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Breast augmentation surgery increases or restores breast size using silicone gel implants, saline implants, or in some cases, fat transfe
Breast augmentation surgery increases or restores breast size using silicone gel implants, saline implants, or in some cases, fat transfer. One of the most popular and frequently performed aesthetic surgery procedures, breast augmentation has a long and successful track record in satisfying women who wish to enhance, regain or restore balance to their figures.
When should you Consider Breast Augmentation
Considerations
Pros
Cons
These are the three top pros and cons to weigh when considering breast augmentation. If you wish to
focus on what is unique to you, please consult with your aesthetic plastic surgeon.
The following are some common reasons why you may want to consider breast augmentation:
There have never been more choices for breast augmentation. The following options are available, depending on your medical history, body shape and aesthetic goals.
Saline-filled breast implants are filled with sterile saltwater. They may be prefilled at a predetermined size or filled at the time of surgery to allow for minor modifications in implant size. Silicone-filled breast implants are filled with soft, elastic gel and are available in a variety of shapes. All silicone breast implants are pre-filled and may require a longer incision for implant placement.
Autologous fat transfer removes fat through liposuction from an area of your body in which there are abundant fat cells, such as your thighs, abdomen and hips. After a process of preparation and refinement, the fat cells are injected into your breast. This is a procedure being preferred over breast implant augmentation and many ladies who have had implants are replacing their existing implants with their own fat and research has proven it for safety and effective.
Your plastic surgeon might combine any of these breast augmentation options with a breast lift if there is any sagging or drooping of your breasts.
Your anatomy and health profile as well as your personal preferences will help you and your surgeon determine:
If your breasts are sagging, a breast lift may be recommended in conjunction with breast augmentation. If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, be sure to tell your plastic surgeon. The surgeon may recommend that you stabilize your weight before undergoing surgery. If you think that you may want to become pregnant in the future, discuss this with your surgeon.
Pregnancy can alter breast size in an unpredictable way and could affect the long-term results of your breast augmentation. There is no evidence that breast implants will affect pregnancy or your ability to breastfeed, but if you have questions about these matters, you should ask your plastic surgeon.
Following insertion and placement of breast implants, your surgeon will use sutures to close the surgical incisions. Many plastic surgeons will wrap your chest area with a gauze bandage or a surgical compression bra to provide support and assist with healing. Fat transfer Breast augmentation with autologous fat transfer requires two procedures: liposuction and fat injection.
Using liposuction techniques, your plastic surgeon will remove your fat cells from a predetermined location with a cannula, process the fat, and then inject the fat into your breasts. Your liposuction incisions will be closed with sutures, and you will wear compression garments over the liposuction areas and your breasts.
You may be permitted to go home after a short observation period unless you and your plastic surgeon have arranged other plans for your immediate postoperative recovery.
Aftercare and Recovery Your surgeon will discuss how long it will be before you can return to your normal level of activity and work. After surgery, you and your caregiver will receive detailed instructions about your postsurgical care. Immediately after breast augmentation surgery After your breast augmentation procedure, you may be placed in a surgical dressing that can include a support bra or garment.
Breast augmentation surgery stretches the breast tissue and can be painful—especially when implants have been placed under the chest muscle. Typically, the most pain is experienced within the first 48 hours after breast augmentation surgery. Your level of pain will typically decrease each day and maybe effectively treated with various pain medications.
Your breasts may feel tight and sensitive to the touch and your skin may feel warm or itchy. You may experience difficulty raising your arms. Some discoloration and swelling will occur initially, but this will disappear quickly. Most residual swelling will resolve within a month.
In breast augmentation using implants, your surgeon makes an incision, lifts the breast tissue, creates a pocket in the chest/breast area and places an implant in the pocket.
An additional option for breast augmentation is autologous fat transfer, a process in which your surgeon removes your own fat, using liposuction, from a fat-yielding body part (such as your abdomen, thighs, or flanks) processes it and then injects it into your breasts. This process has shown promise and one can double the size of their existing breast.
The goal of your aesthetic plastic surgeon and staff is to help you achieve the best results and to make your surgical experience as easy, safe and comfortable as possible.
Your initial consultation appointment During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your cosmetic goals. Your surgeon will evaluate you as a candidate for breast augmentation and clarify what a breast augmentation can do for you. Understanding your goals and medical condition, both alternative and additional
treatments may be considered.
You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your complete medical history. This will include information about:
Your breast augmentation surgery may be performed in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite. Most breast augmentation procedures take at least one to three hours.
Your breast augmentation surgery may be performed in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite. Most breast augmentation procedures take at least one to three hours.
You should be able to walk without assistance immediately after breast augmentation surgery. It is very important that you walk a few minutes every few hours to reduce the risk of blood clot formation in your legs.
The first week
Two to six weeks
You should minimize excessive physical activity for at least the first couple of weeks after surgery.
Long-term
Your surgeon will encourage you to schedule routine mammograms at the frequency recommended for your age group. Following breast augmentation, you should continue to perform breast self-examination.