Getting a breast enlargement can be a big deal for many. Especially when the results are not guaranteed, there are multiple risk factors and pain involved. However, most of the time, the results do come out good, and depending on the surgeon, it can give you favorable results. But before talking about the costs, procedure, and recovery, it is important to know what breast augmentation is.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a process that involves enlarging or changing the shape of the breasts, using fat grafts (fat taken from another part of the patient’s body) or implants. This surgery can be performed for both reconstructive and cosmetic reasons.
Why Do People Do It?
Women mostly undergo this surgery because they would like to enlarge their breast(s) or recover the lost breast volume. This can happen due to multiple reasons that include:
- Pregnancy
- Weight loss
- Breastfeeding
Individuals who want to do this surgery also involve those who want to balance their bodies’ proportions. For example, a rare percentage of people are born with uneven breasts. For most people, breast augmentations can be an intimidating process. Therefore, doing your due diligence before getting the procedure done is a must. Finding a reputable plastic surgeon will help give you the confidence and peace of mind to undergo surgery.
The Cost Of Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentations can cost an average of $3000 to $5000. Although different surgeons can charge different price rates, the mentioned quote does not cover other operating expenses. These expenses include:
- Anesthesia
- The implants
- Any lab tests that need to be performed beforehand (blood tests, etc.)
- The hospital bill
- Surgical garments
- Medications
As ridiculous as this sounds, most surgeons will charge for their work separately and not with the hospital bill. Individuals have to pay for their hospital stay and essentials as external expenses. Also, health insurance does not cover these elective cosmetic surgery expenses. Mainly because of the complications that may arise after it.
How Does the Procedure Work?
Once you decide to have breast augmentation, keep in mind that the procedure will be performed under general anesthesia not to feel pain. Before the surgery, you will be required to follow the 24-hour procedure instructed by the surgeon. Depending on your preference, the surgeon will install breast implants by using one of these incision types:
- Auxiliary
- Inframammary
- Per areolar
The way this will work is that your surgeon will create a small pocket in your skin by cutting and separating the tissue in your breast. Then he will proceed to put the implants inside these pockets and center them. After the implants have been inserted successfully, your surgeon will close all the cuts he made by using stitches. These stitches can be made through a surgical stapler or surgical thread. Then he will bandage the breast and secure it with surgical tape and glue. For the next 24-hour, you will be monitored thoroughly for any side effects. Once everything is cleared, you will be allowed to go home.
What are the Side Effects or Risks?
There are common side effects that come after an individual has had breast augmentation surgery, so there will be a need for follow-up for any complications that may happen. The multiple side effects or risks can include:
- Pain in breasts
- Bleeding or red bruising
- Scar tissue formation or contracture,
- The feeling of breast alternation
- Breast implant rupture or leaking
Other side effects can also include skin irritation, difficulty in healing, fluid built-up around the implant site on the breasts(s), severe sweating at night, or breast discharge from the incision location. Besides, anesthesia also comes from many risks. This can include sudden death during the procedure.
You should call the surgeon or go to the hospital immediately if you experience the following symptoms after the operation:
- Redness around or inside the breasts
- High fever
- A warm feeling on the site of the cut
It is essential to regularly monitor your breast for any changes or abnormal discharge or tissue formation after the surgery.
Recovery
After the procedure, it is essential to wear a compression bandage on the breast area or a sports bra for at least a month. You also may need to take some antibiotics or pain relief medications. In addition, it is also important to stay at home and recover for at least the next two weeks until you return to work.
The surgeon may ask you to come for a check-up after a week or less to remove the stitches. Regardless, you will be able to see the results immediately. It is important to note that tenderness or swelling may be temporary and will go away after some time of healing, so after that, you can see the true results of the implantation.
While the results for breast implantation seem to be long-lasting, it does not stay forever. In the future, you may be required to do more follow-up surgeries to take the previous implants out and replace them with new ones. After surgery, it is important to maintain a healthy diet that involves quitting smoking, as smoking prevents healing. Aside from that, it can be an easy and quick process and depending on the doctor; you can have great results.
