Breast Enlargements
Breast enlargements refer to the surgical procedure of placing implants behind the breasts to make them larger. Women choose to have this cosmetic surgery because they feel their breasts are too small, they want to correct the volume of their breast after losing weight or after the birth of a baby or they want to correct a difference in the sizes of the two breasts. This type of surgery may also be part of reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy as a result of breast cancer.
The breast implants used in breast enlargements are made of elastic silicone and usually filled with silicone gel. Before you go ahead with this type of surgery, you should ask lost of questions and weight the risks involved. The surgery usually takes one or two hours in which the surgeon will make crisscross cuts either under your breast, around the nipple area or toward your underarms. The implants are placed behind the breast muscle or the muscle of the chest. The cuts are then stitched with stitches that dissolve on their own and your breasts bandaged.
After the surgery you can expect to have pain and discomfort, but the doctor will prescribe pain medication for you. You will need to wear a support bra for about four to six weeks following the surgery so that the weight of the breasts will not cause any strain on the cuts as they heal. You will be advised not to do any heavy lifting for at least two or three weeks and possible longer if the implants are behind the chest wall.
For the most part surgery for breast enlargements is safe. However, there are possible side effects and complications that you should be aware of. General anesthetic will make you feel a bit sick, but this is true of any surgery. Your breasts will naturally feel sore and be swollen until they heal and even though you will have scars from the surgery, they will fade in time.
Some of the rare complications that can result from breast enlargement surgery are:
- The breasts are not of equal size
- There are ripples in the skin on the breasts
- An infection can occur and need to be treated with antibiotics
- Abnormal scar tissue may develop around the area of the implants
- There may be a build up of fluid around the implant, which will require further surgery.
Most women are pleased with the result of their surgery and the increase in the size of their breasts.