Every plastic surgery procedure has numerous issues that every patient who is undergoing a procedure should know. These explanations are always on a consent form that you should read in detail before surgery. This consent form, while many perceive as strictly a legal protection for the doctor, is actually more intended to improve the understanding of the pectoral implant chest augmentation procedure. The following is what Dr. Eppley discusses with his patients for this procedure. This list includes many, but not all, of the different outcomes from surgery. It should generate both a better understanding of the procedure and should answer any remaining questions that one would have.
ALTERNATIVES
There are no alternatives to augmentation of the male chest other than using an implant.
GOALS
The goal of pectoral implants is to increase the size of the male chest by creating more pectoral volume and definition.
LIMITATIONS
The limitations to pectoral augmentation are the dimensions of the patient’s chest and what size pectoral implant can inserted.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Expected outcomes include the following: temporary swelling and bruising of the chest wall, a temporary firmness/hardness of the chest, mild to moderate discomfort of the chest wall and temporary redness of the armpit incision line/scar. It may four to six weeks before the final shape and appearance of the chest is seen.
RISKS
Complications may include bleeding, infection, dehiscence of the incisional closure (part or complete separation), prominent or noticeable armpit scars, chest asymmetry, and too big or too small a chest size result.
ADDITIONAL SURGERY
How the implanted site heals and the occurrence of complications can influence the final shape and appearance of the chest. Should complications or the desire to enhance the result further by additional surgery be needed, this will generate additional costs.