Typical experience for breast augmentation

One of the most common questions during a cosmetic breast augmentation consultation for breast enlargement is ‘What should I expect to happen?’ Most women who are considering breast implants for breast enhancement will start with research to begin the process and get an idea of what to expect. After the research and a decision to proceed onward is made, the selection of a plastic surgeon is next. Selecting a board certified plastic surgeon by The American Board of Plastic Surgery is a minimum requirement. It is best to select a plastic surgeon who has a special interest in breast augmentation and at least several years (preferably more) of documented experience. The plastic surgeon should be able to produce a significant number of before and after breast implants photographs. The plastic surgery consultation will involve answering questions, and the plastic surgeon will perform an evaluation. During the physical exam, the attributes of the woman will be discussed so that she has a realistic expectation for her breast enhancement plastic surgery. Having realistic expectations is one of the most important aspects of the cosmetic plastic surgery consultation as well as the procedure itself.

After the decision to schedule breast augmentation plastic surgery and the breast implants sizes have been selected, the logistics of when, where and the expense of the cosmetic plastic surgery are discussed. Usually consent forms, medications to avoid, and pre-operative and post-operative surgery instructions are given to the woman to take home and read. She then will return to the plastic surgeon’s office for her pre-operative visit to sign her consent forms, receive prescriptions, make payment, and meet with the plastic surgeon again, if necessary, to answer any remaining or newly discovered questions. Pictures are also taken during this pre-operative plastic surgery visit.

The night prior to her breast augmentation surgery, the woman is instructed to avoid food or drink of any kind after midnight. If she is on any medications, the doctor will indicate what she can or cannot take the morning of surgery. She will go to a certified surgi-center or hospital to have her plastic surgery. She will see the plastic surgeon before the breast augmentation surgery, have any last questions answered and her operative plan will be reinforced to her. She will have her plastic surgery operative markings made, meet with the nurses and anesthesiologists and then be taken to the operating room.

The breast augmentation surgery for breast enhancement should last less than an hour, usually 30-40 minutes. She will awaken from anesthesia and then be brought back to the recovery room. She will then fully awaken, and be discharged in someone else’s care to leave the hospital. The night of the operation and the following day are usually associated with the most pain. Ice packs to the upper breast area, above the nipples, are usually of great help. Pain medications may be used to help control the pain. However, nothing will make the pain go away completely. Pain medications simply make the discomfort more easily tolerated. The majority of the pain is from the chest muscle being stretched. Long acting numbing medication is placed at the time of the breast implants surgery to prevent this pain from occuring at first, but over that first night and next day the pain will sometimes become more bothersome. Most women report that it is still very tolerable throughout the entire experience. A phone call check of the woman on the night of the breast augmentation will typically find her awake and usually doing very well. Some nausea may occur which normally subsides within the first 24 hours. Anti-nausea medications and techniques are used during the breast augmentation surgery to prevent this nausea from occuring. Extra anti-nausea medications can be prescribed if a woman has a history of post-operative nausea and vomiting, or motion sickness, or requests them. Breast augmentation patients are at higher risk than other surgeries to experience post operative nausea and vomiting.

On the first post operative morning, she may sponge bathe, or immerse her lower half in a tub. On the morning of the second postoperative day, she may take a shower after removing the outer dressings (gauze). The woman’s mobility will usually improve quickly. It is the norm that most women undergoing breast augmention for breast enhancement will be able to go back to work on post operative day 5 (depending on the job). The woman will see the plastic surgeon on or about post operative day 4-6, to have her stitches removed and to learn how to move or massage the breast implants. She will do this for the next month.

She may begin regular activity as tolerated and begin exercising on day 14 or the date the plastic surgeon recommends. She will not hurt her result by exercising or lifting once cleared by the plastic surgeon. It may hurt her chest muscles but this will not hurt her result. If she resumes physical activity sooner than recommended, then the elevated blood pressure may cause bleeding. If bleeding occurs, she may require a second surgery to remove or drain out the blood. If this occurs, the breast implants may have to be removed to control the bleeding. If this does occur, then she will need to buy new breast implants to be replaced.

Usually by day 14, her range of motion is full and it is safe to do all exercises if cleared by the plastic surgeon. It is best is some patients to wait 3 weeks to start strenuous exercises. Push ups can be attempted at that time, but usually are not able to be performed successfully until approximately one month after surgery. Lifting a one year old baby (20 lbs) is not recommended until the woman has little pain, usually 10 days. If the child wants to be held, it is best to have the baby climb into the woman’s lap and hug the baby. Lifting heavy objects like luggage, babies to car seats, closing airplane doors, or playing tennis, etc. may all be performed as tolerated. Sunbathing is permitted as long as the scar is covered. No special creams, vitamins, oils, or lotions are necessary to aid in scar healing. There is no ‘best’ cream. They may be applied several weeks after surgery if the woman desires.

The breast implants will settle over a period of weeks to a few months. The amount of time required for this to occur depends on the woman and her individual circumstances.

The second post operative visit is usually about one month after the breast implants surgery, and then at 3-6 months, one year, and then every year after that. Post operative breast augmentation photographs are usually taken at six months, as well as on a yearly basis. Out of town patients typically stay in town for 4 days and leave after their first visit. Some will return at one month, but most elect to use emails as their means of follow.