Understanding the Breast Augmentation Cosmetic Surgery Process
The cosmetic surgery procedure used to alter the shape and size of a woman's breasts is known as breast augmentation. This surgery can help women achieve the body contour they desire through the insertion of implants or the reconstruction of breasts following a mastectomy.
Before undergoing surgery, you will meet with your board-certified plastic surgeon for an initial consultation. During this appointment you will get answers to your questions and make critical decisions regarding type, size, shape, texture and angle.
The surgeon will also advise you on what steps you need to take before surgery in order to achieve the best results. Though breast augmentation is a very common surgery in the United States, it is still surgery that requires care, planning and a professional medical environment.
Prior to surgery you may be required to stop taking certain medications or vitamins, stop smoking or stay away from certain food and beverages. Your health will be checked and monitored to help you avoid complications during or due to surgery.
It is recommended that a friend or family member accompany you to your breast augmentation surgical appointment so that you will have help to get home and once you are recovering. The staff at the hospital or surgical clinic will advise you and your companion on necessary steps the first day of surgery and thereafter, the healing process, steps to reduce pain and swelling, and when to contact the doctor's office. It is critical that the instructions given be followed closely.
Surgeons may also offer options for anesthesia. Usually general anesthesia is used for breast augmentation, though it is sometimes performed with the use of a sedative and a local anesthetic. Either way, no pain or discomfort will be experienced during the surgery.
The type of procedure performed will dictate where the incision will be made. The Trans Umbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA) procedure will require an incision in the navel and is a relatively new process of breast augmentation, but is not typically recommended. The surgeon can make other incisions including in the transaxillary crease, which is in the armpit, next to the areola and in the inframmatory crease. An endoscope may be used to help with placement of the implants. Typically the most success and least scarring is from entering via the areola.
Following the creation of the incision, a pocket for the implant will be made behind the breast. This pocket could be behind the chest wall muscle, in front of the chest wall muscle or just partially behind it. Once the pocket is created, the implant is inserted and may either be filled once inserted or may have been filled prior to placement depending if the implant is silicone or saline. The incision is then closed and the site is bandaged.
Once at home, you can remove the gauze from the incision sites after a few days. You will, however, need to wear the surgical bra according to your surgeon's instructions. After approximately one week the sutures will be removed, and in the following weeks any swelling or bruising that occurred should reduce. Light activities can be resumed with surgeon approval and scarring will reduce over time.
Before undergoing surgery, you will meet with your board-certified plastic surgeon for an initial consultation. During this appointment you will get answers to your questions and make critical decisions regarding type, size, shape, texture and angle.
The surgeon will also advise you on what steps you need to take before surgery in order to achieve the best results. Though breast augmentation is a very common surgery in the United States, it is still surgery that requires care, planning and a professional medical environment.
Prior to surgery you may be required to stop taking certain medications or vitamins, stop smoking or stay away from certain food and beverages. Your health will be checked and monitored to help you avoid complications during or due to surgery.
It is recommended that a friend or family member accompany you to your breast augmentation surgical appointment so that you will have help to get home and once you are recovering. The staff at the hospital or surgical clinic will advise you and your companion on necessary steps the first day of surgery and thereafter, the healing process, steps to reduce pain and swelling, and when to contact the doctor's office. It is critical that the instructions given be followed closely.
Surgeons may also offer options for anesthesia. Usually general anesthesia is used for breast augmentation, though it is sometimes performed with the use of a sedative and a local anesthetic. Either way, no pain or discomfort will be experienced during the surgery.
The type of procedure performed will dictate where the incision will be made. The Trans Umbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA) procedure will require an incision in the navel and is a relatively new process of breast augmentation, but is not typically recommended. The surgeon can make other incisions including in the transaxillary crease, which is in the armpit, next to the areola and in the inframmatory crease. An endoscope may be used to help with placement of the implants. Typically the most success and least scarring is from entering via the areola.
Following the creation of the incision, a pocket for the implant will be made behind the breast. This pocket could be behind the chest wall muscle, in front of the chest wall muscle or just partially behind it. Once the pocket is created, the implant is inserted and may either be filled once inserted or may have been filled prior to placement depending if the implant is silicone or saline. The incision is then closed and the site is bandaged.
Once at home, you can remove the gauze from the incision sites after a few days. You will, however, need to wear the surgical bra according to your surgeon's instructions. After approximately one week the sutures will be removed, and in the following weeks any swelling or bruising that occurred should reduce. Light activities can be resumed with surgeon approval and scarring will reduce over time.