Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation (mammoplasty) is a procedure that can be performed for a number of reasons including enlarging small breasts, underdeveloped breasts or breasts that have been decreased in size after a woman has had children, or as a reconstructive means for women who have had breast surgery.

before your breast augmentation surgery
Not all bodies are the same. For this reason, it is very hard to give an evaluation or cost of the breast augmentation procedure over the phone or through e-mail. Visiting your doctor will not only give your doctor a chance to evaluate you as a candidate, but also give you a chance to visit the office, get to know the personnel, and gain a comfort level with your breast augmentation surgeon.

At your initial visit, be prepared to discuss your medical history with the doctor including any medical conditions, drug allergies, and medications (both prescription and over-the-counter). The doctor will want to examine your breasts, take photographs for your records, and make sure he or she fully understands your needs for the breast augmentation surgery. Several techniques for your breast augmentation are available and based on the condition of your breasts, skin tone, and lifestyle the doctor can suggest the most appropriate one. It is important for your doctor to have a clear understanding of your goals for the breast augmentation procedure. After understanding your needs, the doctor can determine if the procedure can help meet your expectations. Also, ask to see before and after pictures so that you can gauge what your results may look like after your breast augmentation surgery.

Be prepared to discuss the following topics with your doctor during your breast augmentation consultation:

1. Size of the Implant
2. Shape of the Implant (round or teardrop)
3. Incision Placement (where the breast meets the chest, the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple), the armpit))
4. Location of the Implant (above or below the muscle) Prior to the surgery, the physician should provide a list of guidelines for preparation for your breast augmentation surgery.
   Also, bring a list of questions to the consultation with a piece of paper to write down the answers to all of your questions. If you have follow-up questions after the initial consultation, make sure to follow-up with your breast augmentation surgeon until all of your concerns have been addressed.

your breast augmentation surgery
Determining the answers to the topics above will dictate how your breast augmentation surgery will be performed. Your surgeon will work with you to determine based on your anatomy and expectations which of these options is right for you.

Your surgeon will make every effort to ensure that the incision is placed so resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible. Working through the incision, the surgeon will lift your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath your chest wall muscle (the pectoral muscle). The implants are then centered beneath your nipples.

The breast augmentation surgery usually takes one to three hours to complete. The length of the procedure varies according to the technique used, the placement of the implants, the patient’s anatomy, and type of anesthesia used. Stitches are used to close the incisions, which may also be taped for greater support. A gauze bandage may be applied over your breasts to help with healing.

Most breast augmentation surgeries are done on an out-patient basis which means that a hospital stay is generally not required. Most patients are able to return home after a couple of hours in the recovery room. Make sure to discuss this with your breast augmentation surgeon during your initial consultation.

after your breast augmentation surgery
After your breast augmentation surgery, rest is generally required so try and make it a point not to have any plans for the first couple of days. Generally, you will resume non-physical activities within a couple of days after the surgery. You should still avoid physical exertion for several weeks, depending on the advice of your breast augmentation surgeon. Make sure to follow your surgeon's advice on when to begin work, exercises, and normal activities. You can reduce any post-operation risk of complication by closely following your surgeon’s instructions.
Your breasts will be high on the chest, firm, and swollen. Over time (generally a month), these symptoms will begin to disappear and you should begin to see the final results in 2-4 months time. Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months, or even appear to widen. This is normal. After several months, your scars will begin to fade. Although they will never disappear completely, they should fade to closely match the tone of the rest of your skin color.

Breast augmentation is relatively straightforward. But as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure. Make sure to discuss this with your physician prior to the breast augmentation surgery.

The information presented on this site is intended to be used for informational use only, it is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. If you are planning on having a procedure performed or if there is anything you don't understand about your procedure, please consult a physician.

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