Breast Implants: The Basics

Receiving breast implants may increase a person’s confidence and self esteem. Candidates for breast implants are ideally in good health and have realistic expectations about the results of the surgery. Patients may select from a variety of sizes, shapes, and types of breast implants. Silicone and saline breast implants are the most common types. Patients should ensure the breast implants are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Preparing for Breast Implant Surgery

Candidates will receive an initial consultation with the physician to determine the goal of the surgery and whether the candidate possesses the right motivation for pursuing breast implants. The physician will discuss the desired size of enlargement for breast enhancement. Some patients simply want a single cup size and others want a drastic change of several cup sizes. Surgeons will decide the best option given the person’s health, body weight, and other determining factors.

Before breast enlargement surgery, patients will be instructed not to eat, drink, or smoke before the surgery. Certain medications and vitamins may also be avoided before the surgery. Depending upon the surgeon, breast implants may be an inpatient or outpatient surgery. Facilities with advanced technology and equipment can perform the surgery as an outpatient procedure. Inpatient candidates should expect to remain in the hospital overnight after the surgery.

During the plastic surgery, San Antonio surgeons will make incisions around the areola or under the breast. The surgeon will make every effort to minimize scarring from incisions. Stitches will be used to close the incision site. The process will take approximately one or two hours from start to finish. New techniques enable physicians to insert the breast implant through the navel. The transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) reduces the scarring.

After the Procedure

After the San Antonio cosmetic surgery, patients should have someone take care of them for a couple of days during the healing process. The patient may feel some pain or discomfort after the surgery. Many report feelings of numbness and burning. Swelling and bruising may also be present after the surgery. Physicians will often prescribe a pain medication to alleviate the pain and other associated side effects. After approximately 10 days, the stitches will be removed. Regular activities may be resumed after the stitches are removed. However, there should be no direct stimulation of the breasts for two to three weeks surgery.

Some patients are concerned that they cannot have mammograms with breast implants. Patients should continue to have the mammograms to detect early stages of breast cancer. Special mammograms are available that will enable the device to penetrate the implants and actually view the tissues. This machine is necessary to receive accurate results. Early detection is instrumental in avoiding the spread of cancer cells throughout the body.