Modesto Breast Augmentation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Questions and Answers
about Breast Augmentation
by Modesto Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Tammy Wu.
Connect with us on
Facebook

Dr. Tammy Wu
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
(209) 551-1888
Surgical Artistry, Inc.
4754 Dale Road
Modesto, CA 95356
(we moved in 2019)
If you're looking for the
Breast Cancer
Support Group - click here
This page is about breast augmentation.
Previously, this
page started as Dr. Calvin Lee's internet
Breast Cancer Support group which is now at Yahoo Groups.
For medical-legal reasons, Dr. Lee has distanced himself from
participating actively in this group. Dr. Calvin Lee perform
breast cancer surgeries in Modesto, California and has a surgical
practice with his wife, Dr. Tammy Wu,
Modesto Plastic Surgeon who
performs breast reconstructions and reconstructive augmentations in
addition to the breast augmentations and other plastic surgery mentioned on this current
website. The previous website was popular as quoted from
Familly Medicine Net Guide:
"Internet Breast Cancer Support Groups
If you have breast cancer, or are the friend, family member, or
caregiver of someone who does, you might consider setting aside an
hour or two every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening at 8:30PM
CST, to participate in one of the oldest established online support
groups gracing the Internet. More than 700 individuals worldwide
post to the Yahoo Groups message board; the site also hosts live
chat sessions thrice week at the aforementioned times. A large
archive of other projects, articles, and features is also offered;
this site comes very highly recommended.
http://www.breastguide.com/"
Eventually this original Breast
Cancer Support Group had a rift among members, and the original shared
projects on this website had to be removed. Dr. Lee had
decided to let the breast cancer support group run by itself and
this website was converted to a topic that is very much related to
the Breast: Breast Augmentation. If you came to this
page looking for the breast cancer support group. Please visit
the Yahoo Breast Cancer Support Group. It still has many of
the original members who started here on this page back in 1997 and
then moved to Yahoo in August
1998. |

Drawing of model, not actual patient |
Disclaimer for Breast Augmentation
Modesto FAQ:
This is a general guide about
breast augmentation and breast implants for anyone considering breast
enhancement surgeries. These Breast augmentation frequently asked questions (FAQ) are in
general not surgeon nor location specific; however they are personally written by
Dr. Tammy Wu, Modesto Plastic Surgeon. We hope that future patients and
their families would benefit from these commonly asked questions. As a
disclaimer, the below does not substitute for advice obtained personally from a
plastic surgeon and a professional consultation. Keep in mind that surgery
and medicine is as much an art as it is a science; therefore, individual
surgeon's recommendations will vary. Please consult your
physician to verify any of the facts and options below. The transmission
of information from Dr. Wu's websites such as
www.breastguide.com is not
intended to create, nor does it create, a physician-patient relationship
between you and Dr. Wu.
 |

Breast Augmentation Modesto
Why choose Dr. Tammy Wu for
breast augmentation surgery / plastic surgery?
- Her consultations for breast
augmentation surgery are very detailed, they can last from 1.5 hours
to 2 hours which involve direct one-on-one contact with Dr.
Tammy Wu, the Plastic Surgeon.
- We do not have any exclusive
contracts with any of the breast implant makers (such as Mentor
or Allergan/Inamed). She only chooses with our patients
what is considered the best breast implant for the patient and
her unique goals - without regard to breast implant contracts or
quotas.
- Dr. Wu is a Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- She is a top intellectual and
extremely skilled with her dexterity, and is a perfectionist.
She graduated number one from her medical school (Brown
University, Ivy League), scored over 95th percentile on several
national tests for plastic surgeons, and graduated from a top
Plastic Surgery training program (Southern Illinois University),
where graduates have become chairmen at Harvard University
Programs and Presidents of the American Society of Plastic
Surgeons. Formerly as a runner, she has won many races in
her age group.
- She is a gifted communicator.
Language skills is her talent. Besides being fluent in
English, Chinese, and Taiwanese - Dr. Tammy Wu participated in a
national French language competition (before medical school) and
she placed 2nd in the United States for speaking French.
She has also worked as a reporter for a radio station at Brown
University. And currently she has been seen with multiple
appearances on Modesto television stations discussing plastic
surgery and breast augmentation.
- She is a teacher: She
is currently on the staff of UC Davis as a Volunteer Assistant
Professor. She has also taught several rotating medical
students, physician assistant students, and nursing students
while working in Modesto. She runs a program called
Surgical Artistry Academy which teaches the community about
medicine in general and cosmetic surgery.
- She is a musician and
pianist: She is mainly self taught on the piano.
It gives her a chance to improve on her dexterity skills which
translate into extreme precision in the operating room when
performing breast augmentations. She is an active
supporter of the performing arts, especially via the Modesto
Symphony and Gallo Center for the Arts.
- She is an athlete:
Formerly as a runner, she has won many races (mostly 5k's) in
her age group. She has run 2 marathons in the past,
several 10K's and half marathons. With her interest in
athletics, she is well qualified to discuss any changes or
concerns in chest muscles function with breast augmentation.
Visit her popular website for
running with breast implants - a runner's guide to
choosing and maintaining breast implants.
- She is an expert with breast
surgery. She performs not only breast augmentation
surgery and breast augmentation revisions, she also performs
breast reductions, breast cancer reconstructions, and nipple
reconstructions.
- She is experienced.
See the next section on profile of Dr. Tammy Wu's practice.
Plus she has been an investigator for the new silicone breast
implants.
- Has been a patient herself.
She has been a consumer of plastic surgery procedures.
- Patient safety is of highest
concern: She operates at hospital affiliated surgery
centers and uses board certified anesthesiologists. This
way she has access to all the equipment and expertise available
to a hospital, rather than have the operation be office based.
- Surgeon accessibility:
Patients can receive access to Dr. Wu 24/7 via cell phone.
- Emphasis on reducing pain:
She has ready access to pain reducing techniques. Dr.
Lee works in the office and routinely performs pain reducing
acupuncture on many other patients. Dr. Wu's brother is an
anesthesiologist in Los Angeles, and has given much advice on
pain management during and after surgery. And she
routinely uses long acting pain medicines (such as marcaine)
injected into the surgical sites and at times will use pain
pumps.
- Many other special features
of Surgical Artistry, Inc: Her staff was interviewed
as to what they thought made Dr. Wu's practice different.
The question posed was:
What makes our practice different from others. The
answers are shown unchanged. Surgical Artistry, Inc is the
name of her Plastic Surgery office.
- Her breast augmentation
surgeon's fee is competitively priced. Plus she has
negotiated lowered rates at the hospital and with
anesthesiologists. Her surgeons fee as of 6-23-08 (not
including hospital or anesthesia or implants): ranges from $3200
- $4400 (prices will change, please call our office:
209-551-1888, we can give you the ranges of the entire operation
with implants included which currently ranges from $5000 to
$7500 for saline implants.) There are certain cost
advantages to having your surgery done in the Central Valley,
California rather than in more expensive coastal areas.
She also does not mark up the cost of the breast implants nor
does she mark up anesthesia or hospital fees. These are
all "pass-thru" costs to her patients.
Dr. Tammy Wu's plastic
surgery practice
profile 10-23-06 to 10-23-07:
- Exact number of new patients
seen over the last year: 678
- Exact number of patient
visits over the last year: 3665
- Range in number of new patients
seen over one month: 40-80
- Range in number of patient
visits over one month: 200-450
- Range in number of breast
surgeries (including breast augs) per month: 14-22
- Number of years since graduation
from medical school (as of 10-23-07): Over 10 years
- Number of years in Modesto, CA
(as of 10-23-07): Over 5 years
- Number of full time employees in
Modesto:
5
- Total number of employees:
8
- Days per week worked:
5-7 days per week.
- Surgery days per week: 2-5 days
per week.
- On-call for hospitals:
Yes. Doctors Medical Center, Modesto and Memorial Medical
Center, Modesto.
- Before and after pictures:
Yes. Free viewing in the office. Not on websites for
patient privacy. Call our office to make an appointment to
see the breast augmentation before and after folder.
- Modesto office square feet:
8000+ (Dale Road office)
- Telephone (Modesto): 209-551-1888
- Email: staff [at]
surgerytoday.com
- website:
Modesto Plastic Surgery or
www.tammywu.com
Modesto Breast Augmentation
statistics listed above provided by our EMR Software PrognoCis.
Newer plastic surgery statistics pending. |
View Plastic Surgery Procedures in 3D
Breast Aumentation included
From the American Society of Plastic Surgeon's Website:

Model
3D virtual plastic surgery
Breast Augmentation FAQ
What is a breast
augmentation?
Breast augmentation is enhancement of the size of the breasts using
inflatable implants filled most often with saline (saline implants). Other substances are also
used. The next most common substance used in the implants is silicone (silicone
breast implants).
Breast augmentation can sometimes be called breast implant surgery, breast
enlargement surgery, breast aug, and breast augmentation mammoplasty
How long is breast
augmentation surgery?
Breast augmentation surgery
usually takes 1 to 2 hours. This, of course varies from person to person. And
sometimes even varies based on the breast incision location (areola, axilla -
armpit, inframammary fold, TUBA, umbilicus), breast implant
type, resting location of the breast implant, and bleeding that may occur in the
breast tissues or chest wall.
Will I be awake during
breast surgery? What type of anesthetic is used for breast augmentation surgery? Where
is the surgery performed?
You will be asleep during your
breast augmentation surgery; it is done under a general anesthetic. We use
anesthesiologists (doctors) to perform the anesthesia to keep you asleep during
your breast surgery. Other plastic surgeons can use nurse-anesthetists rather than
actual anesthesiologists. This is purely up to them and many nurse-anesthetists
have provided excellent care in our experience. The location of the surgery is
variable. We use hospitals. Some other plastic surgeons can elect to perform the
surgery in their own office setting.
Will I have to stay the night in the hospital after breast augmentation
surgery?
No, breast augmentation surgery
is usually an outpatient (same day surgery) procedure. If there are
complications which arise with the surgery, a hospital admission would be
considered. The answer to this question might be different if the
breast procedure was combined with other surgeries such as liposuction for body
contouring, and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). If the surgeries take a long
time and there's a risk of post operative blood loss. There may be a
hospital stay involved. But the general answer to this question is that
breast augmentation surgery is usually a same day procedure.
What are the side effects of breast augmentation surgery?
The possible side effects of
breast augmentation surgery include, but are not limited to: temporary breast soreness,
swelling, change in nipple sensation, bruising. Breasts may be sensitive to
stimulation for a few weeks.
What are the risks of breast
augmentation surgery?
The risks of include, but are
not limited to: bleeding, infection, capsular contracture (the formation of scar
tissue around the implant), increased or decreased sensitivity of nipples or
skin, possible different technique needed for mammography, some women have
reported symptoms similar to those of immune disorders, there may be a need to
surgically remove or replace the implants required to treat problems such as
deflation and capsular contracture. There are also the risks of anesthesia.
These risks are best discussed in person with your plastic surgeon. Each
person's risks vary and not everyone is suited for breast implants. Also
of importance is the possibility of uneven breasts after breast augmentation
surgery. Realistically, breasts are not even to begin with.
Therefore, technically speaking the human body isn't perfectly symmetrical.
Perfectly symmetrical breasts is usually an unrealistic goal of breast
augmentation / contouring surgeries.
Will breast implants change my risk for breast cancer?
Breast implants will not
change your risk for breast cancer. The implants may change
the feel of breast lumps during an examination - sometimes, breast
implants may even make breast lumps easier to detect, by "pushing"
the breast lumps closer to the skin surface. We recommend
continued surveillence for breast cancer with annual mammograms for
those over 35 and routine physical examinations.
How long will it take the scars to fade from a breast augmentation?
Several months to a year or
more. There are many different locations for the scars to be placed, an
incision will need to be placed on the skin. But the locations vary.
This is of course a good question to ask your surgeon and to discuss your
preferences.
What is the duration of the results of breast augmentation surgery?
The duration of the results
varies from person to person. Implants may require removal or replacement.
Some last a lifetime. Others will leak and require replacement. And
other will shift. There are many things that could happen. Your
surgeon can discuss with you ways to protect your breast implants to make them
last as long as possible. And manufacturers of implants such as Mentor,
Inamed, or Allergan (sources of Modesto breast implants) all offer some sort of
warrantee and/or insurance program.
How long will I be off work after surgery?
About 1 week after your breast
augmentation surgery. But if your job involves heavy activity, you may
need even longer time off work. This may also vary depending on your
health and your plastic surgeon's preferences.
How long will I have to wear a sports bra after surgery?
You will need to wear you sports
bra for about a month. There are also compression garments that can be
purchased or given to you by your plastic surgeon. These garments will
help to shape your new breasts - contouring of the breasts is a continual
process.
After surgery, will I have to massage my breasts?
It depends on the type of
implant you have decided upon. Your surgeon will tell you if it is necessary to
massage your breasts when you choose your implants. There are exercises
that your plastic surgeon can also suggest.
How long after breast surgery, can I resume exercise?
After breast augmentation surgery, you will not be
able to jog or run usually for 4 weeks. If the implant is placed under the
muscle, you will be able to do isolated extremity exercises except bench
presses, right away. If the implants are placed in the subglandular position
(above the muscle),
the only exercise restrictions are jogging and running for four weeks. Subglandular means over the
chest muscle (pectoralis major muscle), but under the breast tissue.
How long after breast surgery, can I have sex?
It's our preferences to have our
patients wait about 1 month after
breast augmentation to engage in sexual activity.
The breasts may be sore and sensitive to touch for about 3 weeks.
Will I have drains after surgery?
It is usually it is not
necessary to have drains with
breast augmentation surgery. If you do have drains
placed, there is no set time for the drains to be in place. Patients that have
drains placed during surgery must track the amount of fluid put out by the
drain. When the amount of fluid put out by the drain falls below 30cc over a
24-hour period for 2 consecutive days, then the drains will be removed.
How long after
breast augmentation surgery can I drive?
After surgery, you can drive as
soon as you can do it comfortably, are no longer taking pain medication, and can
turn your head fully to the side. It is always best to have someone go
with you when you first return to driving.
Will my insurance pay for breast augmentation surgery?
No, insurance does not pay for
breast augmentation surgery. Reconstruction for breast cancer, on the
other hand is usually paid for by insurance companies.
How long after breast
augmentation surgery, can I go swimming/get in the hot tub
(recovery time related question)?
You will need to refrain from
swimming/”hot tubbing” for 4 week after your breast augmentation surgery.
What are Gummy Bear breast
implants?
Gummy breast implants are basically known
as cohesive gel implants, which are made from silicone. There are other
names for this implant as well. See the answer here:
Surgical Artistry's guide to Gummy Bear Breast
Implants.
Sometimes Gummy Bear Implants are spelled as Gummi Bear
Implants.
Who is Dr. Tammy Wu, Modesto Breast
Augmentation Specialist?
Dr. Tammy Wu is a Board Certified Plastic
Surgeon who specializes Breast Augmentation. Her primary
office is located in Modesto, California. She is the only
woman plastic surgeon from Fresno to Sacramento. She graduated
number one from her medical school: Ivy League Brown
University. Then she went on to train at Southern Illinois
University. She came to Modesto in 2003 and worked with
Sutter-Gould, then started her own Plastic Surgery practice in
Modesto in 2006. Her practice is named Surgical Artistry, Inc,
and includes a full time General Surgeon/Acupuncturist who assists
with plastic surgery patient care, and a full time aesthetician on
staff.
Want a glimpse into the breast
augmentation and Surgical Artistry related events happening in our Modesto office?
Click on the links
below for details
© Modesto Breast Augmentation, Dr.
Tammy Wu, MD 2007, 2008 |

Any other Links on the web regarding Breast Augmentation that you would
recommend to help with my research?
http://www.plasticsurgery.org is a
great resource on the web regarding
breast augmentation/breast implants and other plastic surgery enhancement
procedures for the female form. It is run by the American Society of
Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) which designates board certification to plastic
surgeons. Dr. Tammy Wu is board certified by the American Society of
Plastic Surgeons. In fact the current president of the ASPS is an alumni
of the same university that Dr. Tammy Wu attended. The president of the
ASPS is also a female plastic surgeon. She is the first female plastic
surgeon to become the president of the ASPS (Dr. Roxanne Guy).
Before and after pictures of
breast
augmentation are
abundant on the web. Be sure that they reflect the doctor's own work.
Dr. Tammy Wu has a book of before and after pictures that can viewed privately
in her office in Modesto, CA. She has decided not to place these
breast
augmentation pictures
on the web.
There are many other commonly
asked questions such as the price for breast augmentation: how much do
breast implants costs, how much
does it cost for the surgeon's fee, the anesthesiologists fee, and the facility
(hospital) fee? Should the breast implants be placed over or under the
muscle? These are best answered by your surgeon, as they vary from
location to location and from surgeon to surgeon. There are too many
variables about
breast augmentation to list on this website.
Other Modesto web pages made by
Dr. Lee since Feb 2006. - Modesto Breast augmentation frequently asked questions
(FAQ)
isn't the only website made.

Need more
information on Breast Implants and other Plastic Surgical procedures?
Pamphlets
with information such as what you found here for breast augmentation can be
found in the office of Dr. Tammy Wu, Modesto Breast Augmentation Surgeon. She also specializes in other types
of breast surgeries such as
breast reduction and
breast lift (breast mastopexy).
These
pamphlets have been prepared by Dr. Tammy
Wu, Dr. Calvin Lee, and
Ken Themm (former medical assistant
and surgical technician at Memorial Hospital,
Modesto, California 95350)
Surgical
Artistry, Inc, is the name of her office, and breast surgeries are a specialty
of the surgical practice. Dr. Calvin Lee specializes in breast cancer, and
Dr. Tammy Wu specializes in breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction,
and breast reconstruction.
Surgical Artistry, Inc
4754 Dale Road
Modesto, CA 95356
Telephone:
209-551-1888
Website: http://www.surgerytoday.com
As mentioned above, the
breast augmentation information on this web page
does not substitute for advice obtained
personally from a plastic surgeon and a professional consultation on
breast augmentation. Please
consult your physician to verify any of the facts found in this document.
If you live in the Modesto area or even the Bay Area of San Francisco, we
welcome you into Dr. Tammy Wu's office to talk about
breast augmentation. Dr. Tammy Wu is your source for
Modesto breast augmentation.
Dr. Wu has seen patients mainly from the Central Valley and San Francisco Bay
Area. Recent patients have been from: Sacramento, Elk Grove, Lodi,
Stockton, French Camp, Lathrop,
Manteca, Ripon, Riverbank, Oakdale,
Tracy,
Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, Hayward, Fremont, Milpitas, San Ramon, Danville,
Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Ceres, Newman, Gustine, Wesley, Hilmar, Delhi, Turlock,
Atwater, Merced, Le Grand, Chowchilla, Madera, Visalia, Fresno and of course
Modesto the location of our main office.
If you are traveling from out of town, please let us know. We can help with
some out of Modesto arrangements.
You can find
this web page again by searching: Breast Augmentation Modesto, Modesto
Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants Modesto, Modesto Breast Implants, Running
with Breast Implants

Create your own visitor map! - we have a wider reach than just Modesto, CA!
Our office is in Modesto, CA, USA.
Last
Modified:
08/18/2019
(Modesto Breast Augmentation Web Page)
(c) Tammy Wu, MD and Calvin Lee, MD 2006.
Breast Augmentation Modesto.

Looking for
breast cancer issues and support
groups? Check back soon for updates.
We hope that we have helped with your breast augmentation research.


 |
|
|
To schedule an appointment,
please call (209) 551-1888
or email staff [at] surgerytoday.com
 |

|
Surgical
Artistry Inc.
T. Tammy Wu, MD - Plastic
Surgeon
Calvin Lee, MD - General Surgeon, Acupuncturist
4754 Dale Road
Modesto, CA 95356
(209) 551-1888
|

This was our old office - new picture of the new office coming up soon.
Call us: (209)
551-1888
Write us: staff [at] surgerytoday.com
Tammy Wu, MD -
Plastic Surgeon
Calvin Lee, MD - Surgeon/Acupuncturist |
|
 |
Plastic Surgery
|

|
Cosmetic
Surgery Expertise includes:
Breast augmentation / Breast
implants
Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty
Liposuction / Body contouring
Thigh lift / Buttock lift
Face lift / Neck lift
|

Our own Plastic Surgery / Surgical Artistry
related Modesto web pages:
[Plastic
Surgery in Modesto with Dr. Tammy Wu] [New
to Modesto?] [General Surgery]
[Veins]
[Acupuncture / Alternative Medicine] [Breast
Implant Modesto FAQ - this page] [Beyond Nip
Tuck] [Docs Play the Pops]
[Skin Care]
Thank you for visiting our web page:
Modesto Breast Augmention FAQ
More Breast Implant info on
our
Facebook
Dr. Tammy Wu on
Google+