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Breast augmentation — also known as augmentation mammoplasty — is a surgery done to increase breast size. It involves placing breast implants under breast tissue or chest muscles.
Breast augmentation might help you:
Breast augmentation poses various risks, including:
Scar management might include use of silicone sheeting, scar cream and massage. The appearance of your scar will improve over time.
Soreness and swelling are likely for a few weeks after surgery. Bruising is possible, too. Expect scars to fade over time but not disappear completely.
Follow your surgeon’s instructions:
Breast augmentation can change the size and shape of your breasts. The surgery might improve your body image and self-esteem. But keep your expectations realistic, and don’t expect perfection.
Also, your breasts will continue
to age after augmentation. Weight gain or weight loss might change the way your breasts look, too. If you become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you might need more surgery to correct these issues.
Many studies have shown that women who get implants are not at an increased risk for getting breast cancer. In addition, implants do not delay the detection of breast cancer. Numerous studies show that having implants does not hinder the patient or their physician in finding breast tumors. Finally, breast implant patients who do get breast cancer have the same chance of obtaining remission, or being free of cancer for 5 years, as women without implants.
Am I too old for the surgery?Many women in their 40s and 50s have undergone breast augmentation surgery with good results. The most common patient for this surgery is a woman in her 30s with two children who has been considering this operation for many years.
Should I wait until I am done having children to have augmentation?Pregnancy will change the size and shape of a woman’s breasts whether she has implants or not. These changes may adversely affect the cosmetic appearance of any augmented breast. It is usually recommended that pregnancy be postponed until 6 months after the surgery.
Can I breast feed after augmentation?Yes. Placement of the implant below the breast tissue, as in sub glandular placement, does not affect the ability of the breast to produce milk. Similarly, submuscular placement, or implant placement below one of the chest muscles preserves proper breast functioning. With the peri-areolar incision, an increased risk of breast-feeding problems may exist. In one study, 7/8 patients reported problems with breast-feeding following peri-areolar breast augmentation surgery. For women who choose the infra-mammary or trans-axillary incision, (incisions under the breast and through the armpit), breastfeeding is usually not a problem. Be sure to discuss your breast feeding needs with your surgeon during your consultation.
How much pain can I expect?The pain from breast augmentation surgery is usually in the moderate range and generally can be well controlled with medication in the first 1-2 weeks following the surgery. It is important to note that severe or untreatable pain following surgery can mean infection or another complication.
