The procedure performed to increase breast volume, enlarge its size, or correct breast asymmetry is called breast augmentation surgery. Breast augmentation is performed using breast implants, fat grafting, or a combination of both. During the procedure, breast implants are placed under the existing breast tissue or chest muscles. The operation is performed under general anesthesia through a 4 to 5-centimeter incision in the inframammary fold, the lower part of the nipple, or the armpit area. Breast implants are now available in different filling sizes and shapes. The type of implant is selected considering the patient’s expectations and existing breast tissue. The operation takes between 1 and 2 hours. The patient is kept under observation in hospital settings for one day and discharged the next day. This procedure is the most common implemented aesthetic surgery procedure worldwide. Breast augmentation procedures are performed by plastic surgeons with very high patient satisfaction.
What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation surgery is a surgical procedure performed to increase breast volume. During this operation, also called augmentation mammoplasty, breast implants are placed under the existing breast tissue or chest muscles. The patient is discharged the next day. They can return to work within 2-3 days, drive within a week and fully return to their daily life within a month at the latest.
Why a breast augmentation is desired?
Breast augmentation surgery may be chosen for asymmetrical or small breasts, to have a more appealing breasts that sag and lose their volume after breastfeeding period or excessive weight loss, or to have larger and firmer breasts. Breast augmentation and shaping are also performed as part of breast reconstruction after breast cancer treatment.
What should patients pay attention to before a breast enlargement surgery?
Before breast augmentation surgery, preferences regarding the desired size, texture, and appearance of the breasts should be discussed with the plastic surgeon. The surgeon presents options among flat, textured, round or drop (anatomical) shaped implants in accordance with the breast structure.
If you smoke, you should stop smoking 3 weeks before the operation. In addition, all medications being taken should be shared during the consultation with the doctor. Some blood-thinning or pain medications should be stopped before the operation. It is important not to eat or drink after midnight on the night before the surgery to prevent complications during general anesthesia.
How is breast augmentation surgery performed?
Breast augmentation surgery is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital conditions.
Usually, an incision of 4 to 5-centimeter is made to insert the breast implant. This incision is made in the inframammary fold, the lower part of the nipple or the armpit area.
The breast implant is placed through the incision either behind the breast tissue or the pectoral muscle. The incision is then closed with sutures. Although the suture mark fades over time, it may remain faintly visible.
The operation takes between 1 and 2 hours. After the operation, the patient stays for one day and discharged the following day.
Recovery period after breast aesthetics
After breast augmentation surgeries, it is recommended to wear a bra or bandage. If non-absorbable sutures were used in the operation, they are removed after about 10 days.
If the breast implant is placed behind the pectoral muscle, experiencing some limitation in arm movements for a few days after the operation is normal.
Postoperative swelling, nipple numbness and bruising may occur. However, these effects usually resolve spontaneously within a week.
After breast augmentation surgery, patients can usually return to their daily activities and work within 3-4 days. However, it is recommended to avoid harsh movements and exercises for the time recommended by the doctor.
Frequently asked questions about breast augmentation:
Is breast augmentation surgery painful?
Implants are placed either under the muscle or over the muscle during breast augmentation surgery. When placed over the muscle, almost no pain is experienced after surgery. When placed under the muscle, there may be mild pain. However, this is easily controlled with painkillers given by the doctor. Pain is rarely experienced in the days following the operation. Patients may experience a feeling of pressure, often described as a “feeling of tension”.
Will there be a scar after breast augmentation surgery?
After breast augmentation surgery, as with all other surgical interventions, there will be scars. However, these scars are quite small, in an area that cannot be seen and do not exceed a length of 4-5 cm. The most common and considered safest location for placing breast implants nowadays is the inframammary region. These incisions are precisely made in the inframammary fold and become fainter and less prominent over time.
Is there a risk of breast augmentation surgery?
When performed by experienced plastic surgeons, it is among the operations that maximize the comfort of the patient with the lowest risk and achieving the most positive results. However, having an operation performed by a physician with insufficient training and experience in this field other than a plastic surgeon, the use of implants that do not have FDA or CE approval, and performance of the surgery in settings other than a full-fledged hospital reduce the success rate of the surgery and increase the risk of complications.
What are the results of breast augmentation surgery?
Breast augmentation surgery offers the opportunity to change the size and shape of the breasts. This operation transforms body image and increases self-confidence. This procedure is one of the aesthetic surgery operations with the highest patient satisfaction. Weight gain or loss after surgery can affect the appearance of the breasts and in such cases, additional interventions may be required to restore the aesthetic appearance.
Is there an age limit for breast augmentation? Do pregnancy and breastfeeding prevent surgery?
Unless there is a medical necessity, breast augmentation surgeries should be planned for individuals over the age of 18. Because the development process is still ongoing in people under the age of 18, breast augmentation surgery is not considered appropriate for this age group.
The proper timing is also important for candidates who aim to become a mother shortly after surgery. Considering factors such as pregnancy plans, breastfeeding periods or weight fluctuations, breast augmentation surgery should be considered after the pregnancy period.
What is the ideal breast shape and size?
The ideal breast shape and size can vary across cultures, gender and age groups. For middle-aged women, the ideal breast size is generally considered to be a C-cup, while the preferred size for men is a D-cup. Breast aesthetics is a separate concept from size and different breast shapes have been defined. The most aesthetically pleasing shape is the round breast shape where it is desirable that the upper and lower halves are equally proportionate and full. In the breast profile, it is desired that the nipple is above the inframammary fold and slightly upwards.
Which types of implants are used for breast augmentation?
Silicone implants are used in breast augmentation procedures. These implants have evolved extremely since they were first produced. Today, fifth-generation silicone implants are used, and manufacturers offer a lifetime guarantee against problems such as ruptures or leaks that were associated with first-generation silicone implants. Features of the new generation implants include a gel with low viscosity, surfaces facilitating adherence, anatomical or round shapes, and the ability to maintain their shape within the body.
Is fat injection used in breast enlargement?
Although fat injections in breast augmentation procedures do not offer as clear and permanent results as the use of implants, fat fillers are used especially in the treatment of breast asymmetry and in implant procedures performed after breast reconstruction. Factors such as the absence of fat in thin patients and cost determine the limits of this method. Stem cell-enriched fat injections provide up to 80 percent permanence, but the cost is high. Fat injections are effective in covering the edges of the implant and minor asymmetry correction in thin patients. However, there is a risk of calcification that may affect mammograms in the future, and they do not offer as permanent results as breast implants.
When are the results of breast augmentation seen?
In breast augmentation surgery, the implants initially sit slightly above where they should be and gradually settle into their proper position by softening after the third week to gain a more natural appearance. After the operation, the breasts take their final shape in the third month.
Do breast silicones cause cancer?
Years of research have indicated that breast augmentation surgery and silicone implants do not have a risk of cancer. Although a rare disease called ALCL has been associated with textured-surface implants, the risk is generally low (1 in 30,000). The disease is usually characterised by sudden swelling after 6 years and treatment usually involves removal of the implant capsule.
Is there a loss of sensation after breast augmentation?
Although temporary loss of sensation or hypersensitivity in the nipples is rarely seen in breast augmentation surgery, it usually resolves within a few months. Permanent loss of sensation is rare and may be associated with conditions such as large implants or capsular contracture.
Can the implants be replaced in the future?
In the past, it was recommended to replace silicone implants every 10 years, but implants produced with new technologies do not need to be replaced unless there is a problem.
Do silicones prevent breastfeeding?
Since the milk glands and ducts are not damaged during breast augmentation surgeries, silicone implants do not interfere with pregnancy and breastfeeding processes.
Is it possible to have mammography with silicon prostheses?
Mammography with silicone implants does not adversely affect the silicone or the result of the mammogram. However, the person with the implant should inform the technician about this situation.
Breast augmentation surgery costs
“Breast aesthetic surgery cost”, “breast augmentation aesthetics costs 2024”, and “breast enlargement in Ankara” are among the questions most frequently asked by patients planning to have this operation. Many factors such as the city you are in, the hospital and the region where the procedure will be performed affect the prices. You can get the necessary information from your plastic surgeon about breast augmentation costs. For more detailed information on this subject, you can contact us by phone at (0536) 511 40 51 and by e-mail at ersoykonas@gmail.com.