Today’s plastic surgery patient has never been as well-informed about the procedures they are interested in. This holds true for breast enlargement surgery, as it is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic procedures around the world. Being an informed patient ensures that you are a patient who sees the results that you’ve been looking for, and also ensures that you are able to make the right decisions to help you to meet your aesthetic goals.
Searching online for answers can help you to better understand the procedure itself, but there are some questions that you are simply better off asking directly of your plastic surgeon.
Contents
- 1. Am I a good candidate for breast enlargement surgery?
- 2. What will I need to do in order to ensure the best results?
- 3. What shape and size implant is recommended for me?
- 4. Does a breast lift make sense for me?
- 5. What incision site and placement site is recommended for me?
- 6. How long of a recovery period should be expected?
- 7. How much pain should be expected after surgery?
- 8. What are the potential risks and complications that are typically associated with my surgery?
- 9. How should complications be handled?
- 10. Will I still be able to breastfeed in the future?
1. Am I a good candidate for breast enlargement surgery?
While the ideal candidate for breast augmentation surgery is typically any healthy woman over the age of 18, there are some factors that may disqualify you from getting larger breasts. According to DrJeremyHunt.com.au, you should be a non-smoker in good overall health, and you should be free from any medical concerns that could potentially impact your health when you are under anesthesia or going through the recovery period. Be sure to always provide your surgeon with a full medical history.
You should also have realistic expectations and goals from your breast augmentation surgery.
2. What will I need to do in order to ensure the best results?
When reviewing breast augmentation details, keep in mind that your surgeon will be doing the surgery and implant placement part of the process, there is still a significant amount of work to be done on your part. Your surgeon will provide you with a list of preoperative and postoperative instructions that will help you to ensure that you do see only the best in results from your procedure. This may include restricting your physical activity for up to six full weeks and wearing compression garments to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
3. What shape and size implant is recommended for me?
You may have an idea in your head already as to what size implant you’d like to get. Keep in mind that going too large can be a mistake made by those who’ve for so long wanted larger breasts. Your surgeon will take accurate measurements of your body frame and help you to determine just what size you should go up. There are also several options in implant shape, including round and teardrop-shaped implants.
4. Does a breast lift make sense for me?
Generally speaking, the breast lift is not needed when strictly increasing the size of your breasts. Women who have lost a significant amount of breast tissue, particularly after pregnancy and extreme weight loss, may have excess sagging skin on their breast. The implant can restore fullness to the breasts, but a lift could make sense for those who have that excess skin.
5. What incision site and placement site is recommended for me?
The site of the incision and the placement of the implant itself will often be dictated by the size of the implant, the type of implant and also be based upon personal preference. Saline implants can often be placed via small incisions made in the natural crease of the armpit; this will ensure that the resulting scars are very minimal and not very visible. Silicone implants, however, may be placed using larger incisions, but they can also be disguised in the natural crease below the breast and in the darker skin surrounding the areola.
Placement of the implant itself will also depend on factors that are unique to each patient. Your surgeon may opt to place the implants above the pectoral muscle or below the muscle. All of these details will be fully discussed with you during your preoperative meeting with your surgeon.
6. How long of a recovery period should be expected?
Each patient recovers at an individual pace. That said, most patients should feel back to normal within 6 postoperative weeks. Your surgeon will typically give you the green light to resume normal activities and workouts after the 6-week mark.
7. How much pain should be expected after surgery?
No surgery can be done without there being some minor discomfort during recovery. Your surgeon will provide prescription pain medications so that you will be able to get through your recovery period with minimal discomfort. Any severe pain should be reported to your surgeon’s office so that the appropriate next steps can be taken.
8. What are the potential risks and complications that are typically associated with my surgery?
Even a minimally invasive surgery is still a surgery, with some potential risk for complications associated with it. Breast augmentation surgery is considered to be relatively easy, with an uncomplicated recovery period. The majority of potential complications are rare, but may include infection, redness at the incision sites, tenderness, blood clots, fever and ruptured implants.
9. How should complications be handled?
If something feels off, you should contact your surgeon’s office. Knowing what the procedures are for complications and potential emergency situations will help you to know how you should proceed should something arise. In many cases, if the complication is serious, your surgeon will recommend that you seek out emergency medical treatment.
If the implant ruptures, you may need to return to the office and schedule another surgery to remedy the situation. The more that you know about how your doctor and staff will handle potential complications, the better you’ll feel if something does happen to arise.
10. Will I still be able to breastfeed in the future?
Women who undergo breast augmentation surgery often do so when they are in their early 20s and may not have yet started their family. If you would like to still breastfeed your children when you have them one day, be sure to make mention of this to your surgeon. This will impact the placement of the implants, and also dictate the location of the incisions. Your surgeon will be able to make incisions and place the implant under the muscle so that potential damage to the milk ducts and nerves can be minimized.
Keep in mind that your surgeon will always be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns that you may have. So jot them down and take your list to your consultation. The more you know, the better informed decisions you’ll be able to make for yourself.