Breast Augmentation (Breast Enlargement & Breast Enhancement)

WHY AND WHEN IS A BREAST ENLARGEMENT PERFORMED?
The size of a woman’s breast will largely be determined by genetics but it will also be influenced by fluctuations in weight, pregnancy, breast feeding and hormonal changes. Some women have problems with asymmetry (one breast much larger than the other). Others have very small breasts, breasts that are out of proportion for their frame or breasts that decrease in size after pregnancy. Surgery would not usually be offered to a teenage girl whose breast might not have reached full maturity.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION?
Breast enlargement surgery will usually be performed under a general anesthetic, takes one to two hours. The surgery involves placement of an implant either under the skin and breast tissue or deeper under the muscle under the breast. There are many different types of implant available. They all have a silicone outer layer but may be filled with silicone (cohesive gel that doesn’t run if cut) or saline (salt water). The choice of implant should be discussed with your surgeon and the position of the scars should also be discussed. There are different techniques available which result in different scars either under the breast, around the nipple, through the belly button or in the armpit. Before the operation, depending on your age and fitness, you may have to undergo some simple health checks such as blood tests and EKG. We recommend having a mammogram performed before and after having surgery for your medical record. If you decide on surgery you will be required to sign a consent form giving permission for the operation. This requires that you are aware of the risks and complications involved with the procedure.

ARE THERE ANY COMPLICATIONS?
There are general risks associated with a general anesthetic such as aspiration of stomach content into the lung which can cause serious illness or death. Therefore, to help prevent this it is mandatory that you do not eat or drink anything (usually 8 hours) preceding your surgery. Other risks include DVTs (clots in the veins of the legs) especially in smokers. You will be encouraged to get up and walk around as soon as possible to reduce these risks. Bleeding, sometime requiring drainage with a needle or even more uncommonly, a return to the operating theater. Problems with wound healing and infection can occur particularly in those who smoke and it is therefore advisable to stop smoking before the operation. In some cases infection might result in the implant having to be removed. In most cases, scars will fade and be hardly noticeable and would not be visible in normal underwear or swim wear. Scars vary enormously from one woman to the next and some people can have problems with red, raised, and lumpy scars. Internal scarring around the implant, known as a capsule, occurs to some extent in up to 10% of women. In the worst cases this leads to hard painful breasts and may require further surgery. Asymmetry (one side different in size or shape) can occasionally be a problem as can numbness or altered sensation. Rupture or leakage of the implant is rare. Despite media reports, there is currently no convincing evidence linking implant to increased risk of breast cancer or other health problems such as autoimmune diseases and rheumatoid arthritis. It is possible to have mammograms after breast enlargement surgery and it may also be possible to breast feed in many cases.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE OPERATION?
After the operation there will be swelling and pain and you will be advised to take pain killers and wear a supportive bra day and night. You may have dissolvable stitches but any permanent stitches will need to be removed at around 10 days.

WHEN CAN NORMAL ACTIVITIES BE RESUMED?
You should avoid lifting, driving and strenuous activity for up to 3 weeks. Depending on your job, you should be able to return to work 2 to 4 weeks after the operation.
 

Click here to view before and after photos of this procedure.