What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular procedures among women, with 2.2 million procedures done in 2022. This equates to a 29% increase compared to 2021. But despite its popularity, many people still have questions about what breast augmentation is, how it works, and whether it’s right for them.

If these are questions you’ve been asking yourself, you’ve come to the right place. This blog post covers everything from breast augmentation to recovery.

What Is Breast Augmentation?

More commonly known as a “boob job” among patients, breast augmentation is a procedure that aims to increase the size, shape, and fullness of a woman’s breasts. It achieves this using breast implants or fat transferred from another part of the body. It’s also sometimes known as augmentation mammoplasty.

Why Get Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Personal preferences often play a significant role in the decision to undergo breast augmentation. However, women also consider this procedure for several reasons. These include:

Enhance Body Proportions

For women who feel that their breasts are too small or disproportionate to their bodies, this surgery can help with achieving a more balanced and curvy figure.

Restore Lost Volume

Pregnancy and weight loss can cause breast tissue to shrink, resulting in smaller breasts. Breast augmentation can help restore that volume.

Correct Asymmetry

Some women have naturally uneven breasts, while others may develop asymmetry. This may be due to injury, surgery, or other factors. Breast augmentation can help correct asymmetry, ensuring that both breasts are proportional.

Help with Self-Esteem

Small or sagging breasts can affect a woman’s self-esteem and confidence. Breast augmentation can help give women a fuller bust line.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Not everyone is a good candidate for this surgery. That’s why consulting with a plastic surgeon who can assess your medical history, physical condition, and expectations is essential. There are a few factors plastic surgeons look for when determining good candidacy.

These include:

Dissatisfaction With Current Breast Size

The main requirement is simply unhappiness regarding your current breast size or proportions. You need to have a clear concept and goals of how you’d like your breasts to look after surgery – both in terms of size and shape.

Breasts That Have Lost Volume

If your breasts have lost fullness and deflated in appearance due to ageing, pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight fluctuations, you can be an excellent candidate for augmentation. Surgery can help restore what has been lost over time. However, the skin needs to still have enough elasticity for the best contour results.

General Good Health

Like any surgery, your candidacy depends greatly on having an otherwise healthy lifestyle and fitness level. Moreover, women with high blood pressure, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders may not qualify for this procedure. The same goes for those who smoke or have a history of smoking. Being in good health lowers the risk of surgical complications.

Emotional Readiness

The surgeon will also want to ensure that you have a positive body image outlook and the mental and emotional readiness to undergo this surgery. After all, breast augmentation results in permanent changes to your appearance. Being educated on the procedure and having social support can help with the transition.

What to Expect During Breast Augmentation on the Gold Coast

The breast augmentation procedure varies depending on the type of implant, the incision site, and the placement of the implant. It’s usually done under general anaesthesia and takes about one to two hours. The surgeon will make an incision in one of the following locations:

• Inframammary: along the crease under the breast
• Periareolar: around the edge of the areola

The surgeon will create a pocket within the breast area to insert the implant. This could be placed either behind the breast tissue (sub glandular) or under the chest muscle (sub muscular). Finally, the surgeon will close the incision with sutures, tape, or glue.

That said, you’ll need to wear a special bra or bandage to support your breasts and reduce swelling for a few weeks afterwards. Some patients experience some pain, bruising, and numbness in the breasts and nipples.

The surgeon may prescribe painkillers and antibiotics to aid your recovery. They’ll also provide after-care instructions on how to care for the incisions and implants. This includes regular checkups to monitor your progress.

The recovery time varies from person to person, but generally, you can expect to resume light activities within a few days. You’ll be able to continue exercising within 4-6 weeks and see final results within six months.

Schedule a Breast Augmentation Consult Today!

If you’re still wondering “what is breast augmentation?”, consider consulting an experienced plastic surgeon. They will provide a better understanding of the procedure and answer any questions you may have. If you’re in Gold Coast, look no further than The Lotus Institute.

As an established provider of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, we strive to make every patient happy with their outcome. Our team can address any concerns you have while assessing patient goals and medical needs.

Get started today by scheduling an appointment now!