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

Garrett A. Wirth, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

The short answers essentially is most likely... yes!  This comes with the caution that you should make sure you are medically cleared for the procedure, generally in good health, and with quadriplegics and other neurologic injuries, make sure to discuss if you do have any issues with injury specific concerns such as autonomic dysreflexia.Best wishes.WirthPlasticSurgery.com

Todd B. Koch, MD · Answer

The short answer is yes.  First you need to check with your PCP.  If this person will medically clear you then surgery is definitely possible.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Yes, assuming you are in good health, you should be able to undergo elective breast surgery.   Best to run your plans by your family practitioner and learn about the potential risks/complications associated with breast surgery, prior to making any decisions. You are correct in that careful selection of plastic surgeon will be the most important decision you make.  Board certification in plastic surgery and significant experience should be "criteria" you look for. In my opinion, having a well experienced board-certified anesthesiologist involved and working in a fully accredited surgical facility will also be key. Best wishes.

Mahmood Kara, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Absolutely possible, we do our surgery in an "in-hospital facility" for your safety and peace of mind, and have "board certified" anesthesiologist. Some of them have over 40 years experience and also work regularly doing high risk anesthesia at Toronto General Hospital. We would have an assessment pre-operatively in such cases and we actually have at least a telephone "assessment" in many "low risk" cases when there is any doubt. As such, we have had only a few hospital transfers over the many years, with all patients going home safe and sound. We are happy to see any and all patients, and we can do a "pre-consultation" online with a secure telemedicine connection for your convenience.M. Kara, MD, FRCSC. - Over 30 Years Experience.Specializing in 24 Hour Recovery / Out To Dinner Breast Augmentation

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Thank
you very much for your question. A board-certified plastic surgeon will work
closely with your own team of physicians to determine if you are a good
candidate for breast augmentation. I recommend finding an experienced,
board-certified plastic surgeon in your area and scheduling a consultation to get
his/her advice. If you have any reservations with the physician or team, do not
hesitate to schedule a second or third consultation with different plastic
surgeons.

Can a quadriplegic have a breast augmentation?

Answers (10)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (10)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

Why do my breasts look droopy, thin, have a weird texture and how can I fix them?

8 weeks post op, empty feeling near bottom of breast when sleeping on my side. Is this normal?

26, never had children, weight loss. Is it possible to make my breasts nice?

Are my nipples too low after breast augmentation? (Photos)

Do I have coppers droop and tuberous breasts? I was told there was no way I could get implants without a lift as well.

Do I have tuberous breasts? Can they be corrected without using breast implants? I'm 19 years old (Photo)

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS