Nearly three hundred thousand breast augmentation surgeries are performed every year in the United States, and 20 percent of those women will have a revision surgery before the first two years after their initial surgery.  Of those having revision surgery, half will be to fix a problem known as capsular contracture, a tightening of the scar tissue that forms around the implant.  There are a few things you need to know to minimize your risk for all complications after breast augmentation surgery.

1. HAVE SURGERY FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

Breast augmentation will enhance your appearance and give you confidence in the way you look.  It will not make a relationship improve, so don’t get it for someone else’s sake.

2. DO YOUR HOMEWORK

You must be honest with yourself about the aesthetic goal you are trying to achieve.  Breast augmentation will not make your lower half appear smaller or put you ‘in proportion’ if you are larger on the bottom; you will only look heavier with breast implants that are too big.  Remember, this is about looking sexier, and bigger is not necessarily better.

You should look at websites that provide honest and truthful information regarding breast augmentation and plastic surgery in general:

www.plasticsurgery.org

www.surgery.org

www.breastimplantsafety.org

It would also be helpful to ask your friends or family members who have had breast augmentation about their experience.  They can provide valuable information about their experience.

3. PICK YOUR SURGEON CAREFULLY

The doctor you choose can make a big difference in your risk for complications.  Being certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is just the beginning. Your surgeon should be a breast implant specialist with a reputation for breast augmentation.

4. COMMUNICATE YOUR GOALS

Be specific about what you want and would like to achieve with breast augmentation.  There is no accurate way to achieve a bra cup size for many reasons, so simply stating what cup size you want will not be as helpful as bringing in photos of women who have your desired proportions.  To confirm your aesthetic goals, ‘sizing’ should be performed in your doctor’s office where a special bra worn and implants are placed for you to see your new proportions. This will help your surgeon know how to best meet your goals.  Just as important as your ability to honestly communicate your goals, the doctor needs to listen.  If the doctor is rushing you or doesn’t seem to acknowledge what you are saying, go somewhere else.

5. LISTEN TO YOUR SURGEON

Your surgeon’s recommendations are probably going to help you get your desired result, or as close as possible, while minimizing complications.  This is especially important regarding recommendations with the size of your breast implants.  The most common mistake is to place excessively large implants relative to your body’s anatomy.  This frequently leads to unpredictable tissue stretch, implant malposition, and capsular contracture.

6. DON’T DRINK ALCOHOL OR SMOKE TWO WEEKS BEFORE AND ONE WEEK AFTER SURGERY

Cigarette smoking reduces oxygen levels in your tissues and increases the inflammatory response of your body, two things that reduce your body’s ability to heal and increase the likelihood of capsular contracture.  Alcohol increases oozing immediately after surgery, increasing the risk of fluid (serum) or blood accumulation around the implants, and thereby increasing the risk of capsular contracture.

7. AVOID DENTAL OR GYN PROCEDURES FOR THREE MONTHS AFTER SURGERY AND TAKE ANTIBIOTICS PRIOR TO ANY PROCEDURE PLANNED AFTER THREE MONTHS

These procedures cause bacteria to be liberated into the blood stream which can contaminate breast implants during the healing period.  Although theoretically implant infection is a risk, it is usually capsular contracture that can occur.

Minimizing your risk for complications will make your experience of having breast augmentation much more satisfying with less discomfort, and is possible by heeding these simple rules.  If you have more questions, please call Dr. Minniti for a consultation regarding breast augmentation at your convenience.