Breast augmentation is a surgery in which breast implants or fat are used to increase the size of breasts or restore breast fullness. A patient might consider this an option post-pregnancy or after weight loss.
What is it?
Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that increases the size of breasts or restores breast volume following weight loss or pregnancy. The procedure increases the fullness and protection of the breasts, improves balance, and improves self-image through cosmetic means.
What should I do to prepare?
Patients should stop taking medications that increase bleeding risk two weeks before surgery (aspirins, ibuprofen, birth control, and others). Patients should not drink or eat after midnight the night before the procedure. Patients should use surgical soap to wash the breast area the day of surgery.
What happens during the process?
The first step of breast augmentation surgery is the administration of medication, which can be general anesthesia or IV sedation. Then, incisions are made in areas that will not be obviously visible and are dependent on the specific patient and surgery. A breast implant is inserted beneath the pectoral muscle or directly behind the breast tissue. The surgery concludes as the incisions are closed with sutures and surgical tape.
What are the risks and potential complications?
Notable risks of breast augmentation surgery include anesthesia complications, bleeding, infection, changes in breast sensitivity, scarring, incorrect placement of an implant, fluid accumulation, wrinkling pain, or leakage of an implant. Patients must decide if the benefits of this surgery outweigh the risks mentioned above.
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