What to Expect Before, During, and After Breast Augmentation

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Recent trends indicate that more women are considering plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation. Plastic surgery is an increasingly popular option for many women who want to enhance their physical appearance to boost self-esteem or meet cultural or social beauty standards. Even though there are risks when undergoing an elective procedure such as plastic surgery, it is one way for many people with health problems or dissatisfaction with their body image to improve their quality of life—several things to consider before, during, and after breast augmentation surgery.

What to Expect Before Breast Augmentation

Even when deciding what type of breast augmentation is best for you, it is essential to understand the risks involved. It is crucial to remember that every surgery comes with a degree of risk, especially when considering plastic surgery procedures on your breasts. Breast implants are intended to look natural and can make one’s breasts larger. Some considerations that you may want to take into account include the following:

1. Good Nutrition and Exercise

Before breast augmentation surgery, you must maintain a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and exercise. You should also get plenty of rest each week. Good nutrition includes a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Choosing foods with less sodium is also recommended because salt retains water. Exercise is also essential before undergoing breast augmentation surgery. This should be in cardio exercises since weight lifting builds muscle, making the breasts appear larger if you try to increase or maintain their current size. According to top breast augmentation kansas city, losing weight before your surgery will help reduce the amount of swelling in your breasts.

2. Stop Smoking and Alcohol Consumption

Healing is delayed in smokers, and the blood supply to the breast is compromised, increasing the risk of infection. Smoking is also associated with an increased risk of capsular contracture. Alcohol delays healing and cause fluid retention, which may increase the chances of swelling and create an unfavorable surgical result. In addition, women who drink alcohol may be at increased risk for postoperative complications such as bleeding after surgery or wound infections. It would be best if you did not consume any alcohol for a week before having your procedure done.

3. Scheduling a Consultation

Finding a reputable plastic surgeon with good patient reviews and experience is best. You can find a plastic surgeon by asking your doctor or friends or through the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) requires that each surgeon must be certified by the ASPS and make a minimum of 100 professional breast augmentation procedures every three years. If a plastic surgeon does not meet these requirements, ask for references from other patients or read reviews on the relevant website. Before making an appointment with any plastic surgeon, prepare everything and gather as much information from the doctor as possible. Make sure to ask questions such as how they prepare you for surgery, what procedures they perform and how soon after surgery you can expect to return home.

What to Expect During Breast Augmentation

During the day of surgery, you will be required to follow your physician’s instructions very closely to minimize the possibility of complications. Your drains will be removed after a particular time, and you will be asked to return to your routine immediately following surgery. The area around your incision may swell a bit after surgery. The larger the breast implants chosen, the more swelling you may experience. Some of the expectations during surgery may include the following:

1. Refrain From Eating or Drinking 8 Hours Before Your Surgery

To avoid regurgitation and the risk of aspiration, you mustn’t drink or eat anything during the following 8 hours before surgery. Breast Augmentation involves using anesthesia for the surgery, which can increase your risk for aspiration, so you mustn’t eat or drink anything that may cause you to vomit. Eating also tends to prolong the length of the surgery, which can increase your risk for pain and discomfort. During the day of the surgery, you may be requested to keep still or lie on your back to keep pressure off your incision area.

2. Wear a Soft Top Over Your Medical Bra During Breast Augmentation

If you prefer, you may still wear a soft shirt over your garment while recovering from surgery. While in the hospital, you will be given a hospital gown to wear. You can also use a cotton undergarment (such as boxer shorts) to help minimize leakage after surgery and prevent tissue damage if your implants rupture.

3. Apply Ice Packs as Necessary for Pain or Swelling

You may experience pain in the days following surgery. To help reduce soreness and swelling, you may apply ice packs to the area starting on the day of surgery. You should also wear a bra that supports your breast after Breast Augmentation, even if you are not yet wearing your postoperative bra. This will help minimize the risk of sagging or other complications after surgery.

The extent of swelling and bruising you experience after breast augmentation surgery is determined by the size of your implants and the amount of time it takes for your body to recover from anesthesia. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery publishes guidelines for temporary tattoos, which patients may apply over their scars from cosmetic breast augmentation surgery. The most important thing is to remember that your incision will heal on its own, so don’t try and pick at the wound or pull at it. Putting pressure on the incision or not following the doctor’s instructions may cause the wound to reopen and lead to excessive scarring. In addition, if you are in a car accident or do any strenuous activity that causes trauma to your incision site, seek medical attention immediately. You will be given special instructions on caring for your incision after surgery. You must follow those instructions carefully because failure to do so could result in infection, tissue loss, or even worse.

What to Expect After Breast Augmentation

It is customary within the first two to three weeks after breast augmentation surgery to experience bruising, swelling, and pain. In addition to this, many women will experience some numbness. Ideally, it will last around a week before feeling completely normal again. In the first two months after the surgery, there will be a lot of discomforts associated with the breasts. During this time, it is important not to exert yourself physically or encourage any movement that may cause discomfort or pain.

How long does recovery take following breast augmentation?

Breast Augmentation usually takes one to three months and can go on for up to a year, depending on the type of procedure and how many implants are inserted. Breast augmentation differs from breast implant removal in that you will see a visible difference after 3-4 months, where there is usually some “going back” to an original shape for 2-4 years. The implants, around two years post-op, will settle into their permanent shape, which is more round, yet still with a natural appearance. Considerations after breast implant revision surgery:

After breast augmentation, a woman can have the nipple repositioned if it was not done so during the initial surgery. It is crucial to keep in mind that nipple positions may change when implants are removed. It is essential to consult your surgeon regarding specific concerns or questions regarding nipple repositioning and what is best for you. The incision across the breast can be located on either side of the breast or behind the earlobe in more extreme cases. Another consideration after breast augmentation is that the breast will lose its ability to produce milk. If a woman wishes to become pregnant later, she may need to find a doctor specializing in breastfeeding and seek their opinion regarding restoring this ability.

Possible Side Effects of Breast Augmentation?

All surgeries have their associated risks, and breast augmentation is no exception. While most women experience positive results in size and shape, some side effects can be experienced after one has undergone the procedure. One of the most common side effects after breast augmentation is the development of capsular contracture, sometimes caused by trauma to the incision site or pressure on the area surrounding an implant. If left untreated, capsular contracture can lead to deformity. Another possible consequence that may arise after breast augmentation is bruising or bleeding under the skin. A woman should seek medical attention if she begins experiencing this side effect.

Conclusion

Breast augmentation is a procedure that is becoming increasingly popular among women. Women increasingly turn to breast augmentation surgery to enhance their physical appearance or improve self-esteem. Many women have had this procedure done to increase their breast size or change the shape of their breasts to meet cultural and social beauty standards. It is however important to remember that there are risks associated with breast augmentation surgery. Those who are considering this procedure to enhance their physical appearance should be aware of the potential drawbacks and the fact that there is a slight chance they will experience complications after undergoing this procedure.