Breast Augmentation in a Nutshell

Introduction:

Breast Augmentation also known as mammoplasty is a procedure to increase the breast size. It is done by placing implants under the breast. Breast implantation surgery in Kolkata is opted by various women and transgender for various purposes. Some do it to feel more confident whereas some go for it to rebuild the breast for various conditions.

Why breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation surgery is performed for various issues:

If you think your breasts are small or they are not uniform is shape or size.

Adjust in the reduction of size of breast after pregnancy

Correct or uneven breast after breast surgery or other condition

Improve self confidence

Possible risks:

Most of the cosmetic surgeries comes with a little bit of risk, and breast augmentation is no different.

There may be some complications that might (not necessarily) be noticed after performing the surgery:

Capsular Contracture - Scar tissues that distort the shape of breast implants

Breast pain

Infection

Changes in nipple and breast sensation

Implant leakage or rupture

If any of this complication are noticed, ypu should contact your surgeon immediately. To correct a second surgery can be needed.

According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), there might be a possible connection between breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) which a type of cancer of the immune system. FDA says that women having breast implants has a slight risk of getting ALCL. However further research are needed to understand the connection between breast implants and ALCL.

How to prepare?

Before going through the procedure, you should consult with the surgeon about every detail be it the size or shape of the breasts that you want.

Now before going through the surgery there are few things that need to be considered:

Your breasts will sag even if you go for the breast augmentation surgery. If you want them not you might need to have a breast lift along with it.

The average lifespan of an augmented breast is around 10 years. So if you think the end result of your surgery will last lifelong then you should probably think again.

Mammograms might be more complicated. If you have breast implants, in addition to routine mammograms, you'll require additional, specialized views

Breast augmentation might affect breast feeding. Some women can breast feed easily whereas for some it’s a challenge.

You might need another surgery after removal of implants. An additional breast lift surgery might require to keep your breasts in shape

Your doctor will adjust your medication before surgery. As medicines like aspiring might lead to excessive bleeding. Also if you have a habit of smoking it is recommended to stop for a couple of days before the surgery.

What to expect?

Breast augmentation surgery is generally done in hospital outpatient facility or surgical centre. The patient gets to go home that very particular as there are very rare cases of patient requiring hospital stay.

The surgery is mostly done with general anaesthesia but sometimes local anaesthesia are also used where the person gets to be awake during the whole process.

Procedure:

During the procedure the doctor will make an incision any of the three places

In the crease under your breast (inflammatory)

Under your arm (axillary)

Around your nipple (periareolar)

After making an incision, the surgeon will separate your breast tissue from the muscles and connective tissue of your chest. This creates a pocket either behind or in front of the outermost muscle of the chest wall (pectoral muscle). The surgeon will insert the implant into this pocket and center it behind your nipple.

Saline implants are inserted empty and then filled with sterile salt water once they're in place. Silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel.

When the implant is in place, the surgeon will close the incision — typically with stitches (sutures) — and bandage it with skin adhesive and surgical tape.

Post-Surgery:

It’s common to have swelling or soreness around the breast. Bruising is also possible. It is recommended to wear a compression bandage or a sports bra to give the breasts an extra support and positioning.

It is recommended to not to go for any strenuous activity for a couple of weeks. If your job is desk job and doesn’t need regular physical activity then you can join after a week or two. While healing your breasts will be sensitive to physical contact and jarring movement so you need to be careful about it.

If your surgeon used sutures that don't absorb on their own or placed drainage tubes near your breasts, you'll need a follow-up appointment for removal. If you notice warmth and redness in your breast or you run a fever, you might have an infection. Contact your surgeon as soon as possible. Also contact your surgeon if you have shortness of breath or chest pain.

Results:

Though it is a cosmetic surgery still you should keep your expectations realistic. There may be a slight difference in the shape of the breasts but this surgery will definitely lift up your confidence and self-esteem and change the way you look at yourself. Also your breast will keep ageing after your augmentation so if you notice change in shape due to ageing or weight gain or weight loss you should consult your surgeon and get it fixed with another surgery if needed.