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Welcome to Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery’s guide to breast augmentation. This introduction to the procedure also covers a few things you can do to ensure a result you will love. This information cannot take the place of your consultation, and we can best answer any questions you have or address specific concerns in your private consultation.
Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures, chosen by more than 350,000 women a year. This procedure can improve the contour of your breasts by increasing their size, enhancing their shape, correcting proportional imbalances, and improving firmness. Physically healthy women with realistic goals may be able to improve their body proportions and achieve a greater sense of self-confidence and femininity.
Breast Augmentation Surgery Procedure
Typically breast augmentation procedures are performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, breast augmentation can last between one and two hours. There are a number of different options to help tailor your procedure to your specific needs, including where the implants will be placed and where the incisions will be made, as well as the size and shape of the implants.
As you probably already know, saline and silicone gel implants can come in many different sizes. But did you know that they come in different shapes as well? Implants can either be round or anatomical (often called teardrop shaped) and may be smooth or textured on the surface. Your goals and physical proportions such as the width of your chest wall, amount of existing breast tissue, and subcutaneous fat will affect the size, shape, and type of implant that is best for you.
The incision can be made in several different locations:
• Within the breast crease – which is called an inframammary incision and is hidden within the crease beneath the breast
• Around the areola – known as peri-areolar, where the incision is hidden by the change in texture and color around the edges of the areola
• Under the arm – in the transaxillary position, which allows the incision to be hidden in the hollow of the armpit
The implant will be placed either below your chest muscle (called submuscular placement) or above it (subglandular placement).
Preparing for Breast Augmentation Surgery
Some suggestions to help you prepare for surgery.
During your consultation you should be very open: provide us with all of your medical history and list all of the medications, vitamins, and herbs you are taking (even if you don’t think they’re important). Every woman has a unique perspective on what may be the best shape for her breasts, and your goals will affect the way your breast augmentation is performed. It is important to discuss your desires and listen closely so that we can help you can set realistic expectations.
Here are some tips that may help you reduce scarring, shorten your recovery time, and decrease your chances of complications from breast augmentation surgery:
• Discontinue using Aspirin or Ibuprofen (these medications act as blood thinners and could cause problems with blood clotting).
• Stop smoking for at least two weeks before your breast augmentation as nicotine can impair circulation and healing.
• Do not drink alcohol in excess before or after your breast augmentation surgery.
• Drink lots of water in the days leading up to your breast augmentation.
To make your breast augmentation recovery easier and more comfortable be sure to:
• Arrange for someone to take you home and take care of you for at least the first day.
• Fill your prescriptions and have them within easy reach of where you will be resting.
• Place plenty of pillows and a bed wedge nearby so that you can keep your back elevated.
• Have several loose fitting, button-down blouses ready to wear in your new breast size.
You will also want to avoid raising your arms above shoulder level during the first few days after your breast augmentation surgery.
Post Breast Augmentation Surgery
You should expect some bruising, swelling, and pain for the first week or two. Stitches will come out or be absorbed on their own between a week and ten days. Swelling may linger for as long as one to two months. Pain medication will be prescribed to control any discomfort. Severe pain is not normal, and we would want to know about it immediately.
You will also notice that your breasts appear unnatural for the first few days after breast augmentation surgery, with much of your breast mound high on your chest or above your nipples. This is common, due to the tightness of your chest muscles. It may take several weeks to months for your tissues to relax and for the implants to assume their long-term position. To help in this process, you may be instructed to do some massaging exercises or wear an elastic band. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully to assure the best possible result.
The recovery process is different for everyone, but within a day of your breast augmentation you should be up and walking around. You may shower on the second or third day following surgery. After a few days sutures and bandages, if applied, will be removed. You should plan on being out of work and away from your usual activities for the first week. For the next two or three weeks your breasts may be very sensitive and strenuous physical activities should be limited. You will need to wear a support bra for about four weeks. Following this period you may gradually return to activities such as lifting and exercise.
While there will be permanent scars from your breast augmentation, they will be well hidden when you’re wearing clothing, even when you’re wearing a swimsuit. The scars are usually small and become difficult to see as they heal over time. The appearance of your breasts will improve over a period of several months and you should be able to keep results that you will love for a very long time.
It is important to understand that your breast implants will not last a lifetime and will need to be replaced at some point. This is true with both saline-filled and silicone gel implants. The breast augmentation replacement procedure is usually significantly easier than your original surgery in terms of postoperative pain and discomfort.
Routine mammograms must be continued after surgery, and you should let your technician know that you have breast implants. You should continue monthly breast self-examinations and annual physician examinations as you would had you not had breast augmentation.
Be sure to take a look at our before and after photos to get a better idea of the results you may achieve. If you have any remaining questions or are ready to schedule your breast augmentation consultation, give us a call, we’ll be waiting to help.
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