Breast augmentation

 

Overview

Augmentation breast surgery (another name is mammary implantation) is meant for mammary glands enlargement and shape improvement. By inserting an implant behind each breast, surgeons are able to increase a woman’s bustline by one or more bra cup sizes.

 

Indications for breast augmentation

1. Post-lactation mammary glands atrophy. It is no secret that after breast-feeding female breast significantly changes its appearance and it is very difficult (sometimes impossible without surgical intervention) to restore its original shape.
2. Hypomastia and mammary aplasia (congenital hypoplasia).
3. Mammary glands maldevelopment.
4. Reconstructive mammoplasty. These surgeries eliminate cosmetic defects of women who underwent extensive treatment of mammary neoplasms.

 

Contraindications

1. Mastopathy.
2. General severe diseases.
3. Allergic diseases.

Breast augmentation is not recommended to sportswomen and women whose professional activity may involve injuries or blows.

 

Preparation for breast augmentation

You have to be in good health (no chill or other diseases in this period).

You need to undergo an examination (blood, urine and sugar level analysis, fluorography of thorax organs, electrocardiogram, examination by breast oncology specialist and gynecologist) and be examined by the Center anesthesiologist.

If you smoke, you must stop smoking at least 2 weeks before the surgery and abstain from smoking for at least 2-3 weeks after it. Otherwise there is a risk of wound healing disturbance because smoking significantly reduces blood supply to skin vessels.

If you take some drugs you need to discuss it with the doctor during preliminary consultation, as well your expectation from the surgery.

Drugs that disrupt blood coagulation (aspirin, ketanov, hormone contraceptives, etc.) should not be taken for 2 weeks before the surgery.

The surgery is performed not later than 1 week before the menstruation or not earlier than 3 days after it is over.

 

Is hospitalization necessary?

Augmentation mammaplasty can be performed with short-term hospitalization (1-2 days). Surgery duration is 1.5-3 hours on an average (depending on complexity).

The surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia depending on patient’s desire and general condition.

 

Breast augmentation surgery

Even though a lot of details of the surgery depend on a person’s anatomy, there are some general approaches. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest, around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple), or in the armpit. The main goal is to make an incision that is placed so that resulting scars could be as inconspicuous as possible.

The surgeon lifts your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath your chest wall muscle (the pectoral muscle). The implants are then centered beneath your nipples. Stitches are used to close the incisions, which may also be taped for greater support. A gauze bandage may be applied over your breasts to help healing.

 

What complications may occur after the surgery?

Any of general surgical complications (wound abscess, hemorrhage, thrombophlebitis, thromboembolism, keloid cicatrisation, etc.) and the following complications that are specific to this surgery may occur:

1. Hematoma (blood accumulation in the postoperative cavity). This complication can be avoided with the help of thorough hemostasis during the surgery, drainage, and patient’s proper behavior in the postoperative period.
2. Inflammatory processes, including aseptic, with fluid generation in the cavity around implants. They can be avoided by observing asepsis and antisepsis rules and by observing rules of behavior in the postoperative period recommended by the surgeon.
3. Capsular contracture. This type of complication is specific for augmentation mammoplasty. After a time the organism covers the implant with fibrous capsule in order to isolate it, compressing and deforming it. Recently the number of capsular contractures has significantly decreased due to use of textured implants with surface that reminds kiwi fruit peel. Leading implant manufacturers claim that pronounced contracture probability in case of breast prosthesis with textured implants is only 2%.

You must note, though that if the surgery is performed by a qualified surgeon, complications are very rare.

Numerous researches and observation of millions women that underwent augmentation mammoplasty have not proved that implantation causes breast cancer or allergic diseases. In addition, implantation does not affect breast sensitivity and allows child bearing and breast-feeding without limitations. No negative effect on children was observed.

 

How long is the postoperative period?

After the surgery you need to wear special underwear to reduce the risk of postoperative complications and improve conditions for forming of newly “created” breasts.

The patient should stay at a hospital for 1-5 days after the surgery. Stitches are removed in 7-14 days. Usual light housekeeping is possible in 5-7 days; usual rehabilitation period is 2 weeks.

It is necessary to wear special underwear (bra) for 1.5-2 months after the surgery. Breasts are fully formed in 3-4 months after the surgery.

 

What can be expected after the surgery?

For many women the result of breast augmentation is usually satisfying, even exhilarating, as they learn to appreciate their fuller appearance.

If you have more questions about a breast augmentation surgery, feel free to contact us.