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Breast Augmentation: Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis & Recovery

Breast augmentation, clinically known as "augmentation mammoplasty," is a surgical procedure designed to improve the size and contour of the breasts. This cosmetic intervention involves the insertion of breast implants either beneath the breast tissue or underlying chest muscles.

According to some research, it is the second most popular surgical procedure performed on women in the US. Silicone implants or many other kinds of gel-filled or saline-filled implants are inserted in the breast pocket to augment their size and make it look fuller and more appealing.

While for some individuals, breast augmentation serves as a means to boost self-confidence and achieve desired aesthetic goals, for others, it plays a crucial role in breast reconstruction following various conditions or treatments.

Why women decide for it

Following are some of the reasons why women decide to undergo breast augmentation:

  • Naturally smaller breast sizes about body proportions
  • Changes post-childbirth and breastfeeding, resulting in decreased breast volume or drooping
  • Breast ptosis due to rapid weight loss
  • Asymmetry caused by congenital conditions or trauma
  • Boosting self-confidence

Benefits of the Breast Augmentation:

  • Minimal hospital stay, often an outpatient procedure
  • Low rates of complications and mortality
  • Enhanced aesthetic appeal and confidence
  • Minimal scarring from incisions
  • Silicone, saline, or gel-filled implants are commonly used to augment breast size, providing a fuller and more appealing appearance.

Classification

It can be classified into several categories based on various factors:

Implant Type:

  • Silicone implants: Filled with silicone gel, these implants offer a natural look and feel.
  • Saline implants: Filled with sterile saline solution, these implants are inserted empty before being filled to the desired result.

Implant Shape:

  • Round implants: It provides fullness and volume across the breast.
  • Anatomical implants: It Mimics the natural shape of the breast, these implants are fuller at the bottom and tapered towards the top.

Implant Placement:

  • Subglandular placement: The implants are situated between the breast tissue and the chest muscle.
  • Submuscular placement: Implants are placed beneath the chest muscle.

Following are some signs and symptoms of Breast augmentation:

  • Swelling and bruising
  • Discomfort or pain
  • Changes in sensation
  • Incision-related symptoms such as Redness, tenderness, or itching around the incision sites are common during the healing process.
  • Changes in breast appearance

Before undergoing breast augmentation, several diagnostic tests are conducted to ensure the procedure is safe and appropriate for the individual. These may include:

  • Physical Examination: A thorough physical examination, including assessment of breast size, shape, symmetry, and skin quality, is performed by the plastic surgeon.
  • Medical History: A detailed medical history is asked to assess any underlying health conditions, previous surgeries, allergies, or medications that may impact the procedure or recovery.
  • Breast Imaging: Mammography or breast ultrasound may be advised based on factors like age and individual risk profiles. These tests help in assessing breast tissue health and identifying any potential abnormalities.
  • Breast Measurements: Breast measurements are taken to precise dimensions like width, height, and projection. These measurements are helpful in the selection of most suitable implant size and shape to get the desired aesthetic results.
  • Preoperative Testing: Routine tests, such as blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), and chest X-ray, are conducted to assess overall health and identify any underlying medical issues that need to be addressed before surgery.

  • Recovery following breast enlargement surgery is influenced by various factors, including the elasticity of breast tissues, implant size, and position, particularly whether it's placed above or below the muscle. If the implant is positioned above the muscle, minimal pain is typically experienced, and recovery usually lasts no more than two days. However, patients with implants under the muscle may experience some discomfort and may require a longer recovery period.
  • It's crucial to avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous activities for at least two weeks post-surgery to prevent fluid retention and swelling. While continuing prescribed medications, it's important not to exceed recommended dosages even if experiencing discomfort. Any unusual symptoms such as swelling, bleeding, fever, or inflammation should be promptly reported to the surgeon for further evaluation and management.

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Loris Montgomery

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Michelle Webb

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Best Breast Augmentation Hospitals

Situated in Istanbul, Turkey & largest city, the International Hospital is a multi-specialty med...more

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Post-Surgery Care Services

special dietery food Choice of Meals

Private Rooms

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Bangkok Hospital

Bangkok Hospital

Bangkok, Thailand

One of the most renowned and honoured hospital networks in Asia- Pacific is Bangkok Dusit Medical Se...more

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Phone in Room

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Mount Elizabeth Hospital

Mount Elizabeth Hospital

Singapore, Singapore

Mount Elizabeth Hospital is a multispecialty healthcare facility operated by Parkway Health. The hos...more

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phone in the room SIM

Free Wifi

Translator

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Joint Commission International, or JCI

Consult Online with World’s Best Breast Augmentation

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Dr. Vikas Verma
Dr. Vikas Verma

Plastic Surgeon

Dubai, U.A.E.

25 of experience

USD  140 for video consultation

Dr. Raajshri Gupta
Dr. Raajshri Gupta

Cosmetic Surgeon

Ghaziabad, India

9 of experience

USD  25 for video consultation

Dr. Aparajeeta Kumar
Dr. Aparajeeta Kumar

Cosmetic Surgeon

Ghaziabad, India

9 of experience

USD  25 for video consultation

Dr. Anil Kumar Murarka
Dr. Anil Kumar Murarka

Plastic Surgeon

Faridabad, India

34 of experience

USD  50 for video consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the breast augmentation cost?

A: The cost of breast implant surgery varies from country to country. It depends on the extent of change required and the quality and type of implants used for augmentation.

Q: What kind of anesthesia is involved in the process?

A: General anesthesia is usually given in the case of breast augmentation.

Q: Can breast implant surgery be painful?

A: Patients may experience pain after breast implant surgery, which is managed with the help of medications.

Q: Is breast augmentation a permanent procedure?

A: At times it can last a lifetime, but then there are chances when it may require replacement after 20 years.

Q: How long will the effect of breast augmentation last?

A: Breast augmentation is usually meant to last a lifetime but implant manufacturers have different opinions. Saline implants can leak and get absorbed by the body and immediately the breast may acquire the earlier smaller size.  Thus, the patient may require a revision surgery again. Typically, that would only happen after 15 to 20 years of the initial breast augmentation surgery with implants.

Q: What are the other alternatives to breast implants?

A: The infusion of fat cells to the breasts to increase its size is one of the alternatives. There are other ways such as wearing padded clothes and brassieres instead of getting breast implants. There are several creams and gels that claim to change the size and shape of breasts but cosmetic surgeons advise against them.

Q: Is breast implants cost the same for every type of implant?

A: No, breast implants cost depends on the type and quality of implant used.

Explore Top Hospitals Worldwide for Breast Augmentation

Explore Top Hospitals for Breast Augmentation

Author

Nimra Haseeb

MSc Biochemistry

4 Years of Experience

Miss Nimra Haseeb is a medical researcher and a scientific content writer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology and a Master’s in Biochemistry from Integral University, Lucknow.With strong experience in healthcare research, she specializes in secondary research, clinical data analysis, and evidence-based medical writing. Her work focuses on transforming complex scientific and medical information into clear, accurate, and reliable healthcare content for patients and healthcare audiences. She is also experienced in interpreting medical studies and healthcare trends to deliver well-researched and informative content that supports better health awareness and decision-making.. View More