polskiniemieckiangielski

BREAST AUGMENTATION
SYN. BREAST IMPLANTS, BREAST ENLARGEMENT, AUGMENTATION MAMMOPLASTY

Preparing for surgery


  • Required laboratory tests: blood cell count, clotting profile (coagulogram), blood group, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fasting blood glucose, blood ion levels, urea, creatinine, ECG, chest X – ray, hepatitis B vaccination, breast ultrasonography.
  • For one week prior to the surgery aspirin, other acetylsalicylic acid products and other blood thinning products should be avoided. Drugs that enhance coagulation and decrease blood vessel wall permeability such as vitamin C and Rutinoscorbin (rutin and ascorbic acid tablets) are recommended.
  • No smoking is recommended for 14 days before the surgery. Food, drinks, chewing gum, chewing sweets (including Tic Tac) are forbidden for six hours before the surgery.
  • Recommended: good health, make – up removal before the surgery.

    • Description of procedure

    Anaesthesia: general.

    Length: 1 – 1,5 hours.

    Discharge from clinic: 1 – 2 days after procedure.

    Breast augmentation involves inserting breast implants into the previously created pockets.

    The implants may:

    1. be inserted either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath the greater pectoral muscle.
    2. be of different shapes (anatomical, high – profile, round) and firmness (depending on the manufacturer).
    3. be inserted through the incision around the areola, in the crease where the breast meets the chest, or in the armpit.

    Type, size and shape of the implants, their positioning and method of inserting are decided individually for each patient during the consultation. They depend on the patient's anatomy and expectations.

    Recovery

    1. Drains are removed one day after the surgery.
    2. A special protective bra will have to be worn for 30 days after the surgery.
    3. Stitches are removed 7 days after the surgery.
    4. Physical exercise, heavy lifting, sauna and solarium must be avoided for 2 – 3 weeks after the surgery.
    5. When stitches are removed the scar should be oiled with baby oil. Do not use scar – reducing products at that moment.
    6. Usually there are:pain which requires pain – killer medications, swelling, discharge from drains, transient loss of feeling in the nipples and areolas.
    7. Possible complications: haematoma requiring repeat surgery, infection, persistent swelling, capsular contracture occurring when connective tissue around the implant hardens and begins to squeeze the implant, hypertrophied scars requiring surgical removal.

    Duration of results

    In most patients the result is permanent. However skin aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding and weight fluctuations may result in the need for removal or replacement of the implants after a few or more years.

    Frequently asked questions

    I am 24 years old and I would like enlarge my breasts. I have not had a baby yet and I am going to have babies in the future. Can I nurse my baby after the breast augmentation procedure?

    There is no evidence from literature that would support negative influence of implants on breastfeeding. Women who have not had a baby yet are recommended implants inserted beneath the pectoral muscle and carefully adjusted in size. However you can discuss all the details only in the consultation with your plastic surgeon.

    A friend of mine has undergone her breast augmentation procedure in the United States. She has told me that she has saline implants inserted because they are safer versus the silicone ones. Is that true?

    According to the latest knowledge, currently used, modern, silicone implants are believed to have no effect on development of any diseases. Old generation implants might have ruptured occasionally resulting in silicone leakage and associated complications. At the moment saline implants are considered to be more prone to rupture or deflation and to require replacement more often.

    Is there any palpable difference between implants inserted under the breast gland and those inserted under the chest muscle?

    Implants inserted under the muscle are not palpable. It is particularly important if there is little gland tissue in the breasts. Implants made by some manufacturers inserted directly under the breast tissue may be palpable.