Most women who opt for a breast augmentation surgery (augmentation mammoplasty) seek to improve their body image, and along with it,  their self-confidence.

Breast implant augmentation can also be an option for reconstructions after mastectomy, to correct breast asymmetries or for achieving a harmonious breast shape after breastfeeding or weight loss.

Breast implants are available in different sizes, shapes and textures, they are chosen after a detailed discussion on your individual wishes and on various anatomical aspects of your body (height, chest shape, chest size, etc.).

Opting for this procedure is a personal choice and you are a possible candidate if:

  • You have asymmetrical breasts;
  • You think your breasts are too small and in disharmony with the rest of your body;
  • Your breasts no longer have their initial size and shape, as a result of breastfeeding or weight loss;
  • You have a congenital malformation;
  • You want to improve the way you feel.

How to prepare for a breast augmentation procedure:

If you smoke, it is recommended to stop 2 weeks in advance. Smoking interferes with the healing process and with scarring patterns.

Certain medications (anti-inflammatories, anticoagulants, antiaggregants.) may increase the risk of bleeding, so you will need to stop taking them after consulting the doctor who prescribed these drugs for long term treatment.

In order to properly examine the breast externally and internally, you must have a mammography / breast ultrasound to indicate the Breast Imaging Reporting and Database System score.

The Surgery

This procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and the duration of the surgery varies depending on the technique used, the position of the implant and your anatomy.

The incisions for implant placement can be: inframammary, periareolar or transaxillary. Each incision has advantages and disadvantages, which will be discussed in detail at the time of your consultation. The most commonly used incision is the infrared one. The incision site is determined together with the cosmetic surgeon depending on the appearance and shape of the breast, as well as on other surgical procedures that might be done at the same time (reduction, mastopexy).

One of the most important factors in achieving a successful augmentation is implant placement. This can be done subglandularly (between the mammary gland and the pectoral muscle) or subpectoral (totally or partially under the large pectoral muscle).

Subglandular positioning reduces the surgery and recovery times. It may be less painful than sub-pectoral placement and may make future interventions easier. The suglandular implant can be more easily felt when your doctor is examining you than the submuscular one.

The sub-muscular implant may have a longer and more painful recovery than the sub-glandular implant. It has a lower risk of capsular contracture and can provide easier access for mammographic images.

The location of the implant depends on its type, the desired degree of enlargement, body type and the surgeon’s recommendations.

The incisions will be sutured with wires placed under the skin, which will not require removal. During the first months, the scar formed will be pink, and it will lighten in time. Scar maturation occurs a year after the intervention, by which time it should have an ivory color and look slightly lighter than the normal color of the skin around it. The healing can be further improved by using the gels and creams prescribed to you upon discharge, thus ensuring a more aesthetically pleasing look

Postoperative recovery

After a breast augmentation procedure, recovery happens gradually, as follows:

  • The first 3-5 days are the most unpleasant, as this is when inflammation peaks and results in edema and pain;
  • Follow the drug treatment prescribed to you: antibiotic, NSAID, gastric protector;
  • You will wear a medical compression bra around the clock for the first 3 weeks, then 12h / day in the following 2 weeks;
  • Incision hygiene. You will apply steri-strips (surgical adhesives) over the incision and clean it with betadine every 2-3 days;
  • Avoid spending all your time lying in bed; try to move around the house as much as possible during the first postoperative days, until you resume normal activity;
  • You can take a shower as soon as you get home but avoid using loofas or sponges over the steri-strips. Do not apply oily creams or lotions on the steri-strips;
  • It is not advisable to drive a car in the first week;
  • THERE ARE NO WIRES, so that 2 weeks after the surgery, only the patches placed over the incision need to be removed.
  • You must avoid any physical exertion during the first 2 weeks, as it could cause your pulse to spike and consequently increase the risk of bleeding;
  • In the first 6 weeks you should not lift more than 4 kg in one hand;
  • 75% of patients start doing most normal activities within the first 2-3 days;
  • A week after surgery, 99% of patients return to work;
  • You are not allowed to make rapid, sudden and repetitive movements with your arms for 6 weeks after the operation;
  • You are allowed to go to the gym three weeks after the surgery, but you are not allowed to exercise your arms or chest muscles. It is compulsory to wear the medical compression bra when you play sports;
  • In the first year, you should avoid exposing the scars to UV (sun / solar) radiation, because it increases the risk of hypertigmentation;
  • Avoid wearing push-up or underwire bras in the first 3 months;
  • Avoid sleeping on your belly in the first 3 months;
  • Do not smoke for 2 weeks after the surgery, until the steri-strips are removed;
  • The bruising and swelling of the breasts are normal postoperatively, apply Arica cream on the skin (make sure you do not apply it to the incisions);
  • Periodic follow-ups at 2 – 4 – 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and once a year after that.

Each woman’s body is unique, and the recovery stages may vary, however, on average 6 weeks after the surgery you should be able to return to your normal day-to-day activity.