By Dr. Rhys Branman

Are you surprised to see an article about breast enhancement in Little Rock Family? You may not be so surprised after reading the stats: more than 300,000 women in the U.S. undergo breast augmentation each year, and a large percentage of these patients are moms who want to restore breast shape and lost volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

You may wonder about taking time to have cosmetic surgery when you have a family depending on you—but it is doable with a little extra planning. Plus, taking steps to feel more comfortable with your appearance can benefit you and those you love. Many of my patients say their personal relationships have improved and they feel closer to their kids now that they’re not waking up daily with body image concerns.

If you are considering a breast procedure, ask your cosmetic surgeon these three questions, which are helpful for anyone considering breast augmentation, but essential for moms.

1. How long will my breast augmentation recovery take?

The average breast augmentation recovery time is surprisingly quick—most of my patients return to desk jobs and daily activities such as shopping, running errands, light cleaning and cooking within one week of surgery. However, this varies depending on the patient, the individual procedure plan, the cosmetic surgeon’s technique and how well you follow post-op instructions.

Also, talk to your cosmetic surgeon about negotiating your usual your mom duties—heavy lifting is off-limits for at least two weeks, and this includes lifting your kids. If your children aren’t able to move without assistance, you will need to schedule help during the post-op period.

2. Will I need a breast lift, too?

Many patients come into their consultations wanting to simply fill out their “deflated” breasts, but breast implants alone are not enough to correct significant breast sagging—without a lift, the result would be larger, sagging breasts. Be prepared for the possibility that a breast lift with augmentation might be needed to achieve the results you seek.

A breast lift with implants requires different incisions and a slightly longer recovery than breast augmentation alone, so take this into account when planning for childcare. However, you get the benefit of “resetting the clock” on age-related breast sagging. The resulting scars are easily hidden by a bra or swimsuit and typically fade nicely over time.

3. How much does breast augmentation cost?

This may be an obvious one, but there’s more to the cost question than meets the eye. Some surgeons advertise their surgeon’s fee only—but operating room fees, anesthesia fees and the cost of your breast implants also factor into your total costs. When you get a price quote from a surgeon, make sure they're clear on what is included in that quote and that you ask about any extra fees you need to consider.

At Cosmetic Surgery Center, we provide all-inclusive price quotes, so you know up front exactly how much the procedure(s) you desire will cost in total, from your pre-surgery visit to final post-op check-up. Our breast augmentation prices start at $3,900 to $4,900, depending on your implant choice; we also offer financing to help you fit your procedure into your budget with minimal stress.

Including a breast lift will somewhat increase the cost of breast enhancement surgery; it is best to discuss this in person as there are a number of variations on the procedure and the plan should be tailored to your specific needs.

I'm Dr. Rhys Branman, a graduate of Vanderbilt University Medical School with more than 20 years of cosmetic surgery experience. If you’re considering breast augmentation in Little Rock, I invite you to schedule a consultation to discuss your options. There’s no charge for this initial visit; it’s your time to meet me and the staff, ask questions and learn about your options. Call 501-227-0707, contact us online or stop by our offices at 10809 Executive Center Drive, Suite 100 in Little Rock. We look forward to seeing you!