Breast Augmentation

Step-by-Step: Breast Augmentation Surgery

No-Touch Technique to Breast Augmentation

This technique entails using a Keller Funnel® to place the implants into the breasts. With the funnel, the implant goes from its sterile packaging, through the sterile funnel, directly into your breast. This method completely avoids contact between the implant and the skin, thereby minimizing the risk of contamination and resulting infection.

Recovering from Breast Augmentation

Risks and Complications

Complications resulting from breast augmentation are rare, but can include infection, reactions to anesthesia, implant rupture (if silicone), implant deflation (if saline), hematoma (blood clot), and capsular contracture (scar tissue forming around the implant).

Breast Augmentation
Question & Answer

• How long do breast implants last?

  Breast implants typically last an average of 10 to 15 years. However, some situations can require implant removal such as an implant rupture or other complication, or simply a change in your personal preference and how you want to look.

• What can breast augmentation not achieve?

  Breast augmentation is not intended to lift the breasts up. While a minimal amount of lift is achieved with breast implants, for patients who need a large degree of lift, a mastopexy (breast lift) would be the best procedure.

• Are there non-surgical breast augmentation options?

  The short answer is no. Not any external or unnatural options, anyway. Some women may see an increase in breast size and volume as a result of weight gain or pregnancy. However, those may not be permanent, and are not true alternatives to breast augmentation surgery. In addition, no creams, pills, massages, or devices can enlarge or add volume to breasts. The only long-term, natural alternative is a fat transfer breast augmentation, but this still requires surgery.

• Are silicone implants safe?

  They are much safer now than they were many years ago, and they are FDA-approved. However, few things in life are 100% without risk, and you should know there are possible breast augmentation risks and complications.

• How do I know if I am a good candidate for breast augmentation?

  The most important factor is that you are currently in good health, and have realistic expectations of what can be achieved through breast augmentation surgery. Our plastic surgeon will discuss those expectations with you, and if for any reason, it turns out you may not be a good candidate, he will discuss possible alternatives with you.

• What is the recommended age to receive breast implants?

  Whether you are 19 years old, or 55, being in good health is more important than age. You do need to be at least 18 years of age in order to undergo breast augmentation as you want the breasts to have fully developed from the onset of puberty. As long as you have realistic expectations and have thought about the decision, age is only a number.

• Is it best to be at my ideal weight prior to the breast augmentation procedure?

  Yes. We recommend that you be as close to your ideal weight as possible prior to surgery. Significant weight loss following the breast augmentation procedure can alter your results. Possible negative side effects to significant weight loss may include breast ptosis (drooping), and a decrease in breast volume. Significant weight gain can also adversely affect breast size and appearance.

• I don’t want my breasts to look fake. How do I prevent this?

  This is why our consultation plays such an important role in our process. It is crucial that you communicate to your surgeon your desired outcome. Your surgeon will then proportionally match an implant size to fit your anatomy, lifestyle and preference. Breast implants that are placed under the muscle, have a lower set profile, and are made of cohesive silicone gel tend to look the most natural. You may also opt for the fat transfer breast augmentation procedure.

• Where is the surgery performed?

  Usually, in one of the accredited operating suites which are part of our clinic’s facilities.

• What type of anesthesia is used?

  General anesthesia is used most of the time as it is much more comfortable for you. If you have a health concern that prevents you from receiving general anesthesia, our surgeon will discuss other options with you.

• What is capsular contracture?

  The human body reacts to the introduction of any foreign object or matter. Usually, after breast augmentation, the body reacts by forming a fibrous capsule around the implant. Sometimes, that capsule can become too thick, squeezing the implant, and causing a malformation of the implant pocket and your breast. This is a capsular contracture, and although we take steps to prevent it, it is a possible complication of breast augmentation. In addition to being uncomfortable, it is also noticeably visible, and may require corrective surgery to either release or remove the capsule. Our surgeon will discuss capsular contracture prevention methods with you during your consultation.

• How do I massage my breasts after surgery?

  Massaging the breasts after augmentation is necessary to help keep the capsule soft and natural. Your doctor will instruct and show you how to properly massage your breasts the first time, then you’ll start massaging them regularly about one week after surgery. Massaging is recommend up until about the fourth week after surgery.

• Do I have to stay overnight for my breast augmentation?

  No. Breast augmentation is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you are able to go home the same day, provided there are no surgical complications. After the surgery, you’ll be monitored in our Recovery Room for about one to two hours, and then you can go home. You’ll receive a follow-up call the next day from one of our medical staff, and will be booked for a follow-up appointment a few days to one week after surgery.

• When will I see results?

  Immediately! You’ll also see some initial swelling, which should subside in about a month.

• What if I decide later I no longer want larger breasts after breast augmentation?

  If you become unhappy with the new size of your breasts, you can either switch your implants to a smaller size, or undergo implant removal (explantation). It is important to remember that when the implants are removed or exchanged for a smaller size, your skin will most likely have stretched, and will look different than it did before you had the implants. This is why it is so important to make clear to your surgeon your lifestyle, and the type of results you want after surgery.

• How long after giving birth and breastfeeding can I get implants?

  We recommend you wait at least three months after either pregnancy or breastfeeding to make sure your breasts have returned to a stable volume and shape.

• Can pregnancy affect my breast augmentation?

  If you are pregnant prior to breast augmentation, you will be asked to come back for the procedure after you have given birth. If you have already had the procedure and become pregnant, your breasts may still naturally become enlarged. The extent to which your breasts enlarge will depend on your individual anatomy, and the size and type of your breast implants.

• If I have breast implants, can I breastfeed?

  Yes. Hershey Medical Center in Pennsylvania conducted a study that found “there should be no absolute contraindication to breastfeeding by women with silicone breast implants.” If you have any concerns about this, please discuss them with your doctor prior to undergoing breast augmentation.

• Will my nipples lose sensation following breast augmentation?

  Possibly. A change in nipple sensation—either increased or decreased—following breast augmentation is normal. This can be either temporary or permanent, with the latter potentially being a sign of nerve damage. Breast implants may also affect sensation during breastfeeding and sexual activity.

• Do breast implants prevent me from having mammograms?

  No. If you have breast implants you are able to still have mammograms done and they do not interfere with the readings. If you have breast augmentation and mammograms, your radiologist will just use a different technique to account for the presence of implants.

• When can I wear an underwire bra?

  Most surgeons recommend women wait for at least one to three months, and you should only wear underwire bras intermittently after that time.

• Can I get stretch marks from breast implants?

  Yes. It’s rare, but it does happen. You can minimize the risk of stretch marks by getting smaller implants.

• Will my breasts move naturally after breast augmentation surgery?

  It depends on the type and size of the implants, how your body holds them, the existence (if any) of capsular contraction, and whether you have subglandular or submuscular breast augmentation.

• Is there a relationship between breast implants and the occurrence of breast cancer?

  There does not appear to be a relationship between breast implants and the occurrence of breast cancer.

• When can I start exercising again?

  It will depend on how well you’re healing, and what kind of exercise you want to do. In general, you should avoid activities that will put a strain on the newly formed breast pocket. This means running and other activities that can cause the breasts to bounce. You’ll need to wait until the breast pocket is fully healed and strong enough to withstand that kind of movement. In the meantime, low-impact cardio exercise can be done about three weeks after surgery. Listen to your body. If you feel too sore, wait a little longer. By the sixth week after surgery, you can most likely return to your full exercise regimen. Just be sure to check with your surgeon first to avoid injury or complications.

• After I’ve healed, can I tan?

  Yes. Sunbathing or visiting a tanning salon will not hurt your breast implants. However, the implants may become a bit warm while tanning, and cool down more slowly. We recommend shielding the incision sites from direct sunlight (or tanning bed light) during the first year after surgery, as tanning in this area may permanently darken the scar.

• When can I start flying again after breast augmentation surgery?

  About 24 hours after surgery. You shouldn’t experience any problems with the elevation as airplane cabins are pressurized.