BREAST AUGMENTATION
What are the benefits?
Breast augmentation adds volume to the breasts by adding implants. This procedure may be indicated for different reasons. For example:
- When a woman considers her breasts too small and out of proportion to the rest of her body.
- After pregnancy, when breast volume changes.
- If the breasts are asymmetrical.
- For breast reconstruction after ablation.
Is it for me?
Breast augmentation can improve your appearance and self confidence, however, it won’t necessarily change your relationship with others nor their perception of you. Before opting for this type of procedure, be clear about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Duclos. She’ll be happy to answer any questions clearly and provide information on the type of treatment that’s best for you, including the pros and cons.
What techniques are used?
The procedure consists of introducing through a small opening located under the breast, under the areola or in the armpit, a prosthesis that will go under the gland or under the pectoral muscle.
Breast implants used in Canada contain a saline solution (or physiological serum) or a silicone gel. During your consultation, you may discuss the benefits of each type of implant with Dr. Duclos.
What should I expect?
During consultation, Dr. Duclos will evaluate your health and advise you on the surgical procedure most appropriate for you, your expectations and your body type. She will show you the exact site of the incisions, the exact site of the implant and even the type and diameter of the implant. If your breast sags, a lift may be necessary. Dr. Duclos will also explain the inherent risks of the procedure, explain each step of the procedure itself, which is usually performed under general anaesthetic, and discuss pre and post operative care.
Before the procedure, you will have to purchase a bra that is appropriate for the day of the operation. The procedure lasts between an hour and an hour and a half.
You will then remain under observation until the doctor decides you may leave the clinic. Painkillers will be prescribed and the date of your next appointment will be given to you before you leave. Make sure you ask someone to accompany you back home.
After the procedure (especially the first two days), you should take medication to ease any pain, which could be moderate to severe. Swelling and bruises will appear. They will be at their worst two or three days after the procedure and then will progressively subside.
You should avoid lifting your arms above your head or lifting anything heavy for two weeks. In general, you can resume intense sports activities one month after the procedure. You should avoid exposing your scars to sunlight or in any kind of tanning salon for 6 months.
What are the risks?
Any procedure carries risk, although risks are quite rare with breast augmentation. Even though the majority of patients have no complications, it is important to be aware of the risks in order to avoid any nasty surprises.
Haemorraging (or excessive bleeding) may occur after the procedure and require a second operation in order to repair the affected vessel and to evacuate any accumulation of blood. This complication occurs in approximately 1% of cases.
Infection can also occur around the implant. In general, these infections are taken care of with antibiotics. In some cases, the implant must be taken out until the infection is under control, and then another implant can be inserted. This complication occurs in approximately 1 to 2% of cases.
Skin ulcers with exposure of the prosthesis can occur. This happens very rarely and usually the prosthesis is removed for a period of time.
Contraction of the tissue around the implant (fibrous capsule) may change the shape of the breast, or cause breast hardening and pain. This may be treated by freeing the fibrous capsule from the implant. However, this complication may recur.
Nipple sensitivity may change after the procedure (overly sensitive, less sensitive, or no sensation at all). In general, this change in sensitivity is temporary, however, it may be permanent in some women.
Breast implants may break or deflate. This may happen even when no trauma has occurred, but simply due to the natural wearing down of the envelope in contact with the mammary gland and muscle, or even a defect in the prosthesis valve. Should this happen in an implant with physiological serum, the implant will collapse in a few hours and the saline water will be absorbed, without danger, by the body. If you have a silicone implant, radiological exams should be undertaken to ensure that the implant is defective. If this is, indeed, the case, surgery may be necessary to replace it. Gel bleeding has also been described with silicone implants.
An implant may also move, causing asymmetry, for example, due to an anatomical problem, pre-existing asymmetry or if one is physically active with the upper limbs during the first weeks. Another surgery may be necessary to try and correct the situation.
Implants are rarely visible. However, even though implants are generally positioned under the pectoral muscles, a thin patient may be able to feel the part of the implant positioned under the mammary gland.
Breast implants do not generally affect a woman’s ability to breast feed.
Breast implants do not cause breast cancer. When undergoing a mammogram, you should tell the technician that you have implants, since special procedures may need to be followed. A breast ultrasound may be helpful in some cases.