Breast Augmentation
Dr. Brennan considers breast augmentation the single most important decision a woman can make about her cosmetic appearance; a decision he believes deserves an open-ended conversation with each patient. Dr. Brennan's approach is to take the time to answer all of your questions plus stimulate questions not asked based on his experience. Dr. Brennan has conducted research on breast augmentation, the results of which are published in the September 2007 issue of the Annals of Plastic Surgery. Click to read
The article addresses patient satisfaction from the "belly button" procedure known as the Transumbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA). Dr. Brennan has studied hundreds of patients with this revolutionary procedure and found that research indicates the "belly button" technique enjoys a patient satisfaction on par with any other technique and has a complication rate also on par with any other technique. In fact, the research data shows it may be lower in complications.
"The belly button breast augmentation represents a triumph of technology and innovation that patients can see and feel."
The key to the transumbilical breast augmentation is the high-tech endoscope and camera system used in the implantation process. Dr. Brennan can visualize the area of breast augmentation directly which is key to creating natural contours and is one of the many reasons patients select Dr.Brennan as their surgeon. Although the "belly button" procedure is ideal for many patients, some patients are born with anatomy that is not best suited for this technique.
Dr. Brennan will advise patients with in these circumstances to choose an augmentation technique that provides more opportunity to correct some of these birth related differences. Alternative techniques include through the nipple area (periareolar), under the fold of the breast (inframammary) or through the armpit (transaxillary). According to Dr. Brennan, "These techniques should be decided on an individual basis as there is no one best procedure for everyone. My goal is to achieve the best possible results regardless of the approach used."
Most of these procedures take less than 2 hours with some taking as little as an hour to perform. After surgery the patient wears a soft surgical bra as garments with underwires are discouraged because they inhibit the natural settling of the implants. Patients usually return to wearing bras within 2 to 3 months.
"I think every breast augmentation patient should think of their surgery as a journey and select their surgeon and support staff based on how comfortable they feel. We look at each patient as being a member of our family."
Dr. Brennan admits, "I have had patients who, after discussing the procedure, say to me, 'Now don't tell me about the bad stuff, I don't want to hear it.'" Although complications from breast augmentation are rare, it is important to select your surgeon based on how you feel he will handle such a situation. Dr. Brennan believes patients should approach complications like they look at other elements of their lives that don't go as planned.
A statistical understanding of complications is the best way to put these facts of surgery in line with the risks we take every day. He notes, "I had one patient terrified of a particular complication that was very rare. I asked her how she got to our office that day and she said, 'I took the freeway.' I explained to her that the time she spent on the freeway was approximately 3 times the risk she would take in the operating room for that particular complication."
"When a patient is informed of possible complications from surgery, I feel it is helpful to put risks in perspective to the risks we take voluntarily every day."
Dr. Brennan will consult with patients interested in breast augmentation for as much time as they need in order to digest all of the information on the procedure. Dr. Brennan will review your medical history in detail, perform a thorough examination with the assistance of one of our female staff members and provide you with a comprehensive evaluation including the risks and benefits of all of your options.
"My mission is to turn back the clock a bit to a time when doctors and patients took the time to get to know one another before embarking on a surgical procedure. If I can do that, I just might encourage other doctors to do the same."
The typical breast augmentation patient returns home the same day of surgery and are seen in the office for their post-operative follow up the next day. Many patients return to work within a few days.