According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there are an average of 300,000 breast augmentation procedures done in the United States every year. Breast enlargement is an option that many women choose because it offers them the chance to get the silhouette that they have always wished for.
At Soler Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, we offer breast enlargement surgery for women who want to enhance their breasts. Learn more about this surgical procedure.
What Is a Boob Job?
A boob job, or breast augmentation, is a surgical procedure that increases breast size. It involves placing implants in or transferring fat from other parts of the body to the breast area.
There are many reasons why women choose to have breast augmentations. These include:
- To change the shape of their breasts
- To change the size of their breasts
- To provide symmetry to their breasts
- To account for a size decrease after pregnancy or significant weight loss
The most common type of breast enlargement uses implants. These implants contain saline (salt water) or silicone. They come in different structures that help them retain a natural shape.
To insert the implants, we can use different incisions. The most common one is to make an incision on the underside of the breast, where there is a natural skin fold. This is called an inframammary incision.
Another option is to make an incision under your arm. This type of incision is called transaxillary. From the incision, we can use an endoscope to set the implant in place.
We can also use a periareolar incision, which we make around the areola. The least common option is to make a transumbilical incision, which is a cut near the belly button.
The placement of the implant can also vary. We can choose to place the implant under the chest muscle or under the breast tissue and in front of your muscle. Which placement we use will depend on a few factors, including the size of the implant and the type of implant you choose.
Candidates for a Breast Augmentation
The best candidates for breast enlargement surgery are people in good mental and physical health. You should not have active infections, untreated cancers, or any other serious illnesses. Women who have sagging, elongated, flattened, or asymmetrical breasts can usually benefit the most from a boob job.
If you smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have breast cancer, have blood clotting problems, or have active infections, you are not the best candidate for this kind of surgery.
Most women do qualify for breast enlargement surgery, but when you speak with us, we will talk you through any alternatives if you do not qualify.
How to Prepare for a Breast Augmentation
When you schedule an appointment with us, we will take your full medical history to ensure you are healthy enough for surgery. We will request that you have blood work done so we can check that your blood-clotting levels are within normal LEVELS.
If you are over 50, we may also ask you to have an EKG to make sure your heart is healthy enough for surgery.
Let us know of any other surgical procedures you may have undergone, and tell us about all of the medications you take. If you take supplements, make a list of these as well.
If we deem you are a good candidate for surgery, there are some other preparations you will have to make. You need to stop smoking and using any other nicotine products a few weeks before surgery. You should also stop drinking alcohol at least two weeks before the procedure and stop taking blood-thinning medication.
You need to avoid eating or drinking anything eight hours before the procedure. This includes water.
On the Day of Surgery
You want to come to our clinic without wearing makeup, contact lenses, or jewelry. Wear comfortable clothing and choose shirts that button up or zip up at the front.
We will give you IV sedation or general anesthesia and then make the incisions. We will insert the implants, which will be empty if we have opted for saline ones, and then fill them with the sterile saline solution. We will then close the incisions.
Once we finish the surgery, we will take you to an observation room to monitor you. After about an hour, you are free to leave. Make sure to have someone with you who can take you home because you cannot drive yourself.
Recovering from Breast Enlargement Surgery
You need to rest as you recover from a boob job. You will want to avoid all kinds of strenuous activities and avoid lifting anything heavy for two to three weeks. To help with the recovery process, avoid alcohol, eat healthy foods, and drink lots of water.
We will show you how to take care of the incisions for the first few days. After about a week, you can start performing light activities.
You will get near full recovery around two months after surgery. We will let you know when you can start driving again and when it is safe for you to return to work.
Get Breast Enlargement Surgery in Tampa, FL
If you want to increase your breast size or even out asymmetrical breasts, a breast enlargement procedure can offer the results you want.
At Soler Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Tampa, FL, we offer many cosmetic procedures to help you achieve the body you have been striving for. Schedule a consultation with us today to learn more.