Breast Augmentation
WHAT IS BREAST AUGMENTATION AND WHO IS IT FOR?
Breast augmentation is for women who are dissatisfied with the size of their breasts. In this case, breast augmentation surgery uses silicone implants to add volume to the breasts or restore breast volume lost after weight loss or pregnancy.
Breast augmentation can increase the size and projection of your breasts, improve your body balance and enhance your self-esteem and self-confidence.
Implants can also be used to reconstruct the breast after mastectomy or other injury.
SURGICAL PROCEDURE
The incision to insert the prosthesis can be made at the level of the areola, the armpit or in the inframammary fold. In our experience, the latter is the best because the scar is almost unnoticeable and the surgical field is better. It involves creating a space behind the mammary gland to place a prosthesis.
When the prosthesis is placed behind the mammary gland, we are talking about retroglandular prostheses and when we place them behind the pectoral muscle, we are talking about retromuscular prostheses.
Some surgeons favour leaving drains in for a few days. With the technique practised at Clínica Luso Espanhola, we don’t consider it necessary to use drains.
ANAESTHESIA AND DURATION OF SURGERY
Breast augmentation is usually performed under local anaesthesia combined with sedation. It lasts 50 to 60 minutes and the hospital stay is just over 5 to 6 hours.
RESULT
It is possible to achieve the desired volume because there are different shapes and sizes of breast implants. There should be harmony between the volume of the breasts and the size of the chest, so the choice of implants should be discussed and planned with the surgeon.
The final result can be seen almost immediately. It should be borne in mind that after the surgery there is some ‘swelling’, the breasts have a greater volume that will diminish until the final look is achieved (after 3 weeks). The final result is visible after 6 months.
POST-OPERATIVE CARE
After the operation, the patient will wear a specific bra, which should be worn for approximately 30 days. During this period, the patient should always wear the bra both day and night and, after this period, whenever she practises sport.
The woman who has undergone surgery should rest for a few days; it is normal to be a little tired. Pain is easily controlled with an analgesic. Dressings are done every 48 hours and then more sporadically. The sutures (stitches) are removed after 2 weeks.
In most cases, the woman can resume a normal, independent life after a few days. We also recommend avoiding violent exertion or gymnastics for 3-4 weeks.
It is normal to feel a slight reduction or increase in breast sensitivity, which is temporary and rarely permanent. Breast swelling or oedema will subside after a few weeks. Only bathe or shower with your doctor’s authorisation. The resulting scar will depend fundamentally on the healing quality of that particular patient.
Each individual has a special peculiarity when it comes to healing.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS THAT CAN ARISE DURING BREAST AUGMENTATION?
Capsular retraction:
It’s a problem that seems to have a tendency to diminish as prostheses improve in quality. To treat this problem, surgery may be necessary and the solution may be to change the prosthesis, rupture the capsule (capsulotomy) or remove the capsule (capsulectomy).
Prosthesis rupture:
The patient notices one breast is more swollen than the other. If the prostheses are hyper-cohesive, the risk of the silicone leaking out of the old prostheses and spreading to the rest of the body decreases or disappears. To solve the problem, the prosthesis must be removed and a new one fitted.
Infections:
It can happen in the first 10 days post-operatively. This type of complication makes it necessary to remove the prosthesis and only after the infection has been treated for several weeks should a new prosthesis be fitted. It’s a very rare complication. We’ve only had one case in our clinic.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What kind of prostheses are commonly used for breast augmentation?
Currently, prostheses have a lifetime guarantee provided by the brand and the most commonly used are textured silicone prostheses. The shapes and sizes will depend on the patient’s taste or medical indication.
Can silicone prostheses cause cancer?
No prospective or retrospective study carried out in the world has demonstrated this relationship with absolute certainty.
What kind of scars can a breast augmentation operation leave?
In breast augmentation, the scar can be axillary, periareolar or submammary. It rarely exceeds 4 centimetres.
Can the prostheses be placed outside the muscle?
The prostheses can be placed behind the gland or inside the pectoralis major muscle. Each situation has its advantages and disadvantages.
What size is most commonly used?
Our clients prefer to have prostheses between 265 and 395cc, although sometimes larger prostheses are also used.
