Breast Augmentation - Patient Guide

Breast augmentation is a safe way to enhance the way your breasts look and feel. Breast augmentation is more than just simply making your breasts bigger; today’s technology and medical knowledge afford numerous ways to enlarge, shape, and bring symmetry to your breasts. Even scarring is not an issue in the hands of an experienced cosmetic surgeon.

Breast augmentation is a great option to balance your figure, correct deformities, create fullness and lift after pregnancy and nursing, or reshape after weight loss; there is no invalid reason for breast augmentation surgery. Most women who undergo this cosmetic procedure recover easily and achieve their desired results.

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery that enhances your breast size or shape by adding saline or silicone implants in your breasts. This procedure is perfect for women who want to:

Improve their self-image
Restore the shape of their breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding
Correct asymmetrical breasts or breast deformities
Balance their hip to breast ratio

Interested in how breast augmentation can improve your quality of life? Discuss this solution with Dr. Ladak at Alberta Plastic Surgery by calling (780) 407-6691 or filling out the online contact form.

Types of breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation goes beyond enlarging your breasts with silicone implants. Women today can even change their breasts’ curves, shape, and profile.

An experienced cosmetic surgeon usually offers the following choices for breast augmentation:

Filling type: Breasts can be filled with either saline or silicone implants. While both are entirely viable and safe, they differ in feel, costs, and incision requirements.
Shape: Your breasts can be shaped in any way you want. Note, however, that the filling you choose influences the shape of your implants. Silicone implants have a teardrop shape, reflecting the look of natural breasts. Saline implants tend to be rounder and more prominent.
Profile: You can also use your breast augmentation procedure to change the profile of your breasts. While you have full freedom in this decision, you should know that certain profiles fit certain frames better than others. For instance, a smaller woman may need a higher profile implant to make the enlargement noticeable.
Size: Breast sizes are measured in cubic centimetres (cc). It takes about 200 to 250 cc to increase a cup size. Importantly, the size increase needs not to be the same for both breasts; some women may need a different size increase for each breast to achieve breast symmetry.
Mastopexy: Breast lifts enlarge the size and projection of the breast. The breasts gain a firm, rejuvenated look.

Scars in Breast Augmentation?

Given you’re most likely considering breast augmentation for aesthetic reasons, your concern for post-surgery scarring is valid.

Based on the specific breast augmentation procedure, an experienced surgeon can use a variety of incision options to minimize and hide scarring:

Incision within the armpit (trans-axillary): The breast implant is placed via a small incision within the armpit. The incision does leave a scar, but it will be hidden by creases in the armpit.
Incision in breast fold (inframammary): The cosmetic surgeon makes a short incision under the breast—in the inframammary fold. This method is ideal for women with a deep breast fold.
Incision around the areola (peri-areolar): The dark outer edge of the areola is a perfect spot to hide the incision. This incision option is best for modest breast augmentation or breast lifts.
Incision above the belly button (transumbilical): This process involves making a single incision on the abdomen and bringing up the implant all the way to the breast area. While the scar remains visible, it will not be anywhere near or on the breast. This method is only available for saline implants.

As usual, the optimal incision point depends on the individual’s anatomy, needs, the implant, and the type of breast augmentation.

Recovering from Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is generally safe, but it never hurts to take precautions.

While you may feel good enough to move on your own a few hours post-surgery, you should limit exercise for the next two to four weeks. You may also need to wear a supportive surgical bra during your recovery period.

If you and your surgeon opted for the inframammary incision method, you may find your breasts seem to protrude unusually for a time. Give them a few months to shape themselves.

Other precautions to take include:

Do not smoke: Smoking delays the healing process and can leave a worse scar.
Sleep in a propped position: Sleeping like this will reduce the strain on your sutures.
Have help around: Someone should be around to help you lift or reach for things for the first 48 hours after the surgery. Avoid driving as well.
Avoid hot tubs, swimming pools, and ocean water: Exposure can interfere with the healing process.

Living with breast augmentation

The effects of breast augmentation are long-lasting, and most patients are satisfied with the results. Your quality of life should not be impaired by this surgery in any way.

A few things for women to keep in mind:

Breast implants do not affect mammograms; women who had their breasts done should continue with these medical screenings on a regular basis.

Women who opted for silicone implants should periodically screen for ruptures via mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI. While ruptures are rare, they require corrective surgery to replace the burst implant.

Breast augmentation does not permanently alter breasts. Future pregnancies, weight fluctuations, and aging can still affect the way breasts look. Additional surgeries can in some cases rectify breasts that have changed over time.

Is Breast Augmentation Right for You?

Breast augmentation is a quick and safe way to change the way your breasts look. As with other cosmetic surgeries, it is best to consult with an accredited cosmetic surgeon before committing to the operation. An experienced professional will need to assess which type of breast augmentation and which incision option are most suitable for your body goals.

Call (780) 407-6691 or fill out the online contact form to learn how Dr. Ladak at Alberta Plastic Surgery can help you achieve your ideal look.

FAQs

Q: Will breast augmentation increase the risk of breast cancer?

A: No. Studies have repeatedly shown that women who have received breast implants are at no greater risk of getting breast cancer. Implants also do not hinder the detection of breast cancer or breast tumors.

Q: Should I do breast augmentation if I plan to have children?

A: It is generally recommended to postpone pregnancy by six months after breast augmentation surgery. However, note that pregnancy can change the size and shape of your breasts. Additional surgeries could be needed to revert your breasts to their previous shape and size. Breast-feeding is not affected by implants.

Q: How much does breast augmentation cost?

A: The costs of breast augmentation varies depending on your doctor, the implants, the incision options, and other procedure needs.