Angelina Jolie’s announcement of having had bilateral mastectomy for BRCA 1 mutation is really admirable. Celebrities have an incredible influence on public opinion and this will help millions of women at risk of contracting the breast cancer to consider a procedure that will help save their lives. Prophylactic mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction is extremely successful today because the skin of the breast and most of the time the nipples are spared. The use of dermal grafts (ADMs) and the better quality of breast implants make the results of breast reconstruction more natural. The advent of fat grafting is another contribution to the results. Today breast reconstruction for prophylaxis or for minimal breast cancer is as successful as cosmetic breast surgery. In fact many patients after reconstruction benefit from major aesthetic improvement as compared to the preoperative situation. The loss of special nipple sensation is the biggest draw back. I could see the prophylactic mastectomy for prevention of breast cancer becoming more popular and done more frequently as there is more awareness of the procedure and as more genes are discovered with time. Call our office if you have any questions concerning prophylactic.
Common Questions Patients Search About Breast Surgery
How much does breast augmentation cost in New Jersey?
Primary breast augmentation in Northern New Jersey typically runs $8,500 to $12,500 all-in, depending on implant type (saline, silicone gel, or Ideal Implant) and whether the case is combined with a lift. Dr. Rafizadeh quotes a flat price during the consultation that includes the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, the facility, and follow-up visits. Revision breast surgery costs more because the planes are scarred and the operation typically takes longer.
Is silicone or saline better for breast implants?
Both are FDA-approved and safe; the right choice depends on the patient's anatomy, preference, and how she values certain trade-offs. Silicone gel feels more like natural tissue and is the default for thinner patients with less native breast coverage. Saline ruptures are obvious immediately (the breast deflates), so some patients prefer that built-in monitoring. Dr. Rafizadeh also offers the Ideal Implant — a structured saline implant that feels closer to silicone with the safety profile of saline.
What's the difference between a breast lift and a breast reduction?
A breast lift (mastopexy) raises the breast and nipple position without removing significant tissue — ideal for women whose breasts are the right size but have descended. A breast reduction removes excess tissue along with raising the breast — appropriate for women whose breast size causes back, neck, or shoulder symptoms. The incisions are similar; the volume removed is what differs. Dr. Rafizadeh's North Jersey patients often combine elements of both when needed.
Is a breast lift easier to recover from than implants?
Recovery is similar in length (about 2–3 weeks back to non-vigorous activity), but the comfort curves differ. Implant patients report more pressure and chest tightness for the first week as the muscle accommodates. Lift patients report more skin tightness and incision care — the muscle is undisturbed but the skin envelope is reshaped. Both groups are typically back to office work in 7–10 days when surgery is performed under Dr. Rafizadeh's local-anesthesia-with-sedation protocol.
What is the 45-55 rule for breasts?
It's an aesthetic guideline: the ideal breast shape has roughly 45% of the volume above the nipple and 55% below, with the nipple sitting just above the inframammary fold. The rule helps surgeons decide implant placement, lift technique, and how much to elevate the nipple-areolar complex. Dr. Rafizadeh uses the 45/55 ratio as one of several proportional anchors during planning, alongside chest width, sternal notch-to-nipple distance, and the patient's own preferences.
How long do breast implants last?
Modern silicone and saline implants are not lifetime devices but are designed to last 10–20 years. Many patients get longer than that with no issue; some need an exchange sooner due to capsular contracture, rupture, or simply wanting a size change. The FDA recommends MRI or ultrasound screening for silicone implants starting at 5 years post-op, then every 2–3 years. Dr. Rafizadeh discusses long-term monitoring as part of every breast augmentation consultation.
What is the hardest cosmetic surgery to recover from?
Among breast procedures, breast reduction typically has the most involved recovery because of the tissue removed and the size of the incisions, but most patients say the pain trade-off is worth it given how much physical relief they feel almost immediately. Tummy tuck and combined mommy-makeover procedures rank higher overall on the difficulty curve. Compared to those, isolated breast lift or augmentation recovery is relatively gentle.
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