If you are in the process of considering a breast augmentation procedure, here is an insight into what you can expect. In general, or in the majority of the cases, the surgery encompasses three phases consultation, operation, and then the most important part, recovery. In most cases, the breast augmentation is completed under general anesthesia where the patient remains asleep through the procedure.

How is the surgery performed?
The surgeon makes an incision in the crease under the breast or under an arm or around the nipple to separate the breast tissues from the connective tissues and the muscles of the chest. This enables the creation of a pocket-like structure behind or before the pectoral muscle. Then the implants are inserted in this pocket and centered behind the nipple.

What may happen after the breast augmentation procedure?

Soreness and scars: After the surgery, some patients may suffer from soreness accompanied by swelling and bruising for around three weeks after the surgery. The scars tend to fade gradually with the passage of time even though a faint scar remains all through one s life.
Discomfort: Some may experience a slight or tolerable pain in the nipple after the surgery. In rare instances, patients undergo sharper, and burning pain with touch. A light massage can help ease the discomfort.
Swelling: Some people report that their breasts feel firm after the surgery though this is a passing phenomenon. As the swelling subsides, the patients feel natural tenderness in the breasts within a short span of time.
Things to take care during recovery: Sometimes, surgeons recommend wearing a compression bandage or sports bra for proffering extra support to the breasts and the implants. If there is a pain, then the patient is prescribed pain-relieving medications, as well. Though healing takes a long span of time, however, one can easily resume back to their daily activities within a week. It is advised not follow a strenuous job or continue with any strenuous workout for a few months or till complete recovery.
Avoid strenuous activities: It is advised to sleep in a recliner for the first 2 days after the surgery, as this reduces the pain and swelling. Also, one should refrain or minimize the number of times one raises the hands above the head. It is advised to refrain from exercising or strenuous workouts for at least 3 to 4 weeks after the surgery.
The week following the surgery will be most difficult, and therefore, it is advised to complete all the important jobs before the surgery so that the body gets the required rest and recovers quickly.

As you can see, it is important to know and learn about the whole process before undergoing the surgery or deciding to undergo surgery so that you can make an informed decision and go about it systematically.

Breast Augmentation - What to expect from the procedure?

Each woman has a unique silhouette and one of the characteristic elements of a woman s silhouette is the curve of her breasts. Some women who are not happy with the shape and size of their breasts may opt to undergo breast augmentation surgery. Women who feel that their breasts have lost their shape after pregnancy or as a result of weight loss or those who have asymmetric breasts may also choose to undergo breast augmentation surgery. This is a cosmetic surgical procedure through which the size of the breasts may be increased by placing synthetic implants under the skin.

This procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia, where an incision is made under the breast, around the areolas or under the arm through which the implant may be placed. This incision is usually made such that it is camouflaged by the natural contours and creases of the breast. The implant is usually placed under the pectoral muscle or placed directly below the breast tissue above the pectoral muscle.

The placement of the implant depends on the type of implant, the degree of enlargement desired etc. the incisions are then stitched close or closed with surgical tape. The results of breast augmentation surgery should be immediately visible after surgery.

After the surgery, the patient may feel some pain and soreness around the breasts for the first 48 hours. There may also be itchiness and the patient may find it difficult to raise their arms properly. The patient may also experience slight swelling and discolouration which should resolve itself within a few days. The doctor may also advise the patient to wear a compression garment or special lingerie to support the breasts.

 When it comes to cosmetic surgery, what one person considers good looking, another may not. Hence, it is important to find a cosmetic surgeon who has a similar point of view as the patient. Before undergoing the procedure, ask to see before and after photographs of the doctor s earlier patients. If possible show your doctor photographs of what you would like your breasts to look like after surgery. This will help you achieve the results you desire.

Breast Augmentation & Lifting - How it Can Help?

Cosmetic surgery has made it possible for almost everyone to have the body they desire. Having small breasts is one of the most common reasons women choose to undergo cosmetic surgery. This type of surgery is known as breast enhancement or breast augmentation.

For this procedure, the doctor will make a small incision along the natural crease lines of the breast. The breast tissue is then lifted to create a pocket in the breast area and an implant is placed in the pocket. These implants can be filled with saline or silicone. The surgeon will then close the incision and reshape the breasts to accommodate the implant.

Breast augmentation is a relatively safe procedure but as with any other invasive surgery, it does have a few risks. Some of the risks associated with this procedure are:

Reaction to anesthesia
Pain for the first 48 hours after surgery
Hematoma
Infection and bleeding
Numbness and temporary loss of sensation in the breasts
Asymmetric breasts
Scarring
Recovery time from breast augmentation surgery varies from person to person. However, to be on the safe side, avoid any sort of strenuous activity or exercising for a few days. Also, avoid running, jumping or any activity that will make your breasts bounce or potentially dislodge your implants. Swimming should also be avoided. The surgical dressing will need to stay in place for a few days after which you may be advised to wear a support bra. Do not wear under-wired bras until your doctor says you can. You should be able to return to work within a week. During this time, surgical sutures, if any, will also be removed. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or on your side for atleast a month after the surgery.

Follow the aftercare regime prescribed strictly to speed up the healing process. Avoid alcohol for as long as you are taking medication and do not self-medicate yourself in any form. Massaging your breasts can help deal with the scarring unless you have been advised not to.

Most women notice a drastic difference in the way their breasts look after a month. However, for the implants to completely settle into your breast tissue it will take around 3 months. During this time, they become softer and shift until they are placed just behind the nipple. In some cases, you may require a follow up surgery and hence it is best to stay in touch with your cosmetic surgeon. 

Breast Enhancement - Safety, Procedure and Aftercare

Breast reduction or breast reduction surgery is a form of cosmetic surgery where the size of disproportionately large breasts is reduced.
Extra large breasts may cause neck pain, back pain and several other physical symptoms. Many women undergo a breast reduction to make life easier. This surgery provides effective results.
The procedure of breast reduction surgery-
Breast reduction surgeries can be conducted in an outpatient facility. You may have to stay for one night at a hospital as well. While performing this surgery, a patient is given general anaesthesia, which will make the patient asleep during the process.
Breast reduction surgery requires about two to five hours to be completed successfully. During the process, the surgeon will create a cut around the nipple and then on the breast. The cut is made in the shape of a keyhole. Extra skin, tissue and fat will be removed from the breast through the keyhole-shaped incision. Drainage tubes are also utilized for removal of excess skin and fat. After the removal is complete, and enough skin has been removed, the breasts are stitched. They are then wrapped in a special gauze. Sometimes, a surgical bra is required to be worn by the patient during the surgery.
Recovery from breast reduction surgery-
After a breast reduction surgery is performed, the patient must take a minimal one week off from any kind of work or school. Some women require two weeks or more to recover. However, this varies from patient to patient, but not more than three weeks are required for recovery.
You will be having follow up appointments with your surgeon, where the bandages and stitches on the breasts are removed.
As a part of the recovery process, a woman must abstain from all kinds of physical activities for one month following the surgery. After the surgery, it is likely for a patient to feel tired and experience breast pain. However, this is normal and you can have oral pain killers prescribed by your surgeon to get relief and ease. Heavy lifting should be strictly restricted.
Some women experience emotional reactions such as depression after the surgery. This too is normal, but you should talk to your surgeon about it.
Breast reduction surgery is an efficient cosmetic surgery, which enables women to reduce their breast size and volume. The results of such a surgery are quite satisfactory.


Breast Reduction - Tips To Help You Recover Quickly!

Breasts are integral to womanhood. They define a woman s beauty. Well grown, firmer breasts are what every woman dreams of. However, not many women are lucky enough to have the perfect shape and size of breasts. A common belief among people is that bigger the size of the breasts, the better they are. This is a big misconception. The ideal breast size is the one that is in proportion to the rest of the body. Bigger breasts do not look good on women with smaller structure and are also prone to sagging. Apart from a disproportionate figure, many women with larger breasts complain of backache, neck and shoulder pain due to the physical burden born by the upper body. Hence, the need for a medical intervention. Such women can consider breast reduction as a permanent solution to their problem.

Breast reduction or reduction mammoplasty is a procedure that reduces the size of the breasts through surgical removal of tissues, fat and skin, thereby making it ideal as per the body structure. The procedure is performed under the guidance of a trained aesthetic plastic surgeon and takes about three to five hours.

Hospital admission is usually required and a general anesthesia is given to the patient. Healing of wounds may take a few days. Breast reduction surgery also deals with issues of sagging breasts and helps them give an uplifted and firmer appearance. Another advantage of this surgery is that it can reduce the size of areola making the breasts appear younger and better.

Like any other surgery, reduction mammaplasty is not free of side effects. There are risks associated and one has to carefully weigh the risks and benefits before taking this decision. It can cause complications like excessive bleeding and adverse anesthesia reactions. Apart from this, some of the common side effects of this surgery are loss of sensation in the nipples and areola, inability to breastfeed and scarring. Sometimes, the procedure may need to be repeated in case there is a visible asymmetry in the size of both the breasts.

In general, women considering this option are overweight, have no plans to bear children in future and are suffering from heaviness and pain in upper part of the body due to larger breasts. However, many women desire to improve their appearance. Cosmetic market delivers many new gels and creams for breast reduction, claiming them to be simpler and safer than surgery, but their effectiveness is doubtful. Women looking for a more permanent solution may consider a surgical procedure. However, following the surgeon s instructions is important pre as well as post-surgery. If you are worried about the size of your breasts, do visit a plastic surgeon and discuss your options.

Should You Get Breast Reduction Surgery? 

3 crucial points you must know about breast enhancement

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to enhance as well as improve the symmetry and fullness of the breasts through implants (gel-like fluid in a flexible sac); or to bring back breast volume lost as a result of pregnancy, aging or weight loss. Before opting for such a procedure, there are certain points that you absolutely must consider, which are:

1. Picking silicone or saline implants: when it comes to implants, you have two options available - saline or silicone. Providing a uniform shape and firmness, saline implants come filled with sterile salt water. In contrast, silicone breast implants contain elastic gel, giving them the look of natural breasts. In terms of elasticity, saline implants can be adjusted more easily as you can inject or remove liquid from the implant. In contrast, silicone implants cannot be adjusted as they are already filled with the gel.

2. Getting the right size: choosing the right size for breast augmentation is very important. It's wrong to believe that bigger implants are not always good. The size of implant should be decided after proper assessment of the breasts.

Mammography should be done before putting breast implants. In general, size selection is made based on your natural breast size. Whether you opt for a saline implant or a silicone one, implants come in varied sizes ranging from 120-180 cc. When you choose a size for yourself, you'll have to keep in mind your body frame as well as appearance you wish to have post surgery.

3. Incision options: depending on the results you expect, you'll also need to consider which incision (a surgical cut made in your skin before the operation) option you should select before undergoing surgery. Incisions can range anywhere from 1-4 inches, with their lengths increasing as the implants expand in size. There are also certain incisions, such as the belly button incisions that are really small and don't leave behind visible scar tissue.

Apart from belly button incision, some of the other incision options that a surgeon may employ for breast augmentation could be:
- armpit incision (incision made in the underarm area for breast implantation through the armpit)
- nipple incision (incision made on the areola, which is the circular area of pigmented skin surrounding a nipple)
- crease incision (incision made in the crease area below the breast for implantation).

Fat grafting of breasts is another alternative or a complementary procedure to the breast implant. If you're considering breast augmentation surgery, be sure to check with your doctor about these factors and which options are best suited to you, before proceeding.

If you would like to consult with me privately, please click on 'consult'.
Related Tip: Why Breast Cancer is No 1 Cancer in India? + How To Avoid it

3 Crucial Points You Must Know about Breast Enhancement

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