Question 1

How do I know whether I need an augmentation, a lift, or both?

Accepted Answer

Augmentation adds volume and does not lift. A lift repositions the breast and nipple and does not add volume. The deciding factor is usually where the nipple sits relative to the crease beneath the breast. If the nipple sits at or below that crease, a lift is generally part of the discussion. Some patients want both more volume and a higher position, in which case the two procedures may be combined. Dr. Samas makes that assessment in person.

Question 2

What is the difference between saline and silicone implants?

Accepted Answer

Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water and silicone gel implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel. The FDA sets different age minimums for breast augmentation: 18 and over for saline implants and 22 and over for silicone gel implants. The two types also differ in how a rupture is detected. A saline rupture is usually visible because the breast deflates, while a silicone gel rupture can be silent. Feel, incision requirements and follow-up imaging differ as well, and Dr. Samas will go through both options with you.

Question 3

Do breast implants need to be replaced on a schedule?

Accepted Answer

No. Breast implants are not lifetime devices, but there is no fixed replacement interval, and we will not quote one. Implants are replaced or removed when there is a reason, such as rupture, capsular contracture, a change in your goals, or a recommendation from your surgeon. For silicone gel implants the FDA recommends periodic imaging, ultrasound or MRI, to check for silent rupture, generally first at 5 to 6 years after placement and then every 2 to 3 years. That schedule can vary by implant, so follow your device labeling and your surgeon's advice. Saline implants do not require routine rupture imaging.

Question 4

Will breast surgery affect mammograms or breastfeeding?

Accepted Answer

Implants can obscure some breast tissue on a mammogram, which is why implant displacement views exist. Your screening schedule does not change; you simply tell the imaging facility that you have implants when you book. On breastfeeding, be careful of anything that promises a single outcome: some women can breastfeed after breast surgery and some cannot. If future breastfeeding matters to you, raise it at your consultation so it can be part of the planning.

Question 5

How long is recovery for breast surgery?

Accepted Answer

Recovery depends on which procedure you have and on your own healing. Most patients take the first several days quietly, with swelling, tightness and limited overhead reaching, and return to desk work sooner than to exercise. Lifting and chest exercise are restricted for longer. Swelling settles over weeks to months, so the shape you see early is not the final shape. Dr. Samas gives you a written recovery plan specific to your procedure, and his instructions take priority over anything on this page.

Question 6

Can breast procedures be combined with body procedures?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. Combining means one anaesthetic and one recovery, but it also means a longer operation, and longer operations carry higher risk. Whether to combine or to stage is decided patient by patient, based on your health, the scope of the work and how much time you can give to recovery. We will not tell you that combining is risk neutral, because it is not.

Question 7

Does smoking or vaping matter before breast surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nicotine in every form, including cigarettes, vapes, patches and gum, impairs healing and affects blood supply to the skin and nipple. Typical guidance is stopping at least 4 to 6 weeks before and after surgery. Follow the exact timeline Dr. Samas gives you.

Question 8

What happens if I want my implants removed later?

Accepted Answer

Implant removal is a procedure we offer, with or without replacement. What the breast looks like afterward depends on your tissue, how long the implants were in place and whether any lift is done at the same time. That is a conversation to have in person rather than a decision to make from a web page.

Breast Surgery in North Denver

The short answer

Choosing the right breast procedure

What a breast surgery consultation covers

Breast Surgery Questions

Breast Surgery Procedures

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