slenkovich today and find out why women all over the Denver, Colorado region trust us with their breast augmentation.

As you can see from  the above patient, breast augmentation scars change from a pink color
to a lighter, more flesh color after about 12 months.

Pre-Operative Skin Care

We will often advise breast augmentation patients with darker skin types to prep the skin before their procedure to reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation, or darkening of the skin, as they at a greater risk of developing this after breast surgery. People with darker skin tones possess the ability to produce greater amounts of melanin than those with lighter skin tones. The production of melanin is part of the body’s natural immune response to protect the skin after trauma. A pre-operative skin care regiment consists of using of topical products that will suppress melanin production, essentially “calming down” the skin.

Post-Operative Skin Care

Following breast augmentation surgery all patients are advice of a post-operative care for the incision sites.

Immediately following a procedure, it is important to:

• Keep the incision moist with an antibacterial product to help the skin close up and to prevent infection. Once the skin is closed, we recommend using silicone sheeting on larger incisions or ScarGuard MD on smaller ones. Silicone will help to “seal” the skin off, protecting it and facilitating optimal healing to minimize the appearance of scars. Products such as Mederma and ScarGuard (NON-MD) can also be purchased over the counter at drug stores. These products may offer some benefit, but the ScarGuard MD formula, will typically provide a better result.

• Get a peri-operative massage. This therapy following your breast augmentation will move lymphatic fluid and expedite the relief of swelling minimizing the formation of scar tissue. We feel that this step is so important, we even provide the service right here in our office.

• Avoid sun exposure to the incision area. You should keep the area covered as much as possible with clothing or bandages immediately following your breast surgery, and protect the area with sunscreen in cases of sun exposure. Mineral based sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 will provide a full spectrum protection, and is anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial to facilitate healing. If you do expose the incision, a topical hydrocortisone cream on the area will help to prevent the scar from darkening.

• Take care of your health both before and after your procedure. This includes eating a nutrient-rich diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting rest. The healthier your body is, the better able it will be to heal efficiently!

For more information on breast augmentation and scarring, or if you are in the Denver area and would like to schedule a consultation with Colorado Plastic Surgery, please contact us.

Healing and Scars

Scarring happens after every kind of surgical procedure, including medical procedures and cosmetic procedures. Scarring is simply your body generating skin and tissue at an accelerated rate. Because your body is producing tissue more quickly, it needs the help of collagen to hold your skin together. The excess of collagen is what causes a scar.

Before and after your breast augmentation procedure, Dr. Slenkovich and his nursing staff will give detailed scar care instructions.

After breast augmentation, your scarring will continue to change and should continue becoming less and less visible for as much as a year after the procedure. The placement of the incisions for breast augmentation is carefully chosen by Dr. Slenkovich to help the healing process and to hide any visible scarring.

While most scarring is very minimal, we offer several options, including medical skin care and laser treatments, to reduce the appearance of scars.

Please contact Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Slenkovich today to learn more about how we prevent scars after Colorado breast augmentation surgery.

• Smaller original breast size
• Thin skin
• Large implant size
• Type of breast implant
• Under-filled saline implants (not enough saline)

If you are considering breast enlargement surgery, but are concerned about the potential for rippling, mention your concerns during your breast enlargement surgery consultation with our board-certified Colorado plastic surgeon. The decision to have breast enlargement surgery is deeply personal and requires careful consideration. Breast enlargement surgeon Dr. Nick Slenkovich is a friendly, caring doctor who will listen to your concerns and educate you on all your breast enlargement options.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Slenkovich will perform an examination and give you his recommendation on which size and type of implant will give you the best result without rippling.

If you have already undergone breast enlargement surgery and are unsatisfied with the results because of rippling or any other problem, Dr. Nick can advise you on the benefits and risks of breast implant revision surgery. The Colorado Plastic Surgery Center is equipped for many types of breast augmentation or revision surgery and Dr. Nick is ready to help you reach your breast enhancement goals. With a personal touch, Dr. Nick will help you get the figure you have always wanted.

If you are interested in breast enlargement surgery in Denver, Colorado, please contact Dr. Nick Slenkovich at the Colorado Plastic Surgery Center today to schedule your consultation.

Dr. Slenkovich requires all of his breast patients over the age of 30 to have a mammogram before surgery. This mammogram acts as a baseline

There are some steps you should take to ensure your mammograms are as effective as possible following your breast augmentation:

• Consider submuscular implant placement. Placement of breast implants below the muscle during breast augmentation may increase breast tissue visibility.
• When scheduling a mammogram, talk to the clinic about their experience in performing mammograms on women who have had breast augmentation.
• When you arrive for your mammogram, mention that you have breast implants.
• Be prepared to answer questions the radiologist may have about your breast augmentation procedure.

To learn more about breast augmentation, please contact Colorado Plastic Surgery Center today to schedule an appointment with Denver cosmetic surgeon Dr. Nick Slenkovich.

Symmastia is most often related to a surgical error or poor planning on the part of a plastic surgeon. This is just another reason it is so important to select a board certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Nick Slenkovich. During the creation of the pockets for the implant, some inexperienced plastic surgeons will aggressively dissect the tissue between the breasts. They may be responding to a patient’s request for cleavage creation, but when overdone the remaining tissue may not be sufficient to hold the breast implants apart.

Another error that contributes to symmastia is attempting to use breast implants that are too large or too wide for a patient’s chest, and they cause the skin and fat in the center of the chest to separate from the breastbone. Selecting breast implants of an appropriate size and profile can help prevent this complication. During your breast augmentation consultation Dr. Nick will take body measurements to help you determine the best size and profile to meet your goals.

Women with a depressed breastbone (pectus excavatum) are more at risk for this complication, but an experienced surgeon can still provide a good result.

The good news is that because symmastia is most often associated with a surgical error, you can dramatically reduce your risk of this complication by working with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.

Please call or email us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nick Slenkovich, who can talk to you about this or other potential complications associated with breast implants.

All of the options for breast implants can be a little confusing and overwhelming. Denver breast surgeon, Dr. Nick Slenkovich will walk you through your breast implant choices in a confidential breast augmentation consultation. He will inform you of all the advantages and disadvantages to each type of breast implant and answer all of your questions.

One of the choices you will have to make about breast implants is what type of surface you would like on your implants. You can choose either a smooth breast implant or a textured breast implant.

Smooth Breast Implant

The smooth breast implant only comes in the round shape and are thought to look more natural after placement due to their softer feel and mobility. This implant is less likely to cause rippling and offers a very natural look.

Textured Breast Implants

Textured breast implants come in either round or contour breast implants. The contour breast implants must be textured to avoid rotating that causes the breasts to look misshapen. The texture of the implant feels like fine sandpaper and can sometimes attach itself to the breast tissue causing the implant to ripple.

Please contact the Colorado Plastic Surgery Center today to schedule a consultation about your breast augmentation surgery. Dr. Slenkovich will be more than happy to discuss your breast implant options with you. He sees patients in and around the Denver, Colorado area.

Dr. Slenkovich places the implant under the muscle using an inframammary incision (in the crease under the breast). You can expect to be in the building for about 3 hours and your caregiver may wait in our comfortable waiting room. If a breast lift is recommended, the incision may be placed around the areola (darker area around the nipple). Saline or silicone gel implants may be used, as each has different characteristics. The incision may be 1 inch to 2.5 inches depending on the type and size of implant. We provide complimentary cosmetic consultations to patients requesting information about breast surgery. Our clinic is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and we typically perform surgeries on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

2) WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CONSULTATION?
A consultation typically lasts an hour. Here you will meet Dr. Slenkovich and our staff, receive information on the surgery, be examined by Dr. Slenkovich and try on breast implant sizers to help you decide which implant size you like best. You will then receive a price quote  from our patient coordinator, Lyndsay, as well as information on financing and steps for booking surgery. You can even get a tour of our surgery center if you like. It can be helpful to bring your significant other, a friend or family member to the consultation for support. You are welcome to come back as many times as needed, free of charge, until we have answered all of your questions.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SILICONE GEL AND A SALINE IMPLANT?
Both implants are excellent choices these days. Technology has come far and manufacturers have created an excellent, natural-feeling breast implant. Saline implants have been around the longest. They are less expensive, can sometimes be felt or seen under the skin, and are more noticeable if they deflate. The silicone gel implant is made up of a cohesive gel which is similar to a gummy bear. It feels more natural, is more costly, and requires an MRI every few years to screen for potential silent leaks. Both implants are available in a variety of sizes and projections. Dr. Slenkovich will make a few suggestions after he examines you based on the base width of your current breast tissue. Ultimately, the decision is yours in choosing the best implant for you. For more information, see this blog entry on the differences in implants.

IS THERE ANY LAB WORK REQUIRED BEFORE SURGERY?
Generally, if you are healthy, labs are not required by Dr. Slenkovich. This will be determined at the consultation visit. However, any woman with a family history of breast cancer or who is over the age of 30 is required by Dr. Slenkovich to have a baseline mammogram prior to your pre-operative visit (generally 2 weeks before surgery). This provides an excellent screening tool for breast cancer. You will need to tell the mammographer in the future that you have breast implants so that certain views and techniques are used.

3) WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON COMPLICATIONS YOU SEE?
Breast implants are a man-made device and therefore can fail. Although many women have their implants for years and years, complications can still occur. The most common nuisances associated with a breast augmentation are discomfort, pain, swelling, bruising, temporary changes in sensation of the breast or nipple and asymmetry. Less often, but more concerning are hematoma (internal bleeding in the breast), infection and capsular contracture (scarring around the implant potentially causing firmness, pain and asymmetry). The latter complications could potentially lead to re-operation.

4) WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF A BREAST AUGMENTATION?
Our breast augmentation price quote will be itemized and will include the implants, surgeon’s fees, anesthesia fees, facility/supply fees, all your post-op medications, an early on-site Solstice peri-operative therapy appointment to decrease swelling, CosmetAssure 30-day Insurance covering early complications and all your pre-op and post-op visits (typically at 1 week, 6 weeks, 6 months and annually). The manufacturer of the implants also provides an upgraded warranty for an additional charge in case of an implant rupture years down the road.