Breast augmentation surgery can become vital for a woman due to a number of factors: breast loss due to cancer, congenital abnormalities, natural small breasts, underdevelopment of the mammary glands, sudden weight loss or loss of breast volume after breastfeeding. The desire to enlarge the breasts is most often not just a whim of the fair sex, but also the desire to defeat many complexes associated with this area of the body. Modern plastic surgery is developing every day and can offer women many options for solving the problem of increasing breast size.
Surgical access methods for breast augmentation:
- Axillary method (axillary)allows you to maintain the integrity of the breast, as well as breast sensitivity. The postoperative scar is located in an inconspicuous area. The disadvantage of this method is that a high professionalism of the surgeon and good endoscopic equipment are required for successful breast augmentation. When using the axillary method, it is extremely difficult to position the implant correctly.
- Periareolar methodinvolves an incision along the lower border of the areola of the nipple, 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 the nipple plastic at the same time, without additional incisions.
- Submammary methodone of the safest breast augmentation methods. The surgeon makes an incision in the woman's chest fold to place the implant. Thus, the surgeon is provided with convenient access to the formation of the implant bed. That is why he has it in the most optimal way. The scar after breast augmentation is invisible, as it is hidden by the natural fold of the breast. Best of all, this method of breast augmentation surgery is suitable for women with a pronounced chest fold.
- Umbilical accessnot popular, becauseallows you to install implants filled only with saline solution, which has already lost its relevance. The essence of this method is that implants are placed through an incision above the navel. The surgeon forms special endoscopic tunnels under the skin from the navel to the chest for endoprostheses. The implants are delivered through them to the breast pocket and only after that they are filled with saline. The advantage of this method is the complete absence of scars and scars in the chest area.
- Transabdominal accessused in combination with abdominal plastic surgery, so as not to make additional incisions on the patient's body. For this, the surgeon places the implant through an incision in the anterior abdominal wall. The advantage of this method is the absence of any scars on the chest.
Lactation after breast augmentation
During breast augmentation surgery with the axillary or submammary method, the milk ducts of the breast are not disturbed, so if a woman is genetically predisposed to breastfeeding, she may not fear for her future children. The only limitation is that planning for pregnancy after breast augmentation should not start earlier than 1-2 years after breast augmentation with implants.
Indications for breast augmentation
- Breast ptosis after breastfeeding;
- Ptosis of the breast as a result of a sharp decrease in weight;
- Underdeveloped mammary glands (breast hypoplasia);
- Loss of mammary glands due to cancer;
- The patient's desire to have larger breasts.
Varieties of implants for breast augmentation
It is customary to distinguish implants of two types: anatomical and round. All of them 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. Implants are selected strictly individually for each patient, observing her physiological characteristics.
Preparing for breast augmentation
In order for a woman to prepare for augmentation mammoplasty, an in-person consultation with a specialist is needed, who will tell about the features and subtleties of the surgical intervention, as well as the result that is planned to be achieved. After that, the patient is sent for a number of tests: a general blood and urine test, blood for HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, a biochemical blood test, and studies: ECG, fluorography, consultation with a mammologist, gynecologist and anesthesiologist. The test results make it possible to detect in a woman the presence of contraindications to breast augmentation. The specialist informs additionally that as a preparation for augmentation mammoplasty it is worth giving up bad habits: alcohol and cigarettes in two weeks. You cannot eat or drink the day before plastic surgery.
How is breast augmentation surgery performed?
On the day on which breast augmentation surgery was scheduled, the patient must arrive at the clinic, preferably in advance, so that there is time to prepare for the operation. Immediately before breast augmentation, the surgeon makes markings on the woman's body in accordance with the previously selected method of performing the operation. These can be dotted lines on the lower border of the areola of the nipple, lines in the area of the breast fold, etc. When all the preparatory activities are completed, the patient is administered general anesthesia. Then the breast area is treated with a disinfecting solution and augmentation mammoplasty begins. To do this, the surgeon makes incisions with a scalpel according to the markings, 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 applied to the incisions, then compression garments are put on the woman. The total operation 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, becausethe operation is performed under general anesthesia. Then the woman will need to come every other day for dressings 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 persists. To relieve the woman's well-being, the surgeon prescribes pain medications. Do not forget that it is necessary to wear compression underwear, it will prevent edema from developing, keep the implants in place and make life easier during the rehabilitation period, which will last about a month and a half. Over time, the edema will subside and then it will be possible to evaluate the real results of breast augmentation. It is worth stopping wearing a compression bra only after the permission of the surgeon, then an easy and quick recovery after the operation will not be long in coming.
Why do you need compression garments after augmentation mammoplasty?
Compression underwear is a special bra made of elastic fibers with a fixing tape on top. After augmentation mammoplasty, it is worn to form a natural capsule for implants in the woman's breast. Thanks to this underwear, the breast implants are fixed in the correct position and do not move. Postoperative swelling cannot develop because the bra squeezes the pectoralis major muscle. It is not possible for all women to replace compression underwear with a regular sports top; before that, you should first consult with your surgeon.
What should you give up immediately after breast augmentation surgery?
- Physical activity of a heavy nature;
- Lifting heavy objects;
- Sports activities;
- SPA treatments, bath, sauna;
- Sunbathing, swimming in open water;
- Sleep on your side, turns to your side.
Possible complications after breast augmentation
- Seromas, hematomas;
- Implant displacement, its pronounced contour;
- Capsular contracture;
- Keloid scars;
- Loss of sensitivity in the nipples and breasts.
How to smear stitches after surgery?
For successful healing of stitches after breast augmentation, thorough care of 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;
- Increased blood pressure;
- Poor blood clotting;
- Scarring tendency;
- Varicose veins;
- Lactation period;
- Pregnancy;
- Menstruation;
- HIV, hepatitis, syphilis;
- Age less than 18 years old.
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 breasts, as well as additional physical activity during which the breasts can move. In no case should it be squeezed.
Can I sunbathe after the operation?
Over time, you should not do this until the stitches heal and turn white. Even if the sun does not directly affect them, a 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 physical exercises with caution, and you should not load the pectoral muscles at all.
When can i shower after breast augmentation?
7 days later. But again, the main thing is to do all the movements carefully, it is better to additionally consult with your surgeon.