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.

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.

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.

• Pictures of Dr. Tammy Wu's Plastic Surgery Office in Modesto, CA
• Where is Modesto? for our many out of town visitors
• Modesto Plastic Surgery - Dr. Tammy Wu's main web page
• Modesto Skin Care - Website of Dr. Tammy Wu's Esthetician: Christine Landrum
• Unique and special features of Dr. Tammy Wu's Breast Augmentation Practice
• What is acupuncture? - this page has a recent picture of Dr. Wu on it from 2007
• Modesto Plastic Surgeon - Dr. Tammy Wu, on her own website www.tammywu.com

Want a glimpse into the breast augmentation and Surgical Artistry related events happening in our Modesto office?
Click on the links below for details

• 4/18/12 Dr. Lee of Surgical Artistry gave a lecture on Latisse in Reno, NV.
• 3/18/12 3rd annual Surgical Artistry Modesto Marathon
• 11/18/09 Modesto Marathon Sponsorship by Surgical Artistry.
• 11/7/09 Wrote about Natrelle Breast Implant Kits
• Read some Essays that Dr. Tammy Wu personally wrote about Plastic Surgery while in Taiwan:
  What is Plastic Surgery (8/3/09)
  What is Plastic Surgery part 2 (8/4/09)
  Medicine is the language we speak at home (8/10/09)
  Video Games for Surgeons by Dr. Calvin Lee (8/10/09)
• 11/5/09 is the date of our Obagi skin care Open House
• 9/28/09  Dr. Calvin Lee's violin solo adventures in Taipei, Hong Kong, and Macau - has very little to do with Breast Augmentation - but it has a lot to do with Dr. Lee.  He also wrote a Taiwan Blog.
• 9/19/09   Dr. Calvin Lee (the creator of this breast augmentation webpage) decided to start using OBAGI Skin care for himself.  He details his adventures of skin renewal in this Obagi Blog.  The official Obagi Medical Products webpage.
• 3/18/09  Wrote a new blog about a Modesto Limo Blog - we've used this service.
• 12/09/07  Current events page at Surgical Artistry, Inc.
• 12/06/07  KHOP 95.1 Modesto Radio Station Interviewed Dr. Tammy Wu live on the air
• 11/25/07  Is that normal?  Questions that come up right after breast augmentation.
• 11/21/07  Costs of Modesto Breast Augmentation by Plastic Surgeon Dr. Tammy Wu, Board Certified Modesto Plastic Surgeon, as found on www.askdrwu.com.  Price List subject to change for Modesto Plastic surgery
• 11/20/07  Another meeting regarding Natrelle Breast Implants for Modesto Plastic Surgeon Dr. Tammy Wu
• 11/04/07  Created a new web page:  Running with breast implants - info for runners.
• 10/22/07  Meeting with a spa owner from Sacramento to discuss sending Breast Augmentation patients from Sacramento
• 10/22/07  Meeting with Red Bow Weddings to discuss writing articles on Breast Augmentation
• 10/22/07  Meeting with Bryan Link of Allergan regarding Natrelle Breast Implants

© Modesto Breast Augmentation, Dr. Tammy Wu, MD 2007, 2008

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

4754 Dale Road
Modesto, CA 95356

(209) 551-1888
 

Call us:   (209) 551-1888
Write us:  staff [at] surgerytoday.com

Tammy Wu, MD    -    Plastic Surgeon
Calvin Lee, MD - Surgeon/Acupuncturist

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