Breast Augmentation Surgery Questions
Is Breast Augmentation Safe?
Provided surgery is performed by an experienced professional, breast augmentation is generally considered a safe procedure. The vast majority of those who undergo breast surgery do not experience any adverse side effects at all.
Can The Body Reject Breast Implants?
The body cannot reject breast implants, though in some rare cases breast implants may lead to infection. Please note, scar tissue surrounding the incision sites is not a sign of rejection.
Is there a link between Breast Augmentation and Increased Risk of Cancer?
There is no known link between breast implants and cancer. Infact, some studies even suggest that those with breast implants have a lower risk of breast cancer.
How Long Does Breast Augmentation Last?
How Long Does It Take for Breast Implants to Settle?
This depends on the size of the implants, the woman’s body, and the plastic surgeon’s technique. Saline implants settle quicker than silicone implants.
Larger breast implants take longer to settle. Women with lose breast tissue typically see their implants settle quicker than those with dense tissues. In most cases, it takes 3 – 6 months for breast implants to settle. In some cases, it can take only one month.
‘Settling’ (also known as dropping or fluffing) refers to the implants taking on a more natural shape after surgery.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Breast Augmentation?
As with any surgery, recovery time can vary. Generally, patients undergoing breast augmentation should expect to make a full recovery within eight weeks.
During the first few weeks of the recovery period, wearing a bra is not recommended. Once the implants have settled, you may wear a bra as usual, based on your preference.
If a patient has thin skin tissue (we will discuss this during consultation and procedure) a support bra is recommended to prevent the implants from stretching the skin.
When Can I sleep on My Side After Breast Augmentation?
You may sleep on your side and front as soon as it feels comfortable enough to do so. Most people sleep on their backs while their body heals. Eventually they can move comfortably to sleeping on their side and front.
There are no safety or physical limitations on how you can sleep after surgery. It is simply a matter of listening to your body. Most people find they can comfortably sleep on their sides and fronts around three weeks after surgery.
Is It Safe to Get Pregnant and Breastfeed After Breast Augmentation?
There is no way to predict how pregnancy will affect your body, including your breasts. Previous pregnancies can only act as a guide. Of course, breast implants do not affect your reproductive system or ability to conceive.
Whether or not augmentation will affect breastfeeding depends on the implant placement. Under the muscle implants do not affect breast feeding at all, whereas above the muscle implants may affect breastfeeding, though it is unlikely. Above the muscle implants are placed under the gland, so they do not interfere with the natural ability to produce milk.
Discuss your family plans with Dr. Brown during your consultation, so you can determine the best approach for your augmentation procedure.
How Will My Breasts Change After Augmentation Surgery?
The size and shape of your breasts will change after surgery. During your consultation with Dr. Brown, we will discuss your aesthetic goals in detail to ensure your outcomes align with your wishes.
In addition to your enhanced appearance, you may notice other changes to your breasts, including:
- Larger veins: Veins that seem larger prior to surgery are more common in women who breast feed, or whose veins were more prominent during pregnancy. Women with paler skin may also notice larger veins. This is completely normal and there is no need for treatment.
- Widened areola nipple tissue: If you have opted for larger breast implants, you may also notice a widened areola following surgery. Again, this is normal, and no treatment is required.
- Stretch marks: Depending on your skin and the size of implants, you may experience stretch marks on your breasts following surgery. Typically, these will fade over time, so they are no longer noticeable. They can be treated with over-the-counter creams if desired. Explore our testimonials page for more information on what you can expect from breast implant surgery at The Loudon Center for Plastic Surgery.
Will I Experience Sensory Changes After Breast Augmentation?
You may experience both permanent (changes that still exist within a year) and temporary sensory changes after surgery.
The most common nerve injuries are temporary. These last from a few days to a few months. You may experience decreased sensation in certain areas of the skin or nipple, which improve gradually before fully resolving.
Some patients note a dulled sensory change that becomes sensitive to the touch (hypersensitive) as it heals. These changes usually only last a few weeks.
On rare occasions, some women may experience sharp, severe pain that limits their activities. This is short lived and typically disappears within a few weeks.
Dr. Brown can work with you during consultation and surgery to determine how best to relieve any nerve pain after breast augmentation.
How Much is Breast Augmentation, and Can Breast Augmentation be Covered by Insurance?
Typically, Breast Augmentation is not covered by health insurance, unless there is a medical reason for the procedure. Cost of treatment can vary depending on the type of implant and surgeon you choose.
At the Loudon Center for plastic surgery, Dr. Brown will discuss pricing estimates as part of your treatment plan, along with financing options.
When performed by an experienced surgeon, breast augmentation is a low-risk, effective cosmetic procedure. Always opt for a quality surgeon over a low price.
Can Breast Implants Break in an Accident?
Implants breaking in an accident or a trauma is a myth you may hear. Actually, it is extremely unlikely to rupture a breast implant with a blunt trauma to the chest.
If such a force was applied to that area there would be more significant injury concerns than ruptured breast implants!
What Can be Done if the Implants are too Big?
If you decide your implants are too big, they can be removed. Your genetics, characteristics, and breast implant history will be the primary indicators of the result.
A breast lift may be necessary to reposition the breast gland after augmentation and remove excess skin. Please visit the page about breast implant removal for more information.
How Long After Breast Augmentation Can I Drive?
Generally, you should wait around one week after breast augmentation surgery before driving. This is because you will need to sit upright and move your arms freely, which can be challenging after surgery to the chest area.
However, after this time has passed you can drive, fly, or even scuba dive without risking damage to your implants. Have fun!
When Can I Return to Work After Breast Augmentation?
This is a personal decision. Working from home can usually begin two days after surgery. Returning to the office may require 5 days. If your job requires more physical activity (nurse, police, construction, flight attendant etc.) it may be better to take off more time.
We typically recommend surgery later in the week, recover over the weekend, then return to work on Tuesday or Wednesday. More strenuous careers need about two weeks for 80 percent return of strength.
Can I Lift a Baby or Small Child After Breast Augmentation?
Picking up an infant will not hurt the result but may cause an increase in the pain when the chest muscles contract. Smaller children (less than 15 pounds) may be easier to lift than a 30–40-pound child.
If possible, arrange childcare for at least 2-5 days after breast augmentation to give you time to fully recover.
When you feel ready to resume your usual routine, check your range of motion and tenderness prior to lifting a child.
Placing an infant into a car seat is usually tender for about two weeks, depending on the size of the child. Helping with car seats, strollers, highchairs, and cribs is recommended at least for a week.
How Long After Breast Augmentation Can I Workout?
It is best to avoid increasing your heart rate or blood pressure after plastic surgery, as this can result in complications.
Bleeding complications may occur as late as 14 days to 3 weeks after plastic surgery. Because of this, it is the center’s policy to recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for this period.
Having said that, many patients resume aerobic exercise as early as a few days after breast implant surgery. Again, it is not recommended. After the 2–3-week time limitation, you may do any exercises you choose.
Can I Use a Tanning Bed After Breast Augmentation?
Provided the surgical incision area is covered and protected from the sun’s rays or the tanning bed’s energy, you may resume tanning as you wish
Avoid tanning for two weeks before your surgery. The dead skin can flake off during the surgery and may contaminate the breast implants. This increases the risk of infection during surgery.
Does Breast Augmentation Interfere with Getting a Mammogram?
Breast implants do not prevent mammograms. Over the muscles implants may require more views than under the muscle implants.
Ask your mammogram technician if they have experience in performing mammograms on women with breast implants. Occasionally an additional view(s) may be needed to completely assess the breast for anything suspicious.
Saline and silicone gel breast implants will tolerate the compression of the mammogram. The density of the filler of the implants typically does not pose a problem for the radiologist’s interpretation. In women with longstanding capsular contracture, there can be calcium in the scar tissue. This makes mammogram interpretation more complicated.
Mammograms are recommended for all women over 40.
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