Breast enlargement, also called breast augmentation or boob job is one of the most common cosmetic plastic surgery procedures worldwide. Hundreds of thousands of people choose to have their breasts surgically enhanced every year. However, despite it increasingly becoming popular, the breast enlargement procedure remains shrouded in mystery, giving birth to several myths and misconceptions about it. In this scenario, it’s normal for anyone considering breast enlargement to have several questions that they may need answers to even before setting up an appointment with a breast augmentation surgeon.
Whether you need help figuring out if breast enlargement is right for you or you want to get an overall picture of what the procedure entails, here we answer all the questions you may have about breast augmentation surgery:
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Table of Contents
How is breast enlargement performed?
All the breast enlargement options available these days can be grouped into two major categories:
- Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation – Involves taking fat from some other part of your body, such as the belly, hips, thighs, or flanks, and grafting them into the breast area to give them a bigger and fuller appearance.
- Breast Implants – Involves enhancing and reshaping the breasts using saline or silicone prostheses. Breast implants are available in different shapes, sizes, and forms.
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Should I get fat transfer breast augmentation or implants?
Fat transfer breast enhancement is generally a good choice for those who only want a small increase in their breast size. Those looking for more than one cup size increase may be better off with breast enlargement using implants.
It’s important to note that breast augmentation through fat transfer does little to reshape the breasts. It also does not lift the breasts sagging due to age, weight loss, pregnancy, and/or genetics. Breast implants, on the other hand, are available in different shapes and sizes, giving you more control over the final result.
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Do breasts feel different after an enlargement surgery?
It’s only natural to feel a little different after undergoing breast enlargement. But how exactly you feel depends on the kind of augmentation procedure you get and the difference in breast size. The lesser the difference between your original and augmented breast size, the more natural it will feel. Moreover, fat transfer augmentation feels more natural than breast enlargement via implants.
Having said that, you’ll adjust to the new breast proportions in some time.
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When to have a breast enlargement surgery?
As such, there is no right time or age to have breast enlargement surgery. However, you should avoid getting breast augmentation while pregnant, breastfeeding, and/or losing weight. Pregnancy and weight loss can cause changes in breast size.
Most reputable plastic surgeons also follow the FDA guidelines for breast implants. The federal agency requires women to be at least 18 years of age to get saline breast implants and 22 years or older for silicone gel breast implants.
Certain health conditions may also affect your eligibility for breast enlargement surgery. These include breast cancer or any health condition that affects your body’s ability to heal. If you’re not in the best of health, talk to your plastic surgeon to determine your candidacy for breast augmentation surgery.
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Does the breast enlargement surgery leave scars?
Yes. Like any other invasive procedure, breast enlargement surgery leaves scars. How big or small they are depends on the type of augmentation performed, the type of incisions made, and the surgeon’s expertise.
In general, breast augmentation via fat grafting leaves smaller scars than breast enlargement performed with implants. How obvious or not your scars are depends greatly on the surgeon’s expertise in breast enlargement. An expert plastic surgeon tries to conceal the scars as much as possible by making incisions in the armpit area, folds under the breast, or the darker skin surrounding the areola.
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How long does it take to recover from a breast enlargement surgery?
Even though breast enlargement is quite a major surgery, most people are able to return to work and resume all non-strenuous everyday activities in about two weeks. They will, however, be required to refrain from certain physical activities, stretching the upper body and lifting things above the head for a few months. You will also be required to perform certain exercises and wear a support bra for some time.
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How long does breast augmentation last?
It depends on the type of breast augmentation one receives. Fat transfer breast augmentation is permanent (lasting lifelong), whereas implants typically last over a decade; however, they may last up to 20 years. It’s important to note that the risk of implant rupture increased by 1% every year. This means the older the breast implants get, the higher the risk of rupture it has.
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Should I choose to place breast implants over or under the muscles?
There is no universal answer to this. There are multiple factors to consider to choose the best breast implant placement for yourself. While your surgeon will help you with this, here are a few requirements, advantages, and limitations of each to give you an idea:
Breast Implants Over the Muscle
- Require a fair amount of breast tissues
- Easier procedure with a shorter recovery period
- Cause less post-operative discomfort
- Breast shape doesn’t get affected by chest muscles flexing
- Slightly higher risk of rippling
Breast Implants Under the Muscle
- Better option for women with less amount of natural breast tissue
- Offer more natural-looking result
- Longer recovery period
- Might get distorted and/or displaced with extreme chest muscle flexing
- Ideal placement for saline implants
The Sum Up
Breast enlargement is a major procedure, not just in its nature but in its impact as well. Therefore, it’s important to know what it really entails, the results it offers, and its limitations to set realistic expectations and make an informed decision. Considering the widespread misconceptions about breast enlargement, it’s important to consult a certified and experienced plastic surgeon to get the right information and personalized expert advice.