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Kerisma Centre for Medical Aesthetics

Awake Breast Augmentation

Dr. Keri Sweeten at KERISMA Centre for Medical Aesthetics has brought leading edge techniques to Phoenician women looking to increase their breast size through an advanced breast enhancement method. She is one of the few cosmetic surgeons nationwide who performs breast augmentation through the advancements in the area of minimally invasive cosmetic breast implant surgery performed under local and Tumescent Anesthesia, known as AWAKE Breast Augmentation. The result is a safer, more affordable, in-office procedure with no general anesthesia that allows the patient to walk out with little pain minutes after surgery.

Dr. Keri Sweeten at KERISMA Centre for Medical Aesthetics has helped many Phoenix breast augmentation patients achieve the results they desire. Learn more about what KERISMA Centre for Medical Aesthetics breast augmentation patients can expect before and after surgery and the advanced option available in Phoenix breast implants before you schedule your consultation with Dr. Sweeten.

AWAKE Breast Augmentation can achieve fuller, shapelier breasts with breast implants without the risk of general anesthesia. The best candidates for breast augmentation are generally women over the age of 18 who demonstrate to Dr. Sweeten that they are both physically and mentally healthy and have realistic expectations regarding cosmetic surgery. Those who plan to get pregnant are often still good candidates for breast surgery, however women looking to lose excessive amounts of weight in the near future, are not. Those who currently have breast ptosis may require a cosmetic surgery procedure known as mastopexy (breast lift) done at a later time, to achieve optimal results.

Generally performed on an outpatient basis in an office based surgical facility, Dr. Sweeten only uses fully equipped accredited peer-reviewed surgical facilities. To begin the procedure, Dr. Sweeten will enhance breast size and shape by surgically placing a breast implant into the body through a small incision using sterile technique. The incision is made along natural contours so scarring will be as inconspicuous as possible, generally in the crease of the lower portion of the breast. Dr. Sweeten will first inject a remarkable cocktail of medication called Tumescent Anesthesia to create a space or "pocket" under the pectoral muscle for the most natural look and significantly decrease rippling and the possibility of a hardened capsule around the implant. With the tumescent technique, once the area has been completely numbed, surgery in the area is essentially painless. In addition, because the local anesthesia persists in the treated area for more than 12 hours, there is little pain immediately after surgery.

The implants are typically inserted into the pocket empty and filled once in place. Patients are awake enough to participate with the surgical team in the adjustment of the size of the implants mid-surgery, so there are no surprises. It’s ideal from a patient standpoint since most women are very comfortable being awake. The incisions are closed with suture and a special bra is used to minimize swelling, maintain the position of the implant and provide comfort and support during healing.

Not only has Tumescent Anesthesia proven to be safer than the standard technique using general anesthesia, but it also has proven to be less painful, has minimized post operative recovery time, and has produced optimal cosmetic results. Due to the significant decrease in the swelling, bruising, inflammation and pain after the surgery, patients are able to return to normal physical activities very soon after surgery.

"You walk in, you walk out. It's minimal downtime." Vanessa went to Dr. Sweeten in Phoenix for breast implants and was intrigued by the idea of avoiding general anesthesia. Dr. Sweeten said the tumescent technique - commonly used for liposuction - reduces the chances of bleeding during surgery and bruising afterward. Vanessa said it was worth it. "I don't feel like I'm putting on a sack anymore," she said. "It was different but perfect. The staff put me at ease, I was comfortable and it was great to participate at the end. I loved it and would highly recommend it."

Before and After Photos

  1. Safe, few side effects
  2. None of the complications of general anesthesia
  3. Painless
  4. Bloodless
  5. Doctor less likely to make mistake as patients are alert
  6. Lidocaine is bacteriostatic with the same properties as antibiotics, reduces incidence of infection
  7. For breast implants, patients can sit up and participate on the amount of saline and ultimate size of implant and decide if she is satisfied with the symmetry.
  8. Faster recovery

Dr. Sweeten at KERISMA customizes every breast augmentation procedure to each individual body and patients' desires. Their state-of-the-art breast augmentation Phoenix facility is equipped to deliver the most satisfactory results and leave patients feeling comfortable and confident in their care.

With the advancements in this procedure KERISMA breast augmentation patients are experiencing less time in recovery and attaining better than ever results. If you are considering Phoenix cosmetic surgery, think of KERISMA Centre for Medical Aesthetics.

In addition to breast enhancement surgery, KERISMA Centre for Medical Aesthetics also specializes in SlimLipo™ laser lipolysis, Aussie Makeover? and nonsurgical facelift. If you are considering Phoenix Cosmetic surgery, think of KERISMA Centre for Medical Aesthetics.

Freequently Asked Questions

1. What are the risks of breast augmentation?

Because of our unique technique of Awake Breast Augmentation, using tumescent anesthesia at KERISMA Centre for Medical Aesthetics, problems are very rare, but can always occur. In addition to complications, there will always be the risk that you will not like the results of your augmentation. There are no two women alike, and you must be open-minded and keep in mind, that if a friend or relative has a certain outcome, i.e. shape, size or lift), you may not have the same result.

One of the risks of augmentation is, that you could develop a capsular contracture, which is hardened scar tissue that encapsulates and squeezes the implant; Hematoma, which is bleeding due to a broken blood vessel. Seroma, caused by the accumulation of serum fluid. There is also always the chance of the breast being unsymmetrical, rippling, indentions (cracks), uneven, or permanent sensation loss in the nipples or breasts can happen.

2. Can a woman breastfeed after breast augmentation?

There should be no problem when it comes to breastfeeding after augmentation. Some women actually find it easier to breast feed as the implant sits behind the mammary gland. The milk is not blocked by the implants since the implants are sitting underneath the breast tissue.

3. Will Breast Implants lift your breasts?

Breast implants usually will lift up to 2cm, so not signficantly. During your consultation, Dr. Sweeten will make several measurements to help you decide what is best for you, at that point, she will let you know, if you will need a lift in the future.

4. What is symmastia (Kissing Implants)?

Symmastia , most commonly called “Kissing Implants” is a complication that can occur when the surgeon makes the cavity for the implants too close together, which will cause the implants to join together. Unfortunately, many surgeons do this in an attempt to create cleavage. At your consultation, we will explain to you and stress that we cannot create cleavage….only a bra can create cleavage. Every woman is different just like all breasts are different. Some may have natural cleavage and some may have none at all. The correction of “Kissing Implants” is an extensive and difficult surgery, which involve some reconstruction and removal of implants, therefore we recommend not to have surgery with someone who will attempt to create it.

5. What are keloids?

Keloids are lumps of fibrous tissue (Scar Tissue) that form at the site of an incision. Keloids are usually darker than the surrounding skin. There is no way of knowing if your incision site will keloid or not. When you incision site closes and is healed, we recommend using scar ointment remedies.

6. Who is a candidate for breast enlargement?

Women from the age of 18- 60 who are in good health, not pregnant, mentally healthy, (not depressed, etc) and have realistic expectations.

7. How do I choose what size?

Implants do not come in A, B, C, D etc. sizes. They come in volume called cc's. At your consultation, Dr. Sweeten will discuss with you what size you currently are and what size you desire. She will then take measurements and depending on those measurements and if there is a difference is breast size, she will recommend and explain what size of implants are appropriate for you.

8. How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

No medical device can be considered to last forever, just as no natural body part necessarily lasts a lifetime. It is possible for any breast implant to leak, and that is true of both the saline and silicone gel filled breast implants. So assume that all implants will eventually wear out, because of the constant repetitive movements of the chest caused by breathing some 15,000 times a day. If every person with a pacemaker, breast implant, heart valve, knee joint etc lived to be 100, it is likely that all of these devices would need to be replaced at some point in their lifetime.

Implants do not have an "expiration date" when they have to be routinely replaced. But little by little they do wear out. Based upon the best currently available information, many plastic surgeons tell patients to assume that the need for replacement at five-years would be about 1%, by ten years 5%, by fifteen years 25%. It is not required to routinely replace older, still intact implants, because there is no known danger to you.

Insertion of a new (same-size) implant is usually done through the original scar, regardless of whether it is in the underarm, nipple, crease, or navel. Breast implant replacement is less involved than putting in the implant in the first place, provided that the same size or smaller implant is being inserted. Putting in larger implants during a revision is a bigger operation than putting in the implants the first time.

9. How Will Breast Implants Affect Having a Mammogram?

If you have breast implants, continue your monthly self-breast exams, annual clinical breast exams, BT blood test and age-appropriate mammograms. The mammogram procedure may be slightly different and the images more difficult to interpret in women with breast implants. For this reason, the BT blood test is even more vital for women with implants. It is not a genetic test. Instead of just evaluating the potential genetic risk of getting breast cancer, the BT Test analyzes for the actual presence or absence of breast cancer by looking for unique proteins in the blood. And mammograms following breast augmentation are best done at a radiology center where the technicians are experienced in special techniques for imaging of breast tissue with breast implants instead of mobile units. When you arrive for your mammogram, also inform the technologist that you have breast implants.

10. What are My Activity Restrictions?

Most women can return to work within a few days of having breast augmentation surgery. However, restrictions against lifting anything over 5 pounds or raising anything over the head may last for a week or so. Most surgeons recommend avoiding strenuous exercise or activities for at least 3 to 4 weeks. A surgical bra, compression bandage, or sports bra must be worn for extra support during this initial healing period.

Please visit our KERISMA photo page to view before and after photos of AWAKE breast augmentation procedures performed by Dr. Sweeten of KERISMA Centre for Medical Aesthetics. Dr. Sweeten’s practice is well known for quality of care and surgical outcome.

This site contains before and after pictures of patients whom Dr. Keri Sweeten has operated on at various stages of postoperative healing. These patients gave their permission for you to see their results. It in no way ensures that your results will be similar to those shown. Due to variations in patients' request, body shape, and previous surgery, every result is unique. While all efforts are made for the hoped-for results to materialize, reputable surgeons cannot make guarantees.