Get that Breast that You Always Desire!

Breast Augmentation is one of the most popular surgical procedures in the Philippines. It has been continuously refined throughout the years thus, increasing the reliability and safety of it. It improves and enhances the size and shape of your breasts and therefore will also boost your self-confidence and improve your body image. Women who are having realistic expectations of improvement, not perfection, in the way they look are the ones who would benefit the most in this procedure.

In summary, Breast Augmentation gives you an improved and fuller figure that you desire.


Candidates for Breast Augmentation

Those who are having at least one of following conditions below are good candidates for this procedure:

•    Underdeveloped breasts or too small.
•    The upper portion of their breasts seems empty.
•    Their breasts are not the same in size and shape.
•    One or both breasts is underdeveloped or having an unnatural     shape.
•    They have previously undergone breast implants and are having     problems.
•    They have lost volume on their breasts due to weight loss, pregnancy or     aging.
•    Reconstruction of breast due to mastectomy for breast cancer.


Before the Operation

Prior to your breast surgery, your surgeon will carefully evaluate your health and any pre-existing health conditions that may compromise the outcome of your surgery or could bring risks to you. He will get detailed measurements of your breasts along with the quality and quantity of your existing breast tissues to choose the right choice of technique in doing breast implant.

Your surgeon may suggest a breast lift or Mastopexy in addition to Breast Augmentation if there is an excessive laxity or drooping in your breasts since Breast Augmentation alone would not be sufficient to solve this condition.


The Procedure

The surgery is done in an ambulatory surgery center and usually under general anesthesia. A couple of options regarding the location of the incision will be dependent on your breast anatomy and the type and size of implant that will be used. Not all of these options are applicable to every patient.

Below are the different types of incisions:

•    Infra-mammary Incision is made in the fold area below the breast.
•    Peri-areolar Incision is made around the breast’s nipple.
•    Trans-axillary Incision is made under the arm.

All of these incisions are kept short and not noticeable. Your surgeon will choose the most suitable surgical technique and the size and type of implants that will produce your most desired result.

Implants are usually inserted either under the breast tissue (sub-glandular part) or partially under the pectoral muscle (sub-pectoral part). A temporary sizer implant is placed after the pocket has been made to determine the proper shape and size of the final implant to be used. Then the final implant with a proper size and shape is chosen and is properly positioned within the pocket. Your surgeon will securely checked it and insure that your breasts will have the shape and size you desire.

Incisions are then carefully closed with hidden sutures and surgical tape. You will be   placed in a soft surgical bra with supportive wrappings around your chest to support your breast. You will only feel minimal pain that is similar to a strenuous workout after the surgery.


Recovery

Make sure that someone will be able to assist and drive you home and is available to care for you for the first 24 hours after the procedure. Patients are allowed to shower a day after surgery. Some discomfort might be experienced on the first and second day which can be easily controlled by analgesic medications. Also, a feeling of tightening in the breast area is normal since your body is adjusting to the implants.

About 2 to 4 days after the surgery, patients will be able to return to normal activities like driving. A bra should be worn at all times in the first 2 weeks after the procedure, except when showering. After the first week, moderate exercises like walking are allowed. For the first 2 to 3 weeks, patients should avoid swimming, heavy lifting, tub bathing and Jacuzzi. While vigorous exercises like aerobics and jogging should be resumed in 3 to 4 weeks after the surgery. Patients may also return to work after a day or two, but they must avoid any strenuous activities for about 2 weeks after surgery.

Your breasts may appear swollen after breast augmentation surgery, but after a few weeks the actual shape and size of your breasts will be apparent and you can already wear bras and clothes that you prefer. Continue breast self-examinations monthly and see your surgeon if there is an occurrence of complications.

Possible Risks

Capsular contracture is a process of gradual shrinkage of the tissue capsule surrounding the implant. This causes the breast to feel unnaturally firm and sometimes painful. The occurrence of this condition varies in every individual. In case of deflation, implants are covered by manufacturer’s warranty against it. Patients are also informed that some sensory changes may occur in nipples or the outer breasts.

Another reminder is that, there might be a delayed in wound healing for patients who have diabetes, autoimmune disease, with history of radiation and those who are smokers. Breast implants do not affect a woman’s future ability to nurse, fertility and pregnancy for there are no evidences found to prove that the procedure affects them. There may be a greater risk of scarring within the breast or alteration in the ability to breastfeed if the peri-areolar (nipple) incision is performed as compared to the inframammary (breast fold) or axillary (under-arm) incisions, but there is no evidence for it to be scientifically proven.

In some cases, Breast Augmentation may not be a one-time surgery. It is very likely that doctor visits and additional surgeries will be necessary to maintain the appearance of your breasts after the procedure. This is due to problems related to the implants themselves like deflation, rupture and capsular contracture. Or due to aging changes like weight gain, pregnancies, loss of breast tissue and other factors that affect the appearance of the breasts over time.