Tips for Achieving Natural Breast Augmentation Results
Year after year, breast augmentation remains the cosmetic surgical procedure that patients most often undergo. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which is the leading professional organization for surgeons in that specialty field, more than 279,000 breast augmentations were performed by its member surgeons in 2015. This kept it as the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure for patients.
Our staff at Jefferson Plastic Surgery also reports that breast augmentation is one of its most popular procedures. Of course, each of these patients wants the best possible results from surgery; in particular, they want their breasts to look as natural as possible. We have found that our breast augmentation patients are eager to be active participants in this process, so we offer several tips for them to follow in order to help them get the best possible natural results from their surgery.
Starting before Surgery
Your journey to natural looking results from breast implant surgery actually starts before your procedure date. Your surgeon will provide you with a checklist of what to do before surgery in order to properly prepare for the procedure. Two of the main things on the list are to stop all alcohol and tobacco use starting at least two weeks prior to surgery. Although this would be an optimal time to stop altogether (tobacco use in particular), you should aim to refrain from resuming alcohol and tobacco use until at least four weeks after your breast augmentation procedure. Tobacco can dry out the delicate breast tissue, which can lead to longer healing times with excessive scarring. Alcohol is a known blood thinner, and can result in excessive bleeding during and after surgery. It can also result in longer healing times and excessive scarring.
One Size Does Not Fit All
One of the biggest misconceptions prospective breast augmentation patients have is that “bigger is better.” In fact, selecting the right implant size will go a long way toward getting the most natural looking final results. If you have a small frame, implants of an overly large size will not look natural. The same can be said for the implant profile, or the ratio of the implant’s height compared to its width. For example, if you have a narrow chest, you would want high-profile implants (more height than width) to avoid what is known as the “uniboob” effect. Conversely, a low-profile implant (more width than height) is a better choice if you have a wide chest so that your augmented breasts will not appear to be sitting too far apart. Our surgeons can help you select an implant of the proper size and profile.
Reduce Bruising and Swelling
Bruising and swelling will occur following any surgery, as they are part of the body’s natural defense reaction to the skin being cut open. It is important to reduce the amount and duration of bruising and swelling following your surgery as much as possible, since doing so will speed the healing process, which will in turn reduce the amount and appearance of scarring. Your surgeon will provide you with a special compression garment to wear at all times for at least the first week to 10 days following your surgery to reduce bruising and swelling. The herb Arnica montana can also help reduce bruising and swelling, and comes in a convenient ointment formulation.
A skilled surgeon is key to getting natural results from a breast augmentation procedure. However, our staff also believes that patient cooperation can go a long way toward helping maintain those results. We strongly encourage you to be part of the process toward having augmented breasts that look and feel as natural as possible.