Breast Augmentation Surgery Services in Palo Alto, CA

Dr. Robert Lowen is an experienced and talented plastic surgeon who is committed to patient education and safety for women who are considering a breast augmentation and breast implants. Dr. Lowen has been performing breast augmentation and other breast procedures in the Bay Area for over 30 years.

His practice specializes in breast augmentation, breast lift with augmentation, and correction of implant-related problems. He is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgeons, a select group of plastic surgeons who are committed to the goals of the best and safest care of cosmetic surgery patients.

Dr. Lowen is committed to helping patients understand the many aspects of breast augmentation so they can make an informed decision that is right for them.

Use the links below to learn more about breast augmentation. Patients are encouraged to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Lowen.

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Breast Augmentation

The surgical procedure to increase the size of your breasts is called augmentation mammoplasty. Disproportion between the size of your breasts or torso can cause an imbalance in the appearance of your figure, which may lead to difficulty in fitting into certain clothes or clothing styles and affect the way you feel about yourself.

Using current techniques of implant placement and various implant types, it is possible to selectively change the shape of parts of your breast as well as increase the size during the breast augmentation surgery.

A woman may have small breasts because she has inherited a familial tendency or as a result of shrinkage after pregnancy. In the first case, there has been failure to develop breast tissue and the skin envelope has never been stretched.

After pregnancy and lactation, the enlarged breast and glandular tissue shrinks or involutes, leaving the skin stretched out and the overall volume perhaps even less than before pregnancy. With repeated pregnancies, the breast and skin become more stretched out.

Either breast type may be augmented, but the nature of the implants and techniques used may differ. In the first case, the tight skin envelope may limit the size of the implant that can be placed.

In the latter case, it is important to choose an implant and technique that will adequately fill the skin envelope and support the tissues. Significant improvement after the breast augmentation procedure can be expected in either case.

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Making an Informed Decision – Breast Augmentation

Considering a breast augmentation? Dr. Lowen has been performing breast augmentation for many years. He can attest to its safety and effectiveness. It is important for any woman contemplating breast augmentation to be informed of the possible risks as well as the benefits, and of the trade-offs with respect to incision placement, implant choices, and long-term results.

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure and as with all surgical procedures some risks, although small, always exist. Hopefully, after reviewing the information on a breast augmentation, prospective patients will have a good understanding of the factors involved and will be able to make an informed decision.

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Breast Augmentation Before
Breast Augmentation After

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The Normal Breast and Options for Improvement

It is normal in every woman to have slight discrepancies between the two breasts. This means that the level of the nipple and areola (pigmented area around the nipple) may not be at the same height on the chest wall, or the nipples may be at different distances from the midline. One breast is frequently larger than the other, and small differences in contour are common. This is perfectly normal.

In addition, it is common for there to be differences in size and shape of the underlying rib cage which will affect the direction the breast appears to point when viewed from the front. These differences are not eliminated by breast augmentation, and some asymmetries, normal and present before augmentation, will persist after augmentation.

Attention to these differences and compensating for them as much as possible with surgical technique and/or the use of different sized implants or fill-volumes, can usually minimize these normal asymmetries.

It is important not to limit yourself to the traditional meaning of a breast augmentation. Dr. Lowen says a breast augmentation traditionally meant taking the given shape of the breast and making it bigger, providing an increased volume based on the size of the implant, but this does not always result in the nicest shape to the breast.

When the goal is to provide the most esthetically pleasing breast shape as well as increasing the volume, it is necessary to use implants and techniques that can affect both shape and size. Using implants currently available, it is possible to more predictably achieve specific changes in breast contour and size during the breast augmentation procedure.

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Helping You Select the Best Alternatives

During your consultation, an analysis will be made that takes into account your particular breast characteristics in terms of shape, size, skin elasticity or tightness, and previous history of changes related to weight gain/loss or pregnancy.

Then you will be given a choice of several different types of implants and three different locations for incisions, and a recommendation on which would be most likely to produce the size and shape of breast that you want.

With currently available breast augmentation techniques and implant options, a natural-appearing breast, both in and out of clothing, can be achieved, even after a significant increase in size.

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Preparing for Breast Augmentation Surgery

The preparation phase begins two weeks prior to the breast augmentation surgery. The first thing you should do is arrange for help during recovery, since you will be unable to perform many regular activities for around a week following the surgery. Arrange for pet care and/or childcare if necessary.

If you’re a smoker and/or a drinker, you should stop all tobacco and alcohol use well in advance of the procedure. You will also need to refrain from use for the first few weeks following the surgery. Both tobacco and alcohol cause inflammation and impact the body’s immune system adversely, which can lead to slow healing. Alcohol also thins the blood, which may lead to increased bruising and prolonged healing.

Medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin should be stopped as well, as they interfere with the natural blood clotting ability of the body. If you experience a severe headache, it’s best to take acetaminophen instead. Also avoid ginkgo biloba, garlic, St. John’s wort, and other herbal supplements, as they have the potential of interacting with the general anesthesia administered during the procedure.

If you use arnica ointment or cream, there’s no need to discontinue it; unlike some other herbal supplements, arnica will promote healing by soothing aches and reducing inflammation.

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The Breast Augmentation Surgery Healing Process

For the first 3 to 5 days following the surgery, you’re likely to experience minor side effects such as discomfort, redness, and bruising. However, you can keep these side effects at bay by following your surgeon’s care directions. Wearing a surgical bra can ameliorate swelling, and pain-control medication may be prescribed.

Over the course of the 2 months following your breast augmentation surgery, you can gradually resume activities. Start by acclimatizing the body to light activities before eventually resuming heavy lifting and other strenuous activities. During this period, you’ll also have to come to follow-up appointments to assess your healing.

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If you’re looking for a VERY knowledgable doctor and an amazing staff to take through this process then Dr. Lowens office is the place!! I had my breast augmentation back on April 19 and I couldn’t be happier. My breasts look and feel great!! My only complaint is that I wish I had done it sooner!! Thank you Dr. Lowen!!!

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Schedule a Breast Augmentation Consultation

The best way to find out more about the details of breast augmentation is by contacting our office and setting up an informative consultation. When you meet with Dr. Robert Lowen, you will be able to ask any questions you may have.

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