Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is the surgery, recovery and the time to return to work and other gym and recreational activities after the BEWISE™ procedure?
   The surgery takes about 60 to 90 minutes and is performed as an outpatient under light general anesthesia. Although patients have been able to return to work within several days, one week is recommended to recover following surgery. Most activities can be performed immediately after surgery as long as there is no heavy lifting or straining. Light exercise such as riding a stationary bike may be resumed after two weeks and regular exercise and strenuous activities are gradually resumed after 3 weeks.
    
2. Is it possible to have silicone gel and saline implants with the BEWISE™ procedure?
   Although there are many advantages in using a saline implant, a silicone gel implant can be placed through a transaxillary incision. A funnel device has recently been introduced which allows placement of even large silicone gel implants through the small axillary incision. The decision regarding the size and type of implant used will be discussed with you thoroughly prior to your surgery. Thin patients desiring large implants may be better candidates for silicone gel implants.
    
3. Can the BEWISE™ procedure be used if I also need a lift?
   Generally, the BEWISE™ procedure is best for those patients who have a fairly youthful shape without too much skin laxity or drooping of the breast or nipple position. In patients that would benefit from a lift or mastopexy, the implant is usually placed through the same incision made for lifting the breast and no additional incision is made in the axilla.
    
4. If revisional surgery is required, can this surgery be done through the same incision under the arm or will another incision be required?
   Revision surgery which involves replacement of an implant that is intact or deflated, can usually be performed through the same axillary incision that was made to perform the original surgery. If major revisions are required such as capsulectomy or mastopexy, then other incisions will be required to perform the revisional surgery.
    
5. Does the axillary approach interfere with the lymph nodes so that my diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer would be affected?
   Several cases have been reported involving women that had transaxillary breast augmentation surgery and later developed breast cancer. In all these cases, the transaxillary approach did not interfere with the detection or treatment of the breast cancer, especially sentinel lymph node biopsy or sampling.