Breast Aesthetic Procedures in Washington DC

Also Serving Mclean, Alexandria, Loudoun County and Arlington

The ideal breast shape from the front is the top of an hourglass, which gently curves into a tight waistline and then curves outward to the hips. A woman’s hips should generally be slightly wider than the outer silhouette of her breasts. Any imbalance in these proportions will result in a caricatured “Jessica Rabbit” look. Dr. Rad’s Washington DC breast lift and breast augmentation patients want beautiful proportions that are age and lifestyle appropriate and which compliment their lives, rather than define them.

Dr. Rad gives unhurried time and attention to you during your consultation. During your breast lift and/or augmentation consultation at our Washington office, Dr. Rad spends time reviewing and understanding your goals regarding your desired breast shape, size and proportion. In addition to a thorough medical background review and physical examination, Dr. Rad carefully examines your breasts for abnormalities such as lumps or masses. Dr. Rad then makes careful measurements of your breast dimensions, after which he reviews incision placement, expected breast shape and symmetry, expected cup size, appearance of scars and scar therapy. If augmentation is part of the discussion then Dr. Rad will review implant shape, size and location (above or below muscle), the length of surgery, expectations for recovery and physical restrictions after surgery. You’ll also have the opportunity to try on “implant sizers” which are silicone mimics or augmentation, and which will give you a sense of your breast size after augmentation. Dr. Rad will answer all of your questions and he will also review the safety aspects of surgery. If you decide to undergo breast augmentation surgery, then you will return for a final pre-operative visit where photographs are taken, you’ll be given prescriptions and detailed pre-operative and post-operative instructions, and your questions answered. Dr. Rad requires that you undergo a history and physical examination by your primary care doctor for multiple safety reasons: (1) so that your doctor is involved in preparing you for surgery, (2) so that medications you take for post-operative recovery do not interfere with your current medications, (3) so that your care is a “team effort” to ensure no unwanted surprises leading to and following surgery.

Dr. Rad performs surgery at state-of-the-art hospital-based surgery centers where he works with highly experienced nursing staff and Board certified anesthesiologists (MDs who are trained in anesthesiology). Before you are taken to the operating room, Dr. Rad answers remaining questions, obtains your consent for surgery, and makes careful markings on your breasts and body in order to guide surgery. Dr. Rad works carefully with your anesthesiologist to ensure you awaken with minimal discomfort or nausea which is common after anesthesia. You are given light general anesthesia during which you are breathing on your own. The anesthesia machine does not “breathe for you” – rather, it is delivering the anesthetic so that you are comfortably sleeping and you are unaware of the procedure, and you are breathing on your own. You’ll be given medicines that cause you not to recall any aspect of surgery (i.e. amnesia) so that all you recall is falling asleep and then you realize you’re in the recovery room. This ensures the most comfortable experience for patients. You’ll have waterproof dressings on your incisions and bolstered surgical bra. After a couple hours in the recovery room your nurse will review recovery expectations and what to monitor. When you’re feeling well, you’ll be allowed to go home in the care of a loved one.

Dr. Rad uses state-of-the-art techniques in breast lift and breast augmentation. For augmentation, Dr. Rad creates a pocket for the implant using direct electrocautery which results in virtually no bleeding and minimal swelling or pain after surgery. In contrast to how many plastic surgeons perform breast augmentation, there is no tearing of your tissue or blunt dissection to create the pocket. Once the pockets are created, Dr. Rad takes extra precaution with cleansing the skin prior to placement of the implants. He uses a “Keller funnel” which allows smooth placement of the implants without risk of contaminating them. For breast lift, Dr. Rad reshapes the breast skin using a “tailor tacking” method. You are elevated on the operating table so that gravity can take effect and bring your breasts downward. This allows Dr. Rad to assess accurately slight asymmetries which he takes great time and care to correct.

You should expect to relax after you return home from the surgery center. You’ll feel sleepy from anesthesia and so a nap will be very welcome. Walking is encouraged and helps your circulation through your body and also helps you to eliminate the anesthetic in your system. You may do all “activities of daily living” – preparing food, showering, moving up and down stairs, lifting light items, child and pet care, and sleeping. You should avoid potentially strenuous activity, such as walking a large and energetic dog (let your family member or friend do that for a day or two), and unnecessary activity such as moving furniture. You will also begin various non-strenuous exercises that will help prevent stiffness. Because Dr. Rad uses only advanced techniques in the operating room, strong narcotic pain medicine is usually unnecessary. However, it will be available to you and most patients use a small dose to ensure restful sleep. Most of my patients resume normal activities within 24 hours after surgery, and return to strenuous aerobic activities, such as exercise and heavy lifting, can be resumed slowly over several weeks after breast augmentation and/or breast lift surgery.

After breast augmentation and breast lift surgery, your breasts will feel swollen and stretched, however these sensations are normal and will resolve in the weeks following surgery. Initially, your upper breasts may seem full. Howeve, over several months, your breasts will “settle” as tissues relax and heal, and your breasts will take on an even more beautiful shape.