Breast augmentation with breast implants is a very common cosmetic plastic surgery procedure that improves the shape and volume of the breast. A breast augmentation involves the placement of a breast implant, saline or silicone, usually under the pectoralis major muscle through a small incision in the breast fold, under the nipple or in the armpit.
- The breast augmentation operation takes just under an hour and recovery can be limited to only a couple of days.
The recovery after breast augmentation can be optimized with:
- Proper planning before the operation
- Efficient surgical technique
- Practical care after the operation.
SMART recovery for breast augmentation helps to reduce discomfort, swelling and time-off after the operation. The factors that help improve recovery include:
- Size Selection
- Muscle Dissection
- Anti-inflammatories
- Return to Activity
- Trans- Breast Pocket Anesthetic Block
Size selection for breast implants can effect on recovery. Proper sizing for the chest helps to limit over dissection of the breast pocket and improve recovery of the breast by decreasing tissue stretch and inflammation.
- Size appropriate breast implants should fit the patient’s chest and gently expand the soft tissue envelope of the breast.
An appropriate sized breast implant is one that meets the goals of the patient without over stretching the breast pocket, which will in turn decrease the time to implant settling, and the discomfort after the procedure.
Muscle Dissection helps to limit trauma to the implant pocket and decreases inflammation around the implant. The breast implant pocket creation should be performed with precise electrocautery, rather than blunt stretch, in order to limit the disruption of the breast soft tissue and decrease the risk of bleeding. Precise pocket dissection helps to limit the inflammation and bruising after the procedure, as well, as decreasing the risk of implant malposition and scarring around the implant.
Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen (Motrin™) help to decrease the swelling and irritation commonly experienced after the operation, which translates to a faster recovery and decreased need for an oral narcotic.
Return to activity should include lifting the arms as early as the day of the operation, but limiting activity such as cardio for at least two weeks with return to full activity including chest exercises at the 4 to 6 week period.
Trans-Breast pocket anesthetic block helps to precisely deliver the long-lasting local anesthetic to the sensory nerves of the chest through the injection of key areas under the breast pocket directly through the pocket. This maneuver provides local pain relief for about 8 hours, which helps to speed recovery by decreasing the need for initial oral narcotics and improving the movement of the chest and arms immediately after surgery. Once this is initiated, the anti-inflammatories can be taken to help comfortably continue this program of recovery.
Andrew P. Trussler MD is an experienced plastic surgeon in Austin Texas with advanced training in cosmetic breast surgery including breast augmentation with breast implants.
Dr. Trussler’s Austin plastic surgery office can help guide you in correcting commonly seen cosmetic breast complaints. A breast augmentation with breast implants is a plastic surgery procedure in Austin Texas that should be a smooth and straight forward process that will help improve appearance and self confidence.
