Incisions vary based on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired,
your particular anatomy,
and patient-surgeon preference.
Step
3 - Implant choice
Breast size and shape are important, so be honest
and open about your expectations when talking
with your surgeon.
Implant
type and size will be determined not just on your desired increase in size but more
importantly on your breast anatomy,
skin elasticity and body type.
Options for Breast Implants
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. They can be filled with varying amounts
of saline
which can affect the shape, firmness and feel of the breast. Should the implant shell leak, a saline
implant
will collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body.
Silicone
implants are filled with an elastic gel. The gel feels and moves much like natural breast
tissue. If the implant leaks,
the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the
breast implant pocket.
A leaking implant filled with silicone gel may not collapse. If you choose these implants,
you may
need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly. An
ultrasound
or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants.
Implant
manufacturers occasionally introduce new styles and types of implants, so there may be
additional options available.
Currently Saline implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women
18
years of age and older. Currently Silicone implants are FDA-approved for augmentation
in women
22 years of age and older. Saline or silicone implants may be
recommended at a younger age if
used for reconstruction purposes.
Step
4 - Inserting and placing the implant
After the incision is made, a breast implant is inserted into a pocket either:
- Under the pectoral muscle (a submuscular placement), or
- Directly
behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle
(a submammary/ subglandular placement)
The
method for inserting and positioning implants depends on the type of implant, degree of
enlargement desired, your body
type, and your surgeon’s recommendations.
Step 5 - Closing the
incisions
Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue
and with sutures, skin adhesive or
surgical tape to close the skin. Over time the incision lines will fade.
Step 6 - See the results
The
results of breast augmentation are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will
resolve and incision
lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as
you recover and realize the fulfillment
of your goal for fuller breasts.
Important facts about the safety and risks of breast augmentation
The
decision to have breast augmentation surgery is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide
if the benefits will
achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.
Your
plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will
be asked to sign consent
forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo
and any risks or potential complications.
The risks include:
- Unfavorable
scarring
- Bleeding (hematoma)
- Infection
- Poor healing of incisions
- Changes
in nipple or breast sensation, may be temporary or permanent
- Capsular
contracture, which is the formation of firm scar tissue around the implant
- Implant
leakage or rupture
- Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
- Anesthesia risks
- Fluid accumulation
- Blood clots
- Pain,
which may persist
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Possibility of revisional surgery
Breast implants do not impair breast health. Careful review of scientific research conducted
by
independent groups such as the Institute of Medicine has found no proven link between breast
implants and autoimmune
or other systemic diseases.
Other important considerations:
- Breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and future surgery may be
required to replace one or both implants. - Pregnancy,
weight loss and menopause may influence the appearance
of augmented breasts over the course of your lifetime.
My Recovery
After
a post-surgical recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of
a few days, you will
likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks.
Exercise
and normal activity can resume at the direction of your plastic surgeon. Over time,
post-surgical swelling will decrease
and incision lines will fade.
You will
be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for your breasts following
surgery, medications to
apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and
when to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.
Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about
what you can expect during your
individual recovery period.
- Where
will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
- What medication will
I be given or prescribed after surgery?
- Will I have dressings/bandages
after surgery?
- When will they be removed?
- Are stitches removed? When?
- When
can I resume normal activity and exercise?
- When do I return for follow-up
care?
When you go home
If
you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, seek medical attention
immediately. Should
any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and
additional treatment.
The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are
expected,
there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a
single
surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
Be careful
Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It
is important that
the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of
healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.
The results will be long-lasting
The
results of your breast augmentation surgery will be long-lasting. You will find it easier to wear
certain styles of
clothing and swim wear.Like many women who have had breast augmentation,
you may also have a boost in self confidence.
Implants may need to
be replaced or revised
It’s important to know that your breast
implants are not permanent and may require replacement
during your lifetime. You should expect to have future visits
with your plastic surgeon to discuss
changes in your breasts.
Over
time, your breasts can change due to aging, weight fluctuations, hormonal factors and gravity.
If, after a period of
years, you become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may
choose to undergo a breast lift or implant
exchange to restore a more youthful contour.
Continue
to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.
How much will breast augmentation surgery cost?
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. A surgeon’s cost for breast augmentation
may
vary based on his or her experience, the type of breast implant used, as well as geographic office
location.
Many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.
Cost may include:
- Surgeon’s
fee
- Hospital or surgical facility costs
- Anesthesia
fees
- Implant cost
- Prescriptions
for medication
- Post-surgery garments
- Medical
tests
Most health insurance plans will
not cover cosmetic breast augmentation surgery, related
complications or another surgery to revise the appearance of
your breasts. Some carriers even
exclude breast diseases in patients who have breast implants. You must carefully review
your
health insurance policy.
Your
satisfaction involves more than a fee
When choosing a plastic surgeon
for breast augmentation, remember that the surgeon’s experience
with breast implants and your comfort with him
or her are just as important as the final cost of the
surgery.
Words to know
- Areola: Pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.
- ugmentation
mammaplasty: Breast enlargement by surgery.
- Breast
Augmentation: Also known as augmentation mammaplasty; breast enlargement
by surgery. - Breast Implants: Medical devices placed in your body to enhance an existing
breast
size or to reconstruct your breast. Breast implants can be filled with either salt water
(saline) or silicone
(elastic gel). - Capsular contracture: A complication
of breast implant surgery which occurs when scar
tissue that normally forms around the implant tightens and squeezes
the implant and
becomes firm. - General anesthesia:
Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and
alter consciousness. - Hematoma:
Blood pooling beneath the skin.
- Inframammary incision:
An incision made in the fold under the breast.
- Intravenous
sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
- Local
anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation
to relieve pain. - Mammogram: An x-ray image of the breast.
- Mastectomy:
The removal of breast tissue, typically to rid the body of cancer.
- MRI:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging; a painless test to view tissue similar to an x-ray.
- Periareolar
incision: An incision made at the edge of the areola.
- Saline
implants: Breast implants filled with salt water.
- Silicone
implants: Breast implants filled with an elastic gel.
- Submammary
or subglandular placement: Breast implants placed directly behind the
breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle.
- Submuscular or subpectoral placement: Breast implants
placed under the pectoral
muscle, which is located between the breast tissue and chest wall. - Sutures:
Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.
- Transaxillary
incision: An incision made in the underarm area.
- Ultrasound:
A diagnostic procedure that projects high frequency sound waves into the
body and records the echoes as pictures.
