Surgery to modify the size or shape of your breasts
Parts of the Body Involved
Breasts
Reasons for Procedure
Breast augmentation may be performed for cosmetic reasons, to increase breast size, balance breast size symmetrically, improve breast shape and/or contour, or to reconstruct a breast that has been been injured or undergone surgery.
Risk Factors for Complications During the Procedure
Because this is an elective surgery, if you have any chronic illness or you are in poor health for any reason, you should not undergo this procedure.
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
You may be asked to provide the surgeon with a picture of a woman whose breasts you want yours to resemble. Or, you may be asked to look through an album of breast sizes and shapes to help the surgeon understand the outcome you desire.
Your doctor will likely do the following:
Physical exam including careful breast exam
Blood tests to check on your general health and body’s ability to clot
EKG
to verify that your heart is strong enough to withstand anesthesia and the stress of surgery
Do not take
aspirin
or other anti-inflammatory drugs for one week before surgery, unless told otherwise by your doctor. You may also need to stop taking blood-thinning medications. Examples include
clopidogrel
(Plavix),
warfarin
(Coumadin), or
ticlopidine
(Ticlid). Talk to your doctor.
The night before, eat a light meal and do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
You may be asked to shower the morning of your procedure, and you may be given special antibacterial soap to use.
Arrange for a ride to and from the procedure.
Arrange for help at home after returning from the hospital.
During Procedure
IV fluids, sedation medication,
and
anesthesia
will be administered.
Anesthesia
General
or local anesthesia will be used depending on the procedure.
Description of the Procedure
The surgeon cuts an opening either underneath your breast, alongside the areola (pigmented area around the nipple), or in your underarm. A pouch containing a gel or saline solution, called an implant or prosthesis, is slipped through this opening and into your breast, either between the skin and the muscle, or underneath the muscle. The incision is closed with stitches and bandaged. The same procedure may be repeated for the other breast.
You'll wear a particular bra or bandage using an elastic pressure bandage to support your breasts and decrease the chance of bleeding.
After the procedure, be sure to follow your doctor's
instructions
.
How Long Will It Take?
The procedure generally takes 1 to 2 hours.
Will It Hurt?
Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. You'll have some bruising and tenderness of the breasts for several weeks after surgery.
Possible Complications
Infection
Bleeding
Nerve damage, resulting in numbness of the breasts, nipples, and/or areolas
Abnormal scarring
Painful and/or restricted arm and shoulder motion
Uneven appearance to breasts, either due to position or size
If silicone implants are used, the implant may harden, rupture, or leak
Some studies have suggested that silicone implants can cause autoimmune reactions in susceptible people, resulting in
arthritis
,
lupus
, or
scleroderma
Presence of an implant may make
cancer
detection (through mammogram and/or self-exam) more difficult
Average Hospital Stay
0-1 days
Postoperative Care
You may wish to apply ice packs to your breasts to decrease swelling and pain. You may be given a prescription for pain medication, or advised to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Your doctor will advise you regarding return to exercise.
Outcome
Your breasts should be larger, and should reflect the size, shape, and symmetry that you desired.
Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs
Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
Nausea and/or vomiting that you can't control with the medications you were given after surgery, or which persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital
Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting
Your implants grow hard or you believe that they are leaking
You develop joint pain, fatigue, stiffness, rash, or other new symptoms
Pain and/or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care
provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a
substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the
advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to
starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a
medical condition.
All EBSCO Publishing proprietary, consumer health and medical information found on this site is accredited by URAC. URAC's Health Web Site Accreditation Program requires compliance with 53 rigorous standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audits.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
