Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure
Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures in North America, typically conducted on an outpatient basis at a hospital or clinic. Accomplished by the insertion of a gel implant or through a "breast lift," the decision to undergo such an operation requires consideration, research and consultation with a physician.
Surgery
Breast enlargement, also called augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure undertaken by a woman to alter the size, position or shape of her breasts. The operation bears risk and the likelihood of moderate to severe pain after the surgery. It generally is conducted under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, and requires one to two hours of surgical time, with the patient typically returning home the same day for recovery. Swelling around the incision area often lasts up to six weeks.
Medication
Painful bruises (a normal part of the healing process) may appear three to four days after surgery and remain visible and tender for two to three weeks. The management of post surgery pain centers on prescription medication. "Pain is controlled with prescription medications for the first days to week," says Dr. Bryce J Cowan, a reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgeon in Vancouver, BC. "Most patients require only over-the-counter medications or are comfortable without pain medication within days of the procedure."
Post-Surgery
Minimization of post-surgery discomfort is also addressed in other manners--prescription narcotics occasionally encourage constipation, so stool softeners may be required. A contouring garment or bra is often suggested by a physician in the early recovery period. It is generally suggested that a patient take approximately a one-week leave from work, arrange for assistance with childcare if necessary, and refrain from physical activity that requires lifting or reaching for objects overhead.
Numbing Medicine
Some physicians offer specialized, pain management systems. "During your operation, I will insert very thin, tiny tubes into your area of surgery. These tubes are attached to a clear plastic bulb filled with numbing medicine," writes San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Roy Kim. "The bulb then 'pumps' numbing medicine into your area of surgery for the next several days." Dr. Kim suggests that this technique allows patients to better control their pain, take fewer medications orally, and recover in a shorter period of time.
Risks and Precautions
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that bears risk. According to the Mayo Clinic, these could include problems related to anesthesia, bleeding, infection (including possible removal of the implant to treat the infection), an increase or decrease in nipple sensation, or differences in the shape of the two breasts. Dr. Cowan says that although pain perception varies among individuals, "post-operative pain is often underestimated, especially following sub-muscular implantation. Scars around the area will require at least 12 to 18 months to fully heal and should be protected from direct sunlight to avoid the likelihood of a darkening in color."
Tags: surgical procedure, after surgery, area surgery, augmentation surgical, augmentation surgical procedure
