Dr. Lee is a Harvard trained plastic surgeon serving patients in the greater Boston area. He specializes in cosmetic procedures of the face, breast, body, as well as nonsurgical treatments such as Botox and Juvederm. Dr. Lee’s vision for patient care blends both safety, as well as optimal aesthetic outcomes. “I am first and foremost a doctor. My primary objective is to keep things safe and if something is unsafe or not worth the risk, I will tell you. I also tell all of my patients that I always reserve the right to change the plan if it becomes a safety issue. Haute Beauty sits down with Dr. Lee to learn more about how he addresses a breast augmentation. 

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HB: How do you work with your patients to address their cosmetic concerns when it comes to a breast augmentation?

It’s really important during the consultation to get a sense of the patient’s goals. Everyone has a different idea of what they want to look like and sometimes pictures can help. It’s especially tricky sometimes when what the patient wants is different from the pictures they show you. What the patient starts with is also really important because putting the same implant in different patients will give different results. I have to use my experience with implants to determine what implant will best match the patient’s goals. Sizing also helps determine overall size but as a surgeon, I have to combine many different factors that go into recommending the best implant for each patient.

HB: How does breast implant surgery work?

Breast implant surgery is all about creating a pocket where the implant will be placed. The pocket can be under the muscle or over the muscle. It also cannot be too tight or too loose or else it just won’t look very good. Once it is time to place the implant, I use a no touch technique to minimize overall problems with the implant both short term and long term.

HB: How does breast lift surgery work?

Breast lift surgery can be really complicated. It all depends on what the patient’s breasts look like to start. The more lifting required, the more scars I have to put on the patient. Typically, I need to use an inverted T incision which puts a scar around the areola, down the breast, and then across the breast fold. Sometimes, if the patient does not need a large lift, I can do a lollipop type incision which reduces the scar.

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HB: Who is a good candidate for a breast lift?

A breast lift is a reasonable option for anyone who feels that their breasts have fallen over time. Breast sag, known as breast ptosis, can come in differing severities so it really depends on the patient. We all want our bodies to be frozen in time but unfortunately gravity always pulls things down and breasts are not immune to those effects. Breast lifting surgery does just that: it lifts the breasts to where they used to be.

HB: Does recovery vary between breast implant surgery and breast lift surgery?

Breast lift surgery is typically an easier recovery. Usually patients are uncomfortable for 1-3 days whereas breast augmentation can be more like 4-7 days.