The answer is no.  Transplanting fat into the breast is not a safe procedure.  The fat often dissolves and forms scars in the breasts which can look and feel just like breast cancer.  However, fat in small quantities can often be transplanted to the face to provide correction for deep wrinkles or scars.

Breast implants do not last forever. Many implants placed 15-20 years ago are now “worn out” and have leaked. A deflation is readily apparent in those breasts that were augmented with saline filled implants because they immediately go flat. Silicone implants do not deflate ­ the gel remains in the implant pocket and the leak may not be noticed until it’s seen on a mammogram. Once an implant leaks it should be replaced ­ but this is not an emergency.

Yes, medical literature is replete with reports on the safety of silicone breast implants. There are no systemic illnesses proven to be associated with the use of silicone implants. Silicone implants may be the best implant for many patients.

Under the current FDA guidelines, however, the only patients allowed to receive silicone implants are those who:
●    Require an implant for breast reconstruction following a mastectomy
●    Need to replace an old silicone implant with a new one
●    Need a breast lift in addition to implants for optimal shape
●    Have extremely thin skin and very little breast tissue.

If you have checked and your insurance does not cover your plastic surgery or procedure then you will need to check with your doctor if he offers some sort of payment plan.

Your options may include payments in cash, credit card, check, and debit card. Some plastic and cosmetic surgeons offer in house financing, while others may assist you in finding third-party financing.

Aesthetic/cosmetic surgery is rarely paid for by insurance companies, however, most reconstructive surgery is usually covered by these plans.  Reconstructive surgery would include surgery for:
●    Any congenital problem (birth defect)
●    Breast reduction
●    Breast asymmetry
●    Scar correction
●    Face or breast reconstruction following cancer treatment
●    Rhinoplasty when performed to correct breathing problems

Check with your doctor to see if you might be covered.  If not, he may offer some type of payment plan.

Cosmetic surgery costs vary widely from surgeon to surgeon and from one city to another. You should ask your plastic surgeon for a quote for your procedure, and what that fee includes; is it only the surgeon’s fee? Does it include a facility fee and/or follow up visits?

If you are having some type of reconstructive surgery and you have insurance, your insurance may cover some if not all of it.

“The best” or “the top” are relative terms. Are you looking for the busiest plastic surgeon? The most experienced? The cosmetic surgeon who charges the most for each procedure? The most well-known?

You must decide which board-certified plastic surgeon is best for you after doing a thorough investigation. Begin by checking with the American Board of Plastic Surgery to be certain your cosmetic or plastic surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery. Then contact your state board of medicine or medical examiners and check further on his or her credentials.

It is also important to meet with your plastic surgeon.  Many times your intuition or “gut feeling” will give you the information you need.  Before you decide on surgery, you should make sure you feel completely comfortable with the surgeon.

Board certification only means that the surgeon has completed the rigorous requirements for full time practice as a specialist in plastic surgery. Make sure you do your homework before choosing a plastic surgeon – check out a surgeon’s training, skill, and experience to better ensure your safety and desired results. Talk with your surgeon about your expectations and ask questions to ensure that you understand what you are being told.

You should know that physicians may call themselves “plastic surgeons” even if they were trained in a nonsurgical specialty. Anyone who has a medical license can call himself or herself a surgeon, even if he or she has no formal training in surgery.

Some of these physicians without plastic surgery training may perform cosmetic surgery in their offices, but do not have privileges to perform these procedures at an accredited hospital.

Physicians who are trained in plastic surgery, and board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), may also perform cosmetic surgery procedures in their offices. However, these trained and board certified plastic surgeons will also have hospital privileges at accredited hospitals. You should ask about – and check on – your plastic surgeon’s credentials and hospital privileges before undergoing any treatment or surgery. It is important that your doctor has hospital privileges to perform the proposed procedure, even in-office procedures. Hospitals only give doctors privileges to do procedures that fit under their training guidelines.

While a doctor may call himself/herself a “plastic surgeon” or perform cosmetic type procedures in his office, unless he/she is board certified they do not have hospital privileges.

When we refer to a plastic surgeon as “board-certified”, we mean one who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The ABPS is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify physicians in the full range of plastic and reconstructive procedures.

To be certified by the ABPS, a physician must have at least five years of approved surgical training, including a residency in plastic surgery. He or she must also pass comprehensive written and oral exams in plastic surgery.

Your surgeon should complete a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). In addition, the surgeon should be comfortable performing the procedure in which the patient is interested. Having the right credentials does not necessarily mean the doctor is skilled in specific types of surgery.  You must do your due diligence when choosing a plastic surgeon.  Even if the physician is board certified, it is not a guarantee for perfect results.