What is a Breast Enhancement Procedure?
A surgical procedure to increase the size of the breasts. Breast Enhancement includes several breast surgery procedures. Cosmetic breast procedures include breast augmentation (breast enlargement), which is accomplished with breast implants. Breast lift is a procedure that is often performed simultaneously with an augmentation. In addition to these purely cosmetic procedures, breast reduction is an enhancement surgery that potentially offers both health and cosmetic benefits. Breast enhancement surgery is also commonly referred to as a “boob job”.
Breast enhancement is one of the most popular areas of cosmetic plastic surgery and includes several breast surgery procedures. Cosmetic breast procedures include breast augmentation (breast enlargement), which is usually accomplished with breast implants. Breast lift (Mastopexy) is a procedure that is often performed simultaneously with a breast augmentation. In addition to these purely cosmetic procedures, breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) is an enhancement surgery that potentially offers both health and cosmetic benefits.
Whether your breasts are too large, too small or not as firm or as shapely as you would like, breast enhancement surgery is one way to help make you feel more confident and feminine again.
Description of the Breast Enhancement Surgery
Breast Enhancement includes several breast surgery procedures. Breast augmentation (breast enlargement), which is accomplished with breast implants. Breast lift is often performed an augmentation. In addition to these purely cosmetic procedures, breast reduction
Length of Surgery
One to three hours (depending on type of breast implants and procedure chosen for Breast enhancement
In/Outpatient
Outpatientt
Anesthesia
General or local
Back to work in…
7 – 14 days
Back to the gym in…
One – two months
Treatment Frequency
Once, but further surgery (if having breast implants as a revision) may be needed if original implants need to be removed or complications arise
Risks
Infection, loss of nipple sensation, hypersensitivity, rupture of implants, complications from general anesthetic
Duration of results
Breast enhancement with Implants can last around ten years, though age and the effects of gravity will eventually alter the appearance of the breasts
Breast Enhancement Surgery Costs in Dubai
The Society of Plastic Surgeons quoted the national average for breast enhancement Cost was between 26,000 and 32,000 AED.
Most plastic surgeons and surgical clinics offer breast enhancement financing and payment options, some of which allow staggered payments or loans from VARIOUS FINANCING COMPANIES.
Am I a candidate for Breast Enhancement?
Breast enhancement procedures can improve self confidence and change the way you look and feel about your image and appearance.
Women look for breast enhancement for many reasons, but the main ones are:
- genetic disposition for having reduced breast size.
- breasts that are not symmetrical, with one breast having a different size or form than the other, this is often referred to as asymmetrical breast correction and occurs in women who are genetically predisposed to have such breasts.
- Because breast cancer patients frequently have one or both of their breasts removed as part of their treatment, breast reconstruction surgery is a common medical procedure for these individuals.
- Aging results in a loss of firmness.
- Breasts that have become saggy or droopy as a result of having children or breastfeeding (this condition most often, requires two procedures: breast lift and breast augmentation).
These individuals may benefit from undergoing a breast enhancement technique such as breast augmentation surgery, which may increase the size and form of the breasts, correct imbalances, improve firmness, and restore the body contour.
In general, the following characteristics make someone a suitable candidate for breast enhancement:
- 18 years of age or older
- Not pregnant at the moment and not breastfeeding
- in sound mental and physical condition
- Stable from a psychological perspective
- Having the desire to enhance their physical appearance
- Expectations realistic
- undergoing this operation for the very first time
Preparing for Breast Enhancement Surgery
Before undergoing breast enhancement surgery, you will have to locate a reputable board certified breast enhancement surgeon and schedule a consultation. The consultation will allow you and the surgeon that you choose, to discuss your expectations and go over important considerations such as size, shape, type of enhancement procedure, type of implant (if applicable), and the location of your incision.
Once you have decided to undergo breast enhancement surgery, there are a few steps that your surgeon will ask you to carry out before the procedure can take place. Your surgeon will go over most of these steps in detail during your surgery pre-examination, but this is a general overview designed to give you an idea of what to expect.
In preparation for the breast enhancement surgery, you will be asked to follow a set of instructions provided by your doctor. It is important to take these directions seriously and follow them faithfully. Failing to do so will increase your risk of developing complications during or after surgery.
Generally,
- You will be asked to avoid taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs for a period of 10 days prior to your breast enhancement surgery, because these medications thin the blood and make surgery more dangerous.
- If you smoke, you’ll be asked to stop at least two months before the procedure, as smoking will delay the healing process.
- You should have any prescriptions that you will need after the breast enhancement surgery filled beforehand.
- On the day of surgery, you should wear loose-fitting clothes that can be removed and replaced easily.
- It is important that you arrange for a close friend or relative to drive you home after the surgery and stay with you for 24 to 72 hours while you begin your recovery.
Please remember that these are general guidelines only. Your breast enhancement surgeon should be aware of your medical history and your individual needs. Follow his or her specific pre-operative instructions carefully
Knowing what you should do in the weeks and days before breast enhancement surgery can make your operation and your recovery easier and faster.
Breast Enhancement Surgery Procedure Steps
Breast enhancement surgery option steps
Breast enhancement procedures are usually carried out under a general anesthetic. This means you will be asleep during the operation. Usually, you will be asked not to eat or drink for about six hours before a general anesthetic. However, some anesthetists’ allow occasional sips of water until two hours beforehand.
Local anesthesia with intravenous sedation is also an option for some patients.
If you have chosen to have breast augmentation surgery with breast implants, you will need to decide what type of implants you want, how they should be placed, and where your incision will be located. Your surgeon will advise you during this process, but these decisions should be mostly up to you. It is important to be well-informed about each of your options.
Once you have chosen the size, shape, and texture of your implant, you need to decide where it will be placed. Submuscular breast augmentation surgery involves positioning the implant beneath a layer of muscle in the chest wall. A subglandular breast implant is placed on top of the chest muscle and just behind the breast tissue. Your surgeon will discuss the differences in the placement options to suit your individual requirements
There are four incision locations regularly used in breast enlargement surgery. One of the most common types is the inframammary breast augmentation incision. This incision is placed along the crease beneath the breast, where the scar will be naturally concealed. Another popular type is the of transaxillary breast augmentation incision. This is when the implant is placed through an incision in the armpit. It is also possible to place breast implants through periareolar breast implant incisions, which creates a tiny scar around the edge of the pigmented area surrounding the nipple. The newest type of incision is the T.U.B.A. breast augmentation incision, which allows the breast implant to be placed through an incision in the navel. Your surgeon will discuss each of these options with you, including the risks and benefits of each.
A Breast Mastopexy is also known as a breast lift. It is a surgical procedure performed to raise and reshape the breasts. Factors such as age or nursing can cause the breasts to lose their shape and firmness. Over time, this may cause the breasts to sag. Mastopexy can be an effective treatment to make the breasts firmer and shapelier.
There are many variations in technique, depending on the degree of sagging and other physical features of the breast. The number and length of the scars will vary with the technique. The most frequently used procedure involves three incisions – first around the areola, then from the nipple to the breast crease, and a third along the breast crease. In some cases the scar may be limited to the circular incision around the areola. The incisions outline the area from which skin will be removed and define the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the new position and the skin surrounding the areola is brought together to reshape the breast.
A breast lift may be done in conjunction with breast augmentation. This helps lift the breast by increasing the volume of the contents of the breast, this is usually done so with the aid of breast implants.
Reduction mammoplasty, commonly known as breast reduction, is a procedure which reduces the size of the breasts by removing excess breast tissue and skin. The areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple) may be reduced and repositioned as well. Breast reduction is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures.
The technique chosen for your breast reduction will be determined by your individual anatomy, your surgeon’s preferences and your desired objectives and goals.
The most common procedure involves a three-part incision. First, an incision is made around the areola. Another is made vertically, from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease underneath the breast. The third incision is made horizontally beneath the breast, following the natural curve of the breast crease. The excess breast tissue, fat and skin are removed, and the nipple and areola are shifted to a higher position. The areola is usually reduced in size. Skin from above the nipple is brought down and together to reshape the breast.
Your surgeon may recommend combining liposuction with the procedure to improve body contour, especially on the sides of the breasts.
Read our Breast Enhancement Surgery Recovery and Healing section below, this will give you a guide following your surgery and indicate to you what you should expect during your recovery and healing after breast enhancement surgery. It is very important that you follow your surgeon’s instructions. This will promote healing and improve progress towards your new physical appearance. You will be asked to attend scheduled follow-up appointments so that your surgeon can assess your long-term results and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Breast Enhancement Surgery Recovery and Healing
Most women that are considering breast enhancement surgery are wondering about the breast enhancement recovery times. As with any other medical procedure the pain tolerance and movement depends greatly on each individual patient.
Most surgeons issue the following guidelines to women undergoing the breast enhancement surgery should follow.
If getting back to work or the normal routine is a factor in considering whether to have the breast implant surgery, then you need not be concerned; most women can return to work within two weeks. Strenuous work or anything that will strain the chest or surrounding muscles is not recommended for about six weeks though.
Special bras can assist in the healing process as well. This enables a patient to alleviate some of the pain associated with the breast enhancement surgery as well as improving the blood circulation. In most cases, the breasts will be swollen and tender for several weeks, but that should not prohibit you from returning to work or normal daily activity.
You will want to take the time that is recommended after the surgery and rest. Like many other surgeries, you may have some exhaustion for several days following the surgery; this is your body’s way of healing and getting you to rest. In most cases most of the soreness, tiredness and other bruising begin fading within the first two weeks. All patients are different and the healing process is not the same for everyone.
If there are any complications from the surgery or infection, this may slow your healing time. Infection can cause you to be sick and feel as if you have the flu. This can set you back a week or so, until the antibiotics run their course.
If your breast enhancement procedure has involved breast implants inserted and the implants should moves or other complications develop, then in some cases a second surgery is necessary you can expect another delay in the healing process.
Be sure and follow all the doctors’ instructions and rest in the beginning. That is one of the biggest reasons that women have problems is because they refuse to follow the post-operative instructions. Breast enhancement recovery generally takes about two weeks and you should be back to work shortly thereafter.
Breast Enhancement Side Effects and Surgery Risks
Unlike complications, which are things that can go wrong, side effects are part of the natural healing process and are to be expected. The following conditions are normal, to some degree, and will subside over time. To manage pain after breast enhancement surgeon will provide prescriptions and instructions on how to take them.
If you breast enhancement by breast implants, and they were placed sub muscularly, they normally require several weeks or even months after the breast augmentation surgery to settle into their permanent position. The skin and muscle must stretch somewhat to make room for the implants. In the meantime, your breasts may not look as natural as you’d hoped. They may look too tight, too high, or too rounded for the first several weeks until the surrounding tissues begin to relax and accommodate the new implant. If you are concerned about your results, discuss them with your surgeon, but be sure to give your body time to heal before making any decisions about the outcome.
Swelling
Swelling is very common following any type of surgery and breast enhancement surgery is no exception. The combination of increased volume from the breast implant and swelling from surgery may cause your breasts to feel large, heavy, and tight. Wearing your supportive surgical garments as instructed will help. The swelling can also extend downward into the abdominal area. This is not uncommon and is nothing to worry about. Sleeping in a reclining position may help swelling to subside more quickly.
Bruising
Breast enhancement surgery may or may not cause bruising, rarely; this bruising can extend down to the abdomen. While this is uncommon, it is not considered a complication. However, if you have any large, firm, painful areas of bruising, contact your doctor. This may be a hematoma, which is a more serious type of bruise and will need treatment. Normal bruising should subside in one to two weeks.
Nipple Sensation
It is not uncommon after breast enhancement surgery for the nipples to become either very sensitive or numb. This change in sensation is due to disturbance of the nerve pathways during the surgery and is usually temporary. It may last for a few days or months, but in a small percentage of patients, it is permanent.
Pain Relief
The pain experienced after breast enhancement surgery is most often described as mild to moderate. Patients should take pain medication as directed by their surgeon. Pain will diminish rapidly during the first few days after surgery and continue to improve as the skin and muscles stretch to accommodate the implants.
Breast enhancement surgery will leave scars. There is no way to prevent this. The best way to minimize the appearance of the scar is to have it placed in an inconspicuous location and allow your incision to heal properly by avoiding infection, stretching, or trauma to the incision site. On average, it can take up to a year for a scar to take on its final appearance. Various topical medications are available to help patients minimize the appearance of their scars. Consult your cosmetic surgeon as to the best method of scar treatment.
Infection
Infection is caused by the introduction of bacteria into the body through the incision. Signs of an infection include redness, localized swelling, warmth, and tenderness. Fever may also be present, but not in all cases. Most infections can be cleared with antibiotics. Before your breast enhancement surgery, be sure to discuss the signs of an infection and how to prevent one with your surgeon.