Breast Enlargement

Breast Enlargement Surgery Costs*

Although the national average of breast surgeons’ fees is between $3,000 and $4,000, this does not reflect the full amount a patient is likely to pay. Firstly, this figure includes the cost of breast implants themselves and their placement, but there can be many hidden costs when having a breast enlargement procedure. When you’re quoted a price for breast enlargement costs make sure it includes:

1. The cost of the anesthesiologist
2. The board-certified cosmetic surgeons’ fee
3. Prescriptions
4. The operating room, the hospital room and any other expenses

Am I a candidate for Breast Enlargement Surgery?

Before you take the decision to undergo breast enlargement surgery, it is essential that you find a board-certified cosmetic surgeon, which will talk through the procedure with you, answer all your questions, and help you to make an informed decision. As with any invasive procedure which requires a general anesthetic, breast enlargement surgery carries risks.

Undergoing a breast enlargement operation is a personal decision, but you may benefit from talking to your family and friends about it, or even someone who has had a breast enlargement procedure themselves. It is unwise to have breast implants to please someone else, and you must be happy that your decision is based upon your own needs.

If the following applies to you, then you may be a suitable candidate for a breast enlargement procedure:

1. You feel that your breasts are uneven in size (asymmetry)
2. You feel that your breast are too small
3. Your breasts have lost the shape and size that you desire following dramatic weight loss or childbirth
4. You have a congenital deformity in one or both of your breasts
5. Your body feels disproportionate and you want to improve the way you feel and appear in your clothes

1. Over 18 years of age
2. Not pregnant or breastfeeding
3. In good physical health
4. Psychologically well
5. You have realistic expectations for the procedure

What is a Breast Enlargement Procedure?

Breast Enlargement, (also referred to as augmentation mammoplasty, breast augmentation or commonly called a boob job) is the surgical procedure of inserting an implant (this is a prosthesis containing silicone or saline) behind the natural breast tissue to increase the size of the breast. The procedure may be undertaken for cosmetic reasons, to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy, or as part of sex reassignment surgery.

Breast enlargement cosmetic surgery is one of the most common procedures performed annually in the US and elsewhere. Women have many different reasons for choosing to undergo breast enlargement surgery. Perhaps they feel that their breasts have not fully developed, or they are unhappy with the shape of their breasts. Women who have suffered breast cancer can use breast implants for reconstructive purposes after mastectomy, or women with asymmetrical breasts may use a single breast implant to balance the difference in size. Following pregnancy, many women opt for breast implant surgery to correct reductions in breast size resulting from fluctuating hormones. Most people choosing to have breast enlargement operations want to improve their self-esteem and self-image, and a breast enlargement procedure can help to improve their appearance and increase their self-confidence.

The decision to undergo breast enlargement should always be a personal one, taken with the help of your breast enlargement surgeon, and you should not consider breast implant surgery to please someone else. It is important that you make an informed decision, and that you are aware of the potential breast enlargement risks and side effects. You should also be aware of the details of the procedure, the recovery time and possible complications.

Consulting a qualified cosmetic surgeon, who will take a detailed look at your medical history, your overall health and your suitability for surgery, is of utmost importance. Because state laws permit any licensed physician to call him - or herself a "plastic" or "cosmetic" surgeon - even if he or she has not been trained as a cosmetic surgeon or has had no surgical training at all - prospective patients must select their doctor carefully.

Follow the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s (ASAPS) guidelines to help you to find a reputable surgeon:

1. Check Board-Certification:A doctor’s board-certification is the best indicator of his or her training in a particular medical or surgical specialty. Look for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only Board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify doctors in the specialty of cosmetic surgery.
2. Check Facility Accreditation: Cosmetic surgery can safely be performed in a hospital, a surgi-center or an office-based surgical facility. The majority of office-based surgical facilities are not accredited. Another advantage of selecting an ASAPS member is that all ASAPS surgeons operate in accredited, state-licensed or Medicare-certified facilities.
3. Have a thorough informed consent: The consultation is an important opportunity for questions to be asked and answered. It should include a candid discussion of risks as well as benefits of the surgery. A thorough consultation also involves a review of medical history including any existing medical conditions. All these factors assist the surgeon in custom-tailoring each operation to best meet the needs of individual patients.
4. Check on Follow-up Care:Good surgical care does not end with the surgery. Patients should inquire about follow-up visits and about the doctor’s policies should surgical revisions be necessary.

Breast Enlargement Surgery Procedure Steps

The following demonstrates how breast enlargement operations are usually carried out, though individual surgical practice may vary.

Step 1 - Anesthetic

Breast implant operations are usually carried out under general anesthetic, though sometimes your doctor will use intravenous sedation. Your surgeon will recommend the best choice for you. It is possible to have a breast enlargement operation as day surgery, though you will normally need to stay in hospital overnight. Breast enlargement usually takes about one to three hours to complete. The length of the procedure varies according to the technique used, the placement of the implants, the patient’s anatomy, and type of anesthesia used.

Step 2 - Types of incision

Your doctor will first make an incision, or cut, in an inconspicuous area to minimize visible scarring. You will be able to discuss these options with your doctor before your operation to decide on the one that is best for you. Incisions vary based on the type of breast implant, degree of enlargement desired, your anatomy, and where you would like the scars to be.

Incision options include:

1. Inframammary - a small cut is made in the fold beneath each breast.
2. Transaxillary - a cut is made in your armpit, and may cause more visible scarring than the other two types of incision.
3. Periareolar - this incision, made around the nipple, causes only minimal scarring, though there is a possibility that nipple sensation may be affected.

Breast Enlargement Recovery and Healing

Breast enlargement surgery is usually carried out under general anesthetic and therefore has the same risks as other invasive surgical procedures; any kind of surgical procedure carries a small risk of infection.

It takes a few months for the breasts to settle after breast enlargement surgery and in the short term patients might experience some swelling, hardness and discomfort with some bruising, twinges and pains possibly over the first few weeks. The combination of increased volume from the breast implant and swelling from surgery may cause your breasts to feel large, heavy, and tight. While in the hospital, you will be encouraged to rest in an upright position, to help reduce swelling.

Depending on the size of the breast implant and the way it was placed during surgery, some mild bruising may occur. Rarely, this bruising can extend down to the abdomen. While this is uncommon, it is not considered a complication. However, if you have any large, firm, painful areas of bruising, contact your doctor. This may be a hematoma, which is a more serious type of bruise and will need treatment. Normal bruising should subside in one to two weeks.

Post-surgery, you will be given pain relief if you are in pain. Your scars will be pink for several weeks, but after several months they will begin to fade.

You may need to stay in the hospital overnight, or you may be allowed home the same day. It is critical that you follow your doctor’s guidance and advice on post-operative care. You will normally need to attend a number of post-operative check-ups to ensure that you are recovering well.

Follow these steps to help to ensure a speedy and healthy breast implant recovery:

1. Rest - get as much as possible following your procedure. Drink plenty of fluids, and be sure to take the doctors prescribed medications. Avoid sleeping on your front for one month.
2. Avoid lifting your arms - for at least three to five days, you should try to keep arm extension to a minimum. The tissues will heal more quickly if you avoid stretching and separating muscle/tissue surrounding the breast implants.
3. Take it easy - Avoid physical exertion for several weeks and driving for one week. You should be able to return to work two to four weeks after your breast enlargement procedure, depending on the advice of your doctor. Breast implant recovery times vary from patient to patient and depend upon the technique, type of implant, and site of placement that the doctor uses, as well as the level of activities in your daily routine.
4. Keep dry - avoid getting water on your wounds for a week.

1. Excessive swelling
2. Deflated breasts
3. Offensive-smelling wound discharge
4. A fever of 38c (106f) or more
5. Excessive pain or burning heat in your breast

Preparing for Breast Enlargement Surgery

Your surgeon will discuss with you how best to prepare for your surgery. If you smoke, you will be asked to stop in advance of the breast enlargement procedure. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. Your breast enlargement cosmetic surgeon may also recommend a baseline mammogram before surgery and another mammographic examination some months afterwards, which will help to detect any future changes in your breast tissue.

The breast enlargement procedure is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic, and you will be asleep during the operation. You will not be able to eat or drink for about six hours before a general anaesthetic; some anaesthetists allow occasional sips of water until two hours beforehand.

Bring in a soft, supportive bra without under wiring to wear after surgery. Your surgeon will advise you about the most suitable type of bra beforehand.

When you arrive at the hospital, your nurse will explain how you will be cared for during your stay, and may run some tests such as checking your heart rate and blood pressure, and testing your urine.

Your surgeon will usually visit you to discuss the operation and you will be asked to sign a consent form. This confirms that you are fully informed about your breast enlargement procedure and that you understand the breast implant risks, benefits, breast implant side effects and possible alternatives to the procedure. By signing the form, you give your permission for the breast enlargement surgery to go ahead.

Your surgeon will measure your breasts, assess their shape and the position of your nipples, and may mark the position of the surgical cuts on your breasts. With your consent, photographs may be taken, so that the results of your breast enlargement before and after surgery can be compared with your original appearance.

Your nurse will prepare you for theatre. You may be asked to wear compression stockings to help prevent blood clots forming in the veins in your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT).

Questions to Ask A Surgeon About Breast Enlargement

Knowledge is power so arm yourself with the facts before making any decision about Breast Enlargement Surgery; here is an essential check list to help you find the right Perfect Yourself Surgeon.

1. Am I a good candidate for Breast Enlargement surgery?
2. Are my described expectations realistic?
3. Where is the surgery performed?
4. How long will the procedure take?
5. What kind of anesthesia is used?
6. What is your experience in performing Breast Enlargement surgery?
7. Can I see your qualifications?
8. Ask to see any Breast Enlargement before and after photos of recent surgeries?
9. What percentages of your Breast Enlargement patients have had significant post-surgical complications? (surgeons should disclose this information to you)
10. Who will be assisting my surgery? Can I see their qualifications?
11. How much will my Breast Enlargement surgery cost?
12. Do you offer patient financing? (Flexible payment schemes for your surgery)
13. Will you repeat/correct procedures if the agreed goals are not met? If this is the case, will I be charged again?
14. Ask to observe the exact procedure you are considering before you decided to have surgery if you are unsure (this could be on videotape or in real life).
15. What is the recovery and healing period for Breast Augmentation? When can I resume full normal activity?
16. Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended
17. Ask for and follow up on patient references (these can be invaluable to finding out what your surgeon is really like and the level of customer satisfaction he/she has received in the past)