BREASTENHANCEMENTMD.COM GREATBREASTS.NET Breast Enhancement: December 2006

Sunday, December 17, 2006

The Buddy System

In recent months, I have seen more and more friends come in together for breast augmentation consultation followed by surgery. Friend no 1 has the procedure done first and after 1-2 weeks friend no 2 comes in for surgery. Friend no 2 nurses friend no 1 and then they switch roles. The key is to make sure that there is enough time between the two surgeries so that the two friends don't compromise their own recovery.

In some cases both friends have surgery on the same day and are looked after by family members or friends-thus sharing the recovery process together as well. No matter what scenario, the buddy system seems to work very well in our practice and patients love sharing the entire process from consultation through recovery together. It's definitely moral support and everything seems a bit easier to handle knowing your friend is going through the same or similar recovery process.

We actually offer a slight discount for the buddy system-it's a 5% discount on breast augmentation.

posted by Breast Info at 9:12 AM 0 comments

Monday, December 11, 2006

Curious about Dr. 90210

I am curious what you think about Dr. Rey of Dr. 90210-the reality show about several plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills, CA. Do you watch the show, what do you think of him as a surgeon,etc?. I am not interested in his personal life, just your opinions on his surgical aptitude and style....

Thanks
Sylvia

The reason I am asking is because there are some really scary things out there on this show. I am wondering when people will wake up to who this man really is....

posted by Breast Info at 3:20 PM 1 comments

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Feedback on my blogs in general

As a patient coordinator, you are always trying to market the practice in a way that the right message is conveyed to the right potential patient. I originally envisioned the blog as a valuable tool for patients as they gather information about breast augmentation and learn about Dr. Bednar's philosophy on this specific procedure. I am happy to report that many patients have viewed the blog since its inception and that the feedback has been wonderful. I really encourage your individual comments. Please, keep sending them- or mention to me (when you come in for your consultation) whether the blog was helpful and informative to you in making the decision to have the surgery.

I will try to add daily/weekly posts-I apologize ahead of time if they don't appear on a regular basis-it's one of the busiest time of the year for us.

Thanks again for all the positive commentaries-

Sylvia

posted by Breast Info at 2:59 PM 1 comments

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Additional comments to my last post

My basic message in my last post is that I am amazed by how few patients, looking to have breast augmentation, are actually asking those questions. This is elective surgery and nobody is coercing you to have this procedure done. You are in control to choose the right surgeon for yourself. Why compromise? You are establishing a lifelong relationship with someone. Don't you want to know who this person really is on a medical level?

Nowadays you can get Botox in a hair salon, liposuction is perfomed by Ear Nose and Throat specialists, or in the back of someone's garage-(true story-bad outcome). Breast augmentation is performed by general surgeons not board certified plastic surgeons. Trust me - we have seen it all. The main point is that you have to trust this person to perform high quality medical care on yourself. There is quality control-you just have to commit to find the best. Make sure that you are 100% comfortable with the choice you made-otherwise cancel your surgery. You may lose the deposit but so what? Here is the amazing part.

We get so many phone calls from patients too afraid to go back to their original surgeon because there is a problem. They come to us instead. Upon questioning them why they would not address these issues with the first surgeon, many answer that they are "afraid" to do so. They are intimidated. basically, they should not have had the surgery there in the first place.

All I am saying is that you as the patient have to be comfortable with your surgeon's overall philosophy-it has to be a fit. If not, find someone else with whom you will mesh.

Dr. Bednar is one of the top breast augmentation surgeons in this country-bar none. He has a distinct philosophy. Despite the fact that we have seen thousands and thousands of breast augmentation patients over 20 years, he always wants to make sure that the prospective patient is comfortable with him and the staff, ie the overall care in our practice.

posted by Breast Info at 2:41 PM 0 comments

Choosing the right surgeon for yourself

When considering breast augmentation, you must have the following questions answered by your prospective surgeon.

1. How many procedures does he or she perform per year?
2. How many years has she/he practiced?
3. Is the surgeon a board certified plastic surgeon?
4. In which state is the surgeon licensed to practice?
5. What are the most common complications with breast augmentation?
6. What is the reoperation rate in the practice and which is the most commom reoperation procedure?
7. Where is the procedure performed-if outpatient-is the outpatient facility a certified facility?
Does the surgeon have operating privileges at a near-by hospital? How far is the hospital?
8. Here is the kicker. Are there any disciplinary action pending against the surgeon? Any malpractice claims?

posted by Breast Info at 2:25 PM 0 comments

Friday, December 01, 2006

What about Silicone?

As you all know by now, silicone implants were recently approved by the FDA after a 14 year ban in the USA. What does that really mean for you as the patient? The implant manufacturers firmly believe that women will be lined up to either replace their existing saline implants with silicone or use silicone for first-time breast augmentation.

After the announcement was made, I expected the phone to ring off the hook with inquiries. Well, truth be told, we had only a few phone calls. Not only that, Dr. Bednar has offered silicone as an additional choice for his patients. To-date, all of them have stuck with saline.

Now, here are some facts directly from the implant manufacturer-you as the patient are left with the ultimate decision.

Unlike saline where a rupture can be easily detected through volume loss, the rupture in a silicone implant is silent. The only way to detect a rupture is through MRI-it is recommended that patients have MRI at 3 years after surgery, and then after every 2 years thereafter. The cost of the MRIs will probably exceed the initial cost of silicone breast augmentation.

When a rupture occurs with saline implants, the saline is absorbed by your body without any consequences-it's basically like IV solution. Silicone ruptures, on the other hand, may either remain within the scar tissue capsule surrounding the implant, move outside the capsule, or migrate beyond the breast.

Here are some numbers: First time augmenation reoperation rate after 4 years: 23.5% after 4 years for revisionary patients, it was 35.5%. Capsular contracture was 13.2% after first time aug. and 17% after revisionary surgery. Those are staggering numbers when compared with saline of 1-6%

Speaking of cost-the cost of the surgery is significantly higher than with saline implants. Why? Simply put, the implants are more expensive and the surgery time is longer due to the incision through the inframammary area of the breast vs. axillary approach through the armpit. Also, the scar is significantly longer and more apparent.

In addition, the patient has to do much more due dilligence -they have to tracked by the manufacturer in case of a recall of the product. There is much more paperwork at hand for both patient and practice staff.

All I am saying is that silicone is not a panacea.

posted by Breast Info at 7:24 AM 0 comments