Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that increases the size of one or both breasts for various reasons. Some women can opt for a breast augmentation for personal and aesthetic reasons, others can correct asymmetries and irregularities affecting one or both breasts.
A breast augmentation surgery can happen in either of two methods. There’s the fat transfer method and silicon implants method.
Types of Breast Implants
1- Shape
In breast augmentation, you have the option to choose between 2 implant types: the tear-drop shaped (anatomical) implants and round implants. In terms of resembling the natural breast shape, tear-drop implants are the best option.
2- Content
While all implants are made of a silicone envelope, the content in the implants can vary. There’s implants filled with silicone gel and there’s implants filled with saline water.
3- Surface
The surface of the implants can be smooth or textured. Either type has its unique benefits where rough implants tend to be at lower risk of repositioning and overall have better adherence to surrounding tissue. Rough implants also impose a lower risk of capsular contracture. On the other hand, while smooth implants are at a higher risk of repositioning, they tend to provide a more natural look.
Incisions in Breast Augmentation with Implants
We have 4 different incision options for breast implant placement. These are transaxillary, areolar, inframmary and TUBA. Each the of incision has its own pros and cons in a breast augmentation. Most people prefer incision under the breast, inframmary incisions because the scars would be least visible. While incisions on the nipples heal with no scars, it’s not the most recommended type of incision in breast augmentation because it interferes with the milk duct.
As for the transaxillary incision, your surgeons works from your armpits making no changes or incisions near the breast. This type of breast augmentation incisions doesn’t affect the milk ducts or milk production after the procedure. The implant placement in a transaxillary incision takes place endoscopically.
What type of incision you can have in a breast augmentation depends on your anatomy as well as the type of breast implant you want to opt for.
How to Prepare for Breast Augmentation with Implants
- Do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before surgery
- If you drink alcohol, you must stop 2 weeks before breast augmentation
- If you smoke, you should stop starting from 2 weeks before your rhinoplasty
- Stop using vitamin E and blood thinners 2 weeks before breast augmentation
How to Prepare for Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
- If you drink alcohol, you must stop 2 weeks before breast augmentation
- If you smoke, you should stop starting from 2 weeks before your rhinoplasty
- Stop using vitamin E and blood thinners 2 weeks before breast augmentation
Breast Augmentation Procedure
Pre-surgery
A breast augmentation happens under general anesthesia where our team of anesthesiologists will administer it for you. Pre-application, our team will monitor your heart rate, CBC, and oxygen levels to make sure you’re suitable for general anesthesia.
In a fat transfer breast augmentation, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Surgery
Regardless of the type of incision, your doctor will have to create a pocket either under the mammary glands or under the chest muscle. This pocket is where your implant will be inserted.
Silicone implants come pre-filled, whereas saline implants are inserted empty and later filled after placement.
In a fat transfer breast augmentation, your surgeon will remove excess and unwanted fat from any area on the body using liposuction. Once the fat cells are extracted, your doctor will inject them strategically into your breasts achieving your aesthetic goals.
Post-surgery
After a breast augmentation, you’ll fine that your breasts are covered in bandages and you will be wearing a compression bra. Underneath the bandages, your doctor will place drains to collect excess fluids and blood discharge. These drains will stay for 5 to 7 days from your breast augmentation before your doctor removes them. It’s normal to experience dizziness, nausea, and weakness, in the first few hours after a breast augmentation.
Your team at Esthete Clinic will monitor these symptoms and offer your medications to alleviate them.
You can consume liquids and soft foods 4 hours after a breast augmentatioin
You can go home the same day of your breast augmentation if your body has stabilized.
Duration of Breast Augmentation
A breast augmentation surgery can last anywhere between 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Breast Augmentation Recovery
Spend the first few days resting to help your body recovery sooner. During this period, you may have different complaints depending on the placement of your implants. If your implant was placed behind the wall of your chest muscles, you’ll feel pain with arm movements during the first few days.
After the third day on wards, swelling will begin to decrease significantly. Your doctor will remove your bandages by the 4th day. You are allowed to take a shower after this.
Limit your physical activities in the first 3 weeks. Make sure you don’t engage in strenuous exercise or perform any jarring movements with your upper body.
Likewise avoids sauna, solarium and steam bath should for 6-8 weeks following a breast augmentation surgery. Although it decreases gradually, short-term pains such as stinging, burning and cramping may occur from time to time, which may last for months.
You may experience numbness or hypersensitivity in the breast and nipple areas which is completely normal and may take up to 12-6 months to clear.
You may be able to return to your daily activities anywhere between 10 to 30 days after a breast augmentation. It all comes down to how well your body recovers.
Results of Breast Augmentation
Results of breast augmentation with implants are instantaneous and permanent. Over time as the body adapts to the changes and the swelling completely goes away, results of a breast augmentation will get better.
