Breast enlargement surgery: costs, risks and the process & bull; hello healthy

Breast enlargement surgery is included in the cosmetic surgery class. Through this surgery, women can get breast implants to make their breasts bigger and fuller.

This surgery can be done for reconstructive or corrective reasons, such as after a mastectomy (breast removal surgery) for breast cancer, but it can also be done for cosmetic reasons.

Two types of breast implants

There are two types of breast implants used for breast enlargement surgery, namely saline and silicone. Usually, implants should only be left in the body for 10-15 years. When it reaches the end of this age, the implant must be replaced.

Saline implants is an implant that uses a silicone bag and contains sterile salt water (saline).

Silicone implant is an implant that uses a silicone bag and contains a thick plastic (silicone) gel.

Generally, many women use silicone implants, because they feel more like real breasts than saline implants. However, silicone implants pose a greater health risk if the implants rupture.

In 1992, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) withheld the sale of silicone implants for safety reasons. However, in 2006, after much research, the FDA began approving certain silicone implants for re-sale on the market.

How much does breast enlargement surgery cost?

To perform breast enlargement surgery, the costs are certainly not small. How much it costs to implant a breast implant depends on the location, the doctor, and also the type of implant used.

Because it is included in cosmetic or beauty care procedures, breast enlargement surgery and also its treatment, including the risk of diseases that can arise, are generally not included in the list of health insurance, so the cost becomes expensive.

In Indonesia alone, the average cost of breast enlargement surgery starts from IDR 20 million and above, as stated by dr. Irena Sakura Rini and quoted by Metrotvnews.com.

What is the minimum age for breast augmentation surgery?

Breasts will continue to develop and grow until a woman reaches her early 20s. Many doctors issue a rule that in order to perform breast augmentation surgery with saline implants, a woman must be at least 18 years old. Meanwhile, to use silicone implants, the age of women is at least 22 years.

What are the conditions that must be met before breast enlargement surgery?

Breast augmentation surgery is a very personal procedure and you should do it because of yourself, not because of anyone else. If you meet the requirements below, then you can become a candidate for breast enlargement surgery patients.

You are physically fit.
You have realistic expectations.
Your breasts are finished growing.
You are troubled by the feeling that your breasts are too small.
You are unhappy with your breasts losing their shape and volume after becoming pregnant, losing weight, or getting older.
You're not happy with the not-so-prominent upper part of your breasts.
Your breasts are asymmetrical.
One or both of your breasts fail to develop normally or have an elongated shape.

How to choose the right plastic surgeon?

When you choose a surgeon for breast enlargement surgery, choose one who has a long experience. If you choose a surgeon who has 6 years of experience in surgical training and at least 3 years of experience in plastic surgery, your risk of complications will be small.

Before the operation begins, you will meet with your surgeon for a medical evaluation. You can say what you want and you will also get feedback from your doctor. This discussion also includes which part of the breast to treat. So you will know where the scar will be generated.

Your surgeon may ask you to stop using certain drugs for a few days or weeks before starting surgery.

How long does the surgery to enlarge the breasts?

Usually the operation to enlarge the breast with this implant uses general anesthesia, so you will fall asleep and feel no pain. This operation takes about 1-2 hours.

What is the breast enlargement surgery procedure?

Your surgeon will cut the skin of your breast where it is or where it is being treated. But most surgeons will cut under your breasts, under your arms, or around your nipples. It all depends on your body, the type of implant used, and how much enlargement will be performed.

After the skin is cut, the implant will be placed between the breast tissue and chest muscles, or behind your chest muscles. After the implants are in place, the incisions are sutured together and closed.

Usually patients can go home right away or can choose to stay overnight in the hospital. When you return home, you need to limit your activities and avoid doing any strenuous or tiring activities first. You can return to your normal activities in the next 4-6 weeks.

After surgery, women are usually worried about the unnatural shape of their breasts at first. However, that is normal and happens a lot. Your breasts will usually look and feel better within a few months.

Recovery after surgery to enlarge breasts

Your breasts will be covered with gauze after surgery. The drain tube that is attached to you will be removed in a few days. You will also be asked to use a special bra until you recover.

You will be asked not to do activities that inconvenience you for several days. Any activity that requires you to lift heavy objects is not allowed until 6 weeks after your surgery.

You can use pain relievers such as acetaminophen to reduce your discomfort. Your doctor can also give you some prescription drugs. Swelling can also occur in the area of the surgery, but it will disappear along with the scar, over time.