What is breast augmentation surgery?
Breast augmentation, sometimes referred to as a "breast aug" or "boob job" by patients, involves using breast implants or fat to increase the size of your breasts, to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy, to achieve a more rounded shape, or to improve natural breast size asymmetry.
What breast augmentation surgery can do
- Increase fullness and projection of your breasts
- Improve balance of breast and hip contours
- Enhance your self-image and self-confidence
Breast implants may also be used for breast reconstruction after mastectomy or injury.
Breast Implant Surgery
Breast implant surgery can be performed in a hospital, surgery center or doctor’s office. Breast implant surgery patients may have to stay overnight in the hospital (inpatient surgery) or may be able to go home afterward (outpatient surgery). The surgery can be done under local anesthesia, where the patient remains awake and only the breast is numbed to block the pain, or under general anesthesia, where medicine is given to make the patient sleep. Most women receive general anesthesia for this surgery. Breast implant surgery can last from one to several hours depending on the procedure and personal circumstances. If the surgery is done in a hospital, the length of the hospital stay will vary based on the type of surgery, the development of any complications after surgery and your general health. The length of the hospital stay may also depend on the type of coverage your insurance provides.
Surgical Consultation
Female patient talking with a doctor and nurse. Before surgery you should have a consultation with your surgeon. Be prepared to ask questions about the surgeon’s experience, your surgery and expected outcomes. The FDA has provided a list of questions that may help guide your discussion. The surgeon should be able to discuss whether you are a good candidate for breast implants, the different type of implants, options for size, shape, surface texture, and placement based on your particular circumstances, as well as the risks and benefits of implant surgery. The surgeon should also be able to provide you with before and after pictures of other patients to help you better understand your expectations and potential outcomes from surgery.
Before Surgery
Your surgeon may ask that you have a mammogram or breast X-rays prior to surgery in order to identify any breast abnormality and so the surgeon has a preoperative image of your breast tissue. You will usually be asked to not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery and to bring loose clothing, including a loose-fitting bra without underwire, to wear after surgery. If you are going home the same day as the surgery, you will need to plan for someone to drive you home. Your surgeon should discuss with you the extent of surgery, the estimated time it will take and how they plan to treat for pain and nausea.
After Surgery
After surgery you will be taken to a recovery area to be monitored. Your breasts will be wrapped in gauze or a surgical bra. Your surgeon should describe the usual after surgery (postoperative) recovery process, the possible complications that may occur, and the recovery period. Following the operation, as with any surgery, you can expect some pain, swelling, bruising and tenderness. These effects may last for a month or longer, but should disappear with time. Scarring is a natural result of surgery. Prior to surgery, ask your surgeon to describe the location, size and appearance of any expected scars. For most women, scars will fade over time into thin lines. The darker your skin, the more prominent the scars are likely to be. Your surgeon may prescribe medications for pain and/or nausea. If you experience bleeding, fever, warmth, redness of the breast, or other symptoms of infection, you should immediately report these symptoms to your surgeon. Your surgeon should tell you about wound healing and how to care for your wound.
