Breast Augmentation

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Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation surgery uses implants to add volume to the breasts or restore breast volume lost after weight loss or pregnancy.

BREAST ENLARGEMENT

If you are dissatisfied with the size of your breasts, breast augmentation surgery is an option to consider. Breast augmentation can:

• Increase the size and projection of your breasts,
• Improve the balance of your body,
• Improve your self-esteem and self-confidence.

Implants can also be used to reconstruct the breast after mastectomy or injury.

WHAT WILL NOT HAPPEN

Breast augmentation does not correct severely sagging breasts. If you want a result that corrects sagging, the breast lift procedure can be performed at the same time as the breast augmentation, or a second surgery may be necessary. Your plastic surgeon will help you make this decision.

IS IT RIGHT FOR ME?

Breast augmentation is an individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to satisfy someone else's wishes or to adapt to any type of ideal image.

Breast augmentation may be a good option for you if:

• You are physically healthy;
• You have realistic expectations;
• Your breasts are fully developed;
• You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small;
• You are dissatisfied with your breasts due to loss of shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss or aging;
• Your breasts differ in size or shape;
• One or both breasts have not developed normally.

PREPARING FOR BREAST ENLARGEMENT SURGERY

Before surgery, it may be necessary to:

• Perform laboratory tests or medical evaluation;
• Taking certain medications or adjusting your current medications;
• Have a mammogram before surgery and another after surgery to help detect any future changes in breast tissue;
• Stop smoking well in advance of surgery;
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatories and natural medicines, as they can increase bleeding.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

• What to do on the day of surgery (fasting time, medications, bath),
• Post-operative care,
• Breast implant registration documents (when necessary).

Your plastic surgeon will also discuss where the procedure will be performed.

RISKS AND SAFETY INFORMATION

The success and safety of the procedure largely depends on your sincerity during the consultation. Be participative, try to clarify doubts about the procedure. You will be asked about your health, desires and lifestyle.

The decision to undergo breast augmentation surgery is a personal one and it is up to you to decide whether the benefits will be in line with your goals and whether the risks and possible complications are acceptable.

Your plastic surgeon and/or team will explain, in detail, the risks associated with the surgery. You will be asked to sign the consent form to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any potential risks or complications.

BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS

• The reason why you want to undergo surgery, your expectations and the desired result;
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments;
• Current use of medications, vitamins, natural medicines, alcohol, tobacco and drugs, including steroids;
• Previous surgeries.

THE SURGEON MAY ALSO

• Assess your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors;
• Perform diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of gynecomastia, which may include testing your endocrine function;
• Examine your breasts and take detailed measurements of their size and shape, check the quality of the skin, the position of the nipples and areolas;
• Take photos for your medical records;
• Discuss your options and recommend the most appropriate treatment;
• Discuss the likely results of gynecomastia correction and any potential risks or complications;
• Discuss the type of anesthesia to be used during the procedure.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

• What to do on the day of surgery (fasting time, medications, bath),
• Post-operative care.

The procedure must be carried out in a safe and comfortable place for the doctor and the patient, in a surgical center authorized by the Health Surveillance, with equipment and trained staff for any complications.

YOU WILL NEED HELP

Be sure to ask someone to accompany you and stay with you for at least the first night after surgery.

POSSIBLE RISKS OF SURGERY

• Unfavorable scars;
• Bleeding (bruise);
• Infection;
• Poor healing of incisions;
• Changes in sensitivity of the breast or nipple, temporarily or permanently;
• Capsular contracture, which is the formation of rigid scar tissue around the implant;
• Implant rupture;
• Wrinkling of the skin over the implant;
• Anesthetic risks;
• Accumulation of fluid (seroma);
• Pain, which may last;
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications;
• Possibility of a new surgical procedure.

Although there may be complications related to breast implants, they are not harmful to breast health. Scientific research carried out by independent groups has not reported any proven relationship between breast implants and autoimmune or systemic diseases

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

The decision to undergo breast augmentation surgery is a personal one and it is up to you to decide whether the benefits will be in line with your goals and whether the risks and possible complications are acceptable.

• There is no guarantee that the implants will last a lifetime, and it may be necessary to replace one or both implants;
• Pregnancy, weight loss and menopause can influence the appearance of breasts undergoing augmentation surgery.

SURGICAL PROCEDURE

What happens during breast augmentation surgery?

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during breast augmentation surgery. Options include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you.

Step 2 – Incision

The incisions are made in discreet areas to help minimize the scar being visible. You and your plastic surgeon will discuss which incision options are appropriate for the result you desire. Incision options include:

– Inframammary incision,
– Transaxillary incision,
– Periareolar incision.

The incisions vary depending on the type of implant, the desired volume, anatomical particularities and the surgeon's preference.

Step 3 – Choosing implants

The size and shape of your breasts are important. Talk to your surgeon about your expectations. The type and size of the implant will be determined not only by your desired increase in size, but also by the elasticity of the skin, anatomy and physical type.

Breast implant options

Silicone implants are filled with cohesive gel. These implants have a texture very similar to natural breast tissue. If the implant ruptures, the gel may remain inside the shell. The rupture of a silicone implant does not make the breast smaller, so you should consult your plastic surgeon regularly to ensure that the implants are in normal condition. Ultrasound or MRI examination can evaluate the condition of the breast implant.

Step 4 – Insertion and placement of the implant

After the incision, the location where the breast implant will be inserted is determined:
• Under the pectoral muscle (submuscular placement),
• Directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (submammary/subglandular placement).

The method for inserting and positioning the implants depends on the type of implant, the intended volume, anatomical particularities and the surgeon's recommendations.

Step 5 – Closing the Incisions

The incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue and with sutures, glue or adhesives to close the skin.

Step 6 – Results

The results of breast augmentation surgery are immediately visible. Over time, the swelling decreases.

POSTOPERATIVE RECOVERY

Many patients have questions about breast augmentation and the recovery period.
Although many factors are involved, the post-surgery recovery period is generally 24 to 48 hours, followed by a period of rest of a few days. You will likely experience pain and swelling for a few weeks. Physical exercise and normal activities will be permitted following the guidance of your plastic surgeon.

YOU WILL RECEIVE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS, INCLUDING

How to care for your breast after surgery, medications to take by mouth to help reduce the risk of infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgery site or in your general health, and when your return appointment with your plastic surgeon will be.

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE RECOVERY PERIOD

• Where will I remain in recovery after the surgery ends?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
• Will the stitches be removed? When?
• When can I resume normal activities and physical exercise?
• When will the return appointment be?

WHEN RECEIVING DISCHARGE

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or an abnormal heartbeat, seek medical attention immediately. If any of these complications occur, you may need hospitalization and additional treatment. The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve the best results with a single surgical procedure, requiring a new surgery.

BE CAREFUL

Following your doctor's recommendations is essential for the success of the surgery. It is important that surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or movement during the healing time.

RESULTS

It is important to know that the results of breast implant surgery are not permanent and may require replacement throughout your life. You should follow up with your plastic surgeon to discuss changes in your breasts. Over time, your breasts can change due to aging, weight fluctuations, hormonal factors, and gravity. If, after a few years, you become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a breast lift or exchange procedure. facelift de mama ou troca.

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE SURGERY?

Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. A surgeon's fees may vary based on their experience, type and cost of breast implants used.

The cost may include:

• Surgeon's fees;
• Hospital and surgical center costs;
• Anesthetist's fees;
• Prescribed medications;
• Post-operative meshes;
• Medical exams.

YOUR SATISFACTION IS WORTH MORE THAN THE COSTS OF THE SURGERY

When choosing a plastic surgeon for gynecomastia surgery, remember that the surgeon's experience and your good relationship with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery.

GLOSSARY

• Areola: Pigmented skin around the nipple.
• Breast implants: Medical device placed in your body to increase the size of the existing breast or to reconstruct the breast.
• Capsular contracture: Complication of breast implant surgery that occurs when scar tissue, which normally forms around the implant, tightens and deforms the implant, making it stiff.
• General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during surgery to relieve pain and reduce consciousness.
• Hematoma: Accumulation of blood beneath the skin.
• Inframammary incision: Incision made in the breast crease.
• Intravenous sedation: Sedatives given by injection into a vein to help you relax.
• Local anesthesia: Drug injected directly into the site of an incision during surgery to relieve pain.
• Mammography: X-ray image of the breast.
• Mastectomy: Removal of breast tissue, usually due to cancer.
• MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging, a painless examination to evaluate breast tissue, similar to x-rays.
• Periareolar incision: Incision made at the edge of the areola.
• Silicone implants: Breast implants filled with cohesive gel.
• Submammary or subglandular placement: Breast implants placed directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle.
• Submuscular or subpectoral placement: Breast implants placed below the pectoral muscle, located between the breast tissue and the chest wall.
• Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.
• Transaxillary incision: Incision made in the armpit area.
• Ultrasound: Diagnostic procedure that projects high-frequency sound waves into the body and records shadows as images.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR PLASTIC SURGEON

• Are you a specialist by the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery?
• Have you been trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
• How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
• Is the installation of the procedure room in your office authorized by the Health Surveillance of your city?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What is expected of me so that the best results are obtained?
• Where and how will the procedure be performed?
• What is the shape, size and texture of the surface? What incision and placement site is recommended for me?
• How long can I expect to recover and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
• How are complications treated?
• Will breastfeeding be harmed?
• How will the surgery evolve over time? After pregnancy? After breastfeeding?
• What will my breasts look like if I choose to remove/replace the implants in the future?