Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation and augmentation mammoplasty is a cosmetic surgery technique using breast-implants and fat-graft mammoplasty techniques to increase the size, change the shape, and alter the texture of the breasts. Transfeminine people sometime have this surgery because they are unsatisfied with the effects of HRT.

risks

• Scar tissue that changes the shape of the breast implant. This condition is called capsular contracture.
• Breast pain.
• Changes in feeling in the nipple and breast.
• Implant position changes.
• Implant leaks, tears or ruptures.
• anaplastic large cell lymphoma. (possible link found by the FDA)
• systemic symptoms (see below)
• Symmastia: Symmastia happens when your breast implants trend toward the middle of your chest and can give the appearance of one continuous breast.
• Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
• Wrong or faulty position of the implant
• Anesthesia risks (it is possible your surgeon will use general Anesthesia)
• general surgical risk like bleeding, Hematoma and Infection.

possible systemic symptoms of breast implants

• tiredness
• memory loss
• skin rash
• trouble thinking clearly
• joint pain

“	Studies have not shown that breast implants are the cause of these symptoms. But for some people, symptoms get better when the implants are removed.	”
–mayoclinic's page on Breast augmentation

considerations before getting Breast augmentation

• Do your own research. This wiki isn't a medical site and may be out of date.
• Your breasts are fully developed. This means for trans patients the effects of HRT should be seen to completion before thinking about Breast augmentation.
• Breast implants won't keep your breasts from sagging. Your plastic surgeon may suggest a breast lift as well as breast augmentation to correct sagging breasts.
• Breast implants don't last a lifetime. Implants last about 10 years.
• Breast augmentation requires regular examinations of your breast health and to evaluate the condition of your breast implants.
• Mammograms will need more views. If you have breast implants, mammograms involve getting more views of the breast to see all the way around the breast implant.
• Insurance doesn't cover breast implants. This is true unless the surgery is needed medically, such as after a mastectomy for breast cancer. Be ready to cover all the bills, including related surgeries or future imaging tests. The average cost could run from $4000 to $6000.
• You might need more surgery after breast implant removal. If you decide to have your implants removed, you might want a breast lift or other surgery to make your breasts look better.
• It's best to be screened for silicone implant rupture. The FDA suggests breast imaging 5 to 6 years after you have silicone breast implants put in. This is to check for breast implant rupture. Then, breast imaging is suggested every 2 to 3 years after that. Talk with your plastic surgeon about the type of imaging you'll need after you have your implants put in.
• You may need a mammogram before surgery.
• you may need blood tests before surgery.
• If you smoke, your surgeon will ask you to stop smoking for a time before and after the surgery. This may be for 4 to 6 weeks.
• you should stop taking recreational drugs, such as cocaine.
• you should have someone available to drive you home after the surgery and stay with you for at least the first night.

Recovery

• During your breast augmentation recovery, your breasts will be wrapped in gauze dressings and an elastic bandage or support bra will minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal.
• Immediately after surgery, you will be taken into a recovery area for close monitoring. You may be permitted to go home when you are stable for discharge, typically after an hour or so.
• Before leaving, you will be given specific postoperative instructions for your breast implant recovery and a follow-up appointment with your plastic surgeon. You may also receive medications or a prescription, but many plastic surgeons prescribe postoperative medications in advance. Your prescribed medications may include pain pills and an antibiotic to prevent infection.
• Some surgeons may ask patients cleanse the incision sites and apply ointment, while others will ask their patients to keep tape or a bandage on. Instructions vary, so it's important to follow all your plastic surgeon's directions carefully.
• Soreness and swelling are likely for a few weeks after surgery. There may be bruising too.
• Expect scars to fade over time. But they won't go away completely.
• Wear your support garment (a bra or elastic band, called a bandeau) around the clock as instructed by your plastic surgeon.
• Your surgeon might prescribe pain medicine.
• Talk with your surgeon about when you can return to your regular activities.
• For at least two weeks, don't do anything that causes you to strain or raises your pulse or blood pressure.
• While you heal, your breasts will be sensitive to touch and jarring movements.
• Your surgeon might use stitches that don't go away on their own or place drainage tubes near your breasts. If so, you need a follow-up appointment to remove them.
• Daily massage for at least the first 2 weeks is recommended.
• Bra shopping is recommended at least 6 weeks after your surgery. We recommend using a front closure sports bra and avoid wearing bras with underwiring during this time.
• Your breasts will “drop”, or settle into their new breast pockets after about 3 months.
• If you have warmth and redness in your breast or if you develop a fever, that could mean you have an infection. Contact your surgeon as soon as you can if you have those symptoms.
• Contact your surgeon if you're short of breath or if you have chest pain.
• Contact your doctor if you have abnormal discharge, such as pus, from your incision site or rupture of your stitches.
• Contact your doctor if you have increasing enlargement, or firmness, of one or both of your breasts that’s associated with pain and pressure.

see also

• Breast augmentation surgery on medlineplus
• Breast Augmentation on John Hopkins Medicine
• Breast Implants on webmd
• Breast Augmentation on National Library of medicine
• Breast Implant Surgery on FDA.gov