adminmsa, Author at Huntsville Alabama Oral | Facial & Cosmetic Surgery

256.429.3411

Preparation for a major cosmetic surgery procedure such as facelift should begin from the moment an individual has chosen this procedure and their candidacy is determined by a surgeon. A well-prepared patient will have more confidence about going ahead with the surgery and will be more relaxed throughout.

At the time of pre-op consultation, the facelift surgeon will provide detailed instructions for preparation. Patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities have an opportunity to receive facelift surgery from Dr. Landon McLain.

Pre-operative Instructions

If the patient is a smoker, they will be required to quit smoking for a specified time period prior to the facelift procedure. Smokers are at a higher risk during the surgery because nicotine in tobacco can inhibit the oxygen flow in the blood. Such patients also face a risk of slow healing after the surgery.

The surgeon will ask the patient to provide a list of all prescription and non-prescription medications, including vitamins and herbal supplements at the time of initial consultation. Some of these medications may have to be stopped or their schedules may have to be altered in consultation with the physician.

The surgeon will also encourage the patient to have a more balanced diet and follow a good exercise regimen in the days and weeks preceding the surgery. Lean proteins intake in the diet can be increased, which will help in faster post-surgical healing.

Health Assessment

The surgeon will evaluate the candidate’s face and neck to assess the degree of skin elasticity, type of skin, fatty tissue deposits, underlying muscle weakness, and the strength of the facial bone structure. The surgeon will review the patient’s past medical records and ask questions about their current health. The surgeon will also like to know about the patient’s personal cosmetic goals with regard to their facial appearance.

The patient should feel free to disclose all relevant information to the surgeon for their own benefit. It will enable the surgeon to give appropriate preparatory instructions, modify the procedure as necessary, and take other counter-measures in anticipation of any concerns.

Customized Surgical Plan

Prior to the facelift procedure, the surgeon will prepare a detailed surgical plan customized to fit the unique needs of the patient. Patient’s inputs will be incorporated into the plan to create more satisfactory outcomes.

The plan will determine:

The choice of surgical technique to perform facelift
The type of anesthesia
Location and size of incisions
How the wound closure will be done
The choice of surgical facility
The estimated length of procedure
Whether an overnight hospital stay may be required
Whether additional surgeries such as neck lift or upper facelift may be needed
Plan for recovery

As part of the advance preparation, the patient should arrange for transportation that will be required to take them home after the procedure. They should also arrange for aftercare, if required for a few days. Dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. McLain provides facelift surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and other cities in this part of the state.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

A facelift is a well-established and commonly performed cosmetic procedure, but like any other surgery, it has certain risks associated with it. At the time of initial consultation, the surgeon will apprise the patient of the potential risks and help the patient make a carefully considered choice.

Dr. Landon McLain provides facelift and several other surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. Dr. McLain will answer all the questions and concerns of the patient during the consultation, and educate them about the surgery. He provides facelift to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and other cities in the region.

Common Risks

Poor Reaction to Anesthesia

In many cases, facelift will be performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The procedure is very safe, but if the patient suffers from a specific health condition, they may have increased risk of an adverse response to anesthesia.

Infection

Infection risks are unavoidable during and after the facelift surgical procedure. However, the risk can be minimized if the hospital or the surgery center adheres to the sanitation protocols, and the patient carefully follows the surgeon’s post-surgical care instructions. The incision areas should be protected against dust or dirt to prevent infection.

Hematoma

If bleeding occurs below the skin, it can cause hematoma. The patient may experience some discomfort as well as swelling and skin discoloration in case of hematoma. The surgeon may have to perform a corrective procedure to repair this condition.

Nerve Damage

In rare situations, a facial nerve may get cut, nicked or cauterized during the surgery. This may lead to numbness in the incision area or facial paralysis. However, in many cases, repair is possible and the damage will not be permanent.

Unfavorable Scarring

Some amount of scarring is unavoidable in any surgical procedure such as facelift. However, a skilled surgeon can ensure that the scars remain discreet due to smaller and carefully placed incisions. In rare cases, scarring can be conspicuous and marks may not be hidden in the hair or behind the ear.

Minimizing the Risks

It is possible to minimize the risk of complications in case of facelift surgery. To start with, the patient should choose a fully trained and qualified cosmetic surgeon. A dedicated surgeon will adopt advanced, less invasive techniques, invest in continuing education, and follow the latest safety protocols.

The patients, on their part, should be willing to disclose complete relevant information about their health condition and specific lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol. This will allow the surgeon to advise appropriate precautions and adjust the procedure as needed. The patient will be required to stop smoking for a certain time period prior to the surgery, and they should stay committed to it.

Managing Side Effects

Temporary side effects will typically dissipate over a period of few days or weeks. To manage the post-op condition, the patient may use prescription or over the counter pain medications with the surgeon’s advice. Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and other communities across the region for facelift surgery and various other procedures.

Facelift Surgery

A facelift has emerged has one of the more sought after cosmetic surgery procedures over the last decade. Both women and men can choose this surgery to regain a youthful facial appearance. Pre-op consultation is an important component of the facelift procedure, and will constitute the basis for a custom facelift surgery plan.

Dr. Landon McLain provides facelift and various other surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and other cities spread across the region. Dr. McLain will closely engage with the patient and educate them about facelift during the initial consultation.

Determining Candidacy

To begin with, the surgeon would like to determine whether the patient is a suitable candidate for facelift surgery. They will review the patient’s health records and ask questions about their current health status. If the patient has any underlying medical condition, it may have to be addressed first before going ahead with facelift. The surgeon will also advise the patient about adjusting any current medications, if necessary.

Some patients may have to go through certain medical tests or allergy tests. The patient’s age, skin type, amount of skin laxity in the face, and body profile will be reviewed to determine whether facelift may be recommended as an independent surgery or in conjunction with other procedures such as neck lift, upper face procedures or non-surgical treatments such as Botox and facial fillers.

Evaluating Cosmetic Goals

The surgeon would like to understand what exactly may be bothering the patient about their existing facial appearance. Some patients may want to dramatically improve their facial youth, while some others may only want subtle changes to maintain the current look or delay the onset of deeper signs of facial aging.

Based on the patient’s specific cosmetic needs and goals, the surgeon will decide on the best surgical technique for facelift, and whether additional procedures may be necessary. A surgical plan tailored to meet the unique requirements of the patient will be prepared. Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for facelift and other innovative and advanced procedures.

Patient Education

A committed surgeon will use the consultation opportunity to apprise the patient on various aspects of facelift and explain its benefits and limitations. They will also answer the patient’s questions and concerns related to the surgery as well as their own practice, and inform about the estimated costs. These facts will help the patient to make a well-considered decision.

The consultation process will also be utilized to help the patient develop realistic expectations. The surgeon may present facelift before and after photos before the patient so that they know what to expect and what not to expect from a facelift. Reviews and testimonials of past patients may also be presented, if required.

Preparatory Guidelines

The surgeon will ask the patient to refrain from smoking and adjust the schedule of certain prescription and non-prescription drugs. Arranging for transportation on the day of surgery and aftercare for a few days may be recommended. Insurance and financing guidance may also be provided.

A facelift is a major aesthetic surgery procedure to mitigate the facial signs of aging, tighten sagging facial muscles, and give a subtle lift to the face. During the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will discuss about the steps involved in the facelift procedure and address the patient’s concerns. Once the patient knows more about the procedure, they will feel more confident about it.

Dr. Landon McLain is an experienced cosmetic surgeon providing facelift and various other innovative and advanced procedures. Dr. McLain will educate the patient about facelift surgery and help them make an informed decision. He provides this procedure to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

Anesthesia

Once the patient is brought inside the operating room, the first step in the facelift procedure will be to place them under anesthesia. General anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation may be administered as per the surgical plan. Patient’s fitness to undergo anesthesia will be determined beforehand.

An anesthesiologist or a registered anesthetist nurse may perform the anesthesia procedure. In case of general anesthesia, they will be present during the entire surgery to monitor the patient’s response. The patient will not feel anything during the surgery and will have no memory of the procedure once they are brought out of anesthesia.

Incision Placement

Following anesthesia, the surgeon will create the incisions to perform the facelift procedure. The incisions will be located in inconspicuous sites in order to minimize subsequent scarring. The main incision is generally hidden within the hairline, but the scope of incisions will vary depending on the surgical technique.

Minor incisions are usually placed in natural facial creases because these sites heal well and can camouflage the scars. In a traditional facelift surgery, the incision starts from behind the hairline on one side of the head, slightly above the temple. It will then follow the hairline down to the ear, continuing into the lower scalp under the hair.

Muscle and Skin Tightening

Through the incisions, the surgeon will lift the facial skin to redistribute or remove excessive fatty tissue, tighten the weak muscles, and trim away loose skin. Once the facial contours are corrected, the skin will be re-draped evenly using staples or sutures.

Incision sites will be covered with bandages to allow for safer healing. Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for facelift surgery and various other cosmetic procedures.

Additional Procedures

Facelift surgery may sometimes be performed in conjunction with other procedures to achieve more effective outcomes. Fat reduction in the face and neck may be performed through liposuction surgery in order to improve facial contours.

If certain areas of the face are depleted, facelift surgery may be combined with facial fat transfers, facial implants of the cheek, chin or lips, or dermal filler injections. Some patients may also choose upper face procedures such as eyelid lift or forehead lift to achieve more harmonious and natural looking results. The facelift surgery steps will be slightly adjusted to accommodate the additional procedures.

Prior to going ahead with a major surgery such as breast augmentation, the patient should have a sufficiently clear idea of how the procedure is performed, what are the potential risks and benefits, what is the recovery process, and how much it will cost. The patient should also learn about the surgeon’s credentials and feel confident about her decision.

It is a good idea to prepare a list of questions in advance, which the patient can carry along to the surgeon’s office for breast augmentation consultation. A dedicated surgeon will answer every question in proper detail and help educate the patient as much as possible. Dr. Landon McLain provides breast augmentation to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

Trust and Open Communication

Having a good rapport with the surgeon and a relationship of trust and open communication will significantly contribute to the final outcome of breast augmentation surgery. Choosing an elective procedure such as breast augmentation is a major decision, and the patient should feel free to ask questions and satisfy herself adequately before going ahead with the surgery.

At the time of initial consultation, the patient may ask for breast augmentation before and after pictures in order to form reasonable expectations and know what the procedure can or cannot do for her. She may also request the surgeon to provide her with testimonials of past patients who may be willing to share their experience with breast augmentation surgery.

Key Questions

The following are some of the important questions that may be asked at the time of breast augmentation consultation:

How many years of training and experience do you have in the field of cosmetic surgery?
Have you performed breast surgeries in the past, and what is your success rate in these procedures?
Would you use general or local anesthesia to perform my surgery?
Will you perform the procedure at a hospital or an accredited surgery center?
Are my expectations from breast augmentation within the realm of possibility?
How long will the breast augmentation surgery last?
What type of breast implants would you recommend for me?
What are the potential risks and complications involved in this surgery?
How long do breast implants last on average?
Do you perform revision surgeries if the primary breast augmentation is not successful?
How long will be the recovery period, and will it be painful?
Will I need to arrange for aftercare and for how long?
Will I be able to breastfeed in the future?
How obvious will be the scars after the healing is completed?
What are the estimated costs of breast augmentation, including pre- and post-operative costs?
How can I get in touch with in the event of an emergency during the recovery phase?

Accomplished cosmetic surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and other communities across the landscape for breast augmentation and various other procedures.

Figures released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reveal that nearly 4.5 million breast augmentation surgeries were performed from 1997 to 2012. Breast augmentation currently ranks as the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US. Pre-op preparation is a key part of the procedure, and makes an impact on the final results.

Dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon McLain will provide detailed instructions for pre-operative preparation prior to breast augmentation. Patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations have an opportunity to receive cutting edge procedures from Dr. McLain.

Assessment of Cosmetic Goals

To start with, a woman considering breast augmentation should assess her reasons for wanting this surgery. Only she can correctly inform the surgeon about what exactly makes her unhappy about her breast appearance, and what are her innermost aesthetic needs and goals.

Breast augmentation procedure is a personal journey for a woman, and she should select it just because someone else told her so. She should have complete clarity about her needs, and learn about the breast augmentation procedure before seeking a consultation with the surgeon.

Online Forums and Websites

Once the patient has decided to visit a surgeon’s office for breast augmentation consultation, she should first review their practice website to gain some familiarity with the procedure as well as learn about the surgeon’s background. She may also get in touch with other women over specialized online forums to discuss about their views and experiences with breast augmentation.

Once she learns about the first-hand experiences of others and gains some community support, it will help her discover whether breast augmentation is going to be the right choice for her. With such advance knowledge and understanding, she can have a more productive engagement with the cosmetic surgeon during the pre-operative consultation.

Meeting Candidacy Requirements

The breast surgeon will evaluate the patient’s candidacy before accepting her for breast augmentation surgery. She should focus on maintaining good fitness and eating a healthy diet and keeping stable body weight as far as possible. She should also not have any near-future plans for a pregnancy or a weight loss procedure.

The patient should review breast augmentation before and after photos at the surgeon’s office or on the surgeon’s website to develop reasonable expectations. She should ideally prepare a detailed list of questions for the surgeon to clear her doubts and concerns at the time of pre-op consultation.

Prior to the Surgery

The following preparatory steps may have to be followed prior to the breast augmentation surgery:

Refrain from using blood thinning and anti-inflammatory medications, as well as vitamin and herbal supplements for at least two weeks before the surgery.
Adjust the schedule of prescription drugs as necessary in consultation with the physician.
Quit smoking for a certain period of time prior to the surgery as per the advice of the surgeon.
Arrange for transportation and aftercare to help ensure a safe and comfortable immediately post-operative phase.

Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and other nearby areas for breast augmentation surgery.

Pre-operative consultation lays down the groundwork for a major surgery such as breast implants. The patient’s active involvement is important before the surgery because the procedure is significantly customizable and requires the patient to make choices. The surgeon will prepare an appropriate breast augmentation surgery plan based on patient’s feedback.

A dedicated surgeon will clarify the patient’s doubts and concerns and educate her about various aspects of breast implant surgery at the time of initial consultation. Accomplished cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon McLain provides breast implants to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding cities and communities across the horizon.

Determining Candidacy

The surgeon will assess the patient’s general health condition and review her detailed health records to determine her fitness for surgery and anesthesia. Specialized mammograms may be ordered in a few cases. The patient’s quality of skin as well as skin laxity in the breast area will be assessed along with an evaluation of the overall breast anatomy.

Important Decisions

At the time of the breast implant surgery consultation, key decisions will be made with regard to the choice of implant type and size, the selection of an appropriate surgical technique, location of incisions, placement position of implants, and whether the procedure will be performed independently or in conjunction with breast lift.

Implant Choice

The choice of breast implants will have an impact on the final results of breast augmentation. The surgeon will discuss the benefits and limitations of various types of implants, the range of available sizes, profiles and shapes, and help her make the right choices.

Implant Placement

The breast implants may be placed submuscularly, which is below the pectoral muscle, or subglandularly, which is in front of the pectoral muscle. The pros and cons of both options will be discussed to make the best decision in sync with the patient’s unique anatomy and personal goals.

Incision Location

Incisions in case of breast implant surgery may be located under the breast crease, in the underarms, or along the circumference of the areolas. In rare cases, the incision may be placed in the navel area. Practiced and dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby cities and neighborhoods for breast implants.

Developing Expectations

The surgeon will carefully try to understand the patient’s innate cosmetic needs and goals with regard to her breast appearance. Breast augmentation ‘before and after’ photos may be shown to the patient to help her form clear expectations about what the procedure can or cannot do for her.

Pre-operative Instructions

During the consultation, the surgeon will give clear instructions about refraining from smoking for a certain time period prior to the surgery. A few prescription or non-prescription medications and supplements may also be temporarily stopped or their schedules altered in consultation with the physician.

Questions and Answers

The patient will have an opportunity to ask questions during the consultation about the surgeon’s credentials as well as the breast implant procedure. She should also utilize the opportunity to clarify concerns about costs, insurance, and financing at this stage.

One of the key advantages in breast augmentation is that the patient will usually have the flexibility to choose between a range of implant qualities and sizes. This makes the breast augmentation surgery a highly customizable procedure to fit the patient’s unique cosmetic and anatomical needs.

During the initial consultation, the cosmetic surgeon will explain the pros and cons of various breast implant types, sizes and shapes in accordance with the patient’s goals. Patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities have an opportunity to receive breast implants from double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon McLain.

Classification of Implants

Breast implants are primarily classified into two categories: saline implants and silicone implants. The outer shell in both categories is produce with a pliable silicone material, but the inner core differs in both cases.

Saline Implants

Saline implants include a sterile saline solution in their core. These implants were originally approved by the FDA for breast augmentation, and in many cases, the cosmetic surgeon may still recommend these implants as they remain a traditionally popular option. Women above the age of 18 are eligible for using these implants.

The benefit with these implants is that the saline solution can be filled after the deflated implant has been inserted surgically into the breast pocket. This enables the surgeon to create a smaller incision. Furthermore, saline solution is completely biocompatible. Therefore, if the implant gets damaged, the leaked saline fluid will be safely absorbed by the body without posing any risk to the patient’s health.

Silicone Implants

Silicone gel implants received the FDA’s approval much later after all the safety concerns were addressed. But over the years, their popularity has surpassed that of saline implants. In terms of cosmetic appeal and natural touch and feel, many women prefer silicone implants over saline. The implant core is composed of a soft silicone gel, which has a high viscosity and it mimics the natural breast tissue.

Silicone implants can be provided to women over the age of 21. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for breast implant surgery.

Gummy Bear Implants

Form stable or ultra-cohesive implants, commonly known as Gummy Bear implants are the latest addition to the range of breast implants. These implants are constituted of a highly cohesive silicone gel core, which has a superior consistency.

These implants are resilient, yet very natural looking, and retain their form and shape even under pressure. The high viscosity of the silicone gel in these implants minimizes or eliminates the risk of leakage to other parts of the body in the event of implant damage.

Implant Size/Shape/Texture

Breast implants in all types are available in sizes ranging from 120 cc to 960 cc. Implant shapes can be round or anatomical, and options are also available in implant profiles. Plain and texture implant surfaces are offered according to the patient’s needs.

Breast Augmentation Risks and Safety | Huntsville Cosmetic Surgery Breast augmentation continues to have a very high success rate as long as the procedure is performed by a fully trained and experienced cosmetic surgeon. While the surgical techniques and quality of implants have improved over the years, certain risks remain inherent to breast augmentation just like any other surgery.

During the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will explain about the potential risks and complications and help the patient make a well-considered choice. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon McLain provides breast augmentation to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities.

Implant Risks

Some of the risks in breast augmentation surgery are unique to the procedure because it involves placement of saline or silicone breast implants.

Capsular Contracture

Following the placement of implants in the breast tissue, the natural healing mechanism of the body will trigger the formation of scar tissue around the implants. In some cases, the scar tissue may contract or become hard, putting excess pressure on the implant.

The implant may be squeezed due to the scar tissue tightening. This may result in loss of shape, damage or malpositioning of the implant. Breast capsule hardening may also cause pain. In this situation, breast implant removal or replacement may be advised by the cosmetic surgeon.

Implant Rippling

If the breast skin is not sufficient to cover the implant comfortably, it may cause wrinkles or folds in the implant. This will create a rippling effect and distort the natural breast appearance. Implant ripping risk can be minimized by choosing the appropriate implant size according to the skin availability.

Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for breast augmentation.

Implant Rupture or Shifting

If a saline breast implant ruptures, the deflation will immediately occur and become visible. But in case of a silicone implant rupture, the damage may only become known during an MRI exam. In rare cases, the implant may be intact, but it may shift from its original place soon after the surgery is performed.

The risk of displacement increases in case of large sized implants, but the risk of rupture exists in every type of implant. Breast revision surgery may be required to correct these conditions.

Surgery-related Risks

These risks are common to all surgeries, including breast augmentation.

Infection

Infection risk is higher during and immediately following the breast implant procedure. The surgical facility must maintain a sterile environment to minimize this risk. In the early recovery period, the patient should take proper care to keep the incision areas clean and dry.

Numbness or Change of Sensation

Altered sensation, numbness or sensitivity may occur in the nipple area after breast augmentation surgery. In most cases, the condition is temporary, but sometimes the problem may persist for a long time or become permanent.

Unfavorable Scarring

Some degree of scarring is unavoidable, but a skilled surgeon can minimize the risk by placing the incisions in inconspicuous locations such as the breast crease or the armpit.

Breast Augmentation Procedure Steps | Huntsville Cosmetic Surgery Breast augmentation currently ranks as the number procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon in the US. The procedure can be fairly customized to suit the unique needs of a patient. While different options may be available for incision locations, implant placement and types of implants, the overall steps in the breast augmentation procedure largely remain the same.

At the time of initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss the steps involved in the procedure to make the patient more familiar with the surgery. This will help to resolve her pre-op anxiety and concern. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon McLain provides breast augmentation to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities.

Anesthesia

The first step in the breast augmentation surgery will be to place the patient under anesthesia. In case of general anesthesia, an anesthesiologist or an anesthetist nurse will administer it and will remain present throughout the surgery to monitor her response. Once the surgery is over, she will be brought out of anesthesia.

The patient will be moved to an observation area for a few hours until the effects of anesthesia subside. The patient should have someone to drive her back home after the surgery, and preferably stay overnight for help.

Incisions Placement

Following anesthesia, the cosmetic surgeon will start the procedure by making incisions in discreet locations. These could be at the crease of the breast, in the underarm, around the lower half of the areola, or in some cases, in the navel area. The incision location will be decided during surgical planning in consultation with the patient.

Implant Placement

Through the incisions, the surgeon will place the breast implants in front of the pectoral muscle right behind the breast tissue or below the pectoral muscle. The decision on implant placement will be made in advance after considering the implant size, the patient’s breast anatomy and her aesthetic goals.

The surgeon will explain the limitations and benefits of both options to help the patient make the best choice. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for breast augmentation.

Incision Closure

Once the surgery is completed and the implants are positioned correctly into the breast pockets, the incisions will be closed with absorbable or removable sutures. Until the incisions are healed, the patient should take special care to keep the site completely clean in order to minimize infection risks. Strain in the incision area should be minimal during the first week after the surgery.

Bandages and Drains

Once the surgery is completed, the treated areas will be covered in bandages to protect the incisions and support healing. Temporary drain tubes will be placed below the skin to collect fluid and reduce infection risks. The patient will be provided with a special surgical bra, which should be worn at all times for a few weeks until the breasts firm up and acquire their new shape.