Breast Enhancement for the Modern Woman
Stephen J Ronan MD, Blackhawk Plastic Surgery

The breast is the universal symbol of femininity, nurturing, love, and sexuality. Most women interested in breast augmentation or enlargement are intelligent, successful and well-adjusted individuals who are concerned with inadequate breast size. The overwhelming majority of women who undergo breast augmentation are very satisfied with their result. Because of such high patient satisfaction and improvement in self-image, it is not surprising that breast augmentation is one of the more common aesthetic plastic surgery procedures performed.

There are two main groups of women that present for breast augmentation. The first group is women who feel they never developed the breast volume they desire. Most are of these women are insecure regarding their breast size and have been for several years. Many of these patients benefit psychologically and experience an improvement in self-confidence. In fact, studies show that many women have less anxiety, depression, and shyness after breast augmentation while having an improved self-image.

The second group of women that commonly seek breast enhancement are those that lost volume after pregnancy, a condition called post-partum breast involution. Many of these women also have some drooping as well. Many of these patients complain that ‘I have nothing left!’ Typically these patients have an augmentation which restores their breast volume (and sometimes a bit more!). A mastopexy, or lift, procedure can be performed at the same time to lift and improve shape simultaneously. Most patients receive a peri-areolar lift or one with a circular scar around the areolus only.

Breast augmentation is a safe procedure. Breast augmentation will not affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed. The implant is placed behind the chest muscle and never touches the breast tissue. Most patients do not have a permanent change in sensation after augmentation. Breast implants do not cause breast cancer or any other systemic disease. Numerous studies have shown that there is no difference between augmented and nonaugmented patients in survival of breast cancer. Multiple studies have also shown that there is no delay of treatment for breast cancer in augmented women. In order to provide the safest environment, I believe that all surgery should be performed in a certified surgery center or hospital with an anesthesiologist present.

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for breast enhancement is to schedule a consultation. During a consultation, the procedure is explained in detail and all of your questions are answered. You will learn what are reasonable expectations given your particular anatomy and desires.

Explore the possibility of sculpting a new you.

Dr. Ronan is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. His specialty is aesthetic or cosmetic surgery. If you would like to discuss this or any other aesthetic procedure in detail, please call (925) 736-5757 for a complimentary consultation. Or, visit Dr. Stephen J Ronan's breastimplants411 website.