Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure performed to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breasts for a more aesthetically pleasing contour. Some of the most popular requests for breast augmentation include: increasing breast size for better proportion, correcting breast asymmetries and restoring volume and fullness to the breasts after weight loss, pregnancy or aging. Breast augmentation is also commonly known as a breast enhancement, breast enlargement, boob job or breast job.

WHAT TAKES PLACE DURING MY BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY?

Breast augmentation is performed by making a small incision in one of four locations: around the areola, under the fold of the breast, inside the armpit or inside the belly button. The most common incision site is around the areola because it provides direct access to the breast, provides a natural border to disguise scars and can be reused for any future breast surgeries (i.e. future breast augmentations or breast lifts).

A pocket is then made under the muscle and a sizer is used to ensure that the implant size selected is to the satisfaction of Dr. Smiley based upon the desires of the patient. Either a saline or silicone implant is carefully set into place and the layers of the breast tissue are closed. Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water while in the breast, while silicone implants come pre-filled.

In rare instances, breast implants are placed above the muscle; however breast augmentation under the muscle provides a more natural look and feel, a decreased risk of infection and a decreased risk of capsular contracture.

Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia and generally takes about 1-2 hours in the operating room.

Both implants consist of a solid silicone shell. Saline implants are filled sterile salt water intraoperatively, while silicone implants come pre-filled with a cohesive silicone gel. Both silicone and saline breast implants are FDA approved and safe for use for both cosmetic and reconstructive purposes. They both have the same rupture rate and neither have been linked to any form of cancer or autoimmune disease. Although you will achieve a natural looking result from either implant, silicone implants more closely mimic natural breast tissue and therefore tend to feel more natural.

Education is an important part of the surgical process. Before breast augmentation, it is important to discuss all of your questions with Dr. Smiley including: your goals, realistic expectations, downtime and recovery tips. You will be required to complete a pre-op appointment prior to surgery. At this appointment you will discuss any additional questions, go over paperwork and complete your lab work. You will receive specific pre- and post-op instructions for your breast augmentation. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully to ensure optimal results. It is also important to avoid any type of blood thinners for a minimum of 2 weeks before surgery (i.e. aspirin, vitamin E, ginko biloba, fish oils, etc) and avoid smoking for a minimum of 1 month before surgery.

Immediate recovery from breast augmentation requires only a few days of downtime. You will need a responsible adult to pick you up from surgery and care for you for the first 24 hours. You will experience soreness, but this can be relieved with prescribed medication. Be sure to take it easy – no heavy lifting, cleaning, exercising, driving or lifting your hands over your head. Most patients are able to return to work within a week, although it is important to avoid strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks. It is important that you return for all of your post-op appointments and communicate with your surgeon with any questions or concerns.

Initially breast implants are high on the chest wall immediately following breast augmentation, but drop into place after the first month or two. You will be required to wear a sports bra that zips in the front for a minimum of 4 weeks after surgery. After a week, Dr. Smiley will demonstrate how to perform breast augmentation massage to break up fibrous tissue to prevent capsular contracture and to help drop the implants into place. Although breast augmentation scars are generally discrete, we recommend the use of scar cream beginning 2 weeks after surgery.