Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation: What to Expect Before, During & After Surgery

Breast augmentation remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the world. But, when considering breast augmentation, patients often feel confused or overwhelmed by everything the procedure entails.

Fortunately, Lansing, MI board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Huettner – one of the foremost breast augmentation surgeons in the Lansing area – takes great care to keep his patients as informed about their procedure as possible.

In this article, Dr. Huettner discusses how to best prepare for breast augmentation surgery; outlining everything you need to know before, during, and after your procedure.

Preparing for Breast Augmentation Surgery

Preparing for any surgical procedure begins long before the start of the surgery itself. Breast augmentation is no exception. This is why, during their breast augmentation consultation, Lansing, MI board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Huettner carefully explains everything patients need to do in the weeks leading up to their procedure.

Lansing, MI board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Huettner provides all of his breast augmentation patients with extensive instructions for how to prepare for their surgery. It is crucial that patients are fully aware of their responsibilities, and understand that they are equally as responsible for the procedure’s success as their surgeon.

For starters, breast augmentation patients are advised to refrain from smoking or any other kind of tobacco or nicotine product. Dr. Huettner may also advise patients to cease consumption of hormonal methods of birth control, which are known to increase the likelihood of blood clots.

Approximately two weeks or so before breast augmentation surgery, patients must stop all usage of medications like ibuprofen and aspirin, as well as anything containing those products. Furthermore, to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding during and after their surgery, breast augmentation patients should also refrain from drinking red wine during this time, as it is a blood thinner.

During their breast augmentation consultation, patients should also inform Lansing, MI breast surgeon Dr. Huettner of any and all vitamin supplements they are taking. If their regular vitamin supplements contain blood thinners, patients will be asked to refrain taking them during this time as well.

Breast augmentation patients will also need to arrange a ride home from the surgery. And if at all possible, it is strongly advised for patients to arrange in advance to have someone stay with them the night after their breast augmentation surgery.

During Breast Augmentation Surgery

Most cases of breast augmentation surgery performed at our Lansing, MI area surgical center are completed in under two hours.

Breast augmentation surgery begins with an incision made in one of the following locations: inframammary, periaeolar, or transaxillary.

Inframammary incisions are made in the crease below the breast, while periareolar incisions are made at the border of the breast skin and the areola. Transaxillary incisions, on the other hand, are made through the armpit. Breast augmentation can be performed by placing the implant either behind the breast tissue but in front of the pectoral major muscle, or behind the muscle entirely.

The most popular method of breast augmentation selected by our Lansing, MI patients is submuscular placement through an inframammary incision. After the incision is made, a slit is created in the pectoral muscle, which allows Dr. Huettner to carefully create a pocket behind the muscle. Using an implant sizer, the size and shape of the implant will be verified, and any necessary adjustments will be made. Finally, the implant is placed within the breast augmentation pocket, and the incision is closed.

Recovery After Breast Augmentation Surgery

At Aurora Plastic Surgery in Lansing, MI, our breast augmentation patients typically only spend about an hour in the postoperative recovery room following surgery, after which they are able to return home. And thanks to the use of long-acting anesthetic – which lasts for about 72 hours – breast augmentation patients tend to leave their procedure virtually pain free.

Since every woman’s body heals differently, there is no universal time for recovery. Most patients will feel perfectly fine after about a week, with many returning to work at that time. However full recovery can take on average six weeks.

It is common for some soreness and swelling to persist throughout the first week following breast augmentation, and in some cases it may even continue into the second week. Dr. Huettner will prescribe pain relief medication to be taken as needed for the next few days to a week. During this stage of the healing process, the patient’s breasts will be sensitive to jarring movement and physical contact in general, so care should be taken to avoid exercise, heavy lifting or other types of exertion.

Like all forms of surgery, breast augmentation patients can expect some scarring, but Dr. Huettner will carefully conceal the location of the scars in the least visible location. Scars from breast augmentation, will also generally fade in appearance over time.

To help reduce this pain and speed up healing, you will also be advised to wear a special type of recovery bra. This will keep the implants in place while healing, as well as provide mild compression that increases circulation and helps proper drainage.