Boob jobs continue to be one of the most-researched treatment topics onsite. Implants add volume to existing breast tissue to create a fuller chest. Usually, one of two types is used, saline or silicone, with several options for placement, shape, size, incision location and texture.
If you’re considering breast implants, you probably have a lot of questions. Double board certified New York plastic surgeon Adam R. Kolker, M.D. shares his insider tips on what you should know before getting breast surgery.
- Your first breast surgery probably won’t be your last.
Twenty-five percent of women will need another surgery after ten years because implants don’t last forever. Over time, the implant could start to leak or a “scar shell” could form around it, changing the shape of the implant and creating a need for new implants. Weight loss, pregnancy, and change in preference are other factors that could lead the patient having another surgery after a few years.
- Recovery time is generally short-term
Most patients will only have to take five to seven days off work for a breast augmentation and about the same for a reduction. You won’t be feeling 100 percent after that week, but you’ll be in good-enough shape to head back to the office if your job doesn’t require manual labour. However, if Dr Scamp places the implant behind the muscle instead of on top (many women choose to do this for a more realistic look and less chance of a scarred shell forming around the implant), recovery will be a little harder, and you might be sore longer.
- Breasts with implants feel different to the touch than real breasts
Although silicone breasts feel similar to real breasts, they are still manmade and don’t feel like natural breast tissue. You’ll be more likely to notice there’s an implant in a woman who began with little breast tissue than a woman who had more breast tissue, to start with.
- You can try on different boob sizes before deciding on one.
Using “sizers,” a bead-filled neoprene sack, you can stuff your bra to give you an idea of the size you might like.
- You can’t go from small to huge all at once
If you’re starting with a small A cup, don’t expect to go up to a DD cup in one procedure. It’s important to set realistic goals. Your body and skin need time to adjust to drastic changes, so a surgeon will likely suggest going up only a couple cup sizes at first, then increasing the implant size over the course of a few years.
- Breast augmentations and reductions could possibly affect your ability to breastfeed in the future
Women who have implants often choose not to breastfeed, so the data sets on these women are unclear. Although, if an areola incision has been made, there’s a small risk that you could damage minor ducts, affecting your ability to breastfeed. Women who have underarm incisions or incisions in the crease of the breast should not have a problem.
- You could lose feeling in your nipples after surgery
Sensation loss in the nipples can occur when there is surgery to the breasts. This depends on different factors, including operation type and breast shape. If you do lose sensation in your nipples, they will still be able to respond to stimulation and cold and stimulation.
- You’re not a suitable candidate for a boob job if you have a solid family history of breast cancer, are obese, or smoke.
All these factors will increase the risks and complications during and following surgery. If you have any significant medical issues, you need to be evaluated and cleared prior to surgery.