Sometimes, due to a variety of reasons and factors, women desire to change the way their breasts look and feel. This could involve changing the shape and the size of either the breasts or just one of them (depending on each case). The varied reasons for women wanting to change their breasts could include body image issues and low self-esteem, change in breast size post-pregnancy or due to weight loss, asymmetrical breasts due to undergoing surgery, etc., whatever may be the reason; women can change their breasts with a Breast Augmentation surgery.
What is Breast Augmentation?
In the simplest terms, Breast Augmentation means a surgery that is performed to insert implants in your breasts to enlarge the breasts and achieve the desired appearance. Breast Augmentation is also sometimes referred to as augmentation mammoplasty or, in a more informal way, as a boob job.
Things to consider before a Breast Augmentation Surgery
Getting Breast Augmentation surgery is a big decision, and you must consider certain important things before going ahead with it.
Is it okay for you to get Breast Augmentation?
First and foremost, it is imperative that you are above 18 years of age to qualify to get the surgery. Other than that, pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding cannot get Breast Augmentation surgery.
What kind of implants do you want?
Depending upon your specific requirements and concerns, you can choose out of the two types of implants available:
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants are perhaps the most common ones. These are made out of silicone and filled with silicone gel. They feel quite like the natural breast tissue when compared to other kinds of implants. They are available in different sizes and two shapes – teardrop and round.
Saline Implants
Saline implants are made out of silicone but are filled with sterile saltwater. The biggest advantage of getting a saline implant is that the surgeon has more control over the size. But they do not feel as natural as the silicone ones
Apart from the silicone and saline implants, you could also go for what is known as fat grafting, which involves extracting fat from a part of your body and infusing them into the breasts. This method is the most suitable if you are looking for a slight increase in breast size.
Who is performing the Breast Augmentation surgery?
This is an important factor to consider before a Breast Augmentation surgery. Getting the surgery done from a good and reputed skin clinic with qualified and experienced plastic surgeons is very important. A good plastic surgeon will always give you the best advice based on your specific concerns, requirements and other factors like your current breast shape and size etc. and will perform the surgery skilfully and will also help you with post-surgery recovery.
How do you prepare for the surgery?
Your plastic surgeon will give you certain guidelines about what to do and not to do before you get Breast Augmentation surgery. This could include instructions about avoiding certain medications, taking a particular diet, not using products like perfume, avoiding smoking, wearing loose clothing on the day of the surgery, etc. Make sure you follow every guideline to make the procedure easy and safe for yourself. Also, fill out your prescriptions so that your medications are ready when you are done with the surgery.
What happens during the surgery?
If you are getting Breast Augmentation surgery and are scared or anxious, here is all the information on what happens during the surgery and what to expect.
First and foremost, you will be give anaesthesia by the plastic surgeon. The type of anaesthesia they give you will be decided by the doctors.
The surgeon will then make one of the following three incisions:
- Submammary or inframammary incision
The incision is made below the patient’s breast, and this is why most patients prefer it over the other two types of incisions.
- Periareolar incision
The incision is made around the patient’s nipple. Therefore it is mostly advised to women who have a larger nipple-areolar complex.
- Transumbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA)
The incision is made in the umbilical area/ the navel. This is usually the least recommended of all types of incisions.
After the incision, the surgeon will then place the chosen implants. Now just like there are different ways of making the incision, there are different ways of placing the implant as well.
Sometimes the implants are placed below your breast muscles. It is known as Submuscular placement, and it makes sure that the implants are not palpable.
When the implants are placed on top of the muscle but under the breast glands, it is called Subglandular placement. The benefit of such a placement is that it is less invasive.
Your surgeon might also decide to go with Partial Submuscular placement of the implants, wherein they will partially be placed under the pectoral muscle and partially under the breast tissue.
What to expect after getting Breast Augmentation surgery?
Just like after any other surgery, after Breast Augmentation too, you will need time to recover. You might experience some muscle soreness, swelling and scarring, and it might take a few weeks for the implants to start feeling natural. The recovery time will depend upon different factors such as your age, the type of implant placement and incision etc.
For soreness and swelling, ice packs are a great solution. It is always advised to take appropriate rest after getting Breast Augmentation done, so avoid working out. Keeping a light and healthy diet speeds up the recovery.
It is important to know that while Breast Augmentation surgery will give you long-lasting results, over time, because of factors like age, hormonal changes etc., your breasts might slightly change their appearance. You can get an implant replacement or consult with your surgeon for the best option for you.
Breast Augmentation surgery can help women change the way their breasts look. If you decide to get Breast Augmentation, then choose a good skin clinic where you will be in the hands of experienced surgeons. The surgery isn’t very long and painful, and if you follow through with all pre and post-care guidelines, you will be fine.