Breast augmentation using silicone implants is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the United States, and new developments are continuously being made to improve the procedure.
The Kennel Funnel is one such development. The Keller Funnel is an FDA-approved device that uses a no-touch technique to make the insertion of silicone implants easier and safer.

Read on as Dr. Alexander Ereso shares five benefits of using the Kennel Funnel for silicone breast implants. Continue reading “Benefits of the Kennel Funnel Technique for Silicone Breast Implants” →

If you’ve been interested in enlarging your breasts for a while now, and recently decided to book a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, congratulations! The breast augmentation consultation is an exciting opportunity to discuss implant options and learn more about the procedure and aftercare. According to Bay Area breast augmentation surgeon Dr. Alexander Ereso, bringing a few key items can help your consultation go smoothly and make your experience more productive.

A List of Questions for the Surgeon

You might have a general idea of what you want to ask your surgeon, but take a few minutes before the consult to jot down specific questions. This can be especially helpful if you draw a blank during the appointment and can’t remember what you wanted to ask. If you need ideas of questions to ask your surgeon, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has a great list on their website.

A List of Medications and Allergies

During your consultation you will be asked about your health, medical history, previous surgeries, medications you take and allergies you have. Some women find it helpful to prepare a list of medications and allergies so they don’t forget anything. In your list of medications, be sure to include any vitamins or herbal supplements you take on a regular basis.

A Few Tops or Bras

You may have the opportunity to try on breast implant sizers or use the Crisalix digital imaging system to help narrow down your implant options. It’s a good idea to bring a few blouses, bras or even bathing suit tops to wear with the sizers or Crisalix system.

A Spouse, Family Member or Friend

Many women considering implants find it helpful to bring a significant other, family member or friend to the consultation for two reasons. Firstly, it is useful to have a second pair of ears to absorb all of the information that comes your way. Secondly, if you try on implant sizers during the consult, you might value a second opinion of someone that knows your taste and preferences. That being said, some women prefer privacy during the consult and opt not to bring anyone else. It’s up to you!

Your Calendar

At the end of the consultation, you may want to move forward and schedule your breast augmentation surgery. Have your calendar accessible so you can schedule your operation around any upcoming work, social or travel obligations.

Book a Breast Implant Consultation Today

To schedule a breast implant consultation with Dr. Ereso, please contact Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center today.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, there is nothing Dr. Alexander Ereso takes more seriously than the safety and well-being of their patients. One issue that has recently emerged and could put a small number of their breast augmentation patients at risk is a disease known as ALCL. Read on as Dr. Ereso explains what you should know about ALCL.

What is ALCL?

ALCL is anaplastic large cell lymphoma. It is a rare and treatable type of T cell lymphoma that can develop around breast implants. ALCL is not a cancer of the breast tissue itself. The time between implant insertion to diagnosis is reported to be between 2 and 28 years with a median of 8 years. The current reported incidence of ALCL is approximately 1 in 30,000. No cases to date have been reported in patients that have received smooth walled implants. The association of ALCL and textured implants may be related to increased surface area of the texturing, the chronic presence of fluid around the implants, the presence of bacteria around the implants and genetic factors. The disease has been associated with both silicone and saline implants in cosmetic as well as reconstructive patients.

The exact cause of ALCL has not yet been determined. A coalition of experts from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and breast implant manufacturers are currently conducting research to work toward identifying the cause. They have also established the PROFILE Registry to collect data about reported cases of BIA-ALCL (breast implant-associated ALCL).

How Do Patients Present with ALCL?

The majority of patients present as a delayed seroma or collection of fluid around the implant. This usually presents as an enlarging breast without any other cardinal signs like infection. Diagnosis is made by examining the fluid collection for tumor markers. If a positive diagnosis is made, PET-CT and MRI scans are obtained to determine the extent of spread. Mammograms have not been found to be helpful.

Treating ALCL

The majority of patients can be cured of this disease by undergoing a procedure to remove the implant itself along with the complete removal of the capsular tissue surrounding the implant. This is to prevent recurrence. In rare instances where distant spread was found, patients required chemotherapy and possible radiation therapy.

What Should Patients Do?

If you are a prospective breast implant patient, the FDA encourages you to research your options before committing to surgery, and talk to your plastic surgeon about the benefits and risks.

If you have implants, you should follow your doctor’s instructions regarding monitoring your implants and having routine mammography screenings. If you notice a change in the way your breast looks or feels, you should alert your primary doctor or plastic surgeon.

For more information regarding ALCL you may find www.plasticsurgery.org/alcl to be most helpful.

Please remember that Dr. Ereso and their staff are available to help you! Feel free to contact our office if you have questions or need assistance.

Not every breast augmentation patient desires oversized, obviously augmented breasts. Dr. Alexander Ereso meets many women that desire a modest boost in breast size and natural-looking results, and they can certainly help these candidates meet their goals.

In this post, the plastic surgeons walk prospective breast augmentation candidates through the process of selecting implants that look naturally beautiful. Continue reading “Selecting Breast Implants that Look Natural” →

Everywhere you turn, it seems you’re being told you need more of something. Whether you’re being compelled to “super-size” a fast food combo, purchase the vehicle with more horsepower or buy one product to get another one free, you’re constantly being told that bigger is better. In this blog post, Dr. Alexander Ereso outlines why going giant-sized on breast augmentation isn’t necessarily the best choice for everyone.    

From Height to Tissue Type

Realistically, there is a finite number of implants that reasonably work for each body type. A candidate’s breast width is important, as is the height of her natural breast. A woman with a long torso, for instance, will need a taller implant to see noticeable results than someone of shorter stature. Another consideration is a patient’s skin type. Placing too much volume in loose or thin skin can lead to noticeable sagging.

Taking Out the Guesswork

Luckily, modern technology can help you see how different implant sizes would look on you. Three-dimensional images can be created from precise measurements and photographs to allow you to get a glimpse of the end result. Crisalix, an exciting new technology in plastic surgery that takes a 3D image of your body, has been recently acquired by Dr. Ereso. Using the Crisalix platform, you can “try on” different sizes in the comfort of your plastic surgeon’s office. Being able to see and discuss your “before” and “after” photo using implants of different sizes and shapes before the surgery will dramatically improve your confidence in knowing what size and shape works best for you. Knowledge is power, and by looking at a range of possibilities that fit your frame, you can ultimately pick the option that will flatter your figure the most.

Be Open-minded

Occasionally, women arrive at their consultations with expectations that don’t work well with their natural figures. It’s important to have an open conversation with your doctor, and consider his advice. If you opt for implants that are too large for your frame, you run the risk of developing noticeable breast sagging and potentially needing breast lift surgery down the road. After consultation, most patients leave wanting implants that fit within the natural parameters of their bodies.

Ultimately, it’s up to the patient to decide how large she wants her breasts to be. However, bigger is not always better, and it’s important to take your natural body type into consideration. To schedule a consultation to discuss breast augmentation with Dr. Alexander Ereso, please contact Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center at (650) 964-6600.