The Complete Guide to Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation or breast implant surgery has been the most performed plastic surgery procedure over the past decade.

Patients often make the decision to undergo this treatment to improve the size and shape of their breasts and feel better about their bodies.

Before committing to breast augmentation, it’s important for women to know how to prepare focr the procedure, what to expect during surgery, and how to plan for their recovery.

Here’s a complete guide to breast implant surgery.

The First Step to Breast Augmentation Is the Consultation

Patients should research not only the procedure, but several experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.

It’s recommended that women meet with at least three providers before scheduling their breast augmentation.

Each consultation will last 60-to-90 minutes, during which time, patients should clearly express their concerns and goals for surgery.

In response, the plastic surgeon should be able to assess the breasts and existing tissue, explain surgical options, map out a treatment plan, describe benefits, risks, and expected outcomes, and detail the recovery process.

Implant Options

During the initial meeting, patients will be presented with a variety of options for the size and shape of their breast implants.

The first choice to make is between saline and silicone implants. Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water, while silicone gel implants often feel more like natural breast tissue.

Next, patients will select the shape and texture of their implants. These options include smooth round, textured round, or textured anatomical.

While textured options have a lower risk of developing scar tissue around the implant, they also have a greater chance of rippling.

To assist with these decisions, 3D imaging is performed to demonstrate how different sizes and shapes will fit on the patient’s body.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Healthy women over the age of 18 that want to enhance the size or shape of their breasts are good candidates for an augmentation.

Individuals that have skin laxity and substantial sagging should consider a breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, in combination with augmentation.

Preparing for Breast Implant Surgery

Your plastic surgeon should provide detailed instructions in order to properly prepare for your procedure.

Six weeks before a breast augmentation, patients should stop smoking and using any nicotine products, which can interfere with healing.

With the guidance of your gynecologist, birth control pills should also be discontinued to decrease the risk of blood clots.

At 10 days pre-op, alcohol, blood thinning medication such as ibuprofen and aspirin, and certain supplements like vitamin E should be stopped.

Finally, two days before surgery, you should bathe with a disinfecting wash.

What to Expect from the Procedure?

Breast implant surgery takes approximately one-to-one-and-a-half hours, and is usually performed under general anesthesia at a surgical center or hospital.

During the procedure, the surgeon will make an incision in the skin to place the implant. 

The incision may be in the fold directly below the breast (inframammary), around the areola (periaereolar), or in the underarm (transaxillary).

Next, a pocket is created to accommodate the implant. Before the actual implant is positioned, sizers are inserted to determine which size is the best fit.

Then the sizers are removed, and the breast implants are either placed below the pectoralis major muscle (submuscular) or behind breast tissue, but above the muscle.

Lastly, the incisions are closed with sutures.

Risks of Breast Augmentation

While all surgery carries some risk, breast augmentation is a very safe procedure when performed by a qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon.

Some risks to consider include: Anesthesia complications, bleeding/hematoma, infection, changes in nipple or breast sensation, poor healing of incisions, malposition of the implants, implant leakage or rupture, capsular contracture (scar tissue around the implant), fluid accumulation, skin rippling, chronic pain, and need for a revision surgery.

What’s It like to Recover from Breast Implant Surgery?

Once the surgery is complete, patients will recover within the surgical center or hospital for approximately an hour before going home.

Downtime is typically three-to-five days.

Women often experience tightness, soreness, and itching after surgery, though most do not feel significant pain. Discomfort can be managed with prescription pain medication or Tylenol.

Additionally, plastic surgeons recommend wearing a surgical bra for two weeks post-procedure, sleeping in an upright position, and avoiding heavy lifting and upper body exercise for at least two weeks.

Follow-up appointments with your provider are also necessary to ensure proper healing and recovery.

Cost

Depending on geographic location and the surgeon’s training and expertise, the average cost for breast augmentation ranges from $6,000 to $15,000.

For additional information about breast augmentation in Washington DC, please schedule a consultation at Cultura today.