Breast Augmentation

Increasing the size and altering the contour of a woman's breasts is the goal of breast augmentation surgery, often known as breast enlargement or breast implants. Breast augmentation is performed to improve a woman's proportions or symmetry or restore breast volume lost after weight loss or lactation. Breast augmentation, a prevalent type of cosmetic surgery, can boost a woman's confidence and happiness with her physical appearance.

Why Is It Done?

Several factors influence a woman's decision to get breast implants. Many women consider breast augmentation surgery to obtain an ideal proportion between their chest and their other body parts. Others may choose breast augmentation to replace volume lost during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or considerable weight loss. 

Breast augmentation is an effective option to fix breast asymmetry. Having fuller breasts is not the only benefit of getting a breast augmentation. It improves women's confidence in their appearance and clothing comfort. Many women who are considering breast enlargement do it for the psychological benefits of becoming more confident in their appearance.

Risks / Benefits

All surgical treatments entail inherent hazards and breast augmentation is no exception. However, when carried out by a trained plastic surgeon, the surgery is highly risk-free. Some examples of possible risks associated with breast augmentation surgery:

• Capsular contracture: Scar tissue hardens and hurts after forming around an implant, a condition known as capsular contracture. 
• Implant rupture: The implant shell or sac can burst, which is more prevalent with saline implants than silicone gel.
• Bleeding: Minor bleeding may require drainage if it becomes a hematoma or accumulation of blood under the skin.
• Infection: When antibiotics are taken correctly, infections occur in less than one percent of patients after surgery.
• Asymmetry: It might be difficult to obtain fully symmetrical breasts, and some unevenness may emerge.
• Anesthesia complications: Anesthesia-related adverse effects occur seldom but do happen.
• Nipple/breast sensation changes: After surgery, you may temporarily lose sensation in your nipples or breasts.

Besides, here are some benefits you get through breast augmentation:

• Enhanced breast volume 
• Improved symmetry 
• Enhanced body proportions 
• Boosts confidence 

How Does One Prepare For The Surgery?

Several questions revolve in the mind when it comes to breast augmentation surgery. One of the common questions is how one prepares for the surgery. Here is how: 

1. Quit smoking before 2-3 weeks of surgery week, as it can slow down the healing process. 
2. You should get your surgeon's approval before using regular medications or nutritional supplements. 
3. You should also consider purchasing a supportive bra to wear after surgery.
4. You should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery in case anesthesia is required.
5. It's also essential to remove any self-applied lotions, creams, or deodorants the morning of the treatment. 
6. Also, tag someone along with you because patients might need someone to drive them home and help them out for a few days after surgery. 

What You Can Expect?

Before a breast augmentation surgery, the patient and surgeon often have a lengthy conversation. Choosing an implant requires settling on a size, material, and method for implantation. Under general anesthesia, the treatment itself can take between two and four hours to complete.

During the procedure

Implants are placed using either the subglandular approach (above the chest muscle) or the submuscular approach (below the chest muscle), which surgeons widely use. The chosen procedure depends on criteria such as the patient's anatomy and the intended objective. 

Scarring is kept to a minimum by incisions in hidden places, including the breast's natural creases or around the areolas.

Incisions are made in the underbreast fold or periareolar (around the nipple). These incisions are made either above or below the chest muscle, and the implants are put through them. In contrast to silicone gel implants, saline ones are inflated after insertion. Dissolvable sutures or surgical tape are used to close the incisions. The typical duration of the process is 1-2 hours.

After the procedure

After surgery, patients are observed for a few hours to ensure the anesthesia has worn off completely before release. You could have discomfort, soreness, swelling, and bruising for a few days. Most women are advised to avoid heavy activities for 2-3 weeks. For the next six weeks, you should wear a supportive bra to keep the implants safe as they heal.

You may feel better after two to four weeks as swelling decreases. The swelling and bruising may travel down the chest's center and gradually disappear. As needed, pain relievers will be provided. Stitches or tape are removed 5-10 days post-op. During the next few months, as the nerves heal, you may feel some discomfort in your breasts, such as tightness, numbness, or tingling.

Most women can return to work within a few days, though they should refrain from heavy lifting for two to three weeks. Rigorous exercise should be avoided for 3-4 weeks. Breast massage and gentle movement aid in recovery. It takes around three months for implants to settle into place, and the recovery period is lengthy. Sometimes, swelling can last up to six months.

Scars usually diminish over 6-12 months, although some may be permanently scarred. By 6 months, the breasts have taken their final form. Patients are cautioned against going out in the sun or engaging in strenuous activities like swimming until they fully recover. Follow-up appointments at 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year are typical to check healing and discuss findings.

Results

Women who want their breasts to look fuller and more proportionate often find that breast augmentation achieves their desired results. Immediately after surgery, the breasts will be prominent and firm to the touch. During the first three to six months of recovery, the breasts will soften and return to a more regular form. The ultimate proportions and form will be determined by the size and type of implants used.

When silicone or saline breast implants are the right size, patients are often happy with the cosmetic results. Clothes will now fit better and are much more comfortable in their own skin. Even with implants, regular mammograms remain an option for breast cancer screening. The ability to breastfeed subsequent children is not compromised by the presence of implants.

Many women experience a long-term boost to their confidence after getting breast implants, even though they may need to be replaced every 10–20 years. 

Conclusion

Breast augmentation can be an effective option for women who want to improve their look and self-confidence through medical techniques. When performed by a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon, it produces pleasing and natural-looking results with a very high patient satisfaction rate.

At Apollo Spectra, all your expectations related to achieving your perfect body are fulfilled here. With high-tech technology, our doctors will take the time to ensure you understand the requirement, answer all of your worries, and decide the best implant size and type to produce optimum and safe outcomes. Visit your nearest Apollo Spectra Hospital to get the body of your dreams.