Breast Augmentation

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that is undergone to increase breast size. The procedure involves placing breast implants under breast tissue or a person’s chest muscles. The reasons that some choose to undergo surgery are:

  • They want to improve how they feel about their appearance
  • They want to rebuild their breasts following specific conditions (cancer treatment)

 

Speaking with a plastic surgeon if you are considering breast augmentation will give you a more realistic outlook about what you can anticipate. A surgeon will speak with you about:

  • What the surgery involves
  • Any risks or potential complications
  • How to safely manage your post-surgery recovery

Who is an ideal candidate for breast augmentation?

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Breast augmentation incorporates the most relevant surgical techniques. Whether you want to get reconstructive surgery after pregnancy to improve aesthetics, rebuild the shape of breasts after a cancer surgery, or you would like to enhance naturally smaller breasts, there are some individuals who are more suited for breast augmentation than others.

You may be an ideal candidate if:

  • You are physically healthy
  • You are not pregnant or breastfeeding
  • You have fully-developed breasts
  • One or both of your breasts have development issues
  • Your breasts are elongated
  • You are unhappy with the shape or volume of your breasts (due to weight loss, age, pregnancy)
  • You are unhappy with your breasts’ smaller size
  • You are seeking a youthful body shape
  • You have realistic surgical expectations

 

It is important to remember that not everyone is an ideal candidate for breast augmentation, particularly if:

  • You have a poor self-image
  • You have unrealistic surgical expectations
  • Your body is predisposed to developing thick scar tissue (capsular contracture)
  • You have uncontrolled diabetes
  • You have certain chronic health conditions

 

Getting your information upfront is the best way to determine if breast augmentation is the right choice for you. Speaking with a doctor can highlight the benefits or drawbacks of your individual candidacy for the cosmetic procedure.

What should I expect with breast augmentation?

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Before Breast Augmentation

Surgeons have specific requirements for their patients before undergoing breast augmentation. They may advise that you:

  • Receive a blood test
  • Take specific medications
  • Adjust your current medications
  • Stop smoking and avoid certain anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Avoid using recreational drugs

 

Certain over-the-counter drugs like aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding. Make sure that you gather a full list of your current medications to provide your surgeon with the needed information ahead of your breast augmentation.

 

During Breast Augmentation

There are certain things that you can expect to happen during your procedure, including:

  • Spending one to three hours in surgery
  • Receiving anesthesia (intravenous sedation or general anesthesia)
  • Having incisions made in specific locations to reduce visible scarring
  • Having a breast implant inserted (under the pectoral muscle or behind the tissue, over the pectoral muscle)
  • Having incisions closed (using sutures and skin adhesive or surgical tape)

 

After Breast Augmentation

Pain, swelling, and bruising around the breasts are not uncommon in the recovery process for breast augmentation. Your doctor may recommend:

  • Wearing a surgical bra or breast binder (better support, less swelling)
  • Cleaning the incision sites and (sometimes) applying ointment
  • Avoiding strenuous activities or heavy lifting for several weeks
  • Taking pain medication as prescribed
  • Monitoring any unusual firmness or pain (capsular contracture)

 

Attending follow-up appointments with your surgeon will allow them to also monitor your healing and recovery progress. You should see the final results at least a few months after your surgery. Keep in mind that implants often sit higher on the chest before gradually dropping.

What are the benefits of breast augmentation?

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Everyone benefits differently from breast augmentation depending on the reason for getting it. Some people acknowledge the benefits as being:

  • Improved symmetry (more balanced and pleasing appearance)
  • Enhanced self-esteem (for aesthetic or medical reasons)
  • A more youthful appearance (less sagging, making small breasts fuller)

Everyone deserves to feel like their most confident self. Breast augmentation can help with that, but the first step is finding the right doctor to speak to who can provide patients with respect and realistic expectations about the desired procedure.

What are the risks for breast augmentation?

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There are risks with breast augmentation, like there are with any type of surgery. Your doctor will likely speak with you in detail about:

  • Scar tissue, which can change the shape of a breast implant
  • Breast pain
  • Changes to how the nipple or breast feels
  • Infection
  • Implant leaks
  • Shifting implants (position changes)

 

Depending on the outcome of your surgery and any potential complications, your doctor may recommend treating the problems with additional surgery. Follow-up surgery can be done to remove or replace your implants depending on the circumstances.

How can I prepare for a breast augmentation procedure?

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Along with speaking to your doctor about specific procedure plans, you should think about some important factors before you officially decide if breast augmentation is the right choice for you.

  • Breast implants do not prevent breasts from sagging
  • Mammograms will require more views
  • Breast implants can make breastfeeding difficult
  • Breast implants last for about 10 years
  • Insurance does not cover implants (unless medically needed)
  • You may get screened for silicone implant rupture (after five or six years)

It is also recommended that you receive breast imaging every two to three years afterwards. Simply put, make sure that you are not only mindful of the immediate aftercare but what the surgeon will recommend you do in the long term. Monitoring the safety and efficacy of your breast augmentation is essential.

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