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Dr. Brian S. Coan is an award-winning, nationally renowned, board-certified Plastic Surgeon and a member of the distinguished Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
Dr. Coan received his undergraduate degree from MIT, where he earned a place working alongside the world-renowned Dr. Robert Langer, founder of the largest biomedical engineering lab in the world. He completed medical school at the University of Chicago-Pritzker, a General Surgery residency, and went on to complete a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery residency at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, where he served his final year as Chief Resident.
Dr. Coan has consistently been awarded and recognized for all aspects of plastic surgery, including:
- Best Plastic Surgeon in Durham (by Durham Magazine) seven years in a row
- Best Plastic Surgeon in Cary (by Cary Magazine) – 2017 and 2018
- Maggy Awards® – 2018, 2019, and 2020
He was recently recognized as one of North Carolina’s Top Plastic Surgeons by US News and World Report. Dr. Coan has always wanted to run and manage his own Plastic Surgery practice. His reputation for innovation and surgical excellence led him to perform the first bilateral tram breast reconstruction at the Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington, NC. He has taught and trained numerous plastic surgery residents in the art, science, and business of plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Women with breasts that are naturally small or that have lost volume due to age, weight fluctuations,
or pregnancy may find their breasts have lost the youthful volume they previously held.
Breast augmentation has been the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure among many women, including celebrities, since 2006. Breast augmentation surgery
performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon may use either silicone gel or saline implants or fat grafting to increase breast volume.
Candidates for Breast Augmentation
Patients who are in good general health, do not smoke, and wish to increase the size of their breasts may be candidates for this procedure. Breast augmentation can only address the size of the breasts. Breast lift surgery may be more appropriate for patients concerned with the shape and placement of their breasts. The two procedures can also be combined. Dr. Coan will develop a personalized surgical plan during your consultation.
The Breast Augmentation Procedure
Dr. Coan performs breast augmentation using monitored local anesthesia. This method combines sedation with local anesthesia for a safe and comfortable surgical experience. One of two incision options will be used, depending on the desired results. The procedure typically takes between one and two hours to complete.
Breast Enhancement
While breast augmentation surgery can add volume, it cannot improve the shape of the breast. Breast enhancement, or breast lift surgery, is performed to remove excess skin and tissue and raise the breasts to a more youthful position on the chest. This procedure can be combined with breast augmentation for comprehensive improvement to the appearance of the breasts.
Recovery and Results
You will need to wear a compression garment after your surgery to help reduce swelling and promote healing. You will experience some bruising, swelling, and discomfort. These side effects should begin to resolve over about 14 days. Pain can be treated using over-the-counter medications. Most breast augmentation patients can return to work within two weeks but should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for up to six weeks. You will be given detailed post-operative instructions that should be followed carefully to ensure a safe and comfortable recovery.
Once the swelling and bruising dissipate, you will see the final results of your surgery. The breasts will be fuller, providing a curvier, more balanced silhouette.
Post-Pregency Breasts
The body undergoes many changes during and after pregnancy, including an increase in breast size as milk production begins. These fluctuations in size can stretch the skin of the breasts, causing them to sag as volume is lost. Breast augmentation restores the lost volume and gives the breasts a perkier, more youthful appearance.
The most important job we have as surgeons is to create a very precise pocket for the implant. The incision used for your surgery will depend on several factors, including the size of your implant and your desired outcome.
Silicone Implants: Silicone breast implants are composed of an outer shell made of silicone, and a filling of soft silicone gel. This type of implant is generally thought to provide a more natural look and feel. Silicone implants can be round or teardrop-shaped and are available in a wide variety of sizes and projections.
Implant Sizers: At CARE Plastic Surgery, we utilize implant sizers to help our patients find the ideal style of implant for their needs. Sizers are placed in the bra to help give you a good idea of how your breasts will look after your surgery. When considering breast augmentation, you should think more about how your breasts will look in comparison with the rest of your body, rather than focusing on cup size.
Implant Placement:
Submuscular placement means the implants are placed beneath the pectoral muscle. Breast implants placed below the pectoral muscles look and feel more natural. They also do not get inthe way of mam mograms. There is also data that supports the idea that implants stay softer for a longer period of time. Dr. Coan prefers to use this approach to implant placement.
Subglandular placement means that the implant is positioned below the breast tissue but above the chest muscle. This method is often used with saline implants and may provide a more noticeably augnted appearance.
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Here’s What Our
Patients Say!
He answered every question I had. He gave me so much peace-of-mind.
Emily
I came to Dr. Coan and he’s the first one to get creative. He created a solution for me that no one else offered and that was to take out the breast implants, do liposuction, and do a fat transfer, and do a lift. That was an amazing experience for me.
Kelly
1. Can breast implants improve my cleavage?
The way your cleavage will look depends on the shape of your breasts before surgery, the amount of natural breast tissue that you have, and the size and shape of the implants used.
2. Will my scars be noticeable?
The scars from breast augmentation surgery are usually easy to conceal with clothing, and all scars fade with time. If you combine a breast lift with your augmentation, there may be longer scars. However, many patients feel that the improvement in their contours and self-image outweighs the appearance of scars.
3. What is the difference between round and teardrop-shaped implants?
Teardrop-shaped implants provide a more natural-looking breast slope. Round implants can be used to give the breasts an augmented or natural appearance, depending on the size, projection, and placement of the device.
Additional Treatments to Consider
No one does a Breast Augmentation like we do. We have helped helped women find the shape and size that they want, while being empowered to make a decision that is right for them. But a Breast Augmentation isn't right for everyone. Find out more information about additional procedures below.
