If you are unhappy with your appearance because you feel as if your breasts are too small, then you have probably taken a look at breast implants. Those medical devices are incredibly popular, and they are an ideal option for enhancing the size of the breasts while creating a well-balanced appearance. They can also last for years with the proper aftercare, and you should be able to enjoy your beautiful new silhouette for a decade or longer as long as you work with good breast augmentation surgeons.
A Closer Look at Breast Implants
A breast implant is nothing more than a small silicone shell that is filled with saline, softer silicone, or another similar material. The implants themselves are placed in small cavities within the breasts, and they can be used to increase the size of the breasts by multiple cup sizes. For many patients, modern implants last for at least 10 or 15 years, and they can easily be replaced or removed as they are nearing the end of their lifespans. They also come in a wide variety of shapes so that you can personalize the results and feel completely comfortable with your body.
Key Differences Between a Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation Surgery
Many patients are surprised to hear that breast lifts and breast augmentation procedures are going to address different cosmetic issues. In most cases, implants will be used if the patient wants to enhance the size of their breasts to create a more proportionate appearance. A breast lift can be another option if a patient wants to alter their breasts but they aren’t particularly worried about increasing their cup size. The breast lift procedure primarily focuses on altering the position of the natural breast tissue so that the breasts are perkier and more youthful.
Depending on your personal goals, your surgeon might also suggest that you have both of these operations carried out at the same time. One of the biggest benefits of undergoing multiple procedures on the same day is the fact that you will only need to go through a single recovery period. You can have one procedure carried out a few months after the initial operation, but that means you must spend weeks recovering. Combining the procedures will also give the surgical team more freedom to make important changes to the breasts so that you enjoy world-class results.
Starting Your Journey Toward the Body of Your Dreams
Even though each cosmetic procedure is highly personalized, there are a few important steps that all patients must go through. This process begins with your first meeting with the surgeon where you can ask questions, learn more about the procedures, and explain your cosmetic goals. That initial consultation is also important because the surgeon must take a close look at your overall health as well as your medical history. While breast augmentation surgery is very safe, patients should be relatively healthy and have realistic expectations. You might also need to make some lifestyle changes before the procedure so that you have a lower risk of complications.
Once your consultation is over, your surgeon is going to give you pre-op instructions and set a date for your operation. In most situations, patients will be asked to follow a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and get as much rest as possible. Depending on what medications you are taking, your surgeon might ask you to make some changes to those as well. Certain medications could impact your recovery period or potentially interact with some of the anesthetics, sedatives, or antibiotics that you are given.
A Basic Breast Augmentation Procedure
For the procedure itself, you should plan on spending most of the day at the surgical center or outpatient facility. You will most likely need to arrive early so that you can fill out any last-minute paperwork and the surgical team can prep you for the operation. This procedure is almost always carried out with a strong sedative or general anesthetic that puts the patient completely to sleep. The surgeon will then make one small incision near each breast before inserting the implants into the chest. Many different factors will be taken into consideration when determining the location of the incisions, the final location of the implants, and what material the implants will be filled with.
After the surgeon is happy with the placement of the implants, the final step in the process is suturing the incisions closed so that a compression bandage can be placed over the entire treatment site. Because you are going to be groggy following the procedure, you must have a loved one ready to take you home and look after you for a few days. As long as you are healing properly and there are no complications, you should be cleared to head home within a few hours of the operation.
Your Recovery and Results
Your recovery timeline will depend on your overall health, the size of the implants, and where the breast implants were placed in the breasts. In almost all cases, patients will need to spend most of their time relaxing in bed for the first few days. Once the inflammation has gone down and you are more comfortable, you should be able to move around the house on your own. Within a few weeks, you will need to meet with your surgeon one more time so that they can check on your recovery and give you further instructions. As long as you are healing correctly, you should be able to resume all activities within five or six weeks of the operation.
