Breast Augmentation ( Breast Implants )

How do I Prepare for Breast Augmentation?

Proper preparation is important for the safety and success of your breast augmentation. Here is what you need to do before undergoing breast enhancement treatment:

Medical and Lifestyle Preparation

• Get recommended tests done

Your doctor may ask for blood tests or other evaluations to confirm you’re fit for surgery.

• Review your medications

Some medicines may need to be adjusted or temporarily stopped. This includes blood thinners, aspirin, and certain anti-inflammatory drugs, as they may increase bleeding risk.

• Stop smoking and avoid alcohol

Smoking should be stopped at least 4 to 6 weeks before the procedure, as it can delay healing and increase the risk of complications.

• Avoid recreational drugs

Let your surgeon know if you use any recreational substances. These must be stopped before surgery.

• Do not eat or drink for a few hours before surgery

You will be advised to fast usually overnight before the procedure to reduce anaesthesia-related risks.

Plan for Recovery

• Arrange transportation

As breast plastic surgery is done under anaesthesia, you won’t be able to drive home. Make sure someone is available to take you back and stay with you for the first 24 hours.

• Take time off work

Plan for at least 3 to 5 days off work to rest after your breast enlargement surgery. If your job involves physical labour, you may need a longer break up to three weeks.

Set Up a Comfortable Recovery Area at Home

Before the procedure, organise a space in your home where you can rest easily. Prepare the following:

• Prescription pain medication or over-the-counter options like paracetamol (as advised by your surgeon)
• Clean gauze pads for dressing the incision area
• Loose, comfortable, front-open clothing such as button-down shirts
• Supportive surgical or sports bras as instructed

What Happens During Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a safe and structured procedure with a goal to enhance the shape, size, or symmetry of your breasts using breast implants, based on your personal goals and physical needs. Here is a simple breakdown of what happens during the procedure:

1. Anaesthesia

• The surgery is typically done under general anaesthesia, meaning you will be asleep and pain-free throughout.
• In some cases, IV sedation may be considered, based on your medical profile and surgeon’s advice.

2. Incision Placement

The surgeon will make a small incision in one of the following areas:

• Under the breast fold (inframammary incision)
• Around the lower edge of the areola (periareolar incision)
• In the armpit (transaxillary incision) – this may be considered for selected cases

The choice of incision is based on your anatomy, implant type, and discussion with your surgeon.

3. Placing the Implants

Your breast implants will be inserted through the chosen incision and positioned either:

• Over the chest muscle (subglandular placement): suitable for those with enough natural breast tissue
• Under the chest muscle (submuscular placement): commonly recommended for a more natural look and feel, especially for tear drop breast shapes or high-profile implants

4. Closing the Incision

• Once the implants are in place, the surgeon will close the incision using surgical sutures
• You may also have drainage tubes temporarily placed to reduce fluid build-up
• A gauze bandage will be applied, and you may be asked to wear a supportive surgical bra for initial support

What to Expect After Breast Augmentation?

After your breast augmentation you will need a bit of time to recover and allow your body to heal. It is normal to experience some temporary side effects in the days and weeks following the procedure, but these are manageable with proper care and medical guidance.

Common post-surgery effects

You may notice the following after your surgery:

• Mild to moderate swelling and soreness in and around your breasts
• Slight bruising, which fades over time
• Scars at the incision sites, which gradually become lighter but may not disappear completely
• Breasts may feel firm, sensitive, or slightly uneven initially as they settle

Support and care during healing

To help support your recovery:

• Wear a compression garment or sports bra continuously as recommended by your surgeon, this helps reduce swelling and supports the newly placed breast implants
• You may be prescribed pain relief medications to ease any discomfort
• Avoid heavy lifting, intense activity, or any motion that puts pressure on your chest for at least 2 weeks

Follow-up and safety

• Some patients may have sutures or drainage tubes that need to be removed at a follow-up visit
• If you experience redness, fever, increased pain, chest tightness, or any unusual symptoms, contact your surgeon immediately these may be signs of infection or complications
• Your plastic surgeon will guide you through a detailed post-op care plan to ensure safe healing and excellent results

Benefits of Breast Augmentation

Here are some of the key benefits of undergoing breast augmentation:

• Enhanced body confidence:

Breast augmentation can help individuals feel more positive about their appearance by improving breast shape and size.

• Corrects asymmetry:

If one breast is smaller than the other, implants can balance the size for a more symmetrical look.

• Restores lost volume:

After pregnancy, weight loss, or ageing, breast enlargement helps restore fullness and firmness.

• Improves breast shape:

The procedure can enhance breast contour, particularly when combined with breast tightening treatment.

• Supports reconstruction:

Augmentation is often used to rebuild the breast after mastectomy or trauma, offering both physical and emotional healing.

• Customisation options:

Patients can choose from various implant types, including tear drop breast and silicone breast implants, to achieve natural-looking results.

• Youthful appearance:

Breast enhancement can reduce the effects of sagging and give the chest a more lifted, youthful profile.

Case Study

Mrs. Stuti Sharma(name changed) contacted us to get a breast augmentation procedure and booked an appointment with Dr. Devidutta Mohanty. She went for a consultation and had a thorough discussion about the procedure. The doctor also recommended some tests to ensure that Mrs. Stuti was completely healthy for the procedure.

In the following consultation, Dr. Devidutta Mohanty evaluated the results of the diagnostic tests and determined the peri-areolar technique for the breast augmentation procedure. He scheduled the surgery after twelve days and gave some guidelines to get prepare for the surgery. The surgery took place as scheduled. The entire procedure took around 2 hours to complete. 

Once the surgery was finished, she was shifted to the recovery room and kept under observation, where all her vitals were monitored thoroughly by the doctor. Mrs. Stuti was discharged on the same day. Her follow-up consultation was scheduled a week later. She showed substantial recovery. After a month, she came again for the follow-up consultation and said that she felt satisfied with the increased size after breast augmentation surgery.

Breast Treatment Recovery Time