Breast Augmentation

What is it?

Breast augmentation. Augmentation mammoplasty. Boob job. Potato potato.

This is a surgery to increase breast size. It involves inserting breast implants underneath breast tissue or chest muscles.

This may be an option for people to:

• Enhance their appearance if they would like larger breasts
• Rebuild breasts after breast surgery for other conditions (eg. Breast cancer)
• Correct for a reduction in breast size after significant weight loss or pregnancy

Risks

As with all procedures, there are some risks you should be aware of.

• Breast pain
• Infection
• Scar tissue forming around the breast implant and distorting its shape (capsular contracture)
• Changes in implant position
• Implant rupture or leakage
• Changes in sensation to the breast and nipple
• Rarer side effects which you can learn about by clicking here
  

Treating these complications may sometimes require more surgery, to replace or remove the implants.

It’s always best to discuss this with your surgeon.

What to know before you go ahead

There are a few things you should know before proceeding with the surgery, just to make sure it’s what you want.

Breast implants don’t stop your breasts from sagging. If this is what you’re looking for, think about getting a breast lift (mastopexy) as well as a breast augmentation to correct sagging.

Breast implants don’t last forever. 10 years is the average lifespan. So future surgery is usually in the distant horizon, whether it’s to change the implants or just remove them entirely.

You’ll need to undergo screening for implant rupture. Usually 5 years after the surgery, with a breast MRI scan. Then every 2-3 years thereafter.

Breast implants make mammograms tricky. But not impossible. You’ll just need additional views when you go for your routine mammograms.

Breast implants might make breastfeeding tricky. For some women. Not all of them.

You might need further surgery if you have your implants removed. In the form of a breast lift or other surgery to restore your breasts’ appearance.

A lot of these issues are remediable with the right planning and the right surgeon. You just have to pick the right surgeon to talk these issues through with.

What to expect

As usual, we can split this into three sections: before, during, and after the surgery.

Before

You’ll have a chat with your surgeon about your reasons for wanting the surgery and your expectations. It’s important to find a surgeon you can be open and honest with, as that will help them understand your needs better.

They will also go through the risks and other considerations before going ahead with the surgery.

You will be asked about your medical history and any regular medications you take, to ensure you’re safe to proceed and that certain medications (like blood thinners) are stopped in time before your surgery.

Your surgeon will also examine your breasts to best prepare for the surgery and may recommend a couple of other tests.

During

Breast augmentation is usually done with general anaesthesia, meaning that you’re asleep during the procedure. They will have talked through your options before your surgery.

Your surgeon will start by making a single cut in one of three places:

Inframammary. The crease under the breast.

Axillary. Under your arm, around the armpit area.

Periareolar. Around the areolar, the area of darker skin on your breast.

Once the incision has been made, the surgeon will create a pocket in front or behind one of the main chest wall muscles, the pectoral muscle.

This is achieved by separating your breast tissue from the muscles and connective tissue of the chest. The implant is then inserted into this pocket.

The implant may be a saline implant, which is inserted empty and then filled with salt water. If you’ve picked the right surgeon, they’ll be using sterile salt water and not random gunk from the sea.

Alternatively, silicone implants, pre-filled with silicone gel, may be inserted instead.

Once the implant is in place, the surgeon will stitch up the incision and bandage it with skin adhesive.

After

You can expect swelling and soreness to last a few weeks after surgery. Bruising isn’t unheard of either.

Scars should fade with time, but they won’t disappear completely.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to aid your recovery!

Recovery

Your surgeon may give you the following advice:

1. Wear a support bra or compression garment for extra support during the healing process
2. Take Arnica supplements to reduce bruising
3. Sleep upright to reduce swelling
4. Use a scar sheet or gel to reduce scarring - take your pick!
5. Avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks
6. When to return to work – usually a few weeks if your job isn’t too physical. Wrestlers may need to wait a bit longer
7. Minimise physical contact to the breasts to avoid pain or damage
8. To contact them if you notice a warmth/redness in your breast or a fever. This might be a sign of infection

If you follow the advice above, you should be able to enjoy your new look! Otherwise, always contact your surgeon if you have any concerns.

Your happiness and safety is the main priority here at Ask Doctor Jad.