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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SURGERY
General Description of Breast Implant Surgery:
Breast implant procedures can be performed on an outpatient (not hospital) basis
or at a hospital. Breast implant surgery can be done under local anesthesia
(only breast area numbed) or under general anesthesia (put to sleep). Breast
implant surgery can last from one to several hours depending on whether the
implant is inserted behind (sub muscular) or in front of (sub glandular) the
chest muscle and whether the surgery is performed on one or both breast. If the
surgery is done in a hospital, the length of the hospital stay will vary
according to the type of surgery, the development of any postoperative
complications, and your general health. It may also depend on the type of
coverage your insurance provides. Before surgery, your doctor discusses with you
the extent of surgery, the estimated time it will take, and the choice of drugs
for pain and nausea.
Your Expectations - Reconstruction or Augmentation:
Your consideration of breast implants, for reconstruction or for augmentation,
should be based on realistic expectations of the outcome. You may also want to
talk with women who have had the surgery at least one year ago by the same
surgeon. Keep in mind, however, that there is no guarantee that your results
will match those of other women.
Your results will depend on many individual factors, such as:
your overall health
chest structure and body shape
healing capabilities (which may be hindered by radiation and chemotherapy,
smoking, alcohol, and various medications)
bleeding tendencies/likelihood
prior breast surgery (ies)
possibility of infection
the skill and experience of the surgical team
the type of surgical procedure
the type and size of implant
You will be given general or local anesthesia, in most cases, antibiotics. The
surgery may last from 12 hours for augmentation to several hours for
reconstruction or revision.
Scarring is a natural outcome of surgery, and your doctor can describe the
location, size, and appearance of the scars you can expect to have. For most
women, scars will fade over time to thin lines, although the darker your skin,
the more prominent the scars are likely to be. You should ask your doctor about
the type of surgical procedures, where your scar will be, and what to expect
after surgery.
Postoperative Care:
Your doctor should describe the usual postoperative (after surgery) recovery
process, the possible complications that can arise, and the expected recovery
period. Following the operation, as with any surgery, some pain, swelling,
bruising, and tenderness can be expected. These complications may last for a
month or longer, but they should disappear with time.
Medications for pain and nausea can be prescribed. Some women may experience
bleeding, fever, warmth, or redness of the breast, or other symptoms of
infection. These symptoms should be reported immediately to your doctor. You
should be told about wound healing and how to care for your wound. Drains may be
used for a few days.
Postoperative care may involve the use of a postoperative bra, compression
bandages, or a jog bra for extra support and positioning while you heal. At your
doctor's recommendation, you will most likely be able to return to work within a
few days, although you should avoid any strenuous activities that could raise
your pulse and blood pressure for at least a couple of weeks. Your doctor may
also recommend breast massage exercises.
Ask your doctor about a schedule or follow-up examinations, limits on your
activities, precautions you should take, and when you can return to your normal
routine. (If you are enrolled in a clinical study, your doctor should give you a
schedule for follow-up examinations set by the study plan).
Surgical Risks To Breast Surgery
All surgery have significant risks and it is always recommended to speak to your
doctor and surgeon to discuss the procedures and risks in detail.
Other risks include:
.hardening of the breasts
.loss of sensation in the nipple or .breast
shifting of the implant from its original position
.interference with mammography .reading that may hamper cancer .detection
On top of all this, says Judith Reichman, M.D., a regular contributor to NBC's
Today Show, implants are a man-made prosthetic that have a shelf life. Most
women will have to go through the whole procedure again–probably two or three
times depending upon their age. The following article presented on the msnbc.com
web site, in association with the Today Show, gives the best overview that our
staff has seen of the dangers of breast implants.
Source :
http://www.breastenlargementmagazine.com/surgery.html