Kansas City Plastic Surgery

When considering breast augmentation, one important decision is where the implant is to be placed. In general, implants can be positioned either on top of the pectoral muscle (subglandular), or beneath it (submuscular).

Submuscular implants provide many advantages over implants placed beneath the breast tissue. Dr. Chhatre prefers submuscular implants because:

There is less risk of capsular contracture. Capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue that forms around the implant becomes unnaturally tight. It can cause an unnatural appearance to the breast, and can also be very painful, and may have to be corrected through additional surgery.

Submuscular implants create less interference with future mammograms. Because the implant sits beneath the chest muscle, it interferes less with the ability to examine the glandular tissue of the breast.

Submuscular implants are less visible. Because they're covered by the chest muscle, the edges of the implants won't show. There's also less chance of visible rippling. Submuscular implants also have a more natural feel.

Submuscular implants tend to work better for women with small breasts and also in women who are thin. If you have small breasts to begin with, subglandular implants can be more visible because there is less breast tissue to cover the implant. With a submuscular implant, the muscle covers the implant, giving a more natural appearance to the breast.

If you are considering breast augmentation, and would like to know what type of implant would be best for you, please contact Dr. Matt Chhatre, Missouri cosmetic surgeon, for more information. We'd be happy to answer your questions or schedule a consultation at our Lee's Summit and Kansas City, Missouri offices to discuss your options.

Breast cancer is a concern for all women, and having yearly mammograms according to your doctor's guidelines is a powerful tool in early detection. But what effect does breast augmentation have on mammograms? Can augmentation compromise early cancer detection?

The percentage of cancers detected in early stages is roughly the same in women with and without breast implants. This evidence suggests that the presence of breast implants does not affect early detection of breast cancer. Implants can, however, make mammograms a bit more problematic.

Implants can actually make manual detection of irregularities in the breast tissue easier because of the way the implants change the contours of the breast. With mammography, though, the implants can present a challenge in getting clear pictures. You might have to have additional films taken during your mammogram to be sure all the breast tissue is adequately examined. If you have silicone implants, doctors often recommend regular MRIs, both for better views of the tissue and to monitor the condition of your implants.

A submuscular implant causes less disruption to mammography because, being placed beneath the chest muscle, it doesn't disrupt the breast tissue. If you have implants, be sure the technician doing your mammography knows ahead of time. You're likely to get much better results from your mammogram if you work with a technician who has experience working with implants.

If you have any questions about breast augmentation and mammograms, please contact Dr. Matt Chhatre at his Lee's Summit, Missouri and Kansas City offices. We'll be happy to answer your questions or schedule a consultation to discuss any concerns you may have.

Obesity is one of the most prevalent health risks in our country today. Those who take extreme measures to restore a healthy weight and put themselves on the road to a better future are to be admired, as it's a difficult task no matter what approach you take.

The aftermath of this kind of weight loss, though, can be as difficult to deal with as the weight itself was. Massive weight loss can leave behind stretched, baggy skin that will never return to its original, smoother condition. You can also be left with fat deposits that just won't go away, regardless of how much weight you've successfully managed to shed, or how much healthy exercise you add to your daily routine.

Plastic surgery can be a great help in these cases. If you've experienced massive weight loss and are concerned about extra skin and stubborn fat deposits that just won't tighten up or go away, you might want to consider procedures such as:

• Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck
• Thigh lift
• Breast lift
• Buttock lift
• Liposuction
• Brachiaplasty (arm lift)

All of these procedures, alone or in combination depending on your needs, can help bring your body back to a condition that matches your new, hard-earned weight loss.

If you have experienced massive weight loss, first of all, congratulations! And if you feel uncomfortable with excess skin or stubborn fat deposits, please contact Dr. Matt Chhatre, Lee's Summit and Kansas City, Missouri plastic surgeon, for a confidential consultation to discuss your post-weight loss options.