Breast augmentation is a form of cosmetic surgery that may change a woman’s appearance by giving her larger breasts, or reconstruct the breast after mastectomy. It is sometimes called a breast enlargement, breast reconstruction or breast implant procedure.
What is breast augmentation?
A breast augmentation involves placing implants made of a silicone shell filled with either saline (salty water) or silicone gel under the breasts or under the breast muscles on the chest. Women have a breast augmentation for many reasons, but these reasons are generally around wanting to feel more physically attractive or to feel better about themselves.
What should I consider in relation to a breast augmentation?
It is recognised that society places a great deal of pressure on women to have a certain body shape. Breast augmentation may not be the solution for everyone, and there are alternatives. If you are concerned about your appearance, getting advice about exercise and diet might help. If you feel inferior because you believe you have small breasts, counselling might help you accept your body shape.
Some women have found that wearing a padded bra has improved how they feel about the way they look.
How do I prepare for a breast augmentation?
If you decide to go ahead, get as much information about the procedure as possible and know what results you can expect. If you smoke, try to quit, as smoking slows down your recovery. You should also check with your doctor if you need to make any changes to any medication you are taking. It is also important to be as fit as possible to help the recovery process.
What should I expect after a breast augmentation?
You might have tubes to drain blood and other fluid away from your chest — if so, these will be in place for a day or two. You will have swelling and bruising around your chest, which will take a week or two to go down. Unfortunately, you will have pain and discomfort. You may be prescribed pain relief to help. You will probably need to wear extra support for a few weeks until your breasts heal. It can take this amount of time for you to get back to normal, so expect some time off work and more time when you will need extra help with daily activities.
You will also need to return to see the surgeon to have your stitches taken out. It will probably take several months for all swelling and scars to settle down.
