Breast Enlargement / Breast Implants Surgery

A breast implant surgery is done to:

• Increase breast size
• Enhance the breast shape
• Correct asymmetry and uneven appearance
• Restore breast volume loss due to surgery or injury
• Reconstruct breast after the treatment of breast cancer
• Overcome breast sagging

Some tests may be conducted to detect the breast abnormality. The surgeon may also ask the patient to stop eating or drinking anything 24 hours before the surgery. A patient should also carry some loose clothing like a loose-fitting bra without underwire. A breast specialist doctor will discuss the breast implant procedure in detail, the estimated duration of the surgery along with the recovery process.

Once the patient is given anaesthesia, the surgeon will make an incision in one of the below areas:

1. Along the underside of the breast (most popular)
2. Around the nipple
3. Underarm (only in selected women)

The location where the incision has been performed can affect how visible the scars would be after the surgery. It will also decide the complications which a patient may experience after breast implant surgery. The surgeon will put the breast implant into the pocket above or below the chest muscle. After the implant is placed, the surgeon will close the incision with sutures and may also place temporary drains to prevent fluid or blood accumulation.

The patient’s breast will be wrapped in gauze or a surgical bra. The scars of a breast enlargement surgery may fade in two or three months, depending on the skin type of the patient.

Following the surgery, some pain, swelling and tenderness are normal, which may last for a month or longer, but should go away with time. For most women, scars will turn into thin lines over the time. The surgeon may prescribe some medications to relieve pain and nausea and will also discuss ways to take care of the surgical area.

At the surgeon’s recommendation, a patient is likely to return to work within a few weeks. However, it is strongly advised to avoid any strenuous activities that could increase blood pressure and pulse rate, for a minimum of two weeks. Be sure to ask the surgeon about a schedule for follow-up visits along with the precautions which need to be taken.

A successful breast implant surgery helps in the following ways:

• Enhance the size and shape of breasts
• Gives breast cancer survivor a chance to regain confidence
• Minimal invasive with less trauma to breasts
• Boosts confidence and offer more clothing options

Like any other surgery, breast implant treatment and surgery is also associated with risks like pain in the breasts, bleeding, formation of hard scar tissue around the implant, bacterial infection, non-symmetrical breasts, loss of nipple sensation and ruptured implants. In many cases, a painful fibrous shell develops around the implant.