Breast enlargement surgery is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures today. Women may elect breast enhancement for a variety of reasons.

Augmentation surgery can:

enhance breast contour and improve appearance both in and out of clothing

create better balance and symmetry between the breasts

correct a reduction in breast volume which can occur after pregnancy

be used to reconstruct breasts following breast surgery

Breast augmentation is performed by inserting a saline implant behind each breast. Increases of one or more bra-cup sizes are common, while preserving a very natural appearance. Dr. Bartell specializes in a surgical technique which accomplishes this with no scarring on the breasts whatsoever. (He is one of the few surgeons in the region trained in this scarless surgical technique).

The Best Candidates for Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it may not change your looks to match your ideal. The best candidates for breast enlargement are of relatively normal weight and healthy. While this web site can give you some basic information about breast augmentation, you are invited to contact Dr. Bartell's office for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the procedure in more detail, view many pre-operative and post-operative examples, and address your particular needs.

Potential Surgical Risks and Problems

Breast augmentation has been performed since the early 1970s, and over one hundred thousand augmentation procedures are performed successfully every year. Modern techniques are very safe and almost always result in a happy patient. Complications are extremely unusual, but patients should be fully informed prior to surgery. Dr. Bartell is happy to discuss any concern you may have regarding breast augmentation.

Dr. Bartell uses saline implants for all augmentation procedures. These implants consist of a solid silicone shell with saline (salt-water) inside. (Silicone gel implants are not available for cosmetic procedures in the United States.) Hundreds of studies have been performed to evaluate the safety of saline implants, and to date no study has shown any connection with the occurrence of collagen vascular disease.

When a foreign substance is placed under the skin, the body naturally places a scar around it. In the case of a breast implant this scar is called the capsule. Usually this capsule remains soft and insignificant. However, in a small minority of women the capsule can start to tighten. This squeezing of the soft implant can cause the breast to feel harder. It is impossible to predict who may experience this complication, known as capsular contracture. If it does occur, further surgery may be necessary to try to treat it.

While all surgery carries the small risk of bleeding or infection, these are extremely unlikely with breast augmentation. Some women report altered sensation in one or both nipples following surgery (either oversensitive or under sensitive). These symptoms are usually temporary, but may persist in some patients.

Since the implants are man-made, there is an extremely small chance that they may break or leak at some future time. If this were to happen, the implant deflates and the body simply absorbs the saline. Implant manufacturers guarantee their product for the patient's lifetime, and will provide a free implant and pay for the replacement surgery if deflation occurs.

While the presence of breast implants does not make a woman more susceptible to the development of breast cancer, they may alter the way mammography is performed. Usually, additional views are required to ensure that the implant doesn't obscure part of the breast tissue.

Other rare complications of breast augmentation include breast asymmetry (size and/or shape differences), implant shifting in the first few days following surgery, and an unexpected size result. While the vast majority of patients experience none of these complications, feel free to discuss each of them with Dr. Bartell to make sure you understand the risks and consequences of breast augmentation. You can decrease your risk of any complications by consulting a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who performs breast augmentation on a regular basis, like Dr. Bartell.

Planning Your Surgery

There is no charge nor obligation for consultations for breast augmentation. At your initial consultation, Dr. Bartell will listen to your concerns, describe the procedure, and show you numerous "before" and "after" photographs of previous patients. You will receive a firm price quote for the procedure which includes the fees for the surgery, anesthesia and implants.

Once the decision to undergo surgery has been made, Dr. Bartell will meet with you to perform a history and physical examination. Be sure to inform Dr. Bartell if you have any allergies; if you're taking any medications (prescription or over-the-counter), and if you smoke. He will also give you prescriptions for any medications you may need for before and after the surgery. You will receive a printed set of pre- and post-operative instructions which will answer most of your questions regarding what you should do prior to your surgery date, what to have on hand at home for after your procedure, and what to do on the day of your surgery. Dr. Bartell will review these instructions with you but it is important to read these instructions carefully on your own and keep them accessible for easy reference.

The Surgery

Dr. Bartell performs breast augmentation surgeries in his private surgery suite contained within his Westside medical offices. Working with him in the operating room is his top-notch support team of surgical specialists. Many patients don't realize that when surgical procedures are performed in hospitals, the surgeon is assigned members of his/her support team for each surgery by the hospital. Surgeons never know with whom they'll be working until the day of the operation. Because Dr. Bartell is an independent practitioner utilizing his own in-house surgical facility, he can hand-pick his surgical support group from among the large local pool of medical professionals. Consistently using the same core group of exceptional surgical specialists provides Dr. Bartell maximum operational control and efficacy, while assuring his surgical patients a consistent level of superior care and technical expertise.

The augmentation procedure is performed using a general anesthetic, so you'll sleep through the entire operation. Dr. Bartell specializes in a surgical procedure whereby the implants are inserted through a small incision made in each arm-pit. These scars usually fade away completely. The implants are placed behind the chest wall muscle (pectoral muscle) and centered beneath the nipples. With this procedure there are no surgical scars on the breasts. The entire operation takes about an hour, and you'll wake up in the recovery room with a small elastic band across your breasts. You will need to arrange a ride home from the surgery center, and make sure you have someone stay with you at home for at least 24 hours after completion of the procedure.

After Surgery

The band should be worn for three weeks following surgery to prevent shifting of the implants. You're likely to feel sore for a few days following surgery, but you'll be up and around in 24 to 48 hours. The majority of patients can be back at work within four or five days. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication prescribed by Dr. Bartell.

Most patients are extremely pleased with their decision to undergo surgery. Your decision to have breast augmentation is a highly personal one that not everyone will understand. The important thing is how you feel about it. If the procedure results meet your pre-operative goals, then your surgery is truly a success.

For More Information

If you would like more information about Dr. Bartell or any cosmetic surgical procedure or to make an appointment, you may contact us by mail, phone, fax or E-mail:

By mail: 6418 Normandy Lane, Suite 210 Madison, WI 53719

By phone: 608-271-0500

By fax: 608-271-0502

By E-mail: bartell@execpc.com

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