Women often choose to have breast augmentation surgery because they consider that their breasts are too small, they want to correct their breast volume after losing weight or they want to correct a difference in size between the breasts. The surgery involves putting implants, made of elastic silicone and filled with silicone gel, behind the breasts and is a very safe process, when performed by a professional.
At your preliminary consultation with your specialist surgeon, as well as learning about what to do to prepare for the operation and to help recover quickly, you will discuss whether to have the implant above or below the muscle. Implants placed over the muscle tend to give a quicker recovery period and often suit people with nipples in low positions. Implants placed under the muscle are often better for women with little breast tissue or higher nipples. Your surgeon will measure and assess your breasts, perhaps take photographs of them, and you might even have a mammogram.
The actual breast surgery is carried out under a general anesthetic and the operation takes between one and two hours. Incisions are made under the breast, around the nipple or towards the armpit. Pockets are then formed for the implants to be inserted into. Once the cuts are closed often with dissolvable sutures the breasts will be wrapped in a supportive dressing or support bra. Its likely that plastic tubes will be left in to allow fluids to drain for the first 24 to 48 hours after the operation.
Before leaving the clinic, which is likely to be the following day, you will be given comprehensive advice about caring for your breasts and hygiene as well as the date for your follow-up consultation. You will need to continue to wear a support bra for as long as six weeks in order to help prevent the weight of your breasts pulling on the wounds. Heavy lifting including small children will have to be avoided so you might need to plan for help for a few weeks. For these first few weeks, your breasts might feel sore, swollen and hard and it is quite possible that your nipples will experience a slight burning sensation. Your scars will gradually fade.
Few women experience complications as a result of breast augmentation but, as with any surgical procedure, it is possible that there could be a reaction to the anesthetic, an infection or the development of a blood clot. Specific complications, whilst also extremely unlikely, could include an unevenness in the size or shape of the breasts; abnormal scar tissue forming around the implant; a permanent change in nipple or skin sensation; fluid building up around the implant, which would entail additional surgery; or raised scars, which might not then fade.
The vast majority of patients, however, experience none of these complications and are delighted with the results of the augmentation.
There are several other points of interest to be mentioned. Because implants are placed under the gland, they do not interfere with breastfeeding or the process of lactation in any way. If you plan to breastfeed in the future, it would be advisable to inform your surgeon as this could have a bearing on the kind of operation you have. If you have recently stopped breastfeeding, it is often recommended that you postpone any surgery until your breasts have returned to their usual condition.
Also, if you are going to have a mammogram after your breast augmentation surgery, advise your radiographer so that measures can be taken to counter any interference.
Finally, the very latest implants used in breast augmentation can be expected to last far longer than the ten years which used to be the case.
Most clinics in the United Kingdom will charge between £4,000 and £7,500 for breast augmentation surgery. In the USA, the average cost at the moment is $6,000.
Breast Augmentation
Throughout the world, many thousands of women have had the wonderful experience of having their lives enhanced by breast augmentation. Having bigger, beautifully formed breasts can be, for many, a dream come true.
Breast Augmentation
