Breast Augmentation

Overview

Each year, millions of women make the decision to enhance the appearance of their breasts, whether it is because of genetically small breasts, non-symmetrical breasts, or sagging breasts after child bearing and breast feeding. Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammaplasty, can improve size, shape, firmness, and restore a youthful, natural contour using saline or silicone gel-filled implants.

Candidates

If you are unsatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may be a potential candidate for breast enlargement.   

The Operation

Breast augmentation is almost always performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure and takes one to two hours. Before going to the operating room, and with the patient awake and standing, Dr. Sewell outlines the areas to be augmented using a felt tip marker. In the operating room, generous amounts of local anesthetic are injected to provide postoperative comfort. The incision can be made under the breast, around the nipple, or in the armpit. Saline or silicone gel-filled implants are placed beneath the chest wall muscle or directly behind breast tissue. The incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures, and soft dressings and a surgical bra are placed.

Recovery

Following surgery, you will be sent home with pain medication and antibiotics. You will be up and around that same day. The dressings are removed and a shower is encouraged on the day after surgery. Most patients switch to ibuprofen within a couple of days and return to work in a week or much sooner. Other activities are gradually increased, with a return to full activities, including exercise, within four to six weeks.

Risks

Complications are infrequent with breast augmentation, but like any operation, there are risks, including bleeding, infection, scarring, delayed wound healing, capsular contracture (thick scarring around the implant), and slight asymmetries.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you are dissatisfied with your breast size, breast augmentation is achoice to consider. Dr. Sewell will speak with you to find out what your desired results are and if you are a candidate.

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