Category Archives: Breast Augmentation

working out with breast implants

Working Out with Breast Implants

Breast Augmentation

If you’re fit, physically active, and have recently undergone implant surgery, it can be really frustrating to have to wait a few months before you start working out again. As great as the temptation to go back to your regular workout routine is, it’s generally recommended that you allow ample time for your body to heal.

Taking time off from working out will allow your body to heal faster from the breast implant surgery. Now is not the time for “no pain, no gain” as your body needs all its energy to heal up. Waiting until your body is fully healed will help speed the recovery time as well as avoid any potential medical complications.

Most doctors generally recommend at least 2-3 months to fully recover and go back to your normal workout routine. At the bare minimum, they recommend you wait at least 2 weeks until you start light cardio work on a stationary bike. It can take up to 2 months before you can aggressively start lifting weights or doing CrossFit again.

Immediately after the surgery

After the surgery has been successfully completed, the doctors will move you to a recovery area. You’re going to be kept here for anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on how long it takes you to come out of general anesthesia. Sometimes the nurses might give you something to drink like a glass of juice or something small to each like a cracker.

Depending on your tolerance to pain medications, you might feel groggy for a few hours after you leave the surgery center. You might also be in some pain afterwards. Doctors have said that women who have given birth to children prior are generally more tolerant to pain than women who have not.

The first 1-3 days after your surgery can be written off as ‘staying bed and healing’ days. A few hours after you come out of the general anesthesia, you’re probably going to start feeling the first twinges of pain in your chest area. At this point in time you’re most likely going to reach for the bottle of prescription pain killers the doctor gave you. You can kiss the next 6-7 hours goodbye as the powerful pain meds put you to sleep.

What to expect from the recovery

The basic recovery process can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks. Full and complete recovery can take anywhere from 1-3 months. It all depends on how quickly your body heals. The healing process can be prolonged if you prematurely start to exercise prior to being given the “ok” by your doctor.

For the first few weeks, you may also feel like there is a massive weight on your chest and extreme soreness in your pectoral muscles. Daily activities such as walking, standing up, getting up from a chair, washing your hair, reaching to grab something can all lead to extreme pain as you are using your pectoral muscles in some way or form.

You might also have tubes or drains coming out of your breasts. Medical bras, straps and intense pain sum up what most women go through in the first week or two after the procedure.

Bottom line: it takes weeks to heal up from implant surgery.

24 Hour Rapid Recovery by Dr. Adams

Or so it did until Dr. Adams came out with his “24 Hour Rapid Recovery” implant procedure. In this procedure, 95% of patients are up and proverbially running in as little as 24 hours. Dr. Adams has refined several innovative techniques that minimize tissue damage and as such there is very little post-operative pain. One of Dr. Adams recent patients created a home movie about her experience and she was literally back in the gym working out just two weeks after the surgery.

Dr. Adams has over 15 years of experience and is a National Expert in breast augmentation. He is published in various medical journals and has created educational curriculum for aspiring breast implant surgeons to learn how to do implant surgery better.

When it comes to breast implants, you get what you pay for. If you visit a cut-rate implant doctor, you’re going to get cut-rate work which could lead to dissatisfaction on your part and potentially another implant operation to fix what you don’t like. A good portion of the patients that Dr. Adams sees were not satisfied with the work done by their previous surgeon.

One of the biggest contributing factors to patient satisfaction is undergoing a proper consultation prior to surgery. Dr. Adams listens to the wants and needs of the patient and then advises them on the best route forward that would lead to their satisfaction. Matching the implant to the tissue quality and dimensions of each patient contributes significantly to their overall satisfaction with the end results.

Patient satisfaction

There have been many peer-reviewed medical studies which show the reoperation rate for women who have breast implants hovers right around 15-23%. That is extremely high and due in part to the plethora of ‘coupon code’ surgeons out there who are only in it for the money. Their mission is to get women on the operating table and a check in their bank accounts. They sometimes fail to warn their patients about getting the wrong implant size. This leads to a high rate of dissatisfaction amongst a good portion of their patients. Dr. Adams published re-operation rate is only 3%, which is a mere fraction of the overall average.

Patients who have undergone Dr. Adams 24 hour Rapid Recovery process are amazed at how great they feel just hours after the surgery. No prescription pain killers (except for over-the-counter Motrin) are required and that means you won’t be stuck in bed or on the couch in complete pain, feeling like a piece of Jell-O from the pain meds.

Do you still have questions about implant surgery and how it could affect your daily work-out routine? Give us a call or contact us to learn more about working out and Dr. Adams 24 Hour Rapid Recovery process.

minimize breast augmentation pain

How to Minimize ​Pain After Your Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a popular form of plastic surgery among women. The reasons for choosing this type of surgery varies, but for many, their self-esteem and self-confidence increases upon seeing the final results. However, as with any kind of operation, you may experience some pain afterwards. This is a normal side effect of the surgical procedure and is generally nothing to worry about.

Luckily, Dr. Adams has refined several techniques that minimize post-operative pain. In fact, over 98% of Dr. Adams’ patients return to normal activities within 24 hours after surgery. The thought of experiencing any kind of pain, or downtime, however, can be scary for some people.

In this article, we hope to put your mind at ease by talking about what to expect and how to prevent or help any pain you may experience after your augmentation.

How can I minimize pain after surgery?

The most important thing to remember is that not all breast augmentation surgeons are the same, and similarly, recoveries are very different as well. Dr. Adams published the Process of Breast Augmentation, which allows patients to have a fun, easy experience with breast augmentation, including shopping, picking up children under 3, and going to dinner the day of surgery. The majority of surgeons do not use these techniques and the recovery is very different – oftentimes patients can not get out of bed for a week, or have to take narcotic pain medication.

After a breast augmentation, your plastic surgeon generally offers a pain medication. Sometimes this can cause an upset stomach, so it may be prescribed with an anti-nausea medication or recommended that you take it on a full stomach. Medication such as Motrin are well tolerated, and are an excellent anti-infalmmatory.

There are also exercises suggested to those who have undergone breast augmentation to help with the muscles and subsequently, the pain. These exercises are very basic and some examples are listed below:

  • Shoulder Roll – Lift your shoulders to your ears and slowly roll them back. Do this 10-15 times before reversing and moving your shoulders forward in a circular position.
  • Arm Circles – While seated, move your arms out to each side and slowly move your hands in a circular motion, first forward 10-15 times before switching directions.
  • Arm Stretch – Place your forearm on top of your head and touch your elbow with your other hand. Keep it there for a few breaths, roughly 10-15 seconds, before switching hands. This will help you gently stretch that pectoral muscle.

While healing from your surgery, you should never do any heavy lifting or perform any sudden movements.

While many breast augmentations can take weeks to heal, Dr. Adams focuses on rapid recovery, allowing you to resume normal activities within 24 hours of the procedure, with minimal pain. Dr. Adams is an international authority on breast contouring, developing innovative techniques that make surgery safer for patients. To find out more, contact us today.

​5 Do's and Don'ts of Choosing Your Implant Size

​5 Do’s and Don’ts of Choosing Your Implant Size

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When it comes to implants, size matters – and bigger isn’t always better. Following these tips will help you and your surgeon select the best implant size for your body, ensuring you’ll have the best results from your breast augmentation surgery.

Do: Measure Carefully

To determine implant size, it’s important to know your chest and breast dimensions. Measure the breast width in centimeters starting from the inside (cleavage area) in a straight line out to the outside edge of the breast. Breast width is important because implants that are slightly narrower than your natural breasts typically provide the best fit.

Don’t: Stuff Your Bra to Determine Implant Size

The Internet is full of guides on how to use baggies or pantyhose filled with rice or birdseed to figure out how large you’d like your implants. Since implants are filled with silicone gel or saline, not birdseed, this doesn’t give a very helpful idea of what your implants would actually look like! Many surgeons do have sample implants you can insert into your bra to get a rough idea of how big you’d like to go, but this is often misleading and the look and feel of the implant can be drastically different when it is actually inside the breast, rather than stuffed into a bra.

Do: Use 3D Imaging to See What Your New Breasts Will Look Like

Playing “dress-up” with implant samples can fun to get an idea of what you’ll look like after implants, but for a more accurate picture of your new look, find a surgeon that uses 3D imaging to show you what you’ll look like post-surgery.

Vectra 3D Imaging cameras take multiple photos from different views to build a three-dimensional model of your body. Your surgeon will be able to manipulate the model view to adjust the size and shape of the implants to fit your specifications. You’ll be able to see your future breasts from all angles, ensuring that you and your surgeon are on the same page about your desired results.

Don’t: Leave it to Implant Sizers

Some surgeons use single-use disposable sterile sizers during surgery to help guide implant selection, but to guarantee the results you want, decide on your size with your surgeon before surgery. This is called tissue based dimensional planning. Dr. Adams is internationally known for his many presentations and publications on this topic.

New 3D Imaging software allows surgeons to adjust sizing and show you in advance what your results will look like using different types and shapes of implants. Relying on those advanced tools, along with accurate measurements and markings, is a better way to ensure you’re satisfied with your implant size. Spending a little extra time before surgery to settle on a size and shape, rather than letting the surgeon rely on sizers in the OR, may also cut down on the surgery time and cost.

Don’t: Get What Your Friend Has

Sure, she looks great! But every woman is different, and the size and shape that looks phenomenal on her might not be as flattering on you.

There are many factors that determine implant size: your desired results, breast tissue density, breast size, chest size, height, weight, even exercise habits! Talk to your surgeon about your lifestyle and your ideal post-surgery breasts, measure accurately, and use 3D imaging to select implants that will look amazing on you. Dr. Adams uses all f this information to customize your implant type and size for you.

You might need a different size and shape than your friend, but with proper planning and consultation, you can have breasts that make you look and feel just as confident!

During consultation, Dr. Adams will walk you through the best steps to determine which implant will fit your breasts the best. Our office offers all types of implants including cohesive breast implants, saline and silicone breast implants, 3D imaging and the 24 hour fast track recovery. Learn more about our breast augmentation surgery here or feel free to contact us with any questions.

Do Non Surgical Breast Augmentation Alternatives, Like This Breast Enlargement Pill, Work?

Do Non-Surgical Breast Augmentation Alternatives Work? Mythbusting the Gimmicks

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“We must – We must – We must increase our bust!” The jingle appeared in Judy Blume’s renowned 1970 book, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, and many women are still searching for the best way to do just that. Breast augmentation surgery is increasing in popularity. But with a range of modern non-surgical alternatives on the market, varying in cost and effectiveness, what’s the best option?

Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the most popular breast augmentation alternatives to find out what works – and what doesn’t.

You can learn about the realities of breast implants in the No Spin News video below!

BRAVA Bra

The BRAVA Bra is a system for breast tissue expansion. The “bra” features two molded gel cups that suction over the breasts. The controller exerts a continuous force on the breasts, gently pulling on the breast tissue and causing it to gradually expand over time.

The gel cups and controller, worn beneath a fabric sports bra, are designed to be worn for 10 hours a day for ten weeks (generally overnight). The manufacturer reports that women can expect an increase in size anywhere from half a cup to two cup sizes. Dr. Adams is more skeptical and  studied the system in 2000 on 10 patients. The results were overall quite minimal.

Furthermore, many customers have expressed their disappointment with the BRAVA Bra’s results, saying that they experienced side effects such as sagging and grooves that looked like stretch marks, among other side effects, with little to no improvement in size. That’s a lot of effort and time for little to no change.

Breast Enlargement Pumps

Similar to the BRAVA Bra, breast enlargement pumps work by applying suction to the breasts to gradually expand breast tissue and increase size. The suction promotes blood flow and tissue growth, which stretches the muscle and allows it to “grow.”

The BRAVA system is an automatic system, while other breast enlargement pumps have manually operated pumps that can exert more force in a shorter time period. Users with manual pump systems should be careful not to use too much force, as that can cause damage to the breast tissue. Many manufacturers say that users can increase about 1-2 cups sizes if the pumps are used daily for at least 6-12 weeks.

We’ve spoken with many patients who are unhappy with the results they see after all of this effort. Many patients reported only temporary improvement that was not significant.

Push-Up Bras

Push-up bras create the appearance of larger breasts, but they don’t make any permanent physical changes to increase your actual breast size. Brassieres are designed with different goals in mind, and push-up bras aim to lift breasts and enhance cleavage. These bras have underwire supports and cups with padding or inserts in the center of the cup to create the appearance of “lift.” Push-up bras can have molded cups with padding or softer gel inserts for a more natural shape.

Breast Enlargement Pills & Creams

The supplement market is flooded with breast enlargement pills and creams promising all-natural, non-surgical breast enhancement. These products are not monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so their claims have not been verified. Many companies manufacture both creams and pills to work in tandem to increase breast size.

The creams, in general, are applied topically to the breasts using a massaging, circular motion to stimulate the breast tissues and encourage new cell growth. Many of the creams include ingredients designed to “firm,” similar to those in anti-cellulite creams. Just

Breast enlargement pills claim to work with female hormones to stimulate tissue and gland growth in the breasts. Many popular options available today are promoted as “all-natural” options because they contain herbs rather than artificial hormones, but it is important to note that “natural” and “herbal” do not always mean a product is safe. Products that could create changes to the glands at the cellular level would also carry a risk of potentially causing harmful changes to the tissue.

Working Out

Some exercises can “boost” the bust, but because the breasts themselves do not contain muscle tissue, the effect of working out is limited. Exercises like pushups and chest press can strengthen and enlarge the pectoral muscles in the chest that lie beneath the breast tissue, creating the appearance of larger breasts even though the actual breast cup size will not increase through exercise.

Non-Surgical Breast Enlargement vs. Breast Augmentation Surgery

If it sounds too good to be true – it usually is! For women seeking a permanent increase in breast size, breast augmentation surgery using implants is currently the only proven way to achieve the desired change. The idea of surgery can be intimidating or scary, and the procedure can be more expensive. But when performed by a reputable cosmetic surgeon, like Dr. Adams, breast augmentation surgery is a safe and effective option.

Breast enlargement pumps don’t cost as much as augmentation, but they require a lot more time commitment for results that may vary by person – sometimes they don’t work at all.

Pills and creams are non-surgical but not without risk. They may end up damaging your breasts more than enhancing them. Working out and wearing push-up bras create the illusion of volume without any changes to the actual breast tissue.

Dr. Adams says, “It’s about producing a beautiful breast. Patients come to me for that specifically and we can best achieve their desired results with a fast track 24-hour recovery breast augmentation.”

Women who are serious about enhancing the size and improving the shape of their breasts will find that the most efficient way to achieve their desired results, customized for their bodies, is breast augmentation. Learn more about the cost of a breast augmentation and what exactly the procedure involves by contacting us!

What to Expect and Ask at a Breast Augmentation Consultation

What to Expect and Ask at a Breast Augmentation Consultation

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Consultations are arguably the most important part of the entire breast augmentation process. Not only will you use the consultation to choose the right plastic surgeon for you; you will also use it to identify your goals for your breasts. This is why it’s so important to be fully prepared for your breast augmentation consultation.

If you’re not sure how to prepare for your consultation or you’re feeling nervous, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll help you understand what you can expect and which questions you should ask.

Take a look at the Plastic Surgery Channel video below to learn about online consultations from Dr. Adams. 

What Should Your Consultation Goals Be?

It can be scary going to go into a consultation with no expectations about what’s going to happen. But even worse than that, it can leave you unprepared. You want to make sure you have goals in mind while going into your consultation so that you use your time with the surgeon wisely. You should have two goals during your breast augmentation consultation:

  1. Making sure the plastic surgeon is qualified and that you feel comfortable around him/her.
  2. Identifying realistic goals for your breasts with your surgeon.

What to Expect at a Breast Augmentation Consultation

At Dr. Adams Plastic Surgery, Dr. Adams and his specialized team will discuss your expectations and what changes can realistically be made to your breasts based on these expectations. You can also ask any questions you may have during this time.

Since Dr. Adams individualizes each one of his patient’s procedures, he will discuss the variables that may affect your surgery, including your age, the size and shape of your breasts, condition of your skin, and whether an implant is advisable.

Our patients’ favorite part of the consultation is typically the 3D breast imaging. During the first part of the consultation, you will receive a quick 3D scan to generate an image of your breast. From there, Dr. Adams will take very accurate measurements of your breasts. He will then create a 3D visual image of the expected surgery results so that you can see exactly what your breasts will look like after surgery.

While other plastic surgeons may use more imprecise methods, like stuffing, to show you what your implants may look like, Dr. Adams published a study in 2014 in The Aesthetic Surgery Journal that found that3D imaging is 98% accurate in showing final results during the consult. Patients love it.

How Do Online or Phone Consultations Work?

If you don’t live in Texas, an online or phone consultation can save you time and money. The goal of a remote consultation is a little different than a face-to-face consultation.

Remember, nothing can replace an in-person consultation. A virtual consultation is really just a preview, allowing you to make sure that the surgeon can do what you are looking for and that you feel comfortable with the surgeon. Once you confirm that the surgeon is qualified and can achieve your goals, you can book a face-to-face meeting for a more detailed discussion about the breast augmentation procedure.

Find out how to set up an online breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Adams here.

Questions to Ask

The best way to find out if a plastic surgeon has had extensive training in breast augmentation is to talk with them face-to-face. Remember, plastic surgery procedures are not regulated. You don’t have to be board certified in order to perform breast augmentations. That’s why it’s incredibly important to do your research and ask your plastic surgeon questions during your consultation. You should try to find a surgeon who specializes in breast augmentation for your surgery, like Dr. Adams.

Here are a few questions you should ask during your consultation:

  • Are you an active member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)?
  • Which boards are you certified by?
  • How long have you been performing breast augmentations?
  • How many years of training do you have?
  • Do you have the privileges to perform breast surgery at a hospital?
  • Do you specialize in breast augmentation?
  • What procedures are you known for?
  • Do you have any publications? If so, how many?
  • Do you get invited give lectures on breast augmentation?
  • How many breast augmentations have you performed?
  • Which type of implant do you recommend for my breasts?
  • Which incision site and placement site do you recommend for me?
  • What are the risks and complications?
  • How will my results look over time?
  • How long will my recovery take and what will I be expected to do to make sure I have a safe and speedy recovery?

We hope this list helps prepare you for your breast augmentation consultation. At Dr. Adams Plastic Surgery, breast augmentation specialist Dr. Adams offers in-depth consultations to ensure that all of your questions are addressed, goals are identified and that you and he are a good fit.