Breast Enlargement

Possible complications

As we have mentioned, under normal circumstances an operation to augment the breasts is safe and reliable, and is usually free of complication.

However, any surgical operation involves the risk of complications or side effects. After-effects of the anaesthetic, infection of the wound, swelling, bleeding, pain, and healing problems in the recovery process may occur. These are all thins for which you should be prepared.

In addition, specific complications may occur following the insertion of breast implants, such as:

• Capsular contracture.
• Folds and wrinkling in the surface of the implant. This occurs with saline-filled implants in particular. The risk of folds and wrinkling is greater with this type of implant than with gel-filled implants.
• Displacement of the implant.
• Tissue necrosis,i.e. the death of tissue, often due to insufficient blood supply to the area concerned.
• Interference with mammography. Mammographic screening for breast cancer is more difficult in the presence of a silicone breast implant. It needs some extra attention by the radiologist. If you tell the radiologist in advance that you have an implant, he will adapt his investigative technique accordingly. The Ecklund (displacement) technique is one technique commonly used.

Finally, it is important to remember that a breast implant, whatever it is filled with, is not necessarily in place for life. There are women who have had the same breast implants in place for over thirty years without problems, but there are also women who have had to have their implants replaced within a relatively short period of time. For these reasons, you should be aware that you may need to undergo surgery on your breasts again for some reason related to your breast implants.

The procedure is carried out preferably under twilight anesthesia, and the patient can go home the same day.

A slight bruising occurs at the post-operative period, which subsides in a matter of 5-6 days. Otherwise post-operative period is usually smooth and filled with good expectations.

A period of one week to ten days is advised to take time off from work. A patient is usually mobile, i.e. in two to three days.

During the initial consultation the procedure is discussed, the patients history is taken and an examination is carried out.

Mammogram is usually required for females who are thirty years of age and above, to rule out any abnormality that might hinder an implant.

Like all good surgical procedures a great amount of information has to be provided to you, including the implant manufacturers concerns about the implant, and also to discuss the immediate post implant period.

If you contemplate on having a Breast Augmentation in the near future, you should avoid all aspirin containing drugs for at least two weeks before surgery.

There are many important factors that may have an effect on your particular procedure, your recovery, and your results. They should be well-understood and carefully discussed with your doctor.
Some of these factors are:

• Your overall health
• Your chest structure and overall body shape
• Your healing capabilities (which can be affected by smoking, alcohol and various medications)
• Prior breast surgeries
• Bleeding tendencies
• Infections
• Shifting of implant
• scarring from the incision
• Predisposition to develop a hardened capsule around the implant (this subject will be discussed in detail later)

The implantation procedure can be performed as either an inpatient (requiring an overnight stay in the hospital) or outpatient (no overnight stay required) basis, depending on your doctor and the method of surgery you have chosen.

Preparing for the Operation

Products that contain Aspirin, Vitamin E, or Evening Primrose oil should be avoided for four weeks before surgery. The use of Vitamin K (10mg daily) for three days before surgery is recommended.
Strong alcoholic drinks should be avoided before surgery.

Important: Patients should not smoke for two weeks before surgery and for a few days after surgery. Smoking interferes with the circulation of blood to the skin and can cause death of the skin flaps.
Patients should purchase Betadine shampoo use it to wash their hair the night before surgery (if surgery is scheduled for the morning) or the morning before (if surgery is scheduled for the afternoon). Hair may be conditioned and blow dried.
If the patient develops any signs of infection, pustules or boils on the face or body before surgery, the doctor should be notified immediately.
On the day of the surgery, the patient should wear comfortable, loose clothing that do not have to be pulled over the head, to the hospital.
Patients must not wear any make-up (including mascara and nail polish) when they go into surgery. If the patient tints, dyes or bleaches his or her hair, this should be done no later than one week before surgery.

Anaesthesia Twilight anaesthetic is generally used. In addition, various drugs are used before, during and after surgery to make you comfortable and steady. The surgery can be done under local anaesthesia if desired.

Post Operative Care

During the first 24 to 48 hours after your surgery, you will experience the most discomfort. Your breasts will be swollen and very tender. Although every woman’s recovery time is different, you should be able to resume many of your regular activities after about one week. You will need to wait at least one month before resuming any strenuous activities.

Should any problems occur after surgery, contact your doctor immediately. This is especially important if your temperature is elevated, or one of your breasts is noticeably more swollen and tender to the touch, painful, red or inflamed.

You’re likely to feel tired and sore for a few days following your surgery, but you’ll be up and around in 24 to 48 hours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication prescribed by your doctor.

Within several days, the gauze dressings, if you have them, will be removed, and you may wear a bra. You should wear it as directed by your doctor. You may also experience a burning sensation in your nipples for about two weeks, but this will subside as bruising fades.

There are no stitches to remove.

You should be able to return to work within a few days, depending on the level of activity required for your job.

Follow your doctor’s advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct stimulation for two to three weeks, so you should avoid much physical contact. After that, breast contact is fine once your breasts are no longer sore, usually three to four weeks after surgery.

Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months, or even appear to widen. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely.

Routine mammograms should be continued after breast augmentation for women who are in the appropriate age group, although the mammographic technician should use a special technique to assure that you get a reliable reading, as discussed earlier. (see All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk.)

Regular examination by your doctor and routine mammograms for those in the appropriate age groups at prescribed intervals will help assure that any complications, if they occur, can be detected early and treated.

Your decision to have breast augmentation is a highly personal one that not everyone will understand. The important thing is how you feel about it. If you’ve met your goals, then your surgery is a success.

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