| Dr. Anureet Bajaj is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Breast Augmentation.
Q. What is Breast Augmentation?
A. Breast augmentation is the placement of implants to make the breast larger. It can also restore "cleavage" by restoring fullness to the upper part of the breast which many women find they lose after having children.
Q. How should one prepare for breast augmentation surgery?
A. To prepare for surgery, one should find a surgeon whom they trust.
Q. How is a breast augmentation surgery performed?
A. The surgery is typically performed under a general anesthetic and involves the placement of a saline or silicone breast implant underneath the breast tissue -- this can be either above or below the pectoralis muscle. There are also many incision choices although the most common are either around the areola or underneath the breast. The
surgery typically takes one hour.
Q. What are the possible immediate post-operative effects in breast augmentation surgery?
A. Post-operatively, patients will experience some pain -- if the implant is under the muscle, she will have muscle soreness – and swelling. The pain and discomfort are usually worst the first two days after surgery, and then it improves. The swelling will last for a few weeks.
Q. What are the possible longer-term, local effects in breast augmentation surgery?
A. Long-term effects are varied. Implants are man-made devices; and like all man-made devices, breast implants will not last a woman for her entire lifetime. She may develop abnormal scarring around the implant (2-6% depending on the implant), infection, or leakage of the implant. Any of these problems would require removal and replacement of the implant. I advise women to keep in mind that the longer they have an implant, the more likely that they will require another surgery to remove and/or replace the implant.
Q. What is the recovery time for breast augmentation?
A. Most women are back to work within a week and resume working out within two weeks.
Q. How much does breast augmentation cost?
A. The price of breast augmentation depends on the implant since silicone implants are more expensive than saline implants. Typically, the cost is $4000 for breast augmentation with saline implants, and $5000 for breast augmentation with silicone implants. This price includes the operating room and anesthesia fees as well.
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