Breast Augmentation: How It Works and Recovery Time

What is a breast augmentation? Breast augmentation surgery, also called augmentation mammoplasty, is a highly popular procedure that can enhance the size and shape of your breasts.

Cosmetic services like augmentations give you a chance to achieve the look you’ve always wanted, improving breast symmetry and proportion while boosting your confidence. If you are considering breast augmentation surgery, what can you expect? Learn more about this type of surgical procedure, including your potential results and recovery time.

What Is Breast Augmentation?

What is a breast augmentation, and how does it work? This is a procedure performed under general anesthesia that increases breast size and enhances breast shape and symmetry. It can be a great option for women seeking to balance their body proportions.

Many women choose this plastic surgery procedure to improve breast fullness after significant weight loss or childbirth, or after having breast tissue removed during a mastectomy.

Breast implants are made of either saline or silicone. Saline implants are filled with sterile water. They can be prefilled or inserted and then filled. One of the benefits of this option is that your body can absorb the saline if a breast implant rupture occurs.

Silicone breast implants are made of a silicone shell filled with softer silicone gel, offering the feel of natural breast tissue. As with saline options, they’re available in many sizes and shapes, allowing for a customized look.

Breast augmentation procedures may involve various techniques, beginning with different incision sites. The most common is an inframammary incision, which is made in the natural crease under the breast. This site offers the surgeon a good amount of control, allowing for precise placement.

Periareolar incisions are also common. A surgeon makes this incision along the lower border of the areola. Because this technique may affect the milk ducts, it’s not generally an option for women who plan on breastfeeding.

A transaxillary incision involves making a cut in the armpit. A tunnel is made to the breast through which the implant is inserted.

If you want to get a saline implant, you may also have the option of a transumbilical incision. The surgeon can make a passage from your belly button to your breast and insert the implant. It’s then filled with salt water.

There are two main placement options for breast implants. The simplest is subglandular placement, where the implant goes over the chest muscle and directly under the breast tissue. The second option is to get a submuscular placement. With this type, the implant goes under the chest muscle.

These cosmetic procedures can be customized to address your specific aesthetic goals. Many women combine breast implant surgery with a breast lift. The lift can help if you have sagging breasts and would like to reposition the tissue while enhancing volume.

Who Is a Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

To be a good candidate for a breast augmentation procedure, you must be in good overall health. Women with blood-clotting issues, active infections, or serious medical problems will not be able to undergo the procedure.

You must also have fully developed breasts and not be pregnant or breastfeeding. If you smoke, you must be willing to quit, and you need to be at a stable weight. Additionally, you should have realistic expectations and understand the risks involved with these procedures. Finally, you must be able to take time off to recover.

Women who have recently had a child will have to wait between three and six months after childbirth to get an augmentation. This time allows your breasts to stabilize and your body to heal. Since your activity will be limited during recovery, you will need to arrange for help with childcare.

If you are planning a breast augmentation procedure after significant weight loss, you’ll have to wait until your weight has stabilized, too. Weight fluctuations can result in sagging breasts and the need for breast implant revision surgery.

Women who struggle with breast asymmetry may get better results by combining implants with breast lifts.

The Breast Augmentation Procedure

The breast surgery process begins with a consultation. Your surgeon will consider your medical history, your overall health, and your goals. They’ll discuss your options, including different procedures and types of breast implants, and all other details. Your surgeon will also offer information on how to prepare for the surgery.

You will need to avoid blood thinners, alcohol, and nicotine before the procedure. Since this surgery requires general anesthesia, you must bring someone with you to drive you home.

The procedure will begin with the surgeon making an incision. They will then make a pocket either behind or in front of the pectoral muscle. The breast implant is then placed in this pocket. Saltwater implants will be filled at this time.

If you’re getting a breast lift at the same time as implants, your surgeon will remove any excess skin and reshape your breast tissue. The process may also involve areola repositioning and other breast reconstruction steps.

Your surgeon will then suture the incisions, and you’ll be taken to a recovery room. The team will monitor you for a while. When you’re ready, you can go home.

Breast Augmentation Recovery

Breast augmentation recovery requires following a few instructions. During the first few days, you will need to limit most of your activities and get plenty of rest. Drink water and eat nutritious meals to help your body heal. Your surgeon will give you instructions for how to care for the incisions. You’ll have to wear a surgical bra to provide the support your healing tissues need.

It’s vital to follow all post-operative instructions and attend all follow-up appointments. You will probably feel some pain and soreness, and, as you start healing and scar tissue begins to form, some itching. Some women experience significant swelling after breast surgery. To manage pain, your surgeon may provide prescription painkillers.

For a few weeks, you won’t be able to lift anything heavy or bend over. Your surgeon might restrict you from driving for several weeks, too. A full recovery can take between six and eight weeks.

Before and After Results

Your results will depend on your reasons for choosing this procedure. The goal is to get implants that look as natural as possible. Along with the size of your breasts, you may see an improvement in symmetry and shape.

Breast augmentation before and after photos can give you a good idea of what to expect from your results.

Cost of Breast Augmentation

How much is a breast augmentation? The cost of this procedure depends on a few factors.

One is the type of implant you choose. Silicone options tend to be more expensive than saline breast implants, for example, although they offer a more natural feel.

The incision used for this cosmetic surgery and the placement of the implant will also impact

cost. Along with your surgeon’s fee, you will also have to pay for an anesthesiologist’s services. Costs can vary depending on each doctor’s experience level, their popularity, and the quality of the results they offer.

If you’re worried about paying for breast augmentation, you can get a more accurate estimate by scheduling a consultation. Your provider can walk you through the total costs and discuss financing options. From private loans to in-house financing, there are many ways to afford the procedure.

Risks and Considerations

As with any other type of surgical procedure, there are risks to breast augmentation. Going under general anesthesia is always complicated, and bleeding and infections are possible.

Getting implants can also expose you to issues like capsular contracture, which is the hardening and tightening of the scar tissue that forms around a breast implant.

Implant ruptures can occur. With saline implants, this is less concerning because your body can absorb the salt water. However, if silicone gel implants rupture, you will need medical assistance. Following all of your medical team’s instructions and choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon will help lower the risk of complications.

Choosing the Right Surgeon

When hiring a surgeon, make sure they are board-certified. This gives you the peace of mind that they have the right training. You should also confirm that the surgeon has experience with the exact procedure you’re interested in.

For example, a breast implant revision procedure requires different skills from a breast augmentation. If you want a revision, look for a surgeon who has performed this type of surgery numerous times.

A qualified plastic surgeon will be happy to personalize your treatment plan. They’ll take time to understand the exact results you’re looking for, and they won’t push you to choose a procedure that you’re hesitant about.

It’s also helpful to look at the facilities. They should have state-of-the-art setups and staff members who are ready to put you at ease. You should also ask about their payment options, especially if you’d like to get in-house financing.

Improving Your Silhouette With New Look New Life

Breast augmentation can enhance how you look, giving you a boost of self-esteem and confidence. Healthy women with realistic expectations can be great candidates for these procedures.

The New Look New Life team of doctors is here to offer the support you need. Schedule a consultation for personalized guidance.