Breast augmentation can be done in a surgery center or in a hospital outpatient facility. Most people go home the same day. A hospital stay is rarely needed after this surgery.
Sometimes, breast augmentation can be done using medicine that numbs only the breast area. This is called local anesthesia. Often, though, general anesthesia is used to bring on a sleep-like state during breast augmentation. Before surgery, talk with your plastic surgeon about the anesthesia that will be used for your procedure.
During the procedure
To put in the breast implant, your plastic surgeon makes a single cut, called an incision, in one of three places:
- The crease under your breast. This is called inframammary.
- Around your nipple. This is called periareolar.
- Under your arm. This is called transaxillary.
After making the cut, the surgeon separates your breast tissue from the muscles and connective tissue of your chest. This makes a pocket either behind or in front of the outer muscle of the chest wall, called the pectoral muscle. The surgeon puts the implant into this pocket and centers it behind your nipple.
Surgeons put saline implants in empty, then fill them with sterile salt water once they're in place. Silicone implants are filled with silicone gel before surgery.
When the implant is in place, the surgeon closes the incision, most often with stitches, also called sutures. Then the surgeon bandages the incision with skin adhesive and surgical tape.
After the procedure
Soreness and swelling are likely for a few weeks after surgery. There may be bruising too. Expect scars to fade over time. But they won't go away completely.
While you heal, it might help to wear a compression bandage or sports bra for support. Your surgeon might prescribe pain medicine as well.
Talk with your surgeon about when you can return to your regular activities. If you don't have to move a lot in your job, you might be able to return to work within a few weeks. For at least two weeks, don't do anything that causes you to strain or raises your pulse or blood pressure. While you heal, your breasts will be sensitive to touch and jarring movements.
Your surgeon might use stitches that don't go away on their own or place drainage tubes near your breasts. If so, you need a follow-up appointment to remove them.
If you have warmth and redness in your breast or if you develop a fever, that could mean you have an infection. Contact your surgeon as soon as you can if you have those symptoms. Also contact your surgeon if you're short of breath or if you have chest pain.