Augmentation mammoplasty, commonly known as breast augmentation, involves using breast implants or fat transfer to increase the size of your breasts. This procedure can also restore lost breast volume after weight loss or pregnancy, achieve a rounder breast shape, or improve asymmetry in natural breast size.
Breast augmentation is performed by placing implants behind the breast tissue or under the chest muscle. The implant is a pouch filled with a sterile saline solution (saltwater) or a material called silicone. The surgery is conducted either at an outpatient surgical clinic or in a hospital setting.
Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
Saline-Filled Breast Implants
Breast Augmentation Before and After
Before surgery, you should meet with your surgeon. You should ask questions about the surgeon's experience, your surgery, and expected outcomes. The surgeon should be able to discuss whether you are a good candidate for breast implants, different types of implants, size, shape, surface texture, and placement options based on your specific circumstances, as well as the risks and benefits of implant surgery. The surgeon should also be able to show you before and after photos of other patients to help you better understand your expectations and potential outcomes.
Contrary to popular belief, healing actually begins before you undergo breast augmentation surgery. While there are no restrictions on physical activities in the days and weeks leading up to surgery, there are certain medications and supplements that should be avoided. Additionally, there is a range of vitamins and supplements, such as Vitamin E, fish oil, ginkgo biloba, and garlic, that should be avoided two weeks before (and after) surgery.
Even if you know what to expect from your breast augmentation surgery, it's important to manage these expectations during the surgery and recovery process. Don't worry if implants feel especially high or if you have doubts about their shape. In the weeks and months following surgery, especially around the nipples, you may experience nerve tension and irritation, but this will quickly pass.
You may also experience a burning sensation around the incisions immediately afterward, but this will subside quickly. Like any surgery, breast augmentation surgery carries different points of recovery in the days, weeks, and months following the procedure. Rest and icing will be prioritized immediately after surgery.
Breast Augmentation Operation Process
Breast implant surgery can be performed in a hospital or surgical center. Patients undergoing breast implant surgery may need to stay overnight in the hospital (inpatient surgery) or they may go home later (outpatient surgery). The surgery can be done under local anesthesia, where the patient remains awake and only the breast area is numbed to block pain, or under general anesthesia, where medication is given to make the patient unconscious. Most women opt for general anesthesia for this surgery. Breast implant surgery can take anywhere from one to several hours depending on the procedure and individual circumstances. Generally, many breast augmentation surgical procedures are relatively straightforward, hence most surgeries are quite short. If the surgery is performed in a hospital, the length of stay will vary based on the type of surgery, post-operative complications, and overall health condition. The duration of hospital stay may also depend on the type of coverage provided by your insurance.
Change of Breast Silicone
There are several different complications that can affect how long breast implants last and when you may need to replace them. These can include:
Capsular Contracture: This occurs when scar tissue around one or both implants hardens. This scar tissue can cause tightening, pain, sensitivity, and changes in breast size and shape.
Saline Implant Rupture: When a saline implant ruptures, it deflates rapidly like a balloon. Saline will leak out through a hole or tear in the implant and be harmlessly absorbed by surrounding tissue. As saline leaks, the affected breast will lose size and shape, eventually appearing noticeably different from the other breast. The risk of saline leakage is rare in the first few years but increases by about one percent each year.
Silicone Rupture: Silicone breast implant rupture, often referred to as "silent rupture," is quite different. Silicone implants typically contain a thick silicone gel that remains contained within the implant or surrounding tissues even if the implant ruptures. Therefore, it's often difficult to tell when a silicone implant has ruptured. Changes such as decrease in breast size, irregular appearance, or altered sensation in the breast, as well as swelling, burning, or numbness, may be noticed.
Rippling: In some cases, wrinkles or ripples can develop in implants. These ripples may be felt and, in extreme cases, can be visible through the skin.
Changes in Position: While breast implants can change your appearance, they cannot halt the aging process. As you age, gravity will continue to have its effect, potentially leading to sagging of the breasts. Significant changes in weight can also contribute to changes in implant position. If this occurs, you may consider breast lift or implant replacement to restore your desired appearance.
Personal Preference: Some women may wish to change the appearance of their breasts after their initial surgery. This could involve revision surgery with larger or smaller implants, or even removal of implants altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each cosmetic surgeon has their own protocols for flying after breast augmentation. However, standard guidelines recommend waiting at least one week after surgery to fly. The first week after breast augmentation surgery is when most complications occur. While flying itself may not be an issue, the idea of traveling and being confined on a plane can expose you to complications. For example, carrying heavy luggage can contribute to bleeding, while sitting for a long flight can increase your risk of blood clots.
Generally speaking, women typically begin considering breast augmentation in their 30s and 40s when they start noticing changes related to pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the aging process. However, women of almost any age continue to choose breast augmentation as a solution to achieve a more feminine and attractive figure or to restore their previous appearance.
If you are considering breast augmentation or revision, a critical decision you and your surgeon need to make together is whether to place your new breast implants above or below your chest muscle. Your surgeon will evaluate your unique body type to determine which implant position is right for you. Silicone implants placed under the muscle do not cause loss of strength. For individuals engaged in heavy sports, implants may not be placed under the muscle to avoid issues.
All breast implants have an outer silicone shell that can potentially create a tear or hole, called a rupture. The saline implant also has a valve that can malfunction and cause leakage. The likelihood of your implant rupturing or leaking increases over time. However, breast silicones are tested with pressure applications while being produced, and therefore the possibility of the silicones bursting is very low.
Breast silicones do not shrink, but when first applied, they appear larger than intended due to the presence of edema in the surgery area. As the operation settles down over time, the breasts reach the desired size.
Breast silicones do not contain harmful substances and do not cause serious complications after being placed in the body. However, since it is a foreign substance introduced into the body from outside, there is a risk of allergy to some people. But it should be known that this is a very low probability.
Incisions leave scars, this is inevitable. However, the visibility of your scars is something you have some control over. So is keeping the incisions clean, wearing compression and support garments, and closely following all other pre- and post-operative instructions provided by our clinic. Following these instructions carefully will improve your healing experience and help reduce visible scars.
Deciding to get breast implants is an important decision. It's an investment designed to help you achieve desired feminine curves and often boosts self-image. Proper care for your breast implants can help extend their lifespan, starting from the breast augmentation surgery itself. For instance, your plastic surgeon will likely recommend wearing a supportive garment or surgical bra during recovery. Failure to follow these guidelines could lead to lack of support and increased sagging over time. The full results of the procedure and the final shape of the breasts typically develop over a period of 6-12 months.
You should be mentally prepared for your breasts to sag at some point after getting implants. Again, this is normal and is caused by the newly added weight on your breasts and the pressure it puts on your connective tissue. The tissues around natural breasts and breast implants often cause sagging, but this is not the case for everyone.
If your breasts are uneven, our primary goal is to make sure your breasts fit together in shape and size. Depending on the severity of your asymmetry, you may need implants in one or both breasts. Patients will have their choice of silicone or saline breast implants from a variety of options. This includes round or teardrop breast implants to achieve a natural look.
The silicones used are tested and reliable materials. In addition to performing regular self-checks to ensure safety, you should always follow your plastic surgeon's guidelines for annual checkups. If you have silicone implants, it is recommended that you have an MRI 5-6 years after the initial surgery and every 2-3 years thereafter. Taking proper care of your implants can help extend the life of your new look and give you more time before your breast implant needs to be replaced.
Breastfeeding After Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breastfeeding after breast augmentation surgery is generally safe. However, some patients may encounter difficulties depending on the type of surgery they underwent. It's important to inform your surgeon whether you plan to have children and/or breastfeed before any breast procedure, as these factors can potentially impact your surgical outcomes. If you are planning to get breast implants but anticipate becoming pregnant in the near future, it's best to wait at least 6 months after finishing breastfeeding to ensure your breasts have settled into their permanent shape and size.