What Is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Also known as breast enlargement, breast implants or augmentation mammaplasty, breast augmentation surgery restores or increases breast size using silicone gel or saline implants. Being one of the most popular and frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures, breast augmentation has a long, safe and successful track record in satisfying women who wish to enhance, regain or restore balance to their figures.
Your anatomy and health profile as well as your personal preferences will help you and your surgeon determine:
The goal of our aesthetic plastic surgeon and staff is to help you achieve the best results and to make your surgical experience as easy, safe and comfortable as possible.
The Procedure
General anesthesia is commonly used during your breast augmentation procedure, although local anesthesia or intravenous sedation may be desirable in some instances.
For your safety during the surgery, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood. Your surgeon will follow the surgical plan discussed with you before surgery.
During breast augmentation your surgeon makes an incision, lifts the breast tissue, creates a pocket in the chest/breast area and places an implant in this pocket. However, there are several approaches to performing this type of procedure:
Multiple factors, including your anatomy and your surgeon's recommendations, will determine how your breast implant is inserted and positioned. The implant is placed in a pocket either:
Placement of the implant underneath the pectoral muscle may interfere less with mammograms and breast-feeding. Your plastic surgeon will discuss this with you.
An incision can be made in one of four places:
The following implant options are available, depending on your medical history, body shape and aesthetic goals.
Your plastic surgeon may combine any of these breast augmentation options with a breast lift if there is any sagging or drooping of your breasts.
Following insertion and placement of breast implants, your surgeon will use sutures to close the surgical incisions. Many plastic surgeons will wrap your chest area with a gauze bandage or a surgical compression bra to provide support and assist with healing.
After your procedure is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area, where you will continue to be closely monitored. Occasionally, drainage tubes may be used for a short time following surgery.
The procedure normally takes between 90-120 minutes.
Am I a candidate for surgery?
You are a candidate for Breast Augmentation Surgery:
If you are in good health, have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for this procedure.
Is Breast Augmentation Safe?
It is important for women with breast implants to keep in mind that while breast implants are intended to last your lifetime, replacement may become necessary. After breast augmentation, you should have periodic examination by a board-certified plastic surgeon to monitor your implants and surrounding tissue. Surgical approaches for breast augmentation and the implants themselves are continually being refined, increasing the safety and reliability of the procedure.
Advantages of Breast Augmentation Surgery
Disadvantages of Breast Augmentation Surgery
Preparation for Surgery
Prior To Your Arrival
Before traveling to Cyprus, as part of your surgery preparation you will complete a detailed specific questionnaire and will submit a recent Chest X-Ray and photographic images of the problem areas which you wish to have treated.
Initial Consultation : Once the images have been received by us, we will schedule a consultation with your chosen surgeon, via skype or telephone. This will allow you to ask any questions regarding the procedure and will also allow your chosen surgeon to assess your condition and determine your eligibility for your chosen procedure.
During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your cosmetic goals. Your chosen surgeon will evaluate you as a candidate for breast augmentation and clarify what a breast augmentation procedure can do for you. Understanding your goals and medical condition, both alternative and additional treatment options may be considered. You should be prepared to discuss your complete medical history. This will include information about:
If your breasts are sagging, a breast lift may be recommended in conjunction with breast augmentation.
If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, be sure to tell your plastic surgeon. The surgeon may recommend that you stabilize your weight before undergoing surgery.
If you think that you may want to become pregnant in the future, discuss this with your surgeon. Pregnancy can alter breast size in an unpredictable way and could affect the long-term results of your breast augmentation. There is no evidence that breast implants will affect pregnancy or your ability to breast-feed, but if you have questions about these matters, you should ask your plastic surgeon.
Your treatment plan
Based on your goals, physical characteristics, and the surgeon’s training and experience, your surgeon will share recommendations and information with you, at this point including:
In advance of your procedure, your surgeon will ask you to:
Ten days prior to your arrival in Cyprus, you will receive all the necessary pre operative instructions, to prepare yourself both physically and mentally for your chosen cosmetic procedure.
Before your departure to come to Cyprus your records will be reviewed thoroughly by our surgeon. This includes Chest X-ray and a complete medical and surgical history.
Getting your house ready before your surgery
It is also important to get your house ready for after you come home from the hospital. At first it will be harder for you to move around, so arrange your furniture and household items ahead of time to make it easier for you during your rehabilitation.
Remove all your throw rugs or anything on the floor that may cause you to trip.
Move phone and electrical cords close to the walls.
Move necessary personal items you need to reach to shelves and tables that are above your waist level.
Preparation for the hospital
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you pack and prepare for the hospital and recuperation:
Getting dressed in the morning helps you feel better, so be sure to bring some comfortable clothing to the hospital:
Upon Arrival
After traveling to Cyprus, a new set of blood tests, E.C.G and chest X-ray will be taken as well as an in person physical examination. To help detect and track any changes in your breast tissue, your plastic surgeon may also recommend a baseline mammogram before surgery.
The surgeon and anesthetist will meet with you and go through your medical and surgical plan.
During this consultation , your surgeon will discuss your surgical procedure and answer any further questions. Your plastic surgeon will proceed to examine measure and photograph your breasts for your medical record. Your surgeon will also consider and further discuss:
Day before surgery
Your doctor or nurse will give you more instructions based on the type of prep.
You should not eat or drink anything after midnight the evening before your surgery.
Morning of surgery
Bring all your medicines, if any in their original containers with you to the hospital.
You will meet with the anesthesiologist. This doctor will talk to you about general anesthesia. This is a controlled sleep while the surgery is being done so you will not feel any pain or remember the surgery. You will have an IV or intravenous line put in to give you fluid and medicine during your surgery.
Your plastic surgeon shall consult with you once again and shall make any markings he needs on your chest, indicating the incision marks for the proposed procedure.
Recovery after surgery
When you wake up after your surgery, you will be in the recovery room. You will stay there until you are awake and your pain is under control. Most patients return to their room after a couple of hours.
You will receive oxygen through a thin tube called a nasal cannula that rests below your nose. A nurse will be monitoring your body temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen levels.
After your breast augmentation procedure, you shall be placed in a surgical dressing that can include a support bra or garment.
Breast augmentation surgery stretches the breast tissue and can be painful—especially when implants have been placed under the chest muscle. You will also have some redness and swelling after the surgery. As the anesthesia wears off, you may experience some pain. Typically, the most pain is experienced within the first 48 hours after breast augmentation surgery. Your pain level will decrease each day and may be effectively treated with various pain medications.
Your breasts may feel very tight and sensitive to the touch and your skin may feel warm or itchy. You may also experience difficulty raising your arms. Some discoloration and swelling will occur initially, but this will disappear quickly. Most residual swelling will resolve within a month.
Hospital discharge and home instructions
Your diet is slowly increased from ice chips to liquids to solid foods as your intestines start functioning.
Before leaving the hospital, our surgeon and staff will help you adjust to recovery in every way possible. You will receive specific instructions and precautions from your surgeon and nursing staff and they will show you safe techniques of simple activities like getting in and out of bed, bathing, going to the bathroom, managing steps at home and getting in and out of a car.
You will be able to leave the hospital when you are:
Most people are able to go home on the day after their surgery.
Recovery time after the procedure and the length of your hospital stay depend on your overall health and the type of procedure performed.
Life After Surgery
These guidelines give you an overview of what you may expect as part of your care after you leave the hospital. Be sure to follow your doctor’s discharge instructions if they are different from what is listed here. This will include information about wearing compression garments, care of your drains, taking an antibiotic if prescribed and the level and type of activity that is safe. Your surgeon will also provide detailed instructions about the normal symptoms you will experience and any potential signs of complications. It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.
For two to five days, you may feel stiff and sore in your chest region.
Any surgical dressings will be removed within several days. You shall be instructed to wear a support bra.
You will be permitted to shower between one and seven days after surgery.
If you have external sutures, they will be removed in about a week. If your surgeon used tissue glue or tape, it will fall off on its own in a week or two.
You may be able to return to work within a few days to a week, depending on the nature of your job.
You should refrain from lifting, pulling or pushing anything that causes pain and limit strenuous activity or upper body twisting if this causes discomfort.
Your Activity
It is fairly common to feel weak and tired immediately after discharge from the hospital. The body needs time to recover from the stress of surgery.
Walking is permitted and encouraged beginning the same day of surgery. At home, start short, daily walks and gradually increase the distance you walk.
Going up and down stairs is permitted. Initially, have someone assist you.
You may lift light objects (less than 10lbs.) after your discharge. This may be increased gradually after 2 weeks. If lifting an object causes discomfort, you should discontinue the activity. This restriction helps prevent hernias at the sites of your incisions.
Showers are permitted 2 days after surgery. Wash over your incisions gently with soap and water. Be careful to rinse well. Pat the incisions dry.
Driving is not permitted for 2 weeks after surgery or your first follow-up visit with your surgeon. If you are taking prescription pain medications or narcotics, DO NOT DRIVE.
Sexual intercourse may be resumed as your comfort level permits.
People with sedentary jobs have returned to work as early as 2 weeks postoperatively. A physically demanding job may require 4 weeks before returning to work. This may be determined by you and your employer. Some people have residual fatigue several weeks after surgery.
It is common to feel a lump at the sites of the operation. This lump is a combination of normal fluid and scar tissue forming in this area. It usually goes away slowly over the first month or two following surgery.
Your bowel habits
You may have different bowel habits after your surgery. Loose stools are common for the first week or two after surgery. If you have watery diarrhea, call your surgeon. This may be a sign of a bowel infection. Severe constipation should be avoided. See the section below on medicines for constipation.
Your diet
There are generally no dietary restrictions following cosmetic surgery. Avoid foods that cause diarrhea or digestive discomfort. You will eventually be able to resume your regular diet. A dietary supplement or drink can be used.
Medications
Your medicines: Take the medicines you were taking before surgery, unless your surgeon has made a change.
Your surgeon will order a prescription pain medicine for you after surgery. As your pain lessens, over the counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used. They can also be used instead of your prescription for mild pain.
Prescription pain medicines can cause constipation. Your doctor may order a stool softener to prevent this. You should be back to your normal bowel routine in about 2 weeks. If the stool softener does not work, take Milk of Magnesia. If you still are not getting relief, call your surgeon.
Call your surgeon right away if you have:
Long-term
Your surgeon will encourage you to schedule routine mammograms at the frequency recommended for your age group. Following breast augmentation, you should continue to perform breast self-examination.
How Long Will the Results Last?
Under normal circumstances, the results of your breast augmentation surgery will be long-lasting; however, it’s important to know that breast implants need to be replaced if they leak. Routine follow-up with your surgeon is important.
Your breasts can change due to:
After a number of years, if you become less satisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a breast revision to exchange your implants, or a breast lift to restore a more youthful shape and contour.
Follow-Up
Follow-up after surgery is extremely important and our surgeons at Salus are committed to providing all the post surgical care you need. For safety, as well as the most beautiful and healthy outcome, whenever you notice any changes in your breasts do not hesitate to contact your surgeon. In order to identify and treat any complications as they may arise, close, lifetime follow-up is essential.