Your Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Breast Augmentation, covering procedure types, finding the right fit, and surgeon selection. Ideal for anyone exploring breast enhancement.
Breast augmentation, often casually referred to as a "boob job", is a surgical procedure that uses breast implants or a technique known as fat transfer to improve the size, shape, or symmetry of your breasts.
It's essential to understand that, just like fingerprints, every woman's body is unique. Thus, when considering breast augmentation, you're not striving to conform to a standardised picture of beauty, but rather enhancing what you already have to better align with your personal aesthetic goals.
Choosing to have any form of elective surgery is a significant decision and one that should be taken with care, time, and comprehensive research. In this article, we'll guide you through the maze of information.
Breast implantation is the second most common plastic surgery worldwide performed on Women. According to Statista, over 1.6 million breast implants were performed in 2021 .
Breast Augmentation Guide - Where To Start
it’s useful to consider why you want breast augmentation. Are you looking to improve your self-confidence, correct an imbalance, or recreate your figure following a medical procedure or major weight loss? All these are valid reasons, but all have different implications for the type of surgery you might need. It’s also important to weigh these motivations against potential risks and challenges associated with the procedure.
Expectation management is another significant part of these considerations. While the procedure can enhance physical appearance, it may not instantly change body image or boost self-esteem. Mental health is just as essential, making it worth considering psychological counselling alongside the surgery process.
What are the Potential Risks and Complications?
Overall, modern standards of safety and surgical expertise make breast augmentation a routine procedure for skilled plastic surgeons.
With that said, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks and complications.
Infection
Haematoma (a collection of blood outside of the blood vessels).
Scar tissue
Excessive bleeding
Reaction to anaesthesia
Changes in sensation to the breast and nipple
Movement of the implant
Implant rupture
Capsular contracture (when scar tissue forms around the implant and hardens)
Unsatisfactory results leading to additional surgeries
Breast implant illness (BII)
Rare but serious Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma)
Although these risks are generally low, they do increase with certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking and heavy alcohol intake. It's therefore worth discussing these with your surgeon in depth during your consultation.
Long-term factors such as when to replace implants or when to completely remove them are part of the risks. Various factors influence when to replace implants such as the type, brand, and the patient's age at the time of the surgery - some may need replacing every 10-20 years. Choosing to remove the implants will involve another surgical procedure.
Health conditions like autoimmune diseases or a family history of breast cancer also need to be discussed with the surgeon as they might impact a decision to go for breast augmentation surgery.
What Can Breast Augmentation Surgery Do?
Increase the fullness and size of your breasts, creating a more balanced silhouette.
Reconstruct the breasts after a mastectomy or injuries involving the chest area, thus playing an integral role in one's physical and emotional recovery.
Correct significant asymmetry in the sizes of the breasts.
Provide a more youthful and firm look to the breasts by correcting deflation or loss of firmness caused by age, weight fluctuations, or pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Help retain or restore a sense of femininity.
Finding Your Perfect Fit
After deciding to undergo breast augmentation, one of the most crucial steps is determining the appropriate implant size that will not only enhance your appearance but also align seamlessly with your lifestyle and body proportions. Exploring this aspect can be a bit daunting yet exciting at the same time. The goal is to discover the 'perfect fit' that caters to your aesthetic goals while ensuring comfort and boosting self-confidence.
"You're not striving to conform to a standardised picture of beauty, but rather enhancing what you already have."
Now, you might be inclined towards a particular size due to personal preference or societal influence, but it's important to remember that each body type is unique, and what works for one might not be suitable for another. 'One size fits all' doesn't apply when it comes to breast augmentation. The right implant size for you will depend on a multitude of factors, some of which include:
Body proportions: Your overall body structure, including torso and chest width, height, weight, and existing breast tissue, plays a pivotal role in determining the appropriate implant size. Too large implants may make you appear top-heavy, whereas too small would not provide the desired enhancement.
Lifestyle and physical activities: If you are involved in high-impact activities or sports, you might find larger implants somewhat restrictive. It's thus crucial to consider your lifestyle when settling on an implant size.
Future plans: Future pregnancy or weight loss considerations are significant as they can influence the size and shape of your breasts post-surgery.
Surgical considerations and safety: The surgeon's advice is essential here as they assess your skin's elasticity, the width of your base breast, and the structure of your chest wall. These factors can influence the size of implants that can be safely inserted without risking your health or results.
While the choice ultimately rests with you, it is best to make this decision after a comprehensive discussion with your surgeon. They possess the technical knowledge, experience, and aesthetic judgement necessary to guide you in choosing a size that will complement your body.
Implant Types and Shapes
The variety of implants available can seem overwhelming. Options include different fill types (saline, silicone, and a form-stable type known as 'gummy bear' implants), shapes (round or teardrop), textures (smooth or textured), profiles, and sizes. Your surgeon will guide you through these options to help you find the best fit for your body.
Implant Types: Saline, Silicone, and Gummy Bear
Silicone implants are often praised for their natural feel, but it can be challenging to detect if they leak. Saline implants make leak detection easier. A newer option, "gummy bear" or form-stable implants, maintains their shape even if the shell breaks and are generally firmer than traditional implants.
Implant Shapes: Round vs Teardrop
Round implants, the most common choice, have a dome-like, symmetrical shape, minimising concerns about rotation. Teardrop implants, fuller at the bottom and tapering towards the top, mirror the natural breast shape and slope. While some believe teardrop implants offer a more natural result, there's a risk of rotation, which can lead to an unnatural appearance.
Implant Placement
There are two placement types: over the muscle (sub-glandular) or under the muscle (sub-muscular). Both placements offer pros and cons, and your surgeon will advise you based on your body type, desired outcome, and the type and size of the implant.
Under the Muscle (Sub-muscular Placement)
Sub-muscular placement positions the implant beneath the pectoralis major chest muscle. This technique can benefit women with little natural breast tissue, as the muscle provides an extra layer to conceal the implant and reduces the chances of visible rippling.
Over the Muscle (Sub-glandular Placement)
Sub-glandular placement puts the implant above the pectoral muscle but beneath the breast tissue. This approach can lead to more natural movement and less post-surgery discomfort. It may also provide a more defined cleavage and a slight lift, benefiting women with mild sagging.
Selecting a Skilled and Experienced Surgeon
The procedure requires medical expertise, surgical skills, and an eye for aesthetics. Here's what you should consider:
Your surgeon should be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.
Additionally, they should be a member of the Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons of Southern Africa (APRASSA).
Look for a surgeon who specialises in breast augmentation and has considerable experience in the field.
Read patient reviews to see if the surgeon has a good track record of patient satisfaction.
Ask for before-and-after photos of previous surgeries.
This will be the person guiding you through your breast augmentation, and it's essential that you feel you can trust them completely. Start by scheduling a consultation and pay attention to how the surgeon communicates. Do they respectfully listen to your concerns? Are they patient, transparent, and open to handling your questions? If the answer to any of these questions is 'no', it might be best to keep looking.
Post-Operative Care and Lifestyle Adjustments
Though the surgeon's job is complete, yours is just beginning.
Post-operative care is critical in achieving the best possible results. This combines several elements, including maintaining your health, following the surgeon's specific care instructions, and adjusting your lifestyle. Let's explore this in a bit more detail.
Caring for Yourself Post-Surgery
Immediate Aftercare: Upon waking from your surgery, it's essential to take it slow. Overexerting yourself can lead to complications, such as bleeding or incision site damage. Your surgeon will give you a list of dos and don'ts, which you must follow. This could include limitations on physical activity, wearing a supportive surgical bra, and instructions on medication intake.
It's beneficial to have someone around for the first few days to help with chores and tasks. Having a support system is not just physically helpful, but it also does wonders for morale during recovery.
Healing and Care in the Longer Term: After the initial recovery period, you must continue caring for your body and your new breasts. This involves keeping in touch with your surgeon, attending follow-up appointments, and remaining vigilant for changes in your breasts. You may also be instructed to softly massage your breasts to prevent hardening, known as capsular contracture.
It's worth mentioning that lifestyle adjustments are also likely. Regular activities such as sleeping positions, exercises and even clothing choices may need adjustment for the first few months. For instance, underwire bras are typically not recommended for a specified time post-surgery, as is not lifting or carrying anything heavy.
Recognising the Need for Help
It's important to remain in tune with your body and acknowledge when something feels wrong. If any unusual symptoms occur, such as severe swelling, redness, increased pain, or changes in nipple sensation, contact your surgeon. This doesn't mean you're overreacting. Communicating your concerns to ensure your well-being and safety is always better.
Remember, your breast augmentation surgery is an investment you've made in yourself. Honour that investment by prioritising your physical and emotional health throughout the recovery and beyond.
Making an Informed Decision
A well-informed decision about breast augmentation should be based on an in-depth consultation with a plastic surgeon, a deep understanding of your personal desires, and a keen awareness of your body's unique traits. Take the time to educate yourself about the various aspects of the procedure, your potential surgeon's experience and qualifications, the different types of implants available, and the anticipated recovery process. And remember to enjoy the process, be patient during recovery, and look forward to the confidence and satisfaction that comes with embracing your new body shape.