Plastic surgery can help both men and women change physical attributes about themselves that they find undesirable. Before embarking on any type of cosmetic surgery, the patient should discuss his or her final outcome expectations with the surgeon so everyone has a realistic understanding about the surgery possibilities and limitations.

Women considering breast augmentation surgery should have open and honest discussions with the surgeon regarding:

• Size, shape and texture: There are different types of implants available, and each will look and feel differently.
• Scarring: Depending on the incision location, the incision scars may or may not be visible.
• Recovery time: Patients should wait 3 weeks to resume strenuous activity, and the breasts may not be fully healed and shaped until several months after surgery.
• Replacement: Implants do not last a lifetime, and the average lifespan is 10 years. It is possible that the implants may need to be replaced due to deflation or other complications.
• Sagging: A breast lift may be necessary to correct sagging breasts. Typically breast implants alone will not fix this problem.

Breast augmentation is an invasive surgery that carries potential risks and complications. Patients should be fully aware of these risks before making the important decision to undergo surgery.

If you are considering breast augmentation surgery and would like to meet with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Bottger to discuss your expectations, please visit our “contact us” page for a free breast implant expectations consultation. We serve patients in and around Philadelphia, PA and all of Delaware.

It is for a patient’s own safety that plastic surgeons ask a variety of screening questions and/or do medical testing prior to performing surgeries. By understanding each patient inside and out, the surgeon has a better chance of reducing any risks or complications that can occur.

Surgeons should inquire about:

• Medical history: Plastic surgeons should be fully informed about patient’s medical history in order to determine which type of surgery, if any, is appropriate and safe for the patient.
• Psychological disorders: Mental illnesses, such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder, can give people warped self-images, making them poor candidates for plastic surgery. These individuals may believe that the surgeries will make them happier, when in actuality the surgeries may have the reverse effect.
• Substance abuse: Individuals with substance abuse problems may suffer from depression and undergo plastic surgery for the wrong reasons. The healing time for these patients can also be greatly lengthened, adding to the patient’s depression and despair.
• Medications: The surgeon should know about all medications the patient is taking prior to, during and after surgery. Even herbal medications and vitamins have been known to cause complications and delay or prevent proper healing.

The more honest you are with your surgeon, the better chance you have for a successful surgery and desired outcome.

If you would like to discuss plastic surgery options and live in the Philadelphia or Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania area, please contact cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Bottger today for a plastic surgery consultation.

Some women may be surprised to learn that silicone and saline breast implants are not created with bra cup sizes in mind. Because there is no absolute industry standard among bra manufacturers on cup sizes, it would be virtually impossible for implant manufacturers to create a D-size implant, for example, that perfectly fit every D-size bra on the market.

Breast implants are classified by the volume of saline solution or silicone gel that is injected into the implant shell. Breast implants range in size, depending on how large the woman would like her breasts to look. Typically, implants range in size from 250cc (cubic centimeters) to 1200cc with 350cc being one of the most popular implant sizes.

Each woman’s own unique body type will determine how much saline or silicone will be necessary to create the desired breast size. A 350cc implant on one woman may have a completely different effect on a different woman. However, as a rule of thumb, each 150cc-175cc of implant may increase a woman’s bra size one cup.

Pennsylvania and Delaware-area cosmetic surgeon, Dr. David Bottger, is experienced in helping women determine the right breast implant size for their body shape, breast shape, lifestyle and final expectations. If you would like to learn more about the different methods used to select the right implant size, please contact our office for a free breast implant sizing consultation.

Springtime is a time of renewal as people begin to shed their heavy winter clothing and start to enjoy the beautiful sunshine. Just as the trees and flowers embark on their blooming and growth patterns, so do many people elect to have cosmetic surgery procedures during the spring months.

Why is spring cosmetic surgery so popular?

We all know that once spring has sprung, summer is close behind. Summer is equated with lighter, smaller clothing options, revealing bathing suits and outdoor gatherings with family and friends. By undergoing plastic surgery in the spring, patients will be prepared to look and feel their absolute best during the summer months.

What types of springtime surgeries are popular?

Virtually any type of plastic surgery can help people gain or regain self-confidence and feel more comfortable in their bodies. Dr. Bottger routinely provides a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures to patients in the spring including:

• Liposuction
  
• Tummy tucks
  
• Breast augmentation/lifts
  
• Male and female breast reduction
  
• Thigh or arm lifts
  
• BOTOX® or facial fillers
  
• Laser skin resurfacing
  
• Facelifts or other facial procedures
  

If you are interested in reshaping or enhancing any part of your face or body, please contact Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bottger for a plastic surgery consultation.

Any time you schedule a mammogram appointment, one of the first questions the office should ask is whether or not you have breast implants. This is an important question because breast implants can affect both the mammogram results as well as how the mammogram is performed.

Problems surrounding mammograms on implants

• Tumors can be hidden from view by implants
  
• Cancerous changes may go undetected
  
• There is a slight risk of implant rupture
  
• The images may be difficult to interpret
  

All women should get yearly mammograms after age 40. However, if you are considering breast augmentation and you are under age 40, it may be beneficial to have an early baseline mammogram to ensure that the pre-operative breasts are healthy. These baseline pre-implant results can be compared with future mammogram results on the breasts with implants. This may help radiologists detect any inconsistencies or tumors that would have otherwise been missed.

With our without implants, mammograms are one of the best ways to identify early stages of breast cancer and help increase a woman’s chance of survival.

To learn more about breast implants and mammograms, please contact Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bottger for a free breast augmentation consultation.

Women considering breast augmentation have many different decisions to make prior to surgery. Detailed consultations with an experienced cosmetic surgeon like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bottger will help patients determine:

• Which type of implant to use: silicone or saline
• Where to place the implant: under the breast tissue or under the chest wall/pectoralis muscle
• Where the incision will be placed
• What size of implant to choose

Because each woman is unique and has different expectations for the final result following breast augmentation, finding the perfect breast implant size is not an exact science. However, Dr. Bottger utilizes a variety of methods to help guide each patient toward making the right decision.

Methods

• Before and after photos: Dr. Bottger has performed breast augmentation on hundreds of patients with different body types. Viewing photos of similar bodies can help new patients get an idea of how the surgery will enhance their own bodies.
• Measuring breast dimensions: These measurements will show what size(s) of implants will be most aesthetically pleasing on the new patient’s body frame.
• Implant sizers: Different sized implants placed in bras are worn by the patient to simulate how the new breasts will look in regular clothing.

In short, there is no “perfect” breast implant size. If you are considering changing your appearance through breast augmentation, please contact our office today for a breast enlargement consultation.

Most people use the terms “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” interchangeably. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons explains that “the word ‘plastic’ in ‘plastic surgery’ does not mean ‘artificial,’ but is derived from the ancient Greek word ‘plasticos,’ which means to mold or give form.”

The umbrella term “plastic surgery” encompasses both cosmetic surgery as well as reconstructive surgery. These terms can be defined as:

• Cosmetic surgery: elective procedures that a person chooses to alter his or her outward appearance. Examples include breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tucks, injectable fillers, etc.
• Reconstructive surgery: necessary surgical procedures to help improve or restore normal functions or create a normal outward appearance for a person. Examples of reconstructive scenarios include cleft-lip, hand or other deformities; growths; lacerations; etc.

Unfortunately, virtually any doctor can hang a plastic surgeon sign on his door and perform these intricate surgeries, even though he or she has not undergone the proper training and received the appropriate certifications.

Before undergoing any type of plastic surgery procedure, do your research. Make sure that the surgeon you choose is:

• Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
• A member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• A member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bottger is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who has helped hundreds of patients achieve the face and body they desire. If you would like to learn more about the different cosmetic surgery options available, please contact our office for an initial cosmetic surgery consultation.