A breast enlargement operation involves surgically inserting breast enlargement implants behind the natural breast tissues to increase the size of the breasts and breast augmentation is performed to create better symmetry and make the breasts larger, firmer and fuller.
Breast enlargement implants are available in a variety of shapes, forms and sizes. A breast implant can be made of natural body tissue or synthetic (man-made) materials, such as saline or silicone breast implants. Natural tissue breast enlargement implants are usually only used on women having breast reconstruction surgery (after breast cancer treatment) and are rarely used for cosmetic purposes.
The operation is carried out either under general or local anaesthetic (sometimes as day surgery, but usually with an overnight stay in hospital) and the procedure takes around an hour. An incision (surgical cut) is made in or near the breast and the surgeon will create a pocket for the breast implant to lie in, either beneath the muscle or beneath the breast tissue (size and shape will determine the outcome of the position of the implant and the patient should discuss this with their surgeon).
Following surgery dissolvable stitches will need to be removed and a sports bra worn 24 hours a day for up to three months. The breasts will be firm and swollen at first and will take several weeks to settle into a natural position but the sports bra can help the patient to feel more comfortable.
Breast enlargement information summary:
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Procedure time
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45 minutes
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Anaesthetic
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General
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Time in hospital
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One night
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Time off work
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Two weeks
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Breasts feel sensitive for
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2-3 weeks
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Time for scar tissue to heal
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6-12 months
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Time to resumption of normal activities (including sports)
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1-2 months
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