Breast Augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty)
Micromastia is a medical condition in which women’s breasts do not fully develop after puberty. Some women develop asymmetrical breasts due to various reasons including estrogen levels, growth during puberty etc. Following significant weight loss or after pregnancy, some women find that their breasts have lost their full, perky shape. Losing baby weight is a good thing for most women, but some mothers find that after pregnancy and nursing, their breasts droop or get smaller.
Breast augmentation can help women get fuller figure and greater confidence while they retain their smaller waistline and healthy weight. A breast augmentation is sometimes performed in conjunction with a breast lift for overall lasting effects to the figure.
Operation
Breast augmentation can either be done using your body fat or with usage of implants. Your surgeon will recommend a method more suitable to you. To insert the breast implant, your surgeon will make an incision & 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. The surgeon will insert the implant into this pocket and center it behind your nipple. The Silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel. When the implant is in place, the surgeon will close the incision. Breast augmentation can also be done using own body fat called fat grafting without having to go for implants.
Breast Augmentation procedure is performed under general anesthesia & takes anywhere between an hour to 4 based on size, shape and if it is combined with breast lift procedure. It is usually a day care procedure but may require overnight stay in certain cases. The incisions are taken to minimize scars and breast is positioned to improve overall body contour.
Result
Breast augmentation procedure will help achieve following.
- Improved body image and self-esteem
- Change in shape, size & asymmetry of breasts
- Rejuvenated figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted
Breast augmentation does not correct severely drooping breasts. A breast lift may be required along with a breast augmentation for sagging breasts to look fuller and lifted.
What about scars?
One of the biggest worries that many women have about undergoing breast surgery is how visible the surgery scars will be. Scars are an inevitable part of any invasive surgery. Incisions for breast surgery are usually taken in the skin crease and are barely visible. Scars often fade with time and become barely noticeable. Scar lightening will take several months up to a year after surgery. Scarring tends to be most visible in people with extremely dark skin. Please discuss about scars with your surgeon.
Risks/ Complications
Breast augmentation is generally a safe procedure but following potential complaints, risks and complications may occur; most of the which will subside in 2 weeks’ time. These are largely driven by one’s healing abilities.
- Bleeding, Infection, Bruising, swelling & pain
- Nausea, numbness & itching around wound
- Changes in Nipple or breast sensation
- Difficulty in breast feeding
- Implant leakage or rupture, faulty implant position
In rare case, as with all surgical procedures, a revision surgery may be necessary to correct minor irregularities.
Care after treatment/ surgery
Immediately following surgery, breast will be covered in gauze & surgical bra will be in place to support natural healing process, minimize bruising and swelling. Most patients will be able to get up and walk the same day of surgery and they’ll back to work in 2-6 weeks after surgery. Vigorous activities including gym, sex etc. should be avoided in 1st six weeks.
After you are discharged from hospital, you will see your surgeon in post-surgery follow up sessions during which as well, you will be given more guidance on care, activities etc. Any plastic or other surgery does not stop biological ageing process and your surgeon will recommend you ways to have effect of surgery lasted for long.
Costs
Costs for individual procedures will vary widely based on procedure & hospital chosen for surgery but usually involves following.
- Surgeon’s fee
- Hospital facility charges
- Anesthesia fees
- Medical tests, medicines & implants (if any)
- Any post-surgery garments
If revision surgery is needed in a rare case, your surgeon will not charge Surgeon’s fee but other costs will have to be borne by patient as applicable.