What Are The Risks, Effects And Recovery Times Of Breast Enlargements
As the popularity of breast implants grows (no pun intended), it is becoming safer than ever to have a breast enlargement operation. However, no operation is ever without it's risks and you need to be aware of any potential problems. The risks are slim but here is a list of the more common ones:
• Rippling or indentations of the skin
• Implant rupture or leakage and subsequent deflation of the breast implant
• Implant shifting
• Painful hardening and/or distortion of the breast due to scar tissue (capsular contraction)
• Temporary or permanent loss of sensation in the nipple or breast tissue
• Formation of calcium deposits in surrounding tissue.
Screening Risks
Another thing to consider is that there is some concern over the issue of mammograms, as they have a hard time 'seeing past' cosmetic breast implants. This means that the results may be less reliable. However, these reports have not been confirmed yet and the research is still ongoing but it is another thing that you must discuss with your surgeon prior to going ahead with the surgery.
If you are concerned about this and you have a family history that increases the risks, you may be advised to have a baseline mammogram before surgery. However, this will all depend on your age at the time of surgery and as I mentioned earlier, your family history. Unless, told otherwise, you will continue with your screenings as normal after the surgery.
How Long Will Your Implants Last
It's impossible to predict just how long your implants will last as it could be anything from 6 months to 20 years. However, reports from recent research seem to suggest an average of 16 years.
Implant Removals
Depending on your age when you have your implants placed, you will probably have your implants removed at least once during your life. The reason might be to reduce the size again or to have more implants put in. However, if you are not happy with your implants, it is possible to have them removed at any time you want.
If you have had your implants in place for a number of years, removing them might result in a droopier breast shape but this depends on the size of the implant and the quality of the breast tissue. If they sag too much then it is possible to reshape the breast with a breast lift. The surgeon might recommend some removal of the saggy skin.
Post operation effects and recovery time
You will need somebody to escort you home from the hospital and to provide some general help over the following few days.
Your breasts will be wrapped with a gauze bandage and a surgical bra or elastic band. It is important to keep the dressings dry at all times. You might also have some drainage tubes placed in the incision for a few days to eliminate excess fluid.
After five to seven days, the gauze dressing will be removed and then you may need to wear a non-under-wire support or sports bra. You will need to wear this continually for several weeks. Your breasts will be taped in place. At first they will look firm and swollen, however as the swelling goes down, they will drop into a much more comfortable position and shape.
To speed up the healing process try to avoid stretching and lifting. Minimize your arm movements and raise your elbows no higher than your armpits. Avoid aerobic activity for three to four weeks and your surgeon may even advise you not to have any kind of sexual activity for a week or longer.
The stitches will finally come out within a week to ten days and then the swelling and bruising will subside over several weeks.
Don't worry about the scars. They will remain pink for several months but the won't be too obvious after that period.
As the popularity of breast implants grows (no pun intended), it is becoming safer than ever to have a breast enlargement operation. However, no operation is ever without it's risks and you need to be aware of any potential problems. The risks are slim but here is a list of the more common ones:
• Rippling or indentations of the skin
• Implant rupture or leakage and subsequent deflation of the breast implant
• Implant shifting
• Painful hardening and/or distortion of the breast due to scar tissue (capsular contraction)
• Temporary or permanent loss of sensation in the nipple or breast tissue
• Formation of calcium deposits in surrounding tissue.
Screening Risks
Another thing to consider is that there is some concern over the issue of mammograms, as they have a hard time 'seeing past' cosmetic breast implants. This means that the results may be less reliable. However, these reports have not been confirmed yet and the research is still ongoing but it is another thing that you must discuss with your surgeon prior to going ahead with the surgery.
If you are concerned about this and you have a family history that increases the risks, you may be advised to have a baseline mammogram before surgery. However, this will all depend on your age at the time of surgery and as I mentioned earlier, your family history. Unless, told otherwise, you will continue with your screenings as normal after the surgery.
How Long Will Your Implants Last
It's impossible to predict just how long your implants will last as it could be anything from 6 months to 20 years. However, reports from recent research seem to suggest an average of 16 years.
Implant Removals
Depending on your age when you have your implants placed, you will probably have your implants removed at least once during your life. The reason might be to reduce the size again or to have more implants put in. However, if you are not happy with your implants, it is possible to have them removed at any time you want.
If you have had your implants in place for a number of years, removing them might result in a droopier breast shape but this depends on the size of the implant and the quality of the breast tissue. If they sag too much then it is possible to reshape the breast with a breast lift. The surgeon might recommend some removal of the saggy skin.
Post operation effects and recovery time
You will need somebody to escort you home from the hospital and to provide some general help over the following few days.
Your breasts will be wrapped with a gauze bandage and a surgical bra or elastic band. It is important to keep the dressings dry at all times. You might also have some drainage tubes placed in the incision for a few days to eliminate excess fluid.
After five to seven days, the gauze dressing will be removed and then you may need to wear a non-under-wire support or sports bra. You will need to wear this continually for several weeks. Your breasts will be taped in place. At first they will look firm and swollen, however as the swelling goes down, they will drop into a much more comfortable position and shape.
To speed up the healing process try to avoid stretching and lifting. Minimize your arm movements and raise your elbows no higher than your armpits. Avoid aerobic activity for three to four weeks and your surgeon may even advise you not to have any kind of sexual activity for a week or longer.
The stitches will finally come out within a week to ten days and then the swelling and bruising will subside over several weeks.
Don't worry about the scars. They will remain pink for several months but the won't be too obvious after that period.
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