What is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation or augmentation mammoplasty is a cosmetic surgery done for increasing the size of the breast.
It involves placing the breast implants under the chest muscles or the breast tissue.
For many women, breast augmentation is performed as an elective surgical procedure done for cosmetic reasons, and to make a woman feel more confident. However, in some cases, this procedure is done to rebuild the breast which may have been affected due to various medical conditions.
One should consult a plastic surgeon if considering a breast augmentation procedure.
In this article, we will be discussing breast augmentation surgery.
- What are the types of Breast Augmentation?
- What is the purpose of Breast Augmentation Surgery?
- What is the diagnostic procedure before Breast Augmentation Surgery?
- How to prepare for Breast Augmentation Surgery?
- What is the procedure for Breast Augmentation Surgery?
- How to care after Breast Augmentation Surgery?
- What are the risks of Breast Augmentation Surgery?
- What is the cost of Breast Augmentation Surgery in India?
What are the types of Breast Augmentation?
There are two main types of breast augmentation:
- Breast implants: These are the most common types of breast augmentation. The different breast implant options are:
- Saline breast implants: These breast implants are filled with sterile saltwater or saline. If these implants break inside the breast, the body will absorb saline and get rid of it naturally.
- Structured saline breast implants: These breast implants are filled with saline and have an inner structure that makes the breast implant feel natural.
- Silicone breast implants: These breast implants are made of silicone gel. If these implants break, the gel could either stay inside its shell or it may leak into the breast. Regular appointments with the doctor are a must in case of the placement of silicone implants, to check if these implants are working properly.
- Form-stable breast implants: These implants are known as gummy bear breast implants. They are made of thick silicone gel and are firmer than traditional implants. These implants maintain their shape even if the implant shell breaks.
- Smooth breast implants: These are the softest type of breast implants. They usually make the breast movement look natural.
- Round breast implants: These breast implants are round all over, and make the breasts look fuller.
- Textured breast implants: These breast implants create scar tissue that adheres to the breast implant, which makes them less prone to movement inside the breast. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare cancer of the immune (disease-fighting) system that may be associated with this type of implant.
Fat transfer breast augmentation:
- The surgeon uses a liposuction procedure, which is done to remove fat from another part of the body. This fat is then injected into the breasts.
- This procedure is usually done in cases where only a small increase in breast size is required.
- Fat tissue is taken from either the belly, back, flanks (sides and lower back of the stomach), or the thighs.
What is the purpose of Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation is done for the following reasons:
- Enhancement of appearance: It may be done in the case of small breasts, or if one breast seems to be smaller than the other breast affecting the way a woman dresses.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: A breast augmentation surgery may be performed to correct the size of the breasts which may have altered due to pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Significant loss of weight: A substantial amount of weight loss may lead to a reduction in breast size. A breast augmentation procedure may be done to increase the breast size.
- After breast surgery: The breasts may become uneven after a breast surgery done for various conditions. Breast augmentation may be required to correct this.
- Improving self-confidence: Breast augmentation surgery helps in improving the appearance of a woman and increases her self-confidence. ( Know more about- Reduce Belly Fat after Cesarean Delivery )
What is the diagnostic procedure before Breast Augmentation Surgery?
- Breast examination: The surgeon will examine the breast size and shape, and check for the symmetry of both breasts.
- Blood tests: A blood test will help in checking for any underlying infections, and to check the blood cell counts. ( Know more about- What is Vaginal Cyst? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Prevention )
- Mammogram: It is an x-ray image of the breast. It is done to diagnose and detect breast diseases in women.
How to prepare for Breast Augmentation Surgery?
- Inform your doctor about any pre-existing medical conditions that you may be having.
- Inform the doctor about any medications, supplements, or herbs that you may be taking.
- Quit smoking at least two weeks before the surgery. Smoking may cause delayed healing post-surgery.
- Stop taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin and warfarin a few days before the surgery, as these medicines may increase the risk of bleeding during and after the surgery.
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before the surgery.
- Arrange for some help during the recovery period.
What is the procedure for Breast Augmentation Surgery?
- The procedure may be performed under sedation with local anesthesia (the surgical area is made numb), or under general anesthesia (the patient is put to sleep during the procedure).
- The surgeon can perform the procedure in one of the following ways:
- Along the edge of the areola, which is the darkened area around the nipple (called periareolar incision)
- Via the crease under the breast (called inframammary fold)
- Via the armpit (called trans axillary approach)
- The surgeon will then place the breast implant under the breast tissue and in front of the breast muscles, or behind the breast muscles (pectoral muscle).
- The type of implant placed depends on how much the size of the breasts needs to be increased. The benefits and risks of each method should be discussed with the doctor before choosing the type of implant to be placed.
- After the placement of the implants, the doctor will suture (stitch) the incision sites together and close them.
- Some drainage tubes may be placed near the breasts to drain out the blood and fluid.
- The breasts are covered with a gauze bandage, or the patient is given a surgical bra to wear.
How to care after Breast Augmentation Surgery?
- It is common to have soreness and swelling for a few weeks after the surgery.
- Bruising is also commonly noticed after the surgery.
- The scars may fade over time, but do not disappear completely.
- The surgeon may prescribe medications for pain.
- A sports bra or compression bandage needs to be worn during the healing period to provide support and for the proper positioning of the breast implants.
- You may be able to return to work within a few weeks if you do not have a physically demanding job.
- Avoid strenuous activities for at least two weeks after the surgery.
- Follow-up appointments are required for the removal of drainage tubes and non-dissolvable sutures (if given).
- The average lifespan of a breast implant is about 10 years.
What are the risks of Breast Augmentation Surgery?
The common risks and with breast augmentation surgery include:
- Scar tissue which may distort the breast implant shape (capsular contracture)
- Infection
- Pain in breasts
- Changes in breast and nipple sensation
- Changes in the implant position
- Implant rupture or leakage
- Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) (a rare type of cancer of the immune system) ( Know more about- What is Hormonal Imbalance in Females ? )
Breast implant illness which includes symptoms like:
- Fatigue (Know more about: Causes of Fatigue during pregnancy)
- Skin rash
- Loss of memory (Know more about: What is Alzheimer’s Disease)
- Joint pain
- Trouble in concentrating and thinking
Contact the doctor immediately if you notice any redness, warmth, shortness of breath, chest pain, or fever after the procedure.
What is the cost of Breast Augmentation Surgery in India?
The total cost of breast augmentation surgery in India can range from around INR 1,00,000 to INR 1,50,000. However, the cost of the procedure may vary across different hospitals. There are many big hospitals and specialized doctors in India for breast augmentation surgery. The cost varies across different hospitals.
If you are coming from abroad, in addition to the expenses of breast augmentation surgery, there will be a cost of staying in a hotel, cost of living, and cost of local travel. Apart from this, after the procedure, the patient is kept in hospital for 1 day and in the hotel for 7 days for recovery. So, the total cost of breast augmentation surgery in India will be around INR 1,30,000 to INR 2,00,000.
We hope that we were able to answer all your questions regarding breast augmentation surgery through this article.
If you need more information and treatment for breast augmentation surgery, then contact the Plastic Surgeon.
We only aim to give you information through this article. We do not recommend medication or treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
