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What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast Augmentation (breast enlargement) is one of the most popular aesthetic procedures, worldwide. It is about surgical placement of silicone breast implants, aiming at the following:
- increasing breast fullness
- improvement of breast symmetry
- restoration of lost breast volume which was caused by weight loss or pregnancy
What are the advantages of Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation offers a natural and aesthetically satisfactory result to each woman improving her physical appearance, emphasizing her strengths and enhancing her self esteem.
Who is a good candidate for a Breast Augmentation?
Candidates for a breast augmentation are the following:
- women who are not satisfied with their natural breast size
- women whose concern is their breast and shape volume caused by weight loss, pregnancy or due to natural aging process
- women who are not pleased with the look of “small bust”
- women who may experience some degree of breast asymmetry
- when one or both breasts have not been normally developed or have a tubular shape
- women whose breast is fully developed
- women with realistic expectations
What is the appropriate age in order to perform breast enlargement?
Women may undergo breast augmentation provided they are healthy, aged 18 years or older.
What to expect at your first appointment:
At your first appointment, you will discuss:
- what exactly is your concern in the appearance of your breast
- if breast augmentation is the appropriate treatment for you
- your past medical history, if you are on any medication, vitamins or other herbal supplements, if you have any allergies or any other operations in the past
- if there is family history of breast cancer
- mammogram or previous biopsy results
Afterwards, Dr Karmiris:
- will evaluate your general health condition and any other risk factors
- will examine you and will take all the detailed measurements from your breast size and shape. He will also evaluate your skin quality, as well as the positioning of nipples
- will take preoperative photographs
- will discuss with you all possible surgical options,depending on your case, as well as risks or potential complications
- will discuss with you about the anaesthetic plan
Preoperative check:
Before the operation you will undergo a preoperative check, including:
- blood tests
- chest X-ray
- electrocardiogram (ECG)
- any other specialized tests, depending on the case
Dr Karmiris will answer all the questions related to the necessary pre-op check and he will inform you in detail.
The surgical procedure:
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure which is performed under general anaesthesia. The incisions are placed in such a way to be easily hidden and nearly indistinguishable post-op. Most often, scars are placed:
- at the inframammary fold line (IMF)
- in the armpit
- at the nipple border
The selection of the incision is related to the type of the implant which will be used, its size, woman’s body frame as well as surgeon’s preference. For instance, in women with small nipples the incision cannot be made to the specific area.
After creating the pocket of the breast, the implant is placed in a specific anatomic position, depending again on the body frame and particular characteristics of each woman.
Selecting and applying the appropriate method for you is something that you will discuss in detail with the doctor in order to achieve an optimal and natural result.
What are the implant placement techniques?
The main anatomic positions of implant placement are the following:
- subglandular placement
- subfascial placement
- subpectoral placement
- dual plane placement
After successfully placing the implants, the incisions are closed with absorbable sutures. The scars are permanent but, in most cases, they are small and nearly indistinguishable.
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What happens after the surgery?
Immediately after the surgery, you will have gauze or bandages at the incision sites, which will begin to heal quite quickly. If drains are used during the procedure (the tubes that absorb fluids accumulating in the wound), they will be removed within 1–2 days at most.
You will need to wear a special elastic bra in order to minimize swelling and ensure that the breasts are properly supported during the healing process.
In most cases, the patient returns home the very same evening. In addition, recovery will be relatively quick. Any pain in the first days after surgery is mild and can be effectively managed with simple painkillers.
The doctor will give you specific instructions on how to take care of your breasts immediately postoperatively, inform you about the medications you should take, and let you know when a follow-up visit will be required.
Possible complications and safety information
In general, breast augmentation is a completely safe procedure, performed with great success. However, as with any surgery, certain complications may occur, which each patient should be fully aware of before going into the operating room.
The most important possible complications are the following:
Bleeding or hematoma formation (in about 1% of cases)
Wound infection
Poor healing of incisions
Nipple numbness (hypoesthesia)
Breast asymmetry
Capsular contracture (scar tissue forming around the implant)
Rippling (wrinkling of the skin over the implant)
Leakage, rupture, or exposure of the implant
General risks related to anesthesia (e.g., venous thrombosis, cardiac or pulmonary complications)
Which other procedures can breast augmentation be combined with?
In certain cases, breast augmentation should also be combined with a breast lift (mastopexy), in order to achieve a more complete and harmonious result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have completed my pregnancies before undergoing breast augmentation?
Pregnancy will change the size and shape of a woman’s breasts, whether she has implants or not. These changes may negatively affect the result of augmentation.
If pregnancy is not in the near future, breast augmentation is not related to potential later pregnancy. If a woman is planning to have children soon, it is usually recommended to postpone the surgery until after childbearing and breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding with implants is not affected and has been proven to be safe both for the baby and for the mother.
Will augmentation be successful in sagging breasts?
Women with breast laxity and sagging can also undergo breast augmentation. Depending on the degree of sagging, an additional procedure may be needed at the same time, meaning patients may undergo both a breast lift and augmentation together.
For breasts with nipples at or below the inframammary fold, a lift (mastopexy) is often required. Without this additional procedure to remove excess skin, the implant placement may not adequately correct sagging and could even worsen it.
Will sensitivity be affected? Will there be nipple sensation?
After augmentation, nipple sensation may be affected, usually described as partial or total loss of sensation (hypoesthesia), while some women experience increased sensitivity (hyperesthesia).
In most cases, this is temporary, and sensation returns to normal within 6–12 months. A small percentage may have permanent changes in nipple sensation.
How long should I wait before exercising again?
Patients can begin walking the same day after surgery—nothing too strenuous, but short walks at home are encouraged and required immediately.
Early mobilization helps recovery and also prevents issues related to blood circulation, such as thrombosis.
After 2 weeks, patients may begin slightly more intense exercise, such as treadmill walking or walking uphill. About one month after surgery, most patients can return to normal activities with the only restriction being to avoid lifting heavy objects. By 6 weeks, full recovery is complete.
After augmentation, especially if implants are placed under the muscle, it is recommended to avoid continuous strenuous chest exercises, such as frequent push-ups. The reason is that, since the implants are under the muscle, repeated intense contractions can push the implants downward and outward. Over time, this may cause sagging or outward displacement of the implants.
When can I drive?
Patients can usually start driving 1 week after surgery, provided they are not taking pain medication.
Next step
Dr. Karmiris will gladly welcome you at his clinic in Athens, listen carefully to you, and discuss in detail the next steps regarding breast augmentation.
He will also answer all your questions and concerns, making you feel you are in the right hands.
For more information about breast augmentation, the price range, and the overall cost of the procedure, contact Plastic Surgeon Nikolaos Karmiris today.
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Breast Aesthetic Surgery
