Breast Augmentation
What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation involves insertion of a prosthesis or “breast implant” under your own breast tissue when one’s natural breasts are small and underdeveloped.
What does surgery involve?
In discussion with Dr. Korus the appropriate implant, scar and plane is determined:
Breast implants are placed when you are asleep under a general anesthetic. Surgery is done at a private surgical facility and is day surgery.
What is recovery like from surgery?
For the first 24 hours after a general anesthetic you should not be alone. You will be required to have a ride home after your surgery and should stay within an hour of Edmonton for the first night. It is normal for your chest to be sore and feel tight. Most patients will require the use of painkillers for a few days after surgery.
As soon as you are comfortable you can return to regular LIGHT activities (usually after 1-2 weeks) however, you should not do any heavy lifting or exercise that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure for 6 weeks after surgery.
Dr. Korus will generally see you within a day or two of your surgery to do your initial dressing change. You are able to shower 48 hours after your surgery. Follow-up appointments after that are usually at 2 weeks and 3 months to ensure you are healing properly. These follow-up visits are usually at her office in Edmonton.
It is normal for breast implants to feel very high after surgery and sit high on the chest. These will generally “drop” over a period of a few months. Your breasts will also be swollen after surgery. Most of this will go down in the first few days, however it can take a few months to completely go away. Because of this, it can take a few months for the breasts to settle and for you to see your final result.
What are the possible risks?
NO surgery is without risk or the possibility of complications. It is important to be aware of these prior to proceeding with surgery. In addition to risks of any surgery such as anesthetic risk, deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, risks specific to breast augmentation include:
These risks can vary in severity and in extreme cases may require subsequent surgeries or even implant removal. It is important that you have discussed these possible complications with your plastic surgeon so that you understand them fully.
What maintenance is required?
Because of the above mentioned risks as well as due to changes in the implant and your own tissues over time, implants are not considered lifelong devices. While they do not have an expiry date, it is likely that you will require revisionary surgery at some point in your life.
Additional information:
Canadian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (CSAPS)
www.csaps.ca
The Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
www.plasticsurgery.ca
Natrelle
www.natrelle.ca
Breast augmentation involves insertion of a prosthesis or “breast implant” under your own breast tissue when one’s natural breasts are small and underdeveloped.
What does surgery involve?
In discussion with Dr. Korus the appropriate implant, scar and plane is determined:
- Implant – These are made of a silicone shell and are filled with either saline or silicone
- Scar – Traditional incisions include under the breast (inframammary fold) or around the areola
- Plane – Implants can be placed under the breast tissue only (subglandular) or under the breast tissue and the chest muscles (submuscular)
Breast implants are placed when you are asleep under a general anesthetic. Surgery is done at a private surgical facility and is day surgery.
What is recovery like from surgery?
For the first 24 hours after a general anesthetic you should not be alone. You will be required to have a ride home after your surgery and should stay within an hour of Edmonton for the first night. It is normal for your chest to be sore and feel tight. Most patients will require the use of painkillers for a few days after surgery.
As soon as you are comfortable you can return to regular LIGHT activities (usually after 1-2 weeks) however, you should not do any heavy lifting or exercise that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure for 6 weeks after surgery.
Dr. Korus will generally see you within a day or two of your surgery to do your initial dressing change. You are able to shower 48 hours after your surgery. Follow-up appointments after that are usually at 2 weeks and 3 months to ensure you are healing properly. These follow-up visits are usually at her office in Edmonton.
It is normal for breast implants to feel very high after surgery and sit high on the chest. These will generally “drop” over a period of a few months. Your breasts will also be swollen after surgery. Most of this will go down in the first few days, however it can take a few months to completely go away. Because of this, it can take a few months for the breasts to settle and for you to see your final result.
What are the possible risks?
NO surgery is without risk or the possibility of complications. It is important to be aware of these prior to proceeding with surgery. In addition to risks of any surgery such as anesthetic risk, deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, risks specific to breast augmentation include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Seroma
- Malposition
- Capsular contracture
- Calcifications
- Pain
- Rupture
- Asymmetry
- Palpability and rippling
- Implant exposure or extrusion
- Changes in sensation
- Irreversible changes to your own breast
- Need for further revisionary surgery
- Unsatisfactory result
These risks can vary in severity and in extreme cases may require subsequent surgeries or even implant removal. It is important that you have discussed these possible complications with your plastic surgeon so that you understand them fully.
What maintenance is required?
Because of the above mentioned risks as well as due to changes in the implant and your own tissues over time, implants are not considered lifelong devices. While they do not have an expiry date, it is likely that you will require revisionary surgery at some point in your life.
Additional information:
Canadian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (CSAPS)
www.csaps.ca
The Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
www.plasticsurgery.ca
Natrelle
www.natrelle.ca