Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Articles

In my last post, the first of this quick, two-part series, I got into the how, as in how to start going about a breast augmentation. The consultation is such a critical part of the process because it’s where you and your plastic surgeon begin to get to know each other, and that bond will prove to be essential to shaping the breasts you want. Here, I’ll discuss what exactly the surgery entails, what the recovery’s like, and how breast augmentation differs from a breast lift.

What happens during the procedure

Generally, the surgery is done under either general anesthesia or conscious sedation. For the latter, you’ll remain awake, but you’ll be in a deeply relaxed state and you won’t be able to feel any pain.

The procedure itself is fairly straightforward. I’ll make a small, economic incision to create a pocket to make room for the implant. Once I’ve positioned the implant, I’ll close and bandage the incision. The entire procedure usually lasts less than two hours, and you’ll be able to go home soon afterward.

I practice conservation when making any incision, which reduces downtime and post-operative pain as much as possible. The incisions will leave minimal scars, but they heal very well and become harder to see with time. Plus, they’ll be located in an inconspicuous spot, so you likely wouldn’t notice them unless you looked for them.

What the recovery’s like

Everyone recovers from surgery at a slightly different pace, but, on average, it takes about four to six weeks to fully resume your normal activities. You should feel significantly better within a week, though you’ll still want to stick to light activity and avoid high-intensity workouts until you’re fully healed.

Should you need pain medications after the surgery, you’ll have access to them in accordance with your overall recovery plan.

If you’re doing the math in your head, the coming weeks would make for an ideal time to have the surgery done. You’d be able to recover completely and still have the entire summer ahead of you.

Breast augmentation vs. breast lift

For most women, particularly those post-pregnancy or -weight loss, a certain amount of drooping of the breast is to be expected. If the breasts already have sufficient volume, a breast lift may be all that’s needed to restore the fullness and perkiness. Very often, though, the lift is done in combination with a breast augmentation.

With a breast lift, the surgeon remove excess, stretched-out skin, reshapes the breast tissue, and raises the nipple and areola to a more forward position, which creates a more youthful contour. Those who undergo the procedure are usually able to return to work within a few days, as long as it isn’t too physically demanding, and to most normal activities within a week.

To find out which approach is best suited for you—a breast augmentation, a breast lift, or a combination of the two—consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

For more on this topic, check out Dr. Davis’s podcast – The Plastic Surgery Revolution.

What would you like to change about yourself? For many women, it’s their breasts.

More than 18,500 women in 40 countries participated in the Breast Size Satisfaction Survey, the results of which were published earlier this year. It’s believed to be the largest cross-cultural study to examine body image ever undertaken. Nearly half of the women who participated (48%, specifically) said they wanted larger breasts. (The average age of the participants was 34.)

The researchers behind the study also discovered that that dissatisfaction was associated with poorer psychological well-being, including lower levels of self-esteem and happiness, and that those women were more likely to be unhappy with their weight and overall appearance, too.

So, if you’re feeling insecure about your breasts, you’re far from alone. Whether you want to increase your cup size or lift them post-pregnancy or -weight loss, consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon may not only prove informative but it could also help you feel less, well, stuck.

The consultation

A consultation isn’t a purely one-way experience. You should come prepared with some basic background knowledge of what breast augmentation entails, which will enable you to ask more pointed questions about both the procedure and the and the surgeon him- or herself, such as:

• How many breast augmentations did you do last year?
• What was your complication rate?
• What shape, size, surface texturing, incision site and placement site are recommended for me? (More on that in a moment.)
• Where and how will you perform my breast augmentation surgery?
• How can I expect my implanted breasts to look over time? After pregnancy? After breastfeeding?

Also ask to see before-and-after photos specifically of women with your body type.

Meanwhile, the plastic surgeon’s also going to try to get to know you and understand the motivation that brought you to his or her office. They’re also going to ask about your medical background, in case there’s anything that may have relevance to the surgery.

Finally, they’re going to examine you physically. Your anatomy plays an important role in determining the size and shape of your implants.

Size and shape

The plain truth is: Some have more capacity for breast implants than others. But breast augmentation also isn’t purely about the size of the implant. A plastic surgeon who’s experienced in the procedure will be keenly aware of creating the right aesthetic balance of tissue above and below the nipple. Breasts that aren’t slightly fuller below the nipple tend to look noticeably artificial.

The shape of the implant itself is also an important variable. There are two different shapes, generally speaking, round and teardrop. The teardrop offers a slightly more natural look. But, again, it depends on your anatomy. The idea is to work with your body as much as possible, not against it.

In my next post, I’ll discuss what the surgery entails, the difference between breast augmentation and a breast lift, and what the recovery’s like.