Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation surgery is a procedure that resizes the breasts to result in a fuller look. It is generally known to be one of the most desired cosmetic surgeries, providing women who dislike their breasts to look at effective opportunities for improvement. With the help of implants, this enhancement surgery improves breast shape and size, and it results in an attractive and youthful outcome. Dr Efraim van der Walt is experienced in implementing this treatment and performs numerous breast augmentations every year. When you have your consultation Rosepark Hospital, Dr. Efraim will assess your aesthetic desires and concerns and inform you of all of the choices available while also customizing a treatment plan to reach your personal goals.
Implant Options
During your initial consultation with Dr. Efraim the appropriate implant will be selected based on your body size and shape, as well as the results you hope to attain. Implants for augmentation are made in an assortment of shapes, sizes, textures, and profiles — each of which is considered carefully in order to reach the wanted look. Still, the most commonly used implant type in South Africa is silicone, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA. Other considerations include fat grafting (known as a fat transfer). In addition to the type of implant used, there are other distinct factors to decide.
Size & Profile
Breast implant size is distinguished based on the cubic centimeters (CCs) of silicone used. To understand the right volume, Dr. Efraim will measure how much native breast tissue exists and the size you hope to achieve. In the operating room, it is normal for Dr. van der Walt to temporarily switch out various implants to get a better idea on a suitable fit.
Implant profile equates to how far out the implant looks (projection). In other words, this is what is visible from the side angle. Most projections include low to extra high ranges.
Shape
Implants come in either a teardrop or round shape. Both of these shapes are used; however, I am almost always using a round implant. It generally looks and feels more natural while adding fullness to the top of the breast that a majority of patients look for. Furthermore, the shape of the breast will not change with movement of the implant.
Implant Placement Options
There are a couple of options for where the breast implant can be placed. Breast implants can be placed right below the breast tissue but above the chest muscle, or another option would be to place the implant below the muscle. Furthermore, there is the dual-plane placement where the implant is partially under the breast, and partially under the muscle.There are pros and cons to each option. The final look will depend not only on the placement but also on:
- Your breast anatomy
- The type of breast implant selected
- The size of breast implant selected
Implant Size
It is important to know that the implants are sized according to the volume of the silicone implants in cc’s, and NOT according to the desired size of the breast. There is no such thing as a B-cup or a C-cup prosthesis.
Breast Augmentation Candidate
The decision to go through with breast augmentation is personal. If you are thinking about undergoing this procedure, it is essential you do it for yourself and nobody else. You should be healthy with breasts that are fully developed and be the proper age to receive implants. If you are unhappy with the overall appearance of your chest because they seem lifeless, you could benefit from this cosmetic breast treatment. Moreover, if your breasts have changed due to aging, nursing, or weight loss, this surgical procedure can give them life with increased shape and fullness. It is a welcomed option if you work out with weights or have little to no original breast mass.
Breast Augmentation Technique
Incision placement, as well as implant location, are decisions that are generally made ahead of surgery. Dr Van der Walt always makes the incision, 4-5 cm long, in the fold under the breast.
During breast augmentation, the pocket is created and then the appropriate breast implant will be placed into its position. Draining tubes will be inserted in each breast to remlveremaining or excess blood after the operation.
Your wounds weill be covered by waterproof dressings.
What To Expect
Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure with the patient under general anesthesia. Following the incision, the appropriate implant will be moved through the incision opening and deposited into a surgically created pocket, and then secured into its correct position. Once the implant is in position, the incision is carefully secured with skin adhesives or sutures. Each patient will be taken to a private recovery space and carefully monitored and screened prior to being released. You will be instructed to put on a recovery compression bra after removal of the drains the next day to help reduce swelling.
The first follow-up visit at Dr Efraim’s rooms will be after one week. Several days after surgery, the bruising and swelling will begin to slowly go away, and the breasts will start to look and feel normal as they fall into their new position. While individual results vary, most patients can engage in everyday activities within a few days; however, physical exertion, such as exercise, should be delayed for at least six weeks. Driving a powersteer vehicle is allowed after seven days.
Breast enhancement surgery results in gorgeous outcomes that feel and appear both normal and natural. This procedure oftentimes can be life altering for many women, offering them the opportunity to feel more comfortable in their own skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your cost for breast augmentation will vary, depending on your choices and whether you are undergoing any other surgeries. As soon as your treatment plan is created, Dr. Efraim will provide you with quotation which will include everything, except medications and costs due to complications.
Your plan might include implants, a lift, or both. Breast lift surgery removes loose skin and raises the breasts while implants enhance the shape and size. In your consultation with Dr. Efraim, he will listen to your concerns and goals before discussing your treatment options. An augmentation and lift are usually included in a mommy makeover to revitalize the breasts after breastfeeding and pregnancy.
If you might want to breastfeed after augmentation surgery, talk to Dr. Efraim during your consultation. It is usually possible to breastfeed after augmentation surgery with the right placement and technique. Breastfeeding and pregnancy can affect your results, which is why it is usually better to wait until your family is complete to receive breast surgery.
You might decide that you would like to remove or replace your implants. Should this happen, Dr. Efraim offers breast revision surgery. In revision surgery, your old implants will be either replaced with different implants or removed. If you want to have your implants removed, you might need to have a breast lift because larger implants may stretch your skin. For any concerns or questions after your augmentation surgery, schedule a consultation at Dr Efraim’s rooms to learn more about your options.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is investigating a link between implants and ALCL (anaplastic large cell lymphoma). This is not breast cancer; it is a cancer of the immune system. According to WHO (World Health Organization), implant-related ALCL is very rare and if caught early, it is highly treatable. Dr. van der Waltencourages all patients with implants to receive frequent screenings for breast cancer. You should contact DR van der Walt’s rooms if you notice any concerns, such as swelling.
Nonexertional sex without elevations in blood pressure may be entertained when a person decides that they are interested. As with other forms of exercise and elevations in blood pressure, it is best to not experience elevated blood pressure for 10-14 days. As an important side note, antibiotics taken after the surgery may make birth control pills ineffective. So it is best to use other sources of birth control during the first month after antibiotics.
There are temporary and permanent sensory changes that a woman may experience after breast augmentation. These changes can occur on the skin of the breast and or involve the nipple-areolar skin. The most common nerve injuries are temporary. These may only last a few days or could last weeks to months. Some women will note that they have decreased sensation in certain areas of their breast skin or nipple. These improve and then resolve. Some may note a dulled sensory change that as it heals becomes sensitive to the touch (hypersensitive) and also resolves with time. These hypersensitive changes usually last a few weeks. Rarely, some women may experience a very sharp, severe pain that limits their activities. This type of pain is short-lived and typically goes away within a week or two. Permanent sensory changes still exist after a year.
Yes, stretch marks can occur after breast augmentation. It depends on the size of the breast implants and the quality of the breast skin. It is more common that women with previous stretch marks may notice that the marks become red again after surgery. Stretch marks over time typically become less noticeable and fade into the natural color of the woman’s skin.
There is not typically rejection of breast implants. Infection can result in some cases, requiring the removal of the implants, but this is not a rejection. Scar tissue around the breast implant is not a sign of rejection. Rejection means that the body has created specific cells designed to destroy something.