Breast Implant
What is a Breast Implant?
Breast Implant surgery, also called Breast Augmentation and Breast Augmentation surgery, is a Breast Aesthetic surgery that aims to increase the size, and improve the shape and contour of the breasts through insertion of the Breast Implant prosthetic.
Why is Breast Implant performed?
Breast Implant is mostly used cosmetically to augment the breasts, but Breast Implant can also be performed to reconstruct the breasts. After injury to the breasts, or a mastectomy the breast tissue will be visibly less. Breast Implant surgery is able to create breasts that look natural. Depending on the surgeon’s preference the implant may be filled with saline or silicone gel.
What are the conditions for Breast Implant surgery?
Breast Implant surgery is accessible to many with the only requirement being that the patient is healthy enough to undergo general anesthesia.
The Plastic Surgeon will make a recommendation regarding the size of the implant. The size of the implants is up to the patient, but it is highly recommended to follow the surgeon’s advice.
What Are The Things To Be Considered Before Breast Implant?
Before the surgery, the patient should:
- Be at the hospital a day before their surgery for the pre operative tests to be performed.
- Stop smoking and consuming alcohol at least 2 weeks before the surgery to alleviate the risk of a blood clot.
- Avoid medication containing aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) for two weeks before and after surgery. These medications may increase the risk of internal bleeding. Patients should confirm each medication and supplement they wish to take with their Patient Coordinator.
- Stop taking Multivitamin supplements 7 days prior to the surgery, and if it contains vitamin K should not be used for 30 days following the surgery.
- Stop taking oral contraceptives 30 days before the surgery.
Also, the patient's body will be examined and measured, and the surgeon will draw lines on the body to plan out where the incisions will be made.
How is Breast Implant performed?
General anesthesia is administered at the beginning of the surgery. And an incision is made in on of the three places depending on the surgeon’s technique:
- Inframammary: The crease under the breast
- Axillary: Under the arm
- Periareolar: Around the nipple
The surgeon then separates the breast tissue from the pectoral muscles and the connective tissue of the chest, creating a pocket either behind or in front of the pectoral muscle.
The implant is then inserted into the newly created pocket and centered behind the nipple.
Lastly, the surgeon closes the incision with sutures and bandages it with skin adhesive and surgical tape.
The surgery takes 60 to 90 minutes and the implants are expected to be changed 10 to 15 years later as they are not considered permanent.
What are The Things To Be Considered After Breast Implant?
After the surgery the patient should take care to:
- Avoid strenuous physical activities.
- Avoid strenuous activities or pressure to the breast area.
- Have a healthy diet as it will make the healing process faster.
- Take their prescribed medication as instructed by their doctor.
- Wear loose-fitting comfortable clothes.
- Avoid lying face down as it will put pressure in the breasts.
The patient can return to their daily life 2 weeks after surgery, but a complete recovery takes 6 to 8 weeks.
What Are The Risks of Breast Implant?
Breast Implant surgery has some risks associated with it. These include, but are not limited to:
- Fluid accumulation near the skin, Seroma
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Swelling
- Poor wound healing
- Scarring
- Changes in skin sensation
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Suboptimal aesthetic result
Additionally, since the implants are not considered permanent medical devices, they have a chance of inflating or rupturing over time. In case of a rupture, a plastic surgeon has to replace the ruptured implant with a new one.