Breast Implant Placement
Coming under the surgeon’s knife is never a pleasant experience, even if it’s a minor surgery like a breast implant, which doesn’t involve any major organs. However, unlike other surgeries, that have more or less a set pattern, breast implant surgery requires a close interaction with the surgeon. After all, you’d want to get it right the first time, won’t you!
Finding the best surgeon
Surgeons, like other professionals, gain in reputation by the quality of their work. It won’t be too difficult to find a plastic surgeon, who’s done a good job of breast augmentation of, say, your best friend’s aunt or someone else you know. However, going by the word-of-mouth is only the first step, you’d do well to find out other details, like whether he or she is licensed to practice, is certified, is experienced and the like. Once you’ve chosen your surgeon, he or she becomes your most trusted guide to this surgery.
Selecting the best implants
Even though your surgeon’s the one who’ll recommend which implants to go in for, remain informed about the latest research and effects of implants in use. Surgeons usually consider the following:
a. Implant status: The implant should be PMA approved and your surgeon should have handled it in other surgeries.
b. Shape and size: This would primarily depend upon the way you want your bust to appear. You may choose a round or contoured implant shape of appropriate size, after your surgeon evaluates your existing tissue to determine if you have enough to cover the breast implant.
c. Implant surface: The implant surface can be textured or smooth. The textured surface implants are said to reduce the risk of capsular contracture.
d. Implant palpability and visibility: Breasts will be more visible and more easily felt, if you use textured implants or larger implants, placed subglandularly.
Choosing the cut site
The site where surgical incision is to be made is important and need to be discussed thoroughly with your surgeon. Basically, there are three common incision sites:
a. Transaxillary: This under the arm incision, though more visible than the one made around the nipple, poses less difficulty to women in breast feeding.
b. Peri-areolar: Around the nipple incision is the most concealed, but poses difficulties in breast feeding.
c. Infra-mammary: This incision is within the breast fold and is less concealed than peri-areolar. However, it poses least difficulty in breast feeding.
Placing the implants
Two options are available for inserting the implants, they can either be placed subglandularly or submuscularly. In simpler words, under the mammary glands or under the muscle underlying the breast. Although, your surgeon is your best guide, know the pros and cons of each.
a. Subglandular placement: The surgery is shorter and recovery faster. The implants are more palpable. They also provide easier access for re-operation. On the downside, they pose more difficulty in imaging during mammography.
b. Submuscular placement: The surgery is longer and recovery slower. The implants are less palpable. They may pose difficulty in re-operation. However, they pose no difficulty in imaging during mammography.
Breast implant surgery
Before you allow yourself to be wheeled into the operating theatre, discuss with your surgeon the extent of the surgery, the estimated time it will take, and the choice of treatment for pain and nausea. The operation can take from one to several hours, depending upon your physical condition, implant choice, incision site, implant placement, and the like.
Post-operative care
Expect some pain, swelling, bruising and tenderness where surgery has been performed. But, it should disappear in a month or so. However, scars do remain, although they may fade over time to thin lines. The darker your skin, the more prominent your scars are likely to be. You’ll be able to return to work within a few days, though not to strenuous activities that could raise your pulse and blood pressure for at least a couple of weeks.
Breast augmentation surgery is the easiest way to feel good about yourself and your body. And if your choice of surgeon is good, you can be spared all the complications that sometimes accompanies this surgery.
|
