breast augmentation

Breast Augmentation Overview

A woman’s breasts can play an essential role in supporting her sense of femininity and sexuality. Breast augmentation offers women a way to achieve a curvier, fuller bustline or restore a more youthful, uplifted look after weight loss or pregnancy. Using saline or silicone implants, qualified surgeons can add volume and improve the shape and resiliency of a woman’s breasts.

 Women choose breast augmentation for a number of reasons: some have always had small breasts, and felt self-conscious about it; some wish to improve the overall balance and proportions of their figure, and others want to feel sexier and more self-confident. 

This procedure is for you if…

• You are physically healthy
• You have realistic expectations
• Your breasts are fully developed
• You are at least 18 years old (if you want saline implants) or 22 years old (for silicone implants)
• You feel self-conscious about your small breasts
• You are dissatisfied with the shape or resiliency of your breasts

You can expect these results:

A breast augmentation will give you larger, firmer, more uplifted breasts, and the results of the surgery are long-lasting. Some women report that not only do they look better, they feel better too, with a new level of self-confidence in many areas of their lives. You may also find that you find it easier to wear a wider range of clothing, and that your personal style evolves as a result. 

What happens during breast augmentation?

Most women are put under a general anesthetic throughout the procedure, which generally lasts between one and two hours.

The surgeon may choose to make the incision under the breast, under the arm, or around the nipple, depending on a number of factors, including your body type, the type of implant you have chosen (saline or silicone), and what degree of enlargement you want to achieve. Once the incision is made, the breast implant is inserted into the chest, either above or below the chest muscle.

If you have chosen saline implants, the implant shell is inserted in a deflated state, after which the surgeon fills it with saline to the desired level. If you have chosen silicone implants, the implant will be prefilled before the surgeon places it into your chest.

Once the implants are positioned and filled, the surgeon uses sutures or surgical tape to close the incisions. 

The recovery process

After the surgery, you’ll need to arrange to have someone bring you home and take care of you for the first 24 to 48 hours.

You’ll be able to return to work after the first week, and your stitches will be removed within 7-10 days, but you must still avoid activities such as lifting your arms above your head and any heavy lifting for a few weeks. You can expect your breasts to remain sensitive and swollen for at least a month. 

Understanding the risks

The risks of breast augmentation are minimized when patients are honest about their expectations and their state of health. Risks can include breast pain, loss of sensation in the breast or nipple, the formation of hard scar tissue around the implant, infection, and dissatisfaction about the result. Your surgeon will discuss your personal risk profile with you during the consultation process.