Aesthetic Procedures » Breast Augmentation or Enhancement

» The Surgery

The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your anatomy. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest, around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple) or in the armpit. In addition, a saline implant may be placed through an incision at the navel. Every effort will be made to assure that the incision is placed so resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible.

Working through the incision the surgeon will lift your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket either directly behind the breast tissue (sub mammary or sub glandular placement) or beneath the pectoral muscle and on top of the chest wall (sub muscular placement). Once the implant is positioned within this pocket, the incisions are closed with sutures, skin adhesive and/or surgical tape. A gauze bandage may be applied over your breasts to help with healing.

The surgery usually takes one to two hours to complete. You'll want to discuss the pros and cons of these alternatives with your doctor before surgery to make sure you fully understand the implications of the procedure he or she recommends for you.

After Your Surgery

You're likely to feel tired and sore for a few days following your surgery but you'll be up and around in 24 to 48 hours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication.

Within several days the gauze dressings, if you have them, will be removed. You may be given a surgical bra. You should wear it as directed. You may also experience a burning sensation in your nipples for about two weeks but this will subside as bruising fades. Your stitches will come out in a week to 10 days but the swelling in your breasts may take three to five weeks to disappear.