Can a quadriplegic have a breast augmentation?

Question

I’ve been a quadriplegic for 20+ years and I’ve always wanted to have plastic surgery to fix my sagging skin and asymmetrycal breasts. But I worry about my surgeon and his/her team not knowing enough about my injury. Are plastic surgeons and their anesthesiologists knowledgeable about performing surgery on someone with a spinal cord injury?

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

This is something that needs to be discussed with your surgeon during a consultation. The special circumstances of your surgeon need to be taken into consideration and theoretically, yes, this procedure could be performed on a quadriplegic.

Steven Goldman, MD · Answer

Patients with quadriplegia can have plastic surgery but, like any patient, must have a thorough medical examination before surgery usually with clearance through their neurologist or primary care physician. Spinal injury patients can have problems with autonomic dysreflexia: blood pressure and heart rate elevation and other changes may occur as a response to pain stimuli, even if the patient cannot feel the pain. Quadriplegic patients also may have anesthetic issues because of changes in respiratory muscles (chest muscles), so you and your surgeon may consider having the procedure in a hospital setting, not an outpatient surgery center. Good luck. Good question.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Hi jencoco,

I understand your concern. However, it is difficult to provide you with an accurate answer to your question with online consult. It is best that you visit a board certified plastic surgeon, so you can be properly assessed. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS
  
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
  
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
  
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, you have not provided any photographs or told us your bra size.  However, if are you sagging, you may benefit more from a breast lift with fat transfers.  Implants are not lifetime devices and half are removed by 9.5 years.  The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method.  This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided.  You would have to be medically cleared before undergoing surgery.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Genevieve F. Caron, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questionI understand your concern. Yes plastic surgery can be done on quadriplegic patient, however you will definitively need a pre-op consultation with the anesthesiologist to make sure your health condition is optimize before.Best Wishes
Dr Genevieve F. Caron, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Montreal, Canada

Can a quadriplegic have a breast augmentation?

Answers (5)