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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Breast Enlargement (Augmentation Mammoplasty)
What is breast enlargement?
Breast enlargement, called augmentation mammoplasty, is a
procedure in which a plastic surgeon enlarges your breasts.
It is done only at your request. To enlarge your breasts,
the doctor will insert artificial implants into your
breasts. The implants are usually silicone shells filled
with saline (saltwater).
When is it used?
This operation is designed only to improve the appearance of
your breasts. It will not prevent or cure cancer. You may
not be able to breast-feed an infant after this operation.
In the past silicone-gel implants were an alternative to
saline-filled implants. However, there has been some
concern about the safety of these implants. The FDA has
restricted the use of these implants to special situations
until further studies of their safety are done.
You get the best results from this surgery if you are in
your 20s or 30s and have small but not sagging breasts.
How do I prepare for augmentation mammoplasty?
Discuss candidly with your plastic surgeon the size and
shape of breasts you would like to have. Remember that
although this operation can reshape your breasts, it may not
change how you think of yourself or how others think of you.
Plan for your care and recovery after the operation. Allow
for time to rest and try to find other people to help you
with your day-to-day duties.
Follow instructions provided by the doctor. Eat a light
meal, such as soup or salad, the night before the procedure.
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight or the morning
of the procedure. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water.
What happens during the procedure?
You are given a local or general anesthetic. A local
anesthetic numbs part of your body while you remain awake.
It should keep you from feeling pain during the procedure.
A general anesthetic relaxes your muscles, puts you to
sleep, and prevents you from feeling pain.
The surgeon will make a cut on the underside of your breast,
around the areola, or by your underarm. He or she will
implant a prosthesis (the bag or packet that contains saline
solution) through the cut and place it between the breast
tissue and chest wall or between the pectoralis muscle and
the chest wall. The prosthesis will enlarge the size of
your breast. The surgeon will close the cut and repeat this
process on the other breast.
What happens after the procedure?
You will be observed for a number of hours and may then go
home. For the next 2 or 3 weeks, you may have some swelling
and your breasts may be bruised and tender.
It may take 2 or 3 months for your body to heal fully. Your
doctor will arrange for follow-up appointments to check your
progress.
When you have mammograms in the future, tell the x-ray
technologist about your implant so the procedure can be
adjusted.
Ask your doctor what other steps you should take.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
After the procedure you may have breasts that are matched in
size or are a size more pleasing to you.
What are the risks associated with this procedure?
Risks of breast enlargement include:
- There are some risks associated with anesthesia. Discuss
these risks with your doctor.
- You may develop a hematoma, which is a collection of
blood or a blood clot from a leak in a blood vessel that
may form within hours after surgery in the pocket where
the implant has been placed. This may cause swelling,
pain, and bruising. A large hematoma may need to be
drained surgically.
- An implant may harden and be painful.
- Your breasts may be hard or lumpy.
- Your breasts may feel too firm.
- Your breasts may bleed or become infected around the
implant.
- Your nipples and areolas may be numb.
- Your breasts may be unequal in size, shape, position, or
contour. You may want further surgery on one or both of
the breasts to try to make them similar.
- Your breasts may droop.
- A capsule may form around the implant. That area may
become firm or tender and need regular massage or
additional surgery.
- Your arm and shoulder movements may be restricted or
painful.
- An implant may rupture or deflate, which may require
another surgical procedure to remove the implant.
You should ask your doctor how these risks apply to you.
When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor immediately if:
- The skin over the breast becomes irritated or starts to
peel off.
- You have redness or unusual drainage from the cuts.
- You develop a fever or unexpected pain.
Call the doctor during office hours if:
- You have questions about the procedure or its result.
- You want to make another appointment.
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