If you’re considering having breast augmentation surgery, it’s helpful to learn about what the process typically involves and how to prepare.
A breast augmentation generally involves the insertion of breast implants to alter the size, shape, or symmetry of the breasts. Whether you’ve been thinking about it for a while or are in the early stages of research, understanding the procedure can help you make an informed decision.
Preparing your body for surgery is an important step in the overall procedure process. In this blog, we’ll discuss what you can expect and the steps you can take to prepare.
Before your breast augmentation surgery: Having a consultation with your surgeon
Careful preparation is an essential step in ensuring that your breast augmentation surgery process goes as effectively as possible. A thorough consultation with your surgeon will help you understand exactly what will happen and will give you a chance to ask any questions you have about the procedure.
During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss what may be the most suitable options for your individual needs, such as the size and type of implants, incision placement, and the overall surgical approach.
Sometimes, additional breast procedures – like a breast lift mastopexy or a breast fat transfer (autologous fat grafting) – may be added to a breast augmentation plan. It will depend on the condition of your breasts, factors like skin laxity or the position of the breasts, and your personal goals. Therefore, your consultation can also include a discussion about the possibility of including procedures for a more suitable approach.
Apart from the specific aspects of a breast augmentation procedure, the preparation process will also need to include a discussion of your medical history and general health. Your surgeon will need to make sure that you are a suitable candidate for the surgery, both to ensure that it’s the right procedure choice and to try and prevent any surgical complications from occurring. You’ll also need to mention if you have had previous surgeries performed, particularly on the breasts.
As part of your consultation, you’ll likely also have some photos taken, which will be added to your confidential medical record. If you see A/Prof Magnusson, our team will discuss our privacy terms with you and explain how your photographs are kept to ensure your confidentiality.
Finally, your consultation process will provide you with some detailed, personalised surgery preparation instructions.
Your preparation instructions: Steps you may need to follow to prepare
Before a breast augmentation procedure, you’ll need to receive tailored preparation instructions that consider your personal needs, medical history, lifestyle and the details of how your procedure will be performed.
Not only can your instructions help you to generally prepare for your surgery, but it can help to minimise risks throughout your procedure and afterwards, during the recovery process.
Your instructions will depend on your personal needs, but generally, they may include to adjust or stop taking certain medications, undergo some tests to assess your health or suitability, and make some further lifestyle adjustments.
In particular, smoking can slow the healing process, so you’ll likely be asked to refrain from smoking for a few weeks before and after your surgery. You may also be advised to arrange for support during your recovery, particularly making sure that you’ll have someone to drive you home, as you won’t be able to drive due to the anaesthesia effects.
You may also be asked to fast before the procedure – depending on when your procedure is scheduled, this may be from midnight the night before onwards. Fasting before surgery can reduce anaesthesia complications that can occur.
If your surgeon provides you with any additional instructions, it’s important to make sure that you follow these closely. Your instructions are carefully tailored to your needs and are designed to support your body before surgery as much as possible.
Understanding the procedure: What does breast augmentation surgery involve?
Breast augmentation surgery typically lasts between one and two hours, depending on the specifics of the procedure. The first step is anaesthesia, which will put you into a state of deep sleep throughout the operation.
Once you’re under anaesthesia, your surgeon will make the incisions in the chosen area, which will be explained during your consultation. Through these incisions, the chosen breast implants will be placed either above or below the chest muscle, depending on your anatomy and the results you want to achieve.
Once your breast implants are in place, the incisions will be closed, and you’ll be taken to a recovery room where you can wake up from the anaesthesia. You may feel a bit drowsy for a while, but this will gradually pass as the anaesthesia wears off.
As part of your consultation, you can discuss how the procedure will be performed in more detail and what you can expect on the day of your surgery.
Understanding recovery: What should you expect after breast augmentation surgery?
After your procedure, it’s normal to experience symptoms like pain, tenderness, swelling, bruising and fatigue. This is all part of your body’s healing process after a surgical procedure and can typically be managed by following your recovery instructions – such as taking pain medication, and following steps to help swelling subside.
While recovering from breast augmentation surgery, there are a few activities that you’ll need to avoid to support your body’s healing process.
You’ll need to avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous activities during the initial recovery period to allow your body the rest it needs and to reduce the risk of complications, such as implant displacement or strain on the incisions.
For the first few weeks, you’ll also need to be careful with your upper body movements, especially avoiding excessive arm stretching, as this can put unnecessary pressure on the healing breast tissue.
Your surgeon will be able to guide you on when you can begin to slowly resume your normal activities and more strenuous exercises. You’ll also have some follow-up appointments scheduled, so that your healing progress can be monitored and your surgeon can provide you with further personalised advice.
Understanding breast augmentation results: What is the procedure designed to achieve?
When it comes to your results, it’s important to understand that your breasts won’t be in their final shape immediately after surgery.
Right after the procedure, your implants will typically sit higher and feel firmer, but over time, they should settle into their intended position, and any residual swelling will subside. It can take a few months for everything to settle fully.
Once your results do appear, they should closely align with your unique body shape and features, as well as your personal goals. Essentially, every breast augmentation results should be highly personalised and look different for each patient. A significant part of your consultation will be discussing what you can expect when it comes to the intended results of your breast augmentation, so you will generally know what to expect before you undergo your procedure.
As you recover, it’s also important that you attend follow-up appointments with your surgeon. These visits will help ensure that your healing is progressing as expected and that your implants are in the proper position. Your surgeon will also check for any potential complications that could arise and offer advice on how to best care for yourself during the remainder of the healing process.
Plastic Surgeon A/Prof Magnusson: Breast Augmentations with Breast Implants in the Gold Coast & Toowoomba
If you’re thinking about having a breast augmentation procedure, a consultation to discuss your personal goals and assess your unique features will be an essential part of the preparation process.
Located on the Gold Coast and Toowoomba, Specialist Plastic Surgeon and Associate Professor Dr Mark Magnusson has decades of experience performing procedures on the breasts, body and face.
To start preparing for your breast augmentation surgery, please contact our team to arrange your first consultation with A/Prof Magnusson.