By James Barber M.D.
During the consultation the surgeon will also ask you for complete and detailed
information about you physical and emotional medical history. This includes the
histories of conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes within your
family. None of these are likely to exclude you from candidacy, but it is necessary
to address them. You and the surgeon will also have a conversation about your reasons
for wanting the surgery and the results you would like to achieve. Your plastic
surgeon will then use all of this information to make an assessment about your candidacy
for the procedure.
At the consultation, your doctor will talk to you about circumstances that may affect
the results of your surgery down the road. One of these is pregnancy, which can
alter things in a number of ways, none of which are predictable. Another area is
weight management. Large weight losses or gains can have an effect as well. If you
are still planning that life-changing diet, you may want to hold off on the augmentation
until afterwards.
During the consultation the surgeon will need to examine your breasts and photograph
them for your medical records. It is important that you are comfortable so you can
be more honest with the surgeon about your desired results. Remember that like any
other doctor he or she is there to help you, not to judge you. Your surgeon will
be evaluating things such as breast size and shape, skin quality, and the size and
shape of your nipples and their surrounding areolas. You may be required to get
a baseline mammogram to evaluate possible changes in breast tissue. Your surgeon
may also suggest combining your augmentation with a breast lift (Mastoplexy) if
he or she feels it will be necessary to achieve the results you want.
Once I decide on an augmentation, how can I prepare for surgery?
Your doctor will give you very specific instruction related to the time and date
of your operation. These instructions will include precautions about any medication
or supplementation you are taking, a warning to stop smoking for a number of days
before and after surgery, and an advisement to make post-operative arrangements
for special care after surgery.
The Procedure
What is done during a breast augmentation?
During the operation, your surgeon will make incisions in one of three places -
underneath the breast, around the areola, or in the armpit. Which one of these is
used depends on your surgeon's preference as well as your desired results. The surgeon
will then use this small incision to create a pocket, either behind the breast tissue
or pectoral muscle, where he or she will insert the implant.
What type of implant will be used?
Present-day saline implants are silicon rubber casings filled with sterile saltwater.
If the implant were ever to leak, this is highly unlikely, the body would simply
absorb the water and no damage would be inflicted.
Where will the surgery be performed?
The procedure can be performed in a hospital, an outpatient surgery facility, or
in an office-based surgical suite. The surgery is usually an outpatient procedure
but if you are admitted to the hospital you may have a one-night stay.
Will I be awake during the procedure?
Depending on the patient, either a local (just the affected area) or general (good
night) anesthesia is used. Either way you will not feel any discomfort during the
procedure.
Post-operative
What happens when the procedure is finished?
After your surgery, you will be taken to a recovery area for close monitoring until
the doctors are certain that you are able to leave. During this time you will be
wearing your surgical dressing and gauze as well as a special elastic support bra.
You will be prescribed some type of oral medication to ease any discomfort in the
days immediately following the operation.