Breast Augmentation (Breast Implants)

What this surgery is

Breast augmentation adds size and shape to the breasts with implants. An implant is a soft shell filled with salt water or silicone gel. The implant sits behind the breast tissue or behind the chest muscle.

You and your surgeon choose the size and placement together at your visit. Implants do not last a lifetime. Plan on more surgery someday.

What happens during it

1. You get anesthesia (medicine that makes you sleep).
2. The surgeon makes a short cut, most often in the fold under the breast.
3. A pocket is made behind the breast tissue or behind the muscle.
4. The implant is placed into the pocket and checked for position.
5. The cuts are closed in layers with dissolving stitches.
6. Surgery takes about an hour. You go home the same day.

Main risks

Every surgery has risks. Here are the main ones for this surgery, in plain words. We will go over all of them with you in person.

• A firm scar shell can form and squeeze the implant (called capsular contracture). It can change the shape and can hurt. Surgery can fix it.
• An implant can leak or break over time. Broken implants are replaced or removed.
• Nipple feeling can change. It may increase, decrease, or go away.
• Breastfeeding may be affected for some women.
• A very rare cancer of the scar tissue around some implants has been reported. Ask us about it at your visit.
• Some patients report body-wide symptoms they link to implants. Removing implants is always an option.
• Bleeding. Some bleeding can need another trip to the operating room.
• Infection. Signs are spreading redness, warmth, pus, or fever.
• Scars. Every cut leaves a scar. Most fade over a year. Some stay raised or wide.
• Numb skin near the cuts. Feeling usually returns over months. Small areas can stay numb.
• Blood clots in the legs. A clot can travel to the lungs. That is an emergency.
• Problems from anesthesia (the medicine that makes you sleep). These are rare in healthy people.
• Uneven results. The two sides of the body are never a perfect match.
• The need for another surgery to fix a problem or improve the result.

What recovery is like

First few days

Chest tightness and soreness, like a hard workout. Walk the same day. Sleep on your back.

One week

Most people with desk jobs return to work. No lifting over ten pounds.

Two weeks

Soreness fades. Light lower-body exercise is usually fine.

Six weeks

Full exercise, including chest workouts. Implants soften and settle over months.

When to call us right away