Breast Augmentation: Making Safe Decisions About Your Surgery

BREAST AUGMENTATION: MAKING SMART DECISIONS on Your Surgery Many women contemplate breast augmentation surgery, yet they hesitate due to all the questions they have, as well as the choices they have to make beforehand. Here's some information to clear the confusion, allay some fears and provide women with what they need to go ahead with their goals for breast enhancement. All About Breast Augmentation Surgery Breast augmentation is a Cosmetic surgery procedure to: INCREASE BREAST SIZE EN HANCE BREAST SHAPE: • Using silicone breast implants The goal of the cosmetic surgeon is to: • Enhance the patient's natural physical proportions 98% of women • Create an aesthetically-pleasing and symmetrical breast profile who underwent breast augmentation surgery said the results met their expectations MAGAZINE 75% thought An article in the May 2013 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery involving a study of 225 women over five years their breast firmness was "just right" Patients said they felt back to normal within 25 days of their surgery following breast augmentation reported that: 85% said their new breast size was "just right" Why Women Opt for Breast Augmentation Procedures Although most people think the desire for bigger breasts is the main impetus for undergoing breast augmentation surgery, it's just one of the many reasons. They include: ADDING CONFIDENCE REPAIRING GENETIC AND IMPROVING A BREAST DEFORMITIES WOMAN'S SELF-IMAGE RESTORING THE BREASTS FOLLOWING ENHANCING BREAST BREAST CANCER SHAPE AFTER WEIGHT SURGERY LOSS, PREGNANCY OR BREASTFEEDING CREATING A BALANCED CORRECTING BREAST LOOK TO A WOMAN'S ASYMMETRY OVERALL PROFILE How to Find a Reputable Cosmetic Surgeon The most important decision to make when considering breast augmentation surgery is the cosmetic surgeon. Factors to look at include: Australian Surgery Specialist Qualifications Facility accreditation (FRACS) Before and after photos of past patients Financing options for every patient's budget The number of breast augmentation surgeries performed Know the Stats and Facts Statistics compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show that breast augmentations were the most popular surgical procedure in 2014 in the U.S., and Australia likely mirrors those statistics. Cosmetic surgical procedures INCREASED BY 1%, rising to nearly 1.7 MILLION PROCEDURES The number of breast reconstruction procedures increased, with cosmetic surgeons performing more than 102,200 PROCEDURES, representing an INCREASE OF 7% BREAST AUGMENTATION: NOSE RESHAPING: EYELID SURGERY: LIPOSUCTION: FACELIFT: 286,254 PROCEDURES 217,124 PROCEDURES 210,552 PROCEDURES 206,509 PROCEDURES 128,266 PROCEDURES What Women Have to Say Many women blog or post on forums to share their breast augmentation experiences. Their poignant and honest advice includes the following tips for other women considering a boob job: THINK ABOUT AFTERWARDS: AVOID "BOOB GREEDINESS," AND LISTEN TO YOUR Buy larger shirts and tops before the surgery for wearing afterwards SURGEON'S RECOMMENDATIONS: Don't fear taking RX medications to relieve pain or discomfort if you need them If your surgeon says it's okay, it could help with the pain to do gentle breast massages You may want to go from an A to a C, but it depends on factors like your frame size and the elasticity of your skin ALL BREAST IMPLANTS DON'T Your surgeon can measure to see if you are symmetrical and may suggest a lift LOOK FAKE: Your family and friends may not even notice, so don't feel like you have to share the news if you don't want to THE PAIN VARIES FROM WOMAN TO WOMAN: Most women opt for subtle changes, not the dramatic increase we see in the media MOVE IF YOU CAN: Start moving and walking around slowly at first Some women experience Take walks outside, but keep it to less than 30 minutes "bowling ball sore, breasts," while others don't feel any discomfort at all IT IS NOT A ONE TIME DEAL: • It's important to note that replacement times vary according to implant manufacturers • If you have a baby, or gain or lose weight, you may need an adjustment • Breast implants aren't created to last a lifetime ACTIVITIES INVOLVING THE UPPER ARMS, LIKE DRIVING AND HANGING LAUNDRY CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE: Take it easy and avoid exerting yourself for at least six weeks post-surgery. No specific exercise for eight weeks. Be sure to call your doctor no matter how silly you think your questions may be, because you are paying them WHAT YOU SEE RIGHT AFTER SURGERY IS NOT WHAT YOU GET: • Your boobs will change • As your muscles relax, your breasts will soften and look more natural over the next several weeks as they heal EXPECT POST-SURGICAL "BOOB JOB" BLUES: Being down for a few weeks contributes to feelings of depression Medications can contribute to feelings of sadness The combination of discomfort, meds and having too much downtime to think about your "old breasts," may cause you to have unfounded, temporary regrets You may feel heavier due to swollen breast tissues that will reduce in time Avoid having breast augmentation surgery right before a big event like a wedding as it will take time to heal Your results may vary from other women or pictures you see at the surgeon's office or in magazines What to Expect After Your Breast Augmentation To make the surgery easier, consider these preparations: • Set up a recovery area, like adding extra pillows and • Fill all prescriptions and gather food and other supplies to last up to a Clean your house, do the laundry and dishes, and remove all trash blankets for comfort week • Read all post-op • Put water, meds, reading materials, snacks and the TV remote nearby instructions and keep them handy • Make up a few meals and freeze them Have someone stay with you for a few days, or at least be available should you need them Buy compression garments and practice putting them on a few times Keep important phone numbers close, like your surgeon's, and be sure to ask any questions that arise Breast augmentation is a day case procedure using general anesthesia, but you still need to understand that: You will be able to walk around on your own just a few hours after surgery Most patients feel up to leaving the house within a day or two You may feel sore for the first week or even longer You will need to wear a sports bra or supportive surgical bra after breast augmentation 4 – 6 weeks No exercise for at least eight weeks Life with implants means that: Future pregnancies or weight fluctuations are very likely to affect the results: It's safe to have Over time, your breast tissues will mammograms with breast implants, so you still need to go for regular screenings change, but you can prevent unnecessary sagging by wearing a supportive bra for your activity level 25% of women who undergo cosmetic breast surgery will need surgery maintenance Should you opt for breast augmentation surgery? You may want to obtain more than one opinion before deciding on the one that feels right to you. Bring questions to your consultation and learn everything you can in order to make an informed decision. Don't suffer in silence. If you are not happy with your breasts, there is something you can do. SOURCES: justbreastimplants.com, Americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org, implantinfo.com, medicalnewstoday.com, medscape.org, cosmopolitan.com, plasticsurgerypractice.com, plasticsurgery.org, realself.com, robertgoldman.com.au DR ROBERT GOLDMAN robertgoldman.com.au COSMETIC SURGEON BSc honsi. MB.CHB, FRACS III||||