surgery

Breast Health.
Breast Enlargement.
Breast Development.

Breast Surgery
Not Recommended!

HEALTHY BREASTS DO NOT CONTAIN BREAST LUMPS OR CAUSE BREAST CANCER.

Breast implant procedures can be performed on an outpatient (not hospital) basis or at a hospital. Breast implant surgery can be done under local anesthesia (only breast area numbed) or under general anesthesia (put to sleep). Breast implant surgery can last from one to several hours depending on whether the implant is inserted behind (sub muscular) or in front of (sub glandular) the chest muscle and whether the surgery is performed on one or both breast. If the surgery is done in a hospital, the length of the hospital stay will vary according to the type of surgery, the development of any postoperative complications, and your general health. It may also depend on the type of coverage your insurance provides. Before surgery, your doctor should discuss with you the extent of surgery, the estimated time it will take, and the choice of drugs for pain and nausea.

YOUR EXPECTATIONS - NATURAL RECONSTRUCTION OR AUGMENTATION.

Your consideration of breast implants, for reconstruction or for augmentation, should be based on realistic expectations of the outcome. You may also want to talk with women who have had the surgery at least a year ago by the same surgeon. Keep in mind, however, that there is no guarantee that your results will match those of other women.

Your results will depend on many individual factors, such as

your overall health
chest structure and body shape
healing capabilities (which may be hindered by radiation and chemotherapy, smoking, alcohol, and various medications)
bleeding tendencies/likelihood
prior breast surgery (ies)
possibility of infection
the skill and experience of the surgical team
the type of surgical procedure
the type and size of implant

You will be given general or local anesthesia, in most cases, antibiotics. The surgery may last from 12 hours for augmentation to several hours for reconstruction or revision.

You can expect to have some scars as a natural result of surgery, your doctor will describe their location, size, and appearance. For most women, the scars will fade over time to thin lines, although the darker your skin, the more prominent the scars are likely to be. You should ask your doctor about the content of the planned surgical procedures, as well as where your scars will be.

Postoperative Care

Your doctor should describe the usual postoperative (after surgery) recovery process, the possible complications that can arise, and the expected recovery period. Following the operation, as with any surgery, some pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness can be expected. These complications may last for a month or longer, but they should disappear with time.

Medications for pain and nausea can be prescribed. Some women may experience bleeding and some may experience fever, warmth, or redness of the breast, or other symptoms of infection. These symptoms should be reported immediately to your doctor. You should be told about wound healing and how to care for your wound. Drains may be used for a few days.

Postoperative care may involve the use of a postoperative bra, compression bandage, or jog bra for extra support and positioning while you heal. At your doctor's recommendation, you will most likely be able to return to work within a few days, although you should avoid any strenuous activities that could raise your pulse and blood pressure for at least a couple of weeks. Your doctor may also recommend breast massage exercises.

Ask your doctor about a schedule of follow-up examinations, limits on your activities, precautions you should take, and when you can return to your normal routine. (If you are enrolled in a clinical study, your doctor should give you a schedule for follow-up examinations set by the study plan).

Home

To Top