"In order to create the most beautiful results, you have to be able to see it from an artistic perspective. Surgical skills are essential but they are not enough. There is an aesthetic that cannot be taught. It has to be innate."
20635 Abbey Woods Ct N, Suite 202
Frankfort, IL 60423
Dr. Gelman did my breast augmentation three months ago and my life has changed for the better in so many ways!
I’m a 36-year-old single mother of one teenage daughter and I waited 10 years before I finally made the decision to do something about my breasts. The truth is I was afraid of “going under the knife.” It wasn’t like I HAD to have surgery to be cured of an illness. I just wanted to have beautiful breasts and was worried that having surgery for something just because I wanted it would be tempting fate. The irony here is that I’m a model and it’s important for me to look my best. Yet, year after year I was staring down at a pair of breasts that looked like sagging, hanging bananas and not doing anything about it.
Research the procedure
This past summer, I went online and watched a breast augmentation video clip. Surfing the Web I found Dr. Gelman’s website. I talked to my parents, my daughter, and one of my close girlfriends. My daughter turned out to be my biggest supporter – that was great! She knew how unhappy I was with my breasts and wanted me to be happy about the way I look. That meant a lot to me. I know a number of women who’ve had cosmetic surgery – tummy tucks, liposuction, and breast reduction…and a few who have had mommy makeovers to remove sagging belly skin and excess fat and have their breasts reshaped so they looked like they did before kids. They were all glad they did it. When I saw how much better a couple of my friends looked after breast augmentations; that was my tipping point. I decided to go for it!
The Surgery Consultation
I had consultations with several doctors, but chose Dr. Gelman because I was treated so well by him and by his staff. I had checked around on cost, and their fee was reasonable. I also told him I was nervous about having anesthesia, but Dr. Gelman took the time to educate me and when I realized my concern was normal and that my safety was his number one goal too, I got past my fears. Laura, his patient coordinator, watched over me and gave me information and support beforehand, on the day of my surgery, and afterward during my recovery days. All the women in the office are so nice and are willing to answer my questions. I so appreciate that because I’m someone who is full of questions!
A Smooth Recovery
My recovery went pretty smoothly…I mean, two weeks later I was back on the job doing a photo shoot. I did have a feeling of heaviness in my breasts for 2 or 3 days after the surgery – like an elephant was on my chest [laughter] – and it took me a few days to move around without being constantly distracted by the new, larger breasts on my body! The most inconvenient part was sleeping on my back for a few weeks when I’m used to sleeping on my stomach. But these are minor complaints compared to how much better I look and feel about my body now. It was so worth it!
I have more confidence, which is the big thing. For example, I wear bikini tops now that I have real cleavage to show off! I never would have done that before. More women stare at me than men and sometimes women aren’t as nice to me at first, like when I go shopping! Seriously, I have an outgoing, bubbly personality and it takes a little longer for women to warm up to me now. I didn’t expect that! In my community, I sometimes think that many African-American women I know don’t take good enough care of themselves – they’re usually too busy taking care of other people. But I work out and I like to be healthy and look good and I think women deserve this. If I could give advice, I’d tell any healthy woman who’s trying to decide if she should have cosmetic surgery so she can feel good about how she looks, “Go ahead and do it…don’t wait and put it off. If this is what you want, then go for it! I’m worth it and so are you.”
My name is KS and I had breast augmentation with silicone gel implants done by Dr. Gelman one month ago. I’m 30, single, and had been thinking about doing this for as long as I can remember.
I was an A-cup and went for my first consult with a cosmetic surgeon when I was only 21. Silicone implants weren’t available then and I decided to put it off. Then, recently I got serious and started shopping around for the right doctor. I read forums, went on message boards and looked at cosmetic surgery websites and had a couple of consultations. I even put a deposit down with one of the doctors I talked to. But when I had my consultation with Dr. Gelman, I was impressed by how many breast augmentations he’s done and by how great his patients looked in their “after” photos. He also spent more time with me and patiently answered all my questions. He helped me select the right size implants, the ones that would be best – and look best – for my body. He also recommended that I go with the smooth (rather than the textured) implants. I wanted to know about implants being put under or over the muscle and he explained all of that to me, too. After the consultation, I felt fully prepared to schedule a surgery date. One week later I had it done.
I know quite a number of women who’ve had breast augmentations done. Once I started asking around, I was surprised by how many women have had cosmetic surgery to get the breasts they wanted. Now they all share their stories with me and they think the results I got are outstanding, including two sisters I know who went to another doctor. They just raved over my results, which made me feel good about choosing Dr. Gelman. My parents weren’t happy about the idea in the beginning, but they ended up being helpful and supportive when they saw how much it meant to me. Dr. Gelman’s staff were also there for me 110%. I had the usual worries ahead of time – undergoing anesthesia, would I have scarring, would something go wrong during surgery – and all of my concerns were discussed during my consult and in follow-up calls with my patient coordinator. As I recovered, they also helped me by giving me feedback about the normal healing process, and by calling to check on me. I really feel they care about their patients.
How has the breast augmentation changed my life? The biggest change I notice is that I already feel more feminine and balanced. But the small changes matter just as much to me. For example, I put a dress on the other day and when I saw how good I looked in it I just broke down and cried. I’ve gone from being a 34-A to 34-C, so shopping for bras is a lot more fun, too. I look good in them now! I’m dressing differently…and unbuttoning two or three more buttons than I used to [laughter]!
I know that everyone bounces back from breast augmentation surgery in her own way, but for me it was much quicker than I thought it would be. Four days after my surgery I put on 4” heels and went out to eat at a café, and a week after I went to a party. Not that this is how it is for everyone, but that was my experience.
My advice to other women interested in breast augmentation is to look at photos online, read blogs (to learn about others’ experiences) and – most of all – choose a doctor who does great work and who treats you like a person who matters…because we do [matter.] It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, based on patient input, revealed 6 aspects of breast surgery that made a profound impact on satisfaction and quality of life.
1. Breast Characteristics
Clearly the main goal of cosmetic breast surgery – participants of the study commented about improvements in breast shape and the clothing options that were now available to them as a result. One patient with breast implants reports, “Some things are much more fun to put on, and the stuff that I used to wear looks way better–I am sure they looked good before, too–but I just fill in a bit more, look a bit more busty in them.”
2. Physical Well-Being
Breast reduction patients can get relief from back and neck pain, which often allows increased activity and better health.
3. Psychosocial Well-Being
Patients in the study shared the positive changes in self perception and experiences in social settings. Increased confidence and feeling as if you fit the perceived “norm” of the female body are said to be a common benefits of breast surgery.
4. Sexual Well Being
When people feel more attractive, they generally experience more sexual pleasure. If breast implants or another surgery improve a woman’s perception of her self and her body, sexual well being can consequently improve.
5. Surgeon-Patient Relationship
Women who experienced a good surgeon-patient relationship – with open, honest communication – expressed more satisfaction with breast surgery. Patients who had an adverse relationship with the surgeon or staff reported being fearful, uncomfortable, and less satisfied.
6. Overall Satisfaction
Researchers also included the simple category of general satisfaction. Would you undergo the surgery again? One breast augmentation patient responds, “there is not one day that goes by that I am not so pleased that I did it.”
You can access a similar article by the same researchers for free at BioMed Central.
Our patients frequently ask about breast feeding and breast augmentation. Can the surgery disrupt the ability to breast feed? Is it safe for my child?
In many cases, breast feeding is not disrupted by the presence of a breast implant. However, in some patients, often when an incision near the nipple was utilized, the patient’s ability to breast-feed does get disrupted.
How to minimize this risk
Utilizing a surgical incision that avoids manipulation of the nipple can decrease the risk of disrupted breast feeding. Therefore, if this is a concern, you may want to investigate incision techniques such as the following:
Inframmary fold incision
Transaxillary incision
Transumbilical breast augmentation
Although breast feeding is not necessarily compromised by sub-glandular (above the muscle) breast implant placement, some surgeons maintain that sub-muscular placement reduces the risk as well.
Is it safe for the newborn?
If you’re especially concerned about infant safety, you may want to reference a study published in the June 1998 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The study found no measurable risks to the infant, and found that women with silicone breast implants, and women without them, show comparable levels of silicone (silicon) in their breast milk. It is not known what effect could occur if a small trace of silicone were to pass through to the infant.
Ask Your Surgeon
Feel free to speak with Dr. Dreyfuss, Dr. Gelman, or your OB/GYN if you still have questions and concerns about this topic. Whether you plan to become pregnant or not, it is best to understand all of the possible breast augmentation risks before proceeding with surgery.
Why go through with breast augmentation surgery? In this brief video segment, a patient discusses her reasons for receiving breast implants. Perhaps the most important point she touches on is concerning her understanding of the procedure: “I had fears to begin with, but my fears lessened the more information that I gathered.”
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery produced this educational video, and is devoted entirely to advancing the field of cosmetic plastic surgery through education and research. Check out our breast enhancement pages with before and after pictures or the ASAPS site for more on breast augmentation.
Newly released ASPS statistics indicate that a significant change may be taking place in the cosmetic surgery industry; the popularity of breast implants have surpassed liposuction for the first time.
Nationwide 2008 statistics collected by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reveal that 355,671 breast augmentations were performed in 2008, while liposuction procedures numbered at a close 341,144.
In a recently issued press release, ASPS President Alan Gold is quoted as saying, “for the first time in the twelve years these statistics have been collected, liposuction is a runner up in popularity to breast augmentation. He goes on to predict that “this turnabout will generate discussions in the medical community and the public at large.” Dr. Gold’s theory is that perhaps “changes in fashion, i.e. décolletage baring styles, might be a factor.”
10.2 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2008 and 92 percent of them were had by women. The top 5 procedures include:
Although fat grafting to for breast augmentation is already being performed by a New York plastic surgeon, further study has been inspired by the recent work of a Japanese plastic surgeon, and a device to combine harvested fat with stem cells has been developed by San Diego company, Cytori Therapeutics Inc.
With the recent discovery that fat is rich in stem cells, the possibility of grafting it to different parts of the body is becoming a reality. Surgeons are rethinking the idea of fat transplantation for use in breast augmentation procedures. In this type of breast augmentation, stem cells are harvested from the patient’s own fat stores, so the controversial aspect commonly associated with stem cells is not relevant.
New York plastic surgeon Dr. Sydney Coleman, an international expert in fat grafting, claims he has been using fat in breast augmentations for years and once published his findings in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. A Japanese surgeon has reportedly been performing breast augmentation procedures using stem cell fortified fat from the patient’s body.
The reason this process hasn’t been established as a reliable option is the tendency for fat to die once it enters another part of the body. Fat can then calcify and turn hard. With stem cells, the theory is that a new blood vessels will form and bond with the reintroduced tissue, creating what might be considered a ‘natural implant.’
The Wall Street Journal reported that San Diego based Cytori Therapeutics Inc. has been marketing a device for combining fat with stem cells to other countries and has intentions to do so in the US. Cytori has begun working with plastic surgeons in Japan, Israel, Italy and France who are using its device, and has given Dr. Sydney Coleman a unit for testing.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s research arm is recruiting patients for a breast augmentation study at ClinicalTrials.gov.
Dr. Dreyfuss and Dr. Gelman are pleased to announce two spring time specials now through June 13th, 2008.
For those women wishing to have a renewed self-image, Plastic Surgery Experts is offing a special on Breast Augmentation with saline filled implants for $4,995. (An additional charge of $850 will be applied for silicone breast implants). This discounted fee is all inclusive and cover’s surgeon’s fees, implants, On-Q pain relief system, all visits (pre-op and post-op), surgical bra, anesthesia and surgical center.
Plastic Surgery Experts is also offering a laser hair removal package, buy one area and get 2nd area at 1/2 price. (e.g. bikini and get armpits at 1/2 off)
These specials are good through June 13th, 2008. Contact Plastic Surgery Experts today from our website or call us at (815) 806-9400.
Plastic Surgery Experts serves the greater Chicago, IL area including, Frankfort, Hazel Crest, Homer Glen, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Park, Palos Park, Tinley Park, Illinois and Munster, IN.
*Surgery can be scheduled after June 13th but will require a consultation and surgery date.
Our patients frequently ask about breast feeding and breast augmentation. Can the surgery disrupt the ability to breast feed? Is it safe for my child?
