Cosmetic Surgery, Health and Fitness Information - The Adams Center, Boston, MA

Breast Augmentation to Correct Breast Asymmetry

Most people think of a breast augmentation or breast enhancement surgery only as a way to increase breast size.

However, my breast augmentation patients also come to me for help to correct breast asymmetry – differences either in size, or shape. These differences may have been present all along, or changes can occur over time and lead to asymmetry.

While many think of their options as being limited to silicone gel or saline implants, the fact is that your choices are vast. There are over 140 different choices for shape, size, style, materials used, etc.

I prefer placing the implants under the muscle to provide better cover for the implant, and to make mammography to detect breast cancer easier. Implants can still be placed through any of the traditional incisions including under the breast (inframammary), under the arm (transaxillary), or under the areola (periareolar).

Many of our patients say that a breast augmentation has helped improve their self confidence levels, and overall happiness about their bodies.

Don't Believe the Hype About Botox Breast Lifts

Recently, there have been several stories in the media discussing a “Botox Breast Lift.” This non-surgical procedure is highly speculative, and has offered incredibly mixed results for the patients who have undergone this treatment.

Botox works in preventing wrinkles by weakening the muscle that has created the wrinkle in the first place. The principle here is similar. Essentially, Botox is used to weaken the pectoralis minor muscle (one of your chest muscles), which pulls the breast down. This causes the rhomboid muscle (a muscle at the top of your back) to pull up your back slightly, potentially giving the appearance of lifting your breasts, and also putting more pressure on your back.

The procedure requires three injections on each breast, and proponents say that it lasts approximately 10 - 12 weeks. However, injecting Botox into the chest muscles is not only dangerous, but your chest muscles will most likely be unusable for up to six months. Furthermore, the major issue with sagging of the breast is skin and glandular, not muscular.

“Off label,” non-FDA approved practices such as this are not recommended, and unacceptable to most in the plastic surgery community, and to Allergan, the company that produces Botox.

If you, or anyone you know, is considering a breast lift, warn them to stay away from this potentially harmful procedure, and stick with the proven surgical methods available. While they may cost more money, the results last longer, and the danger is lessened when a qualified surgeon performs the procedure.

Can I have multiple procedures done during the same visit?

I’ve received several questions from patients really on whether or not they can have multiple procedures done during the same visit.

The short answer is yes, you can. However, the real limiter is the type of anesthesia selected.

Take liposuction for example. We often do smaller areas of liposuction under a local anesthesia with oral sedation. This method allows us a smaller window of time, so larger procedures aren’t possible. However, we can do larger areas under a general anesthesia. This also allows us to do combinations of surgeries.

A recent patient wanted to have liposuction and breast augmentation done at the same time as part of a “Mommy Makeover.” While we only did those two surgeries for that patient, I’ve had patients choose to have liposuction, breast augmentation with a breast lift, and a blepharoplasty. So there are fewer limitations under general anesthesia.

Having multiple procedures done at the same time is actually a smart choice for most of us. There is usually a shorter overall recovery time, a lower overall cost, and in many cases, we’re finding that combination treatments actually provide better results.

Contact me by e-mail, or by calling me at The Adams Center in my Peabody office at 978-531-0550, or 617-262-2208 in my Boston office for more information on this post, or any other information in my Blog.

Dr. Bill Adams is a greater Boston area board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience in the field.

What's a "Mommy Makeover"?

Q: What is a “Mommy Makeover”?

A: A "Mommy Makeover" is usually considered to be a combination of procedures like tummy tucks, breast augmentation, and breast lifts, and in some cases Liposuction. According to ASPS statistics, “Mommy Makeovers” saw an 11 percent increase from 2005 to 2006 in women ages 20-39, and were among the most popular procedures.

With women giving birth later, trying to juggle motherhood, while managing their careers and busy schedules, cosmetic surgery has become a great solution to returning to pre-pregnancy shape.

Contact me by e-mail, or by calling me at The Adams Center in my Peabody office at 978-531-0550, or 617-262-2208 in my Boston office for more information on this post, or any other information in my Blog.

Dr. Bill Adams is a greater Boston area board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience in the field.

Are Silicone Breast Implants Safe?

Q: I'm looking for information on breast implants. Specifically, I'd like more information on silicone implants. How long do they last? What are the pros to these implants now, as opposed to years ago when there were questions about leakage and possible side effects?

A: The silicone implants of today are a totally different product than they were 10 - 15 years ago. The breast implant's shell is thicker, which makes them more durable, and the silicone gel used now is also made differently. There is a tremendous variety of styles and shapes available to suit all tastes.

Contact me by e-mail, or by calling me at The Adams Center in my Peabody office at 978-531-0550, or 617-262-2208 in my Boston office for more information on this post, or any other information in my Blog.

Dr. Bill Adams is a greater Boston area board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience in the field.

Will My Breast Implants Look Natural?

Q: I would like a breast enlargment, but I'm nervous about the procedure and the final physical appearence. I was a D cup when I was younger, a EE cup when I was pregnant and now I am a small B. I would like a full C or D cup, is it possible to look natural, firm, but not stiff?

A: Changes over time in breast size are very common. With a breast augmentation, there are over 100 different options for shape, size, style, materials used, etc. Finding an implant that looks natural for you in either a C or D cup should not be a problem. Anyone can go to a C or D cup but the width of the breast, volume of breast tissue and amount of fat determine the possibility of issues.

Contact me by e-mail, or by calling me at The Adams Center in my Peabody office at 978-531-0550, or 617-262-2208 in my Boston office for more information on this post, or any other information in my Blog.

Dr. Bill Adams is a greater Boston area board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience in the field.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

Q: I would like a breast enlargment, but I was doing some research and found that they are not permanent. Meaning that I would have to the breast implants replaced in time. Is this true? How long do they last? Would I lose sensitivity with an implant replacement?

A: Breast implants are not permanent, but they are currently waranteed for 10 years. Typically, a breast implant replacement would be done at some point after that, but that is an individual decision.

Regarding your question on loss of sensitivity - there really isn't a loss of breast sensitivity in my experience.

Contact me by e-mail, or by calling me at The Adams Center in my Peabody office at 978-531-0550, or 617-262-2208 in my Boston office for more information on this post, or any other information in my Blog.

Dr. Bill Adams is a greater Boston area board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience in the field.

Can I Breast Feed if I Have Breast Implants?

Q: I have breast implants, and I’m going to be having a baby. I remember something about not being able to breast feed after having breast implants. My Ob/Gyn is telling me it's okay to breast feed. Is this true?

A: It is perfectly fine for you to breast feed-the implants should not have any effect on breast feeding. I wish you much joy and happiness on your new journey.

Contact me by e-mail, or by calling me at The Adams Center in my Peabody office at 978-531-0550, or 617-262-2208 in my Boston office for more information on this post, or any other information in my Blog.

Dr. Bill Adams is a greater Boston area board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience in the field.

I'd Like More Information on Silicone Breast Implants

Q: I'm looking for information on breast implants. Specifically, I'd like more information on silicone implants. How long do they last? What are the pros to these implants now, as opposed to years ago when there were questions about leakage and possible side effects?

A: The silicone implants of today are a totally different product than they were 10 - 15 years ago. The breast implant's shell is thicker, which makes them more durable, and the silicone gel used now is also made differently. There is a tremendous variety of styles and shapes available to suit all tastes.

Contact me by e-mail, or by calling me at The Adams Center in my Peabody office at 978-531-0550, or 617-262-2208 in my Boston office for more information on this post, or any other information in my Blog.

Dr. Bill Adams is a greater Boston area board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience in the field.

Mommy Makeovers

According to ASPS statistics, so called “Mommy Makeover” procedures like tummy tucks, breast augmentation and breast lifts saw an 11 percent increase from 2005 to 2006 in women ages 20-39, and were among the most popular procedures.

With women giving birth later, trying to juggle motherhood, while managing their careers, and busy schedules, cosmetic surgery has become a great solution to returning to pre-pregnancy shape.

Contact me by e-mail, or by calling me at The Adams Center in my Peabody office at 978-531-0550, or 617-262-2208 in my Boston office for more information on this post, or any other information in my Blog.

Dr. Bill Adams is a greater Boston area board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience in the field.