Breast Augmentation
(Augmentation Mammoplasty)
Definition |
Body Parts Involved |
Reasons for Procedure |
Complications |
What to Expect |
Outcome |
Call Doctor If
Definition
Surgery to enlarge the breasts
Parts of the Body Involved
Breasts
Reasons for Procedure
Usually done as a cosmetic choice, when a woman wants larger breasts
Risk Factors for Complications during the Procedure
Because this is a totally elective surgery, if you have any chronic illness or you are in poor health for any reason, you should not undergo this procedure.
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
You may be asked to provide the surgeon with a picture of a woman whose breasts you want yours to resemble. Or, you may be asked to look through an album of breast sizes and shapes to help the surgeon understand the outcome you desire.
Your doctor will likely do the following:
- Physical exam including careful breast exam
- Blood tests
- Mammogram
- Take "before" pictures
In the days leading up to your procedure:
- The night before, eat a light meal and do not eat or drink anything after midnight
- You may be asked to shower the morning of your procedure, and you may be given special antibacterial soap to use
- Arrange for a ride to and from the procedure
- Arrange for help at home after returning from the hospital
During Procedure - IV fluids, sedation, anesthesia
Anesthesia - General or local
Description of the Procedure - The surgeon cuts an opening either underneath your breast, alongside the areola (pigmented area around the nipple), or in your underarm. A pouch containing a gel or saline solution, called an implant or prosthesis, is slipped through this opening and into your breast. The incision is closed with stitches and bandaged. The same procedure is repeated for the other breast.
After Procedure - You'll wear a particular bra or bandage using an elastic pressure bandage in order to support your breasts and decrease the chance of bleeding.
How Long Will It Take? 1-2 hours
Will It Hurt? Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. You'll have some bruising and tenderness of the breasts for several weeks after surgery.
Possible Complications:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Nerve damage, resulting in numbness of the breasts, nipples, and/or areolas
- Abnormal scarring
- Painful and/or restricted arm and shoulder motion
- Uneven appearance to breasts, either due to position or size
- If silicone implants are used, the implant may harden, rupture, or leak
- Some studies have suggested that silicone implants can cause autoimmune reactions in susceptible people, resulting in arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma
- Presence of an implant may make cancer detection (through mammogram and/or self-exam) more difficult
Average Hospital Stay: 0-1 days
Postoperative Care - You may wish to apply ice packs to your breasts to decrease swelling and pain. You may be given a prescription for pain medication, or advised to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Your doctor will advise you regarding return to exercise.
Outcome
Your breasts should be larger, and should reflect the size, shape, and symmetry that you desired.
Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs
- Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
- Nausea and/or vomiting that you can't control with the medications you were given after surgery, or which persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting
- Your implants grow hard, or you believe that they are leaking
- You develop joint pain, fatigue, stiffness, rash, or other new symptoms
- Pain and/or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs, sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
SOURCE:
Textbook of Surgery, 15th ed. W. B. Saunders Co, 1997.
Last reviewed February 2001 by Medical Review Board
