What to Consider Before Breast Augmentation

Quick Answer: Before breast augmentation, think about what you want to change, whether implants alone can achieve that goal, and what long-term care may be involved. Breast shape, skin quality, implant size and type, possible sagging, recovery, future breast screening, and the possibility of another surgery can all affect the decision. A consultation can help determine whether breast augmentation, a breast lift, or another breast procedure best matches your anatomy and goals.

What Can Breast Augmentation Change?

Breast augmentation adds volume and fullness to the breasts. Some patients consider it because they have always wanted more breast volume, while others notice changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or aging.

Implants cannot always correct significant sagging. If the nipples sit lower than desired or the breast skin has stretched, a breast lift may be considered instead of, or along with, implants. Patients who want smaller, lighter breasts may be better candidates for breast reduction.

Do You Need Breast Implants or a Breast Lift?

Breast implants add volume, while a breast lift raises and reshapes sagging breasts. Some patients may benefit from one procedure, while others may need both to address volume loss and sagging.

The choice depends on breast shape, nipple position, skin quality, and the change you want to achieve. If lost fullness is the main concern, implants alone may be enough. If sagging or excess skin is more significant, a lift may play a larger role in the surgical plan.

How Do You Choose the Right Breast Implant?

There is no single implant that is best for everyone. Both silicone and saline breast implants are available, and each has different characteristics to consider.

Implant size also involves more than choosing a cup size. Breast width, chest dimensions, existing breast tissue, skin quality, and implant profile all affect what will fit your body. The goal is to choose an implant that supports the desired shape while staying within what the surrounding tissues can reasonably support.

Does Implant Placement Matter?

Yes. Breast implants may be placed above the chest muscle or partly or completely beneath it. Placement can affect the appearance of the breast, recovery, and how much natural tissue covers the implant.

There is no single placement that is best for every patient. Your surgeon should explain why a particular position is recommended based on your anatomy, existing breast tissue, implant choice, and surgical goals.

What Should You Know About Breast Augmentation Scars?

Breast augmentation requires an incision, so some scarring is expected. A common incision is placed in the crease beneath the breast, although other approaches may be appropriate depending on the surgical plan.

Scar appearance usually changes as healing continues. Your surgeon should explain where the incision is expected to be placed, why that approach is recommended, and what to expect as the scar matures.

Are Breast Implants Permanent?

Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices. Some patients keep their implants for many years, while others eventually need another operation because of a complication, implant change, or different cosmetic goals.

Future surgery may be considered because of implant rupture, capsular contracture, changes in breast shape, implant movement, or a desire to change size or have the breast implants removed. Breast augmentation should therefore be viewed as a long-term decision rather than a one-time procedure.

What Long-Term Monitoring Do Breast Implants Require?

Long-term follow-up depends partly on the type of implant. For silicone gel-filled breast implants, FDA labeling recommends ultrasound or MRI beginning about 5 to 6 years after surgery and every 2 to 3 years afterward, even when there are no symptoms, to help check for silent rupture.

Implant surveillance is different from routine breast cancer screening. Imaging used to evaluate an implant does not automatically replace recommended mammograms or other breast screening. Your surgeon and healthcare team can explain which follow-up applies to your implants, age, health history, and breast screening needs.

What Risks Should You Understand?

Like any surgery, breast augmentation has risks. Possible complications include infection, changes in breast or nipple sensation, asymmetry, implant movement, scar tissue tightening around the implant, rupture, and the need for another operation.

Patients should also understand breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL, which has been reported more often in patients with certain textured implants. The FDA has also reported rare cases of squamous cell carcinoma and other lymphomas developing in the capsule around breast implants.

Some patients have reported systemic symptoms such as fatigue, joint or muscle pain, or difficulty concentrating. The causes of these symptoms and their relationship to breast implants are still being studied, so concerns should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

Can Breast Implants Affect Mammograms?

Patients with breast implants can still have mammograms, but implants can make some breast tissue more difficult to see on standard images. Tell the imaging facility that you have breast implants before your exam so appropriate techniques and additional views can be used when needed.

Breast cancer screening and implant surveillance serve different purposes. Imaging used to check the condition of an implant does not automatically replace routine breast screening.

Can Breast Augmentation Affect Breastfeeding?

Some patients can breastfeed after breast augmentation, while others may have difficulty producing a full milk supply. Breastfeeding ability can be affected by natural anatomy, the surgical approach, changes to nerves or ducts, and factors unrelated to the implants.

Changes in breast or nipple sensation can also occur after surgery. If future breastfeeding is important to you, discuss it during your consultation so it can be considered when planning the procedure.

What Is Breast Augmentation Recovery Usually Like?

Recovery varies from patient to patient. Soreness, swelling, pressure, and tightness are common during early healing, and activity is generally increased gradually rather than all at once.

Your surgeon’s instructions should guide your return to work, driving, exercise, and heavy lifting. Recovery can differ based on implant placement, surgical technique, overall health, and the physical demands of your normal routine.

What Should You Ask at Your Breast Augmentation Consultation?

A consultation should help determine whether breast augmentation fits your goals, not simply which implant to choose. Ask whether implants alone can create the change you want, whether a breast lift should also be considered, which implant size and type suit your anatomy, and what recovery may involve.

You should also discuss possible complications, long-term implant monitoring, future breast screening, and what may happen if you later want your implants changed or removed. Before surgery, patients should review the implant manufacturer’s patient information and the FDA-required patient decision checklist provided for the implant being considered.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Augmentation

How Should You Decide Whether Breast Augmentation Is Right for You?

Breast augmentation is not simply a decision about breast size. A thoughtful surgical plan should account for breast shape, skin quality, implant type and placement, recovery, long-term monitoring, future breast screening, and the possibility of another surgery later.

At Weniger Plastic Surgery, Frederick G. Weniger, M.D., F.A.C.S., can evaluate your anatomy and discuss whether breast augmentation, a breast lift, or another breast procedure may better match your goals.

To discuss your options, call (843) 757-0123 or schedule a consultation with Weniger Plastic Surgery.