Breast Augmentation

Reasons for choosing surgery are highly personal and many women consider the option of breast surgery for years before deciding to proceed. Women who have small breasts or whose breasts are smaller and less firm following pregnancy may be interested in increasing the size and proportion of their breasts. Some women may have mildly saggy breast skin while others desire to bring a significantly smaller breast into balance with the other. In some cases, a breast lift may be performed along with a breast augmentation in order to provide the patient with better overall results and a more youthful appearance.

Patients need to talk with their plastic surgeon about the advantages and disadvantages of the various implant options. There are two primary categories of breast implant materials, silicone and saline. Within these two categories, implants can be round or anatomically-shaped, textured or smooth, and of different sizes: ● Breast implants filled with saline, a sterile salty solution, are almost rarely used now that Silicone implants are approved by the FDA. ● Silicone implants are filled with a soft silicone gel, which closely resembles the weight and feel of natural breast tissue. Your specific breast size will be determined by your surgeon and yourself based on your goals, body type, and desired augmentation technique.

● Submuscular placement of breast implants is a more invasive surgery where the surgeon places the implant under the patient’s chest muscles. ● Subglandular implant procedures involve shorter recovery time and smaller incisions for inserting the implant.

Inframammary and areola incisions offer the most control during implant procedures and the best results. Patients returning for revision surgery will need an incision in one of these locations.

● Take time to get used to the new appearance and sensations of implants. They may feel slightly firmer than natural breasts and there may be some feeling of tightness and discomfort around the chest area. ● You may also expect some swelling that will take some time to fully subside, including bruising and tenderness. The residual bruising and swelling will typically resolve in as little as two weeks. Pain can be managed with medication. ● A surgical bra will need to be worn during the recovery process to provide support and manage swelling. ● It can take several months to see the full results of your breast augmentation. ● Breast augmentation using autologous fat transfer has a shorter recovery timeline as it is a less invasive procedure. You’ll still be required to wear a compression bra and limit strenuous activities.

It’s extremely important that you fill out your paperwork correctly regarding any medications or supplements you take as they might interfere with the smoothness and safety of your surgery. Also, if you’re a smoker, you should stop smoking at least 15 days prior to your procedure.

Pregnancy should not interfere with breast implants by any means. Most women can still breastfeed, as the surgery usually doesn’t affect the ducts or the areas of your breast involved in milk production.

An implant does not last forever, this type of prosthesis breaks down over the years when it’s worn out. In the first 10 years only 5.7% of the implants are broken. In the period between 10 and 20 years the implant usually ruptures. It is known that most break between 10 and 20 years of the intervention, although it is also true that there are some that last longer.

Breast implants are both safe and long-lasting, designed to withstand a considerable amount of pressure or impact. However, while breast implants may be durable, they aren’t lifetime devices. Your breasts won’t be immune to the gradual effects of aging or lifestyle changes that may alter their appearance and will pull the breasts down even with implants, such as: ● Pregnancy and nursing ● Substantial weight loss or weight gain ● Hormonal factors ● Gravity

It is possible to reverse this procedure. However, once your implants have fully settled and your skin adapted to fit them if they are removed you may have loose or sagging skin. If you no longer want breast implants, you may need a breast lift or other corrective surgery.

The majority of implants heal within 4-6 weeks. Most patients will need around 2 to 3 weeks of recovery before they can resume most of their normal activities. Exercise and heavy lifting will need to be avoided for several more weeks. After 2 months you should be cleared to resume all your normal activities.

The rupture of a silicone implant may cause breast pain or changes in the contour or the shape of the gland. Contrary to common belief, if the implant ripples, it’s not linked to any complicated conditions. The implant will deflate, which will cause the affected breast to change in size and shape. When a silicone implant ripples, it can go unnoticed because the silicone tends to get trapped within the shell but it’s possible that the tissue gets affected by getting red or swollen. If the implant ripples and it’s filled with saline solution your body will absorb it and it’s filtered without risking your health.

Loss of feeling in the breasts or nipples is one of the most common consequences after an operation of an increase. Usually, waiting 3 to 6 months is necessary to fully recover the sensitivity. The loss ratio is usually between 5 and 10% sensitivity after a chest operation. The type of operation with the least loss of nipple sensation is usually the incision in the inframammary fold.

Your safety is our #1 main priority so aside from regular blood work/labs if you are over the age of 40 a mammogram will also be a prerequisite.

Breast augmentation is a very safe procedure, but as with all surgeries, carries some risk. These include reactions to anesthesia, infections, or complications that appear later, such as capsular contracture.