Edited by Doctor Masino Scutari
Among all the possible interventions in cosmetic surgery, that of breast augmentation is one of the interventions that has the greatest demand from the female public.
Close to rhinoplasty and liposuction, there is a consistent number of women who wear breast implants since they have undergone breast augmentation.
For a woman, the breasts are undoubtedly the most visible sign of femininity: if for various reasons (following a pregnancy, at the "advancing age, weight loss ...) the breasts become empty, they come to missing an element that turns out to be fundamental for feeling like a woman.The woman, therefore, feels a strong desire to regain the breast she had previously and thus resorts to cosmetic surgery.
Many women, on the other hand, have never had beautiful breasts and decide to indulge in one that can make them feel truly women and can give them full femininity.
Since, nowadays, there are more and more precise and sophisticated techniques to realize this desire, few refuse to undergo this intervention if they feel the need.
Many of them, often, to find harmony and feel good physically and, sometimes even psychologically, go against the advice of their husband, family or boyfriend and undergo breast augmentation surgery.
For whom it is recommended
Breast augmentation is used to increase the volume of the breast and to improve its shape.
This type of surgery is particularly suitable for small, underdeveloped breasts or breasts that have shrunk in volume and are slightly relaxed over time.
If the relaxation is too excessive, you will have to act later with a breast lift to relieve it; mastopexy is also used when the breasts are deformed or asymmetrical.
Before performing the breast augmentation operation, it would be preferable that the development of the gland and the breast were complete, that is after the age of 18. To perform at best during the operation, the surgeon - before carrying out the operation - will perform a series of breast and chest measurements will assess how firm and thick the skin is and finally establish the state of the mammary gland and its position.
Before the operation
Before the operation, the patient will have to undergo an interview with the surgeon to decide the size, content and shape of the prostheses.
The doctor begins by evaluating the size of the breast, chest and constitution in general, always adhering to the personal preferences of the patient; then, he proceeds to assess whether there are asymmetry in the gland and defects in the position.
Your doctor will prohibit the intake of aspirin two weeks before and two weeks after the surgery, since this drug impedes the total ability of blood to clot and can cause complications during the surgery.
A month before, the contraceptive pill must also be stopped.
Before undergoing the operation it is however necessary that a good physical condition be verified with laboratory tests and a clinical evaluation, adding to the latter an electrocardiogram and a chest X-ray.
The surgeon must give his patient a clear and complete type of information about the complications that can occur with the use of breast implants. Often, in fact, we tend to emphasize only the positive aspects and never the risks.
Lastly, before the intervention, the doctor must have the patient sign the informed consent form, naturally after having illustrated it in all its details.
The moment of the operation
Breast augmentation surgery can be performed under general anesthesia, where the patient is completely asleep and breathing through a tube or mask; or, it can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation: in this case, the patient is sedated, the incisions and the intervention plans are anesthetized. The prosthesis is then inserted by means of an incision of about 5cm on the lower external quadrant or inframammary sulcus, or in the axillary cavity or in the lower contour of the areola.
Another technique, little used, to insert breast implants is carried out transombelically by introducing only implants filled with physiological solution.
Under the gland or the pectoral muscle, a pocket is prepared, inside which the prosthesis will be inserted. Depending on how the operation is carried out, it may be probable that two drainage tubes will be placed, which will be stored later. two days.
The duration of the intervention can last from one to two hours.
During the first few days, following the operation, the breasts may appear a little higher than normal; but in the time span that goes from 3 to 6 weeks it positions itself in a natural way.
After the operation
If the operation took place with the patient under general anesthesia, the latter must remain in absolute bed rest until the next day.
It is allowed to drink and eat light food. The surgeon may administer analgesics or antibiotics.
After the follow-up visit, the following day, the patient can go home.
If the operation was performed under local anesthesia, the patient is discharged on the same day that the operation was performed.
The patient will then have to undergo a visit after forty-eight hours and another visit to remove part of the sutures after 3 - 5 days.
The rest of the stitches are completely removed after another week.
If the surgeon has used glue to close the incisions, a session will not be necessary to remove the stitches.
Only one dressing is particularly necessary: a fairly firm bra that will have to be removed by the surgeon himself.
Routine activities can be resumed after a week of rest, for light sports (such as tennis, football, sailing ...) you will have to wait at least three weeks and for heavier sports (such as swimming, dancing, jogging ... ) will have to wait for a period of at least six weeks.
If the patient practices sports and the prosthesis has been placed under the muscle, recovery will be much slower and during and after "breast augmentation there is a greater likelihood of bleeding."
