About Breast Augmentation Procedure:

Common incision locations include the breast crease, in the underarm, or around the areola (pigmented skin surrounding the nipple). Every attempt will be made to assure that the surgical scars will be almost invisible.

Placement of implants beneath the chest wall muscle or directly behind breast tissue using pre-filled implants or implants filled during surgery creates desired volume. The method for inserting and positioning implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type, and your surgeon’s recommendations.

Generally performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia with sedation; general anesthesia may be recommended.

Implant choice:

Breast size and shape are important, so be honest and open about your expectations when talking with your surgeon.

.........Options for Breast Implants

Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. They can be filled with varying amounts of saline which can affect the shape, firmness and feel of the breast. Should the implant shell leak, a saline implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body.

Silicone implants are filled with an elastic gel. The gel feels and moves much like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the.implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket.

A leaking implant filled with silicone gel may not collapse. You may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly. If there is any doubt, an ultrasound or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants.

Good Candidates are:

• Women who are physically healthy and emotionally stable with realistic expectations as to what the surgery can or cannot do.
• Women whose breasts are fully developed and feel that their breast size is too small
• Women who are dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging
• Women who want a balanced pair of breasts

During your consultations:

The success and safety of your breast augmentation procedures depends very much on your thorough discussion with your surgeon. Be prepared to ask and discuss about your expectation, desired outcome, health history and lifestyle.

......Be prepared to discuss:

• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• Previous surgeries
• Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies

......Your surgeon may also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Examine your breasts, and may take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, placement of your nipples
• Take photographs for your medical record
• Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of breast augmentation and any risks or potential complications
• Discuss the use of anesthesia during your breast augmentation

Prepare for the surgery:

......Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue
• Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

......Special instructions you receive will cover:

• What to do on the day of surgery
• Post-operative care and follow-up
• Breast implant registry documents (when necessary)

Possible Risks and complications:

Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

Risks and risk rates vary from patient to patient depending on a range of factors. The risks listed below are possible risks associated with this type of surgery and are mentioned regardless of how remote the possibility

......Possible risks of breast augmentation include:

• Unfavorable scarring
• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Infection
• Poor healing of incisions
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation, may be temporary or permanent
• Capsular contracture, which is the formation of firm scar tissue around the implant
• Implant leakage or rupture
• Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
• Anesthesia risks
• Fluid accumulation
• Blood clots
• Pain, which may persist
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Possibility of revisional surgery

......Other important considerations:

• Breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants.
• Pregnancy, weight loss and menopause may influence the appearance of augmented breasts over the course of your lifetime.

Surgery: time required 1-2 hours

My Recovery:

After a post-surgical recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days, you will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks.

Exercise and normal activity can resume at the direction of your plastic surgeon. Over time, post-surgical swelling will decrease and incision lines will fade.

..........Breast Augmentation Recovery time:

Back to work: 3-5 days
Swelling should subside in 2-4 weeks
More strenuous activity: 4 weeks
Fading of scars: Incision lines will continue to flatten and fade for several months to a year or more.