Breast Augmentation surgery is by far the most common type of elective surgery that you will find throughout the world. The definition of Breast Augmentation surgery is the process of ‘augmenting’ the breasts in order to increase the size, shape and feel of the breast. This is also commonly called “breast enlargement”. The way in which you augment your breasts is by adding breast implants and this surgery is referred to as ‘Breast implant surgery’.
There are two main reasons why people undergo breast implant surgery. The first is reconstructive, to rebuild the breast after treatment for breast cancer. Breast implant surgery is often the next step for women who have had a mastectomy – the removal of the breast, due to breast cancer or as a preventative measure to reduce the chances of getting breast cancer. A mastectomy can often leave a woman feeling self-conscious and less feminine, in some cases leading to depression.
The other reason for breast implant surgery is for cosmetic reasons. Women who have this surgery are looking to increase the size, shape and/or position of the breasts.
Inserting breast implants can complete breast augmentation. Breast implants are artificial pieces of material, which mimic the look, feel and position of the breasts once they have been inserted under the skin. Breast implants can be made in all shapes and sizes depending on the individual’s wants and needs.
There are only two types of breast implants; silicone gel implants and saline filled implants, both types of implants have their advantages and disadvantages. The majority of implants used are silicone as they are extremely resilient and are much stronger than the saline – Breast Augmentation filled implants.
Once you have decided that you want to have breast augmentation surgery, the next step is to find your plastic surgeon and to book a consultation. At the consultation, the surgeon will go through all of the risks and complications associated with having a general anaesthetic and also having the breast implant surgery.
Your surgeon will then hand over to you the ‘bible’ of all breast shapes and sizes and will go through which type of implant; shape and size would best suit your body, perfectly creating a natural enhanced look instead of a fake ‘Barbie’ look. The surgeon will then familiarize you with the area where the incision will be made, which will then give you advanced notice on where the scar will be.
Once the incision has been made, the implant can be inserted in one of two places. Either the implant can be placed between the breast tissue and the chest muscle or underneath the chest muscle. Once the implant has been placed, the incision is then stitched up and a dressing is placed over the incision and the procedure is complete.
Within a few months of having breast implant surgery, your new breasts will start to look and feel more natural. Do not be put off by the look of your breasts immediately after the operation. This is because there will be discolouration and swelling around the breasts causing them to look bigger and unnatural. After a few months the swelling and bruising will go down and your breasts will start looking more natural.
Having breast augmentation surgery is not something that is to be taken lightly. If you are considering having this surgery then you must take the time to complete as much research as possible in order to fully understand both the risks and complications which come hand in hand with having a cosmetic or reconstructive procedures.
Generally, modern day surgery is considered safe.
There are risks associated with having a general anaesthetic – your plastic surgeon should discuss these with you but may include: having an adverse reaction to the anaesthetic; bleeding out from the surgery; risk of infection; blood clots; suppressed breathing; low blood pressure; heart failure and even death. Approximately one-third of patients who receive an anaesthetic during surgery will experience “anaesthesia sickness” or post-operative nausea and vomiting (POVN).
Capsular contracture is a risk and complication that can occur if you have breast implant surgery. This complication can be extremely painful and is where scar tissue forms around the implant as the immune system starts to attack the foreign material (being the implant).
Q. If I have the surgery will these breast implants be a permanent solution?
A. Once you have had breast implant surgery around 1 in 3 women have to have a further surgery 10 years after the initial surgery. The reason for this can be due to capsular constriction, which can cause change in shape of the implants. Another reason for this repeated surgery is due to age related changes to not only the breasts but also to the implant.
Q. Does my insurance cover breast augmentation surgery?
A. Breast augmentation surgery is classed as an elective surgery and therefore will not be covered by insurance however, if you are having this surgery for a reconstructive purpose, as a result of a previous mastectomy, then the insurance may cover the costs. The only way to find out is to speak to them directly.
Q. How long does a breast augmentation surgery last?
A. Normally this surgery will take between 90 minutes to 3 hours without complications.
Q. How long should I take off work if I am going to have breast augmentation surgery?
A. The recovery time is based on individual differences as some people recover faster than others however the usual amount of time that individuals have off is around 3 weeks to a month in order for the healing process to begin and the pain to wear off.
What does Breast Augmentation cost? What does a boob job cost?
It depends on which surgeon, hospital and type of implants you choose. When doing your research and looking at the cost of a breast augmentation make sure you check that the surgeon’s fees, anaesthetist, hospital stay and any pre and post appointments are included or you could be up for a lot more than you originally thought. The costing we list below is all inclusive of these costs, and has such a high range because of the amount of surgeons we consulted.
Approximately $6,000 – $15,000
