Breast Augmentation

When and for whom is breast augmentation done?

Feeling good about oneself is very important. Women like to have a youthful good looking breast of the right size and shape which is in harmony with the rest of the body. Women like to choose breast augmentation when

They feel that their breasts are small

The breasts are not of the same size, and they would like to increase the size of the breast

After breastfeeding, the breasts may have lost volume and women like to have their youthful shape back

More medial cleavage of the breast

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure in which an implant is inserted behind the breast to give the breast a larger look and a better shape.

What is done when I consult the doctor?

We would like to meet you before the surgery to talk to you in detail about what exactly you want, how we can fulfil your expectations, what the surgery would entail, the postoperative recovery, the risks and complications associated with this procedure. We would discuss with you regarding the size of the implant that you would like to have. We would also ask some questions regarding your general health to ascertain that you are fit enough to undergo the procedure. We believe in being very transparent, and we also do not pressurise anyone in going through the procedure as we feel that the decision to undergo the procedure should only be the patient’s decision. We are only there to help you make the decision and help you achieve your expectations. We may take photographs so that we can compare the result before and after surgery. We may take few blood tests and any other test that would be necessary for fitness during surgery.

Where would the incision be made during the operation and will there be a scar after the surgery?

A 5 cm incision is made underneath the breast. This is the best place to make an incision as this incision heals the best. We will take a lot of effort in making the scar look very good. But there are no means by which a scarless surgery can be done. We can only make the scar as good as possible.

What is done during the operation?

The operation is done under general anaesthesia. After the incision is made underneath the breast, the breast is lifted off the underlying muscle, and the breast implant is placed in the pocket created. In some cases, we may lift a part of the muscle so that the breast implant partially lies underneath the muscle and partially under the breast. In certain cases, we may aspirate some fat from another area, and we will add it in certain areas of the breast that we feel are necessary to it a better result.

Facts at a glance about the operation:- ( May change person to person. Please confirm with the doctor)

Type of Anaesthesia General Anaesthesia

Operating Time 1 - 2 hours

Hospital Stay Daycare or 1 night

Taking bath Can shower the next day

Walking Can walk the next day within the house. Advised to take rest in the house for a week and avoid lifting any heavy objects for 6 weeks

Gym Can go to the gym after 8 weeks

What are the other postoperative instructions?

We don’t expect the patient to have much pain after the operation and we would be giving painkillers after the operation to take if there is pain. As we would be using dissolvable sutures, it would not be necessary to remove sutures. We would call you to the clinic in 1 week and 2 weeks to look at the wound to review if the wound is healing well. The patient is advised to wear a fitted bra for 5 days, and sports bra for another 3 weeks. No wired bras are to be worn for 6 weeks.

Will this surgery interfere with lactation or sensation over the breast?

No. The implant is inserted behind the breast, and hence lactation and sensation over the breast will not be affected.

Do breast implants cause breast cancer?

No. Breast cancer arises from the ducts and lobules in the breast. As on date breast implants have not found to cause breast cancer.

Will breast cancer be difficult to detect with an implant if ever I get one?

A recent study done in America shows that breast cancers are more easily palpable after breast augmentation as the implant behind makes it easily palpable. This makes breast cancers detectable even when they are smaller in size. Detection by mammography may need some special views, and MRI is taken if in doubt. Patients are advised to undergo regular screening by palpation and mammography just as they would if they did not have a breast augmentation

What type of breast implant will be put inside?

As the breast implant stays with the patient for a long time, we at Ganga Hospital put only good implants which are approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) which is a regulatory body in the United States of America. As textured implants have been recently associated with ALCL ( Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma), a type of cancer of the lymph nodes we do not use such implants. We use only smooth breast implants. We also use only round implants as the anatomical or teardrop shaped implants have been associated with rotation in the breast pocket and studies have shown comparable results between round implants and anatomical implants

What are the complications associated with this surgery?

The risks with this surgery can be divided into early complications and late complications

Early complications ( within 5 days)

Bleeding

Infection

A lot of effort would be taken to avoid these complications are are not common

Late complications

Asymmetry :

Studies have shown that in women who have not had a breast augmentation, 88% of women have asymmetrical breasts and 65% of women have asymmetry in more than 1 parameter . So breasts which are very similar and as symmetrical as possible is what we plan to achieve and exact symmetry of both breasts are difficult to achieve.

Implant rupture :

Implant ruptures are uncommon. If they do happen the company allows you to change the implant free of cost as the implants have lifelong warranty.

Capsular Contracture :

Patients tend to form a scar around the breast implant that has been inserted. In some people, the scar formed around the implant may contract and become smaller in size. This tends to make the implant appear more spherical with time. This may be palpable in some and rarely may cause pain after few years. If it becomes very troublesome, then the implants need to get replaced.

ALCL( Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) :

Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma is a rare cancer of the lymph nodes associated with textured breast implants. It occurs in 1 to 3 women among 10,00,000 women with breasts. Even though it is very rare, we do not use textured implants, and we use only smooth implants. The ALCL presents with serous fluid collection around the breast implant or with small masses mostly around 8 to 10 years from implanting the breast implant.

Will my breast implant need to be changed?

Generally, it is told that breast implants need to be changed every 10 years. This is due to ruptures or capsular contractures. Each person reacts differently to the effects of surgery. Some may get their breast implants replaced earlier, some they may replace it longer than 10 years and some may not need any replacement at all.