After Your Boobs Operation

Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed plastic surgeries, designed to enhance breast shape and size by using either saline or silicone implants.

Your surgeon will create an opening through which to insert your implant, such as by creating a crease under your areola or creating a pocket behind or beneath the pectoral muscle.

History

Women throughout history have sought larger breasts. Unfortunately, it hasn’t always been easy; some methods were unwise or downright dangerous, producing horrible side effects. As early as 1895, paraffin oil injection was used to increase cup size; although this looked appealing at first, its side effects included hard lumps and scarring. Fat transfer attempts failed miserably while attempts at transplanting fat failed as well; by 1950 surgeons implanted various materials including synthetic sponges that hardened after just one year!

Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow of Houston Plastic Surgeons revolutionized modern breast augmentation procedures in 1962 when Timmie Jean Lindsey became the first patient to receive silicone breast implants through mastopexy surgery. Lindsey made history when she went from a B to C cup, inspiring 5 million more women to undergo breast augmentation cosmetic surgery. Today, it remains one of the most popular procedures performed both in the US and Brazil; although some celebrities have had their implants removed. Stevie Nicks suspected her implants as being responsible for her chronic lethargy, so in 1994 they were surgically removed. Victoria Beckham, Yolanda Hadid (mother of Gigi and Bella Hadid) and Playboy model Crystal Hefner also underwent this procedure because theirs were deflating or causing health problems.

Procedure

Augmentation mammoplasty (implant-insertion), also known as mammoplasty, is the go-to breast enhancement surgery. An implant will either be placed subglandularly behind breast tissue (subglandular) or under the pectoralis chest muscle (submuscular), depending on your preference and shape preferences – teardrop or round implants can even be chosen!

At an outpatient surgery, you will receive either general or intravenous anesthesia. After numbing the breast area, a surgeon creates an incision on the skin of your breast pocket and works through this opening to create an opening for implant placement. When the surgeon is satisfied with positioning of implant he seals all incisions before inserting either silicone (where shell insertion takes place directly into pocket) or saline implants; both must then be filled afterwards.

Another surgical technique available is inframammary fold augmentation. This procedure uses an incision in the natural crease beneath the breast to create less visible scars; however, women may experience more difficulties breastfeeding and experiencing nipple sensation than usual as the incision may be closer to milk-producing tissues than usual. Furthermore, capsular contracture risks increase significantly with this method of augmentation; should this happen to you make sure to report any issues via Yellow Card Scheme so manufacturers and regulators can quickly address any concerns with implants or any potential manufacturers can quickly address issues faster!

Recovery

Within 3 to 5 days after surgery, you may experience discomfort at your incision sites and be prescribed pain relief by your physician. There may also be minor bleeding at this site which will need to be managed. Taking it easy during these initial days is key and avoiding lifting arms or other unnecessary activities is recommended; walking around your house to get blood circulating would also be beneficial.

Following your procedure, your surgeon will use a surgical bra and elastic band for support to give your breasts structure during recovery. They will also explain how to care for incision sites post-surgery. It is wise to arrange for someone else to drive you home as you will still be under anesthesia and should not attempt driving yourself home afterwards.

After your breast augmentation surgery, it is recommended that you wear your surgical bra for three to four weeks as this helps protect the pockets in which your breast implants were implanted from stretching out of their pockets and shifting. Only take it off when showering or washing it.

After three or four weeks, gradually increase your physical activity level. It is important to avoid high impact exercises and upper body exercises until cleared by your surgeon.

Results

After your boobs operation, be sure to give yourself ample time for recovery. Over this period, your breasts should slowly settle back into a natural position on your chest wall as swelling recedes; results of this process could take months as soft tissue and skin stretch to their final positions, and scar tissue fades over time. It’s wise to refrain from heavy lifting and strenuous upper body exercises for at least six weeks post surgery so as to allow time for healing and your new shape.

One breast may occasionally drop lower than the other during recovery, and this may be corrected through careful observation of areolar circulation early in recovery and surgical intervention to save the nipple graft (which must then be rebuilt with fat). Although rare, this complication of nipple augmentation does occur and patients should discuss it with their surgeon in order to prepare for its possible occurrence in future surgeries.