6 minutes of reading

26/11/2023

Preparing for Breast Implant Procedure

By Dr. Charles J. Galanis

According to the Aesthetic Society, there were about 365,000 cosmetic surgery procedures performed for breast implants in the United States last year. Breast augmentation surgery remains one of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures in the country and around the world.

At Galanis Plastic Surgery, we offer some of the best Beverly Hills breast augmentation procedures in the area.

What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation surgery, or breast enlargement surgery, is a very common cosmetic surgery that uses breast implants or fat from other areas of your body to change size and shape of your breasts.

The most common option we offer for breast implants in Beverly Hills consists of actual implants we insert through surgical means. We will walk you through your options to help you choose between the variables such as shape and breast implant size.

The type of breast implant can be saline or silicone, and the option that suits you better depends on various factors. Saline implants tend to be more affordable than silicone implants, but silicone gel can offer a softer and more natural feel.

Breast augmentation can help women who have lost breast volume because of:

Weight loss
Pregnancy
Breast feeding
Cancer

It is also an option if you want to increase your natural breast size, if you want to change your breast shape, or if you want to make your breasts more symmetrical.

There are two main ways we perform breast implants at our clinic. We can perform them in a subglandular or submuscular manner.

During a subglandular placement breast augmentation, your plastic surgeon places the implants under the glandular tissue and over the pectoral muscle. This is a good option for women who have sufficient existing breast tissue.

With a submuscular placement augmentation, we insert the implant under the breast muscle. If you have thin breast skin or a small amount of breast tissue, this option may be the right one.

There are three main incision spots we use:

Inframammary
Transaxillary
Periareolar

We perform an inframammary incision by cutting into the inframammary fold, which is the crease under the breast. For a transaxillary incision, we make a cut in the armpit area and insert the implant through there. For a periareolar incision, we cut into the area around the areola, making it possible to insert both silicone and saline implants.

The best candidates for Beverly Hills breast implants are women in good overall health who want to increase their breast size, balance their physical proportions, or fix breast symmetry.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have cancer, have serious medical conditions, have bleeding disorders, or have unrealistic expectations, you may not be a good candidate for this surgery.

Preparing for Breast Implants

One of the most crucial parts in the process of planning a breast augmentation in Beverly Hills is the initial consultation.

We will need to know as much as possible about your medical history, including any previous surgeries you have had, the medications or supplements you take, whether you smoke or consume a lot of alcohol, and anything else that you feel is relevant.

We will usually ask that you get a blood test to make sure that you’re healthy enough for surgery. If we think you are a good candidate for a breast augmentation procedure, we will ask that you start preparing about two weeks beforehand.

You should stop smoking. You should also avoid alcohol and start drinking water to hydrate your body. At least two weeks before the procedure, stop taking medication that can increase bleeding, including blood-thinning medications. Do remember to always consult with your primary physician before making any changes to your medication schedule.

A week before your surgery, you want to make sure that you prepare your recovery area and that you have someone who will drive you home after the operation. The night before surgery, wash your hair and stop eating and drinking eight hours before the procedure.

The Breast Implant Procedure

On the day of your breast implant surgery, don’t wear any makeup, contact lenses, or jewelry. You want to wear comfortable clothing, including a top that zips or buttons up.

We will perform the breast implant procedure with you under general anesthesia or by using IV sedation. We will make the incisions, insert the implants, and then close the incisions.

After the procedure, you will not require a hospital stay, but we will take you to a room where we will observe you for about an hour. We will wrap a bandage around your breasts and give you instructions on how to take care of the incisions. You will need to have someone drive you home.

The Recovery Process

You need to get lots of rest to recover following your breast augmentation. Avoid moving around too much on the first day, and do not perform any heavy lifting, strenuous activities or make abrupt movements. The day after the procedure, you can take a shower. Do not take a bath.

After a week, you can usually return to light activities. We will let you know about follow up care and when you can drive again and when to restart your medications.

You will be close to a full breast implant recovery around two months after the surgery, but the process will depend on how well your body heals.

Risks and Complications of Breast Implants

Opting for breast augmentation is a highly personal decision. It requires careful consideration of the potential benefits in aligning with your goals, alongside an acknowledgment of the associated risks and possible complications. Ultimately, the decision to undergo breast augmentation is one that only you can make for yourself. Here is a list that addresses some of the potential risks:

Breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and other very rare breast cancer
Breast implant illness
Capsular contracture (formation of tight scar tissue around the implant)
Implant rupture or leakage
Changes in nipple or breast sensation
Potential Revision Surgery
Visible scar tissue
Anesthesia Risks

Questions and Answers

How do I prepare my body for breast augmentation?

Prior to your breast augmentation surgery, your surgeon will give you precise instructions that are imperative to adhere to. These guidelines may encompass pre-operative blood testing, refraining from eating the night before surgery, and abstaining from the use of lotions, deodorant, makeup, sprays, or powders on the day of the procedure.

Will I need to lose weight before breast implant surgery?

For patients who are considerably overweight (20 to 30 pounds or more), achieving significant weight loss before surgery is likely to result in a more favorable outcome. Ideally, it is advisable for the patient to be at or close to her ideal weight before undergoing breast augmentation.

How long will it take for my breast implants to look natural?

In general, implants tend to settle and achieve their final position in around 12 weeks, with initial dropping and fluffing occurring within a few days, approaching their ultimate placement after six weeks, and settling completely after three months.

Can I go braless after breast augmentation?

During the initial 4 to 6 weeks post breast surgery, it is recommended that patients wear a supportive medical bra consistently, including during sleep. This practice promotes optimal healing and offers additional support. Following this period, it may be safe and suitable to transition to wearing a soft, supportive bra of your choice.

How many pounds do breast implant add to your weight?

It is typical to experience a slight weight gain (up to 5 pounds) shortly after breast augmentation. While a small portion of this increase is attributed to the weight of the implants (which generally weigh no more than 1-2 pounds), the remaining weight gain is primarily due to other factors related to the breast surgery.

Turn to The Breast Augmentation Experts

If you want a breast enlargement, breast lift, or to adjust your natural shape, turning to experts for breast implants may be the right choice.

At Galanis Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA, we have years of experience performing these surgical procedures. With our expertise and dedication to helping our patients achieve the results they want, we can help you find the right procedures to meet your needs.

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-augmentation/about/pac-20393178