Breast augmentation surgery


Definition

Breast augmentation is a procedure to enlarge or change the shape of the breasts.

Alternative Names

Breast augmentation; Breast implants; Implants - breast; Mammaplasty - augmentation

Description

Breast augmentation is done by placing implants behind breast tissue or under the chest muscle.

An implant is a sac filled with either sterile salt water (saline) or a material called silicone.

The surgery is done at an outpatient surgery clinic or in a hospital.

There are different ways to place breast implants:

The type of implant, size of the implant, and implant surgery can affect:

Your surgeon can help you decide which procedure is best for you.

Breast lift

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Breast lift

Why the Procedure Is Performed

Breast augmentation is done to increase the size of your breasts. It may also be done to change the shape of your breasts or to correct a defect you are born with (congenital deformity).

Talk with a plastic surgeon if you are considering breast augmentation. Discuss how you expect to look and feel better. Keep in mind the desired result is improvement, not perfection.

Risks

Risks for anesthesia and surgery in general are:

Risks for breast surgery are:

It is normal for your body to create a "capsule" made up of scar tissue around your new breast implant. This helps keep the implant in place. Sometimes, this capsule becomes thickened and larger. This may cause a change in the shape of your breast, hardening of breast tissue, or some pain.

Emotional risks for this surgery may include feeling that your breasts do not look perfect. Or, you may be disappointed with people's reactions to your "new" breasts.

There are some risks that may occur months or even years after an implant is in place.

A rare type of lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) has been reported with some types of implants. It is called breast implant-associated lymphoma. Symptoms include a mass or swelling around the implant and breast pain. It can be treated with removal of the implant and the area around the implant. Ongoing research in this area may discover other uncommon links between breast implants with other types of cancer.

Some patients have experienced systemic symptoms after receiving implants. This has been called "breast implant illness" although there is not enough evidence yet for it to be a recognized illness. Reported symptoms include:

Some women report that symptoms improve after the implant is removed. Despite these rare risks, breast implants are considered safe.

Before the Procedure

Tell your health care provider:

During the days before your surgery:

On the day of the surgery:

After the Procedure

You will likely go home when the anesthesia wears off and you can walk, drink water, and get to the bathroom safely.

After breast augmentation surgery, a bulky gauze dressing will be wrapped around your breasts and chest. Or, you might wear a surgical bra. Drainage tubes may be attached to your breasts. These will be removed within 3 days. Your surgeon will give you instructions about when you may bathe or shower.

The surgeon may also recommend massaging the breasts starting 5 days after surgery. Massaging helps reduce hardening of the capsule that surrounds the implant. Ask your provider first before massaging over your implants.

Outlook (Prognosis)

You are likely to have a very good outcome from breast surgery. You may feel better about your appearance and yourself. Also, any pain or skin symptoms due to the surgery will likely disappear. You may need to wear a special supportive bra for a few months to reshape your breasts.

Scars are permanent and are often more visible in the year after surgery. They may fade after this. Your surgeon will try to place the incisions so that your scars are as hidden as possible.

References

Calobrace MB. Breast augmentation. In: Nahabedian MY, Neligan PC, eds. Plastic Surgery, Volume 5: Breast. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 4.

Padilla PL, Khoo KH, Ho T, Cole EL, Sirvent RZ, Philips LG. Plastic surgery. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 69.

US Food and Drug Administration website. Medical device reports for systemic symptoms in women with breast implants. www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/medical-device-reports-systemic-symptoms-women-breast-implants. Updated August 4, 2022. Accessed April 12, 2023.

US Food and Drug Administration website. Risks and complications of breast implants. www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/risks-and-complications-breast-implants. Updated March 8, 2023. Accessed April 12, 2023.

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