Understanding Breast Augmentation: Procedure and the Steps Involved

Are you not satisfied with your breast size? Do you feel underconfident in public due to your size of boobs? Are you not unhappy with the way you look? Do you wish to get bigger and better-shaped breasts? If the answer to these questions is yes, then breast augmentation is the right surgery for you.

The size of breasts increases once women reach a certain age. But that may not be true for everyone. In some women, the breast does not develop fully and is smaller than average. It's natural for women to feel underconfident if they have small boobs. But thanks to the advancements in cosmetic and plastic surgery, it's now possible to increase breast size.

Breast augmentation or boob job has been among the top 5 cosmetic surgery procedures since 2006. According to the ISAPS - International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, nearly 1.7 million breast augmentation procedures were performed in 2021.

Thailand and Turkey have emerged as one of the most popular destinations for breast augmentation. The cost of breast augmentation surgery in Turkey averages around USD 3500 in Turkey. India is a bit affordable, and you can get the breast augmentation surgery in India done for around USD 2500. 

In this blog, we will understand the breast augmentation procedure, the types of implants used, the steps involved, and recovery from the surgery.

What is Breast Augmentation?

Augmentation mammoplasty, widely known as breast augmentation, is a surgical procedure to increase breast size. The surgery is done to improve the contour of breasts, increase their size, or correct the unevenness of breasts.

The surgery involves placing implants under the chest muscles or between breast tissue and chest muscles. Breast augmentation is a specialized cosmetic procedure and should be performed by skilled plastic surgeons.

Since breast augmentation is invasive, choosing a skilled surgeon is necessary for desired results. Countries like Turkey, Germany, Thailand, and India have some of the world's best cosmetics and plastic surgeons. If you are concerned about your appearance and wish to get a boob job done, you can travel to any of the countries mentioned above for a successful surgery.

Who are the Suitable Candidates For Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation has become highly popular among women as it significantly improves their confidence by giving breasts a fuller appearance. However, fulfilling a few criteria to get a boob job done is best. These are:

• Age: According to the FDA, saline implants can be used after 18 years of age, and silicone implants once you attain 22 years of age.
• General Health: Good general health means no active infections, untreated cancer, and other serious illness.
• Realistic Expectations: Your surgeon will tell you about the expected outcomes of the surgery. You'll be selected as the candidate if you have realistic expectations from the surgery.
• Smoking/Drinking: You must be willing to avoid smoking and drinking for a few days or even weeks before and after the surgery. Abstaining from consuming tobacco and alcohol is necessary as it may hamper the healing process.

What are the Types of Implants Used?

Breast implants are used for either reconstructive purposes or for cosmetic purposes. Breast implants are of two types:

1. Saline-Filled Implants: These implants are made up of silicone outer shells filled with sterile saltwater (saline). The implants can be either pre-filled or filled during the operation.
2. Silicone Gel-Filled Implants: Like saline implants, silicone gel-filled implants also have an outer shell of silicone. The difference is in the filling. These implants are filled with silicone gel.

The Plastic Surgery Statistics Report (2020) published by the ASPS - American Society of Plastic Surgeons stated that saline implants were used in 16% of all breast augmentations and silicone implants in 84% of cases.

What are the Different Steps Involved in a Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Before undergoing a breast augmentation, the plastic surgeon will take a detailed medical history. This will include questions related to the allergies, medicines you are taking, past surgeries, smoking history, and any previous breast issues.

Preparation

Your surgeon may advise you on a few things to prepare you for breast augmentation. These include:

• Getting a blood test
• Adjusting medications, you are already taking (if any)
• Stop smoking
• Avoiding certain foods and beverages
• Stop using recreational drugs
• Avoiding drugs like aspirin and some anti-inflammatory drugs that can increase bleeding

During Surgery

Breast augmentation surgery is a 60 to 90 minutes long procedure that involves various steps.

• The surgery is most likely to be performed under general anesthesia.
• Once you are sedated, an incision will be made. The cosmetic surgeon can perform breast augmentation surgery via crease under the breast (inframammary fold), along the sides of the areola (periareolar incision), or via armpit (transaxillary approach).
• Once the incision is made, the cosmetic & plastic surgeon will insert the selected breast implant. There are two ways of doing this. The first is to position the implant beneath the breast tissue and in front of the muscle. Another one involves placing the implant behind the pectoral muscles.
• After inserting the implants, the next step is closing the incision. Nylon sutures are mainly used to stitch the incision site. The breasts will be covered using gauze bandages. Drainage tubes might also be used to drain blood and other fluids.

After Surgery

• Once the surgery is complete, you'll be taken to the observation room till you wake up. 
• You may be allowed to go home the same day if you are in stable condition. 
• Pain medicines will be prescribed to subsidize the pain at the surgery site. 
• The surgery team will provide proper instructions before giving discharge. These instructions will help you recover better from breast augmentation surgery.

What is it Like to Recover From a Breast Augmentation Procedure?

• A full recovery from breast augmentation surgery may take a few weeks. You'll be allowed to move around soon after the surgery.
• Stitches are removed after 1 week (if non-dissolving stitches are used).
• Patients are asked to wear a sports bra for up to three months after the surgery. 
• Hard activities and heavy lifting should be avoided for one month.
• Within 6 weeks, you can return to normal daily activities. The scars will also start to fade by this time.
• After a few months, the breasts start to feel more natural. You may stop wearing a sports bra by this time.

To Summarise

Breast augmentation is a commonly performed cosmetic surgery. The surgery has high success rates. However, it is necessary to consider all the risks and possible side effects associated with augmentation mammoplasty. Make sure you consult a highly experienced board-certified cosmetic surgeon and discuss your needs.