Are you thinking about breast augmentation with implants? You aren’t alone: Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the country.
But what is involved in the surgery? What’s the recovery like? And how much pain is there? Can you have a Beverly Hills breast lift, too? You can find out the answers to these and other questions below.
Before Breast Augmentation Surgery
The first step is to talk to your board-certified plastic surgeon about breast augmentation with implants. This is your opportunity to discuss the types of implants, sizes, incision placement, and more. Depending on your situation, your surgeon may recommend silicone or saline breast implants.
Silicone is the most popular choice because they generally feel more natural, but saline implants also have advantages. Saline implants are filled with solution after the shells are inserted into the chest, making your incisions smaller.
Some patients also feel more confident having saline implants because of the perception they’re safer if they leak. Of course, leaks rarely occur, but there have been concerns that saline implants could adversely affect the woman’s body if there’s a rupture.
Your surgeon also will allow you to try on various sizes of implants with a special bra. This may help you choose the shape and size of breast implants that complement your body.
Also, your surgeon will give you several guidelines to have the best results with your implants:
- Don’t smoke several weeks before and after surgery
- Be in good overall health
- Have realistic expectations about breast augmentation
- Have the surgery because you want it, not because someone else wants you to
- Don’t take certain medications that can affect bleeding and healing before and after surgery
If you only want a small increase in breast size, your surgeon may recommend Beverly Hills liposuction with fat transfer instead of implants.
The Day Of Breast Augmentation Surgery
On the day of surgery, it’s important not to eat or drink anything other than water for about 12 hours before the procedure. Also, you will have general anesthesia, and it will take a few hours for its effects to fade, so you will need a ride to take you home.
Depending on the type and size of your breast implants, the plastic surgeon will follow these general steps during surgery:
- Once you have been given general anesthesia by IV, your surgeon will make the incisions. Under the breasts is the most popular option because the scars are hidden, giving the surgeon the most space to operate. Other options include the areola or armpit.
- Depending on the size and type of implant, the surgeon will make a pocket behind your breast tissue either above or below the pectoral muscle. Many surgeons place implants below the muscle for more natural-looking results, but this depends on several factors.
- The surgeon places the implants. If you have silicone, they’re filled when inserted into the chest. Saline implants are filled with the solution when the shells are placed in the chest.
- Your surgeon will check placement and symmetry, then close your incisions with stitches and/or surgical glue. Once closed, they’ll put dressing and bandages to protect the incisions.
After waking from anesthesia, your surgeon will put you in the recovery room to be monitored for one or two hours. After that, you’ll be groggy, so you need a ride home. Remember that the plastic surgery facility cannot release you if you don’t have someone to drive you home.
After Breast Augmentation Surgery
For the first day after surgery, you should have another adult stay with you, and you’ll need help if you care for small children.
The surgeon will cover your breasts with gauze and you will probably be given a compression garment to wear for several weeks.
You will be given prescription pain medication for two or three days after breast augmentation. Advil, Aleve, or Motrin are usually OK for pain after the initial 48 hours, and you can drive and go to work after you stop taking narcotic prescription medicine.
While wearing the compression garment, you shouldn’t engage in strenuous workouts, but daily walks are encouraged. You also should sleep on your side and back for the first month.
As long as you use a board-certified plastic surgeon, serious complications are rare. But you should contact your surgeon if you have infections at the incision site, abnormal bleeding, or severe pain after the first 48 hours.
Remember that your breasts will sit high on the chest for the first one or two weeks, but they eventually will settle into their normal position. You also will have some swelling for several weeks, and it can take up to six months before you see the final results.
Last, breast augmentation with implants requires an extensive recovery. But you also may have other procedures simultaneously, such as a tummy tuck or Brazilian butt lift. But, again, having other surgeries simultaneously is more cost-effective and convenient.
Request A Breast Augmentation Consultation
Thinking about breast augmentation in Beverly Hills? Dr. Nicholas Lahar is proud to serve Beverly Hills patients in his plastic surgery practice. During your consultation, he will review the options and goals to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for breast augmentation.
References
Breast Augmentation Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-augmentation/about/pac-20393178#:~:text
Breast Augmentation Recovery. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation/recovery
About Breast Augmentation Recovery. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-augmentation-recovery
