While breast augmentation remains the single most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States, most patients still experience pain and lengthy recovery times. Dr. Matthew Schulman’s Botox-assisted breast augmentation could change that for many women.
In fact, Dr. Schulman’s innovative work in this area and his constant development of new techniques that enhance results and make for a better recovery process have helped make him one of the most sought-after plastic surgeons in the U.S.
Many years, Dr. Schulman first introduced the new technique of using Botox injections during the traditional breast augmentation, and the procedure has become talked about throughout the beauty and cosmetic surgery industries.
If you are considering breast augmentation but are fearful of a long, painful recovery you may benefit from a Botox-assisted breast augmentation by Plastic Surgeon New York City Dr. Schulman. Any woman considering breast augmentation should learn more about this particular method, since who doesn’t want a faster and less painful recovery?
Like any other breast augmentation procedure, this technique uses breast implants to increase the size of the breasts and improve the overall shape. But the addition of the popular Botox to the procedure, allows him to reduce pain and recovery. This is because directly weakens the chest muscles which are the main culprits of post-surgical pain, muscle spasms, and the overly high implants that are commonly seen for months after surgery.
How is this accomplished? Dr. Schulman will conduct part of the procedure as he would most other breast augmentations by making an incision into the breast and creating a pocket for a saline or silicone implant to be placed. With traditional breast augmentation, the surgeon will place the selected implants in the pocket and then close the incisions. When the implants are placed under the muscle, the patients tend to experience chest tightness and muscle spasms.
This can last for several weeks or longer. Also, the breast implants tend to remain high on the chest in an unnatural position, since it takes time for them to “settle” into position.
During a Botox-assisted breast augmentation, Dr. Schulman injects botox into the chest muscle before placing the breast implants. When done properly, this will weaken the chest muscle without interfering with normal chest muscle function. The weakened chest muscle is less likely to spasm during the healing process, reducing the amount of pain. The weakened muscle will also be less tight, so you will experience less of the tightness feeling that is common after breast augmentation.
Also, the weakened chest muscles will allow the breast implants to drop into a more natural position much sooner than after a traditional breast augmentation without botox. This means that you won’t have to wait 4-6 months for your implants to look good. Many of our patients find that their implants fully settle into position in as little as three weeks.
Botox, known scientifically as botulinum toxin, is most often used to reduce wrinkles and lines in the face by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles. Botox treatments are the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in the United States, with millions of injections being done each year.
So it’s clear that Botox treatments are extremely well accepted and well studied, which is one key reason why Dr. Schulman created the new Botox-assisted breast augmentation. He is using his knowledge of botox and applying the well-known benefits to other procedures.
Breast augmentation is a very popular procedure despite what is often a difficult recovery process. It’s this frequently reported pain during recovery that inspired Dr. Schulman to create the new procedure. He wanted to create a breast augmentation option that would:
The use of Botox as part of the breast augmentation surgery means that not only do women experience less pain and return to their daily lives more quickly than they would otherwise be able to do, they also won’t have to wait as long to see the results they desire when they look in the mirror.
While a surgeon during a breast enhancement will create a pocket where the implant will be placed, that won’t be exactly the final location of the implant. In traditional breast augmentation, the disruption of the pectoral muscle causes the muscles to spasm, putting pressure on the implant and creating the appearance of volume at the upper portion of the breast. As the muscles relax over time, the implants will be able to move slightly, dropping into their final position beneath the chest muscles. Most women are unable to see final results for at least 4-6 months. Temporarily and partially weakening the chest muscles with injections of Botox eases the pains and speeds up the entire recovery process, with the final implant placement appearing as soon as a few weeks after the surgery.
“Breast augmentation is a very common procedure and many of the advances in techniques have centered around making it less painful, and speeding up your recovery. To help you during your breast augmentation, I inject Botox into the chest muscle. I know it may sound odd to use a wrinkle-reducing toxin during your breast augmentation, but it reduces pain, speeds recovery, and makes your implants settle into a nice position sooner.
My botox-assisted breast augmentation technique has been featured on national television, including The Doctors TV show and is considered a major innovation in the field of cosmetic breast surgery. It is a unique part of my rapid- recovery technique that also includes long-acting non-narcotic pain medicine and advanced surgical techniques.”
For the most part, women who already are good candidates for breast augmentation should consider adding the assist of Botox. It may be helpful at this point to review what makes for a good surgical candidate for breast augmentation and discuss some issues that may prevent a person from undergoing a Botox-assisted procedure.
The ideal breast augmentation surgery candidate is a woman who wants to increase the size of her breast, restore lost volume after motherhood or aging, create symmetry between the breasts, change the shape of her breasts, or restore the shape of her body after undergoing cancer treatments.
Not all women are good candidates for breast augmentation, though. For instance, women whose breasts are very saggy could consider combining augmentation with a botox breast lift, as a breast augmentation does not actually lift the breasts. Good candidates also should be nonsmokers who are around their ideal body weight.
Botox, or botulinum toxin, is mostly used to around the face and neck to create a smooth appearance. It’s most commonly used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, forehead, and lips.
It’s important to note that many of the ways Botox is used are considered “off-label,” which means the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved the injectable for those uses. That may seem scary, but it’s also the case that Botox injections in the forehead, jaw, chin and many other areas are also considered “off-label,” and many of those sites are among the most common areas treated with Botox.
Botox-assisted breast augmentation is also an “off-label” use of Botox, which means that while the FDA has not yet evaluated this particular use of Botox, Dr. Schulman has closely monitored patients who have undergone Botox-assisted breast augmentation and believes the procedure is safe and appropriate for many different patients.
Adding Botox to breast augmentation does not significantly change the risks involved in the procedure, as pain, scar tissue, and implant rupture remain the greatest risks with Botox-assisted breast augmentation.
I am so happy I found Dr. Schulman after doing months of research to find a reputable doctor close to my home…. The surgery was so seamless and was way less painful than I thought it would be…. It was worth every penny. HE DID AN AMAZING JOB! I would never go to another doctor.
Breast augmentation is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, but you still will undergo anesthesia, and even though you are adding Botox injections to help your muscles relax, the procedure still will take a toll on your body. Dr. Schulman and other members of our practice will provide you with specific guidance before your surgery, but there are several tips that we’ve found to be very helpful for breast augmentation patients:
Dr. Schulman injects very specific amounts of Botox into very specific areas of the chest muscles. This is done to relax the muscles, reduce post-op pain, speed settling of the implants, and NOT interfere with normal muscle function.
While we anticipate your recovery experience will be more positive than our other patients undergoing traditional breast augmentation, this is still a serious surgery and it’s not possible to completely eliminate pain or discomfort.
Our office will send you home with detailed instructions for ensuring that you are comfortable and safe during your recovery and that you can help ensure the best possible cosmetic outcome.
Even with Botox-assisted breast augmentation, you will experience some pain since you have undergone a procedure to insert things permanently into your body and you’ve been cut open. It’s likely your chest will be swollen, though that should begin to subside within several days.
You will see some results immediately, particularly if your breast size is increasing dramatically. Remember, though, that some of this is the result of swelling and that it will take about two weeks for your final results to begin to show up when you look in the mirror.
If you are a smoker, Dr. Schulman strongly advises you to quit permanently for your overall health, but it’s crucial that you quit or at least four weeks before your surgery and eight weeks after your surgery. The key ingredient in cigarettes, nicotine, is a stimulant that constricts blood vessels. This lowers your body’s ability to naturally heal itself and can worsen scarring, delay healing, and increase your risk for infection.
While Dr. Schulman will advise you on when it’s safe to return to your normal day-to-day routine, you will want to engage in mild physical activity, even just a short walk, regularly. This stimulates blood flow and reduces the chances of a dangerous blood clot. Even with Botox assistance, your chest area will be quite sensitive for several days or weeks, so avoid any activities that will jar your breasts or cause them to bounce.
Most of our patients who undergo Botox-assisted breast augmentation are able to return to work in just a week and may have their other activity restrictions lifted in as little as two weeks after surgery.
How much botox is used and is this dangerous?
The amount of botox used is no more than more people get in their face. This is a very well-studied medication and it will pose no risk to your overall health.
How long does it last?
The effect of the botox will last about 3 months. This is all that you need, since it is the first three months of the recovery that we are doing this for.
Will my chest muscles work normally?
Yes. The botox is injected into very specific areas of the chest muscle in order to weaken it, but not paralyze it. You will not notice any change in your ability to use your arms or anything otherwise controlled by these muscles.
Do any other doctors do this?
As of right now, this procedure is specific to Dr. Schulman and his New York City Office. The injection of the botox is done is very precise locations of the muscle, so it is not something anyone can just do without the proper training.
Does this procedure cost more than a regular breast augmentation?
Yes. There is a small added cost for the botox that is used, but our patients find that it is well worth the faster recovery and reduced pain.
If you are interested in undergoing breast enhancement, you owe it to yourself to learn more about Botox-assisted breast augmentation with Dr. Schulman at our New York City plastic surgery practice. Schedule a consultation today.
