Breast augmentation surgery can become vital for a woman due to a number of factors: breast loss due to cancer, congenital anomalies, natural small breasts, underdevelopment of the mammary glands, sudden weight loss or loss of breast volume after breastfeeding. The desire for breast augmentation is often not just a whim of the fairer sex, but also the desire to overcome many complexes associated with this area of the body. Modern plastic surgery is evolving every day and can offer women many opportunities to solve the problem of breast augmentation.
Surgical methods of access for breast augmentation:
- Axillary method (axillary)allows you to maintain the integrity of the breast as well as the sensitivity of the breasts. The postoperative scar is located in an inconspicuous area. The disadvantage of this method is that successful breast augmentation requires high professionalism of the surgeon and good endoscopic equipment. When the axillary method is used, it is extremely difficult to position the implant correctly.
- Periareolar methodincludes an incision along the lower border of the nipple areola, just between pigmented and unpainted skin. Breast augmentation with this method is suitable for women who already have children, as there is a risk of violation of the milk ducts. The periareolar method is suitable for small implants. The advantage is that the surgeon can perform plastic surgery on the nipples at the same time, without additional incisions.
- Submammary methodone of the safest methods of breast augmentation. The surgeon makes an incision in the woman's chest fold to place the implant. In this way, the surgeon is provided with convenient access to the formation of the implant bed. That is why he positions it in the most optimal way. The scar after breast augmentation is invisible because it is hidden by the natural fold of the breast. Best of all, this method of breast augmentation is suitable for women with a pronounced chest fold.
- Umbilical accessis not popular because it allows you to install implants filled only with saline, which has already lost its relevance. The essence of this method is that the implants are placed through an incision above the navel. The surgeon forms special endoscopic tunnels under the skin from the navel to the breast for endoprostheses. The implants are delivered through them to the breast pocket and only then are they filled with saline. The advantage of this method is the complete absence of scars and scars in the chest area.
- Transabdominal accessit is used in combination with abdominal plastic surgery so that no additional incisions are made in the patient's body. To do this, the surgeon places the implant through an incision in the anterior abdominal wall. The advantage of this method is the absence of scars on the chest.
Breastfeeding after breast augmentation
During breast augmentation surgery with the axillary or submammary method, the milk ducts of the breast are not disrupted, so if a woman is genetically predisposed to breastfeeding, she may not be afraid of her future children. The only restriction is that planning a pregnancy after breast augmentation should not begin earlier than 1-2 years after breast augmentation with implants.
Indications for breast augmentation
- Breast ptosis after breastfeeding;
- Breast ptosis as a result of sudden weight loss;
- Underdeveloped mammary glands (breast hypoplasia);
- Loss of mammary glands due to cancer;
- The patient's desire to have larger breasts.
Varieties of breast augmentation implants
It is customary to distinguish implants from two types: anatomical and round. They all have a rough or smooth shell. Which type to use is always discussed with the surgeon. Experts divide the size of implants by volume, which is measured in milliliters. The implants are selected strictly individually for each patient, taking into account its physiological characteristics.
Preparing for breast augmentation
In order to prepare the woman for enlarged mammoplasty, a personal consultation with a specialist is needed, who will tell about the peculiarities and subtleties of the surgical intervention, as well as about the result that is planned to be achieved. The patient is then sent for a series of tests: a general blood and urine test, blood for HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, a biochemical blood test and tests: ECG, fluorography, consultation with a mammologist, gynecologist and anesthesiologist. The results of the test allow to detect in a woman the presence of contraindications for breast augmentation. In addition, the specialist informs that in preparation for an increase in mammoplasty it is worth giving up bad habits: alcohol and cigarettes after two weeks. You cannot eat or drink the day before plastic surgery.
How is breast augmentation surgery performed?
On the day of breast augmentation surgery, the patient should arrive at the clinic, preferably in advance, to have time to prepare for surgery. Immediately before breast augmentation, the surgeon makes markings on the woman's body in accordance with the pre-selected method of surgery. These can be dotted lines at the lower border of the nipple areola, lines in the area of the chest fold, etc. When all the preparatory activities are completed, the patient is given general anesthesia. The breast area is then treated with a disinfectant solution and augmentative mammoplasty is started. For this purpose, the surgeon makes incisions with a scalpel according to the marking, installs pre-prepared implants in an optimal way to achieve the best appearance of the breast. At the end of the augmentation, mammoplasty, sutures and a bandage are made on the incisions, after which compression garments are placed on the woman. The total working time will not exceed two hours, this is individual.
How should you behave after breast augmentation?
Immediately after plastic breast augmentation, the patient remains in the hospital, as the operation is performed under general anesthesia. Then the woman will have to come every other day for bandages until the stitches are removed, about 1-1, 5 weeks. During the first week, the patient may feel heaviness in the chest and pain, but this is completely normal, becauseduring this period the swelling of the mammary glands continues. To alleviate the woman's well-being, the surgeon prescribes painkillers. Remember that it is necessary to wear compression underwear, this will prevent the development of swelling, will keep the implants in place and will make life easier during the rehabilitation period, which will last about a month and a half. Over time, the swelling will subside and it will then be possible to assess the actual results of breast augmentation. It is worth stopping wearing a compression bra only after the surgeon's permission, then the easy and fast recovery after the operation will not wait long.
Why do you need compression garments after breast augmentation?
Compression underwear is a special bra made of elastic fibers with a fixing band on top. After an enlarged mammoplasty, it is worn to form a natural capsule for implants in a woman's breasts. Thanks to this underwear, the breast implants are fixed in the correct position and do not move. Swelling after surgery cannot develop because the bra presses on the pectoralis major muscle. It is not possible for all women to replace compression underwear with a regular sports top; you should first consult your surgeon.
What should you give up immediately after breast augmentation surgery?
- Severe physical activity;
- Lifting heavy objects;
- Sports activities;
- SPA treatments, bath, sauna;
- Sunbathing, swimming in open water;
- Sleep on your side, turn to your side.
Possible complications after breast augmentation
- Seromas, hematomas;
- Displacement of the implant, its emphasized contour;
- Capsule contracture;
- Keloid scars;
- Loss of sensitivity in the nipples and chest.
How to apply sutures after surgery?
For successful healing of the sutures after breast augmentation, comprehensive care for them is sufficient, while it is not necessary to use specialized products and ointments.
Contraindications for breast augmentation surgery:
- Diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis;
- Oncology;
- The presence of chronic and infectious diseases in the acute stage;
- High blood pressure;
- Poor blood clotting;
- Propensity to scarring;
- Varicose veins;
- Lactation period;
- Pregnancy;
- Menstruation;
- HIV, hepatitis, syphilis;
- Age under 18 years.
Question answer
How soon after breast augmentation surgery can you start having sex?
You should not resume your intimate life earlier than a month after plastic surgery. This is due to the fact that during intercourse blood can flow to the breast, as well as additional physical activity during which the breast can move. Under no circumstances should it be squeezed.
Can I sunbathe after surgery?
Over time, you should not do this until the seams have healed and turned white. Even if the sun does not directly affect them, the woman should not be outdoors for a long time.
Can I exercise after breast augmentation?
It is possible, but it will take time for the body to recover. Even after a month and a half it is worth doing exercises with caution and you should not strain the chest muscles at all.
When can I take a bath after breast augmentation?
7 days later. But again, the main thing is to do all the movements carefully, it is better to consult your surgeon.