Q & A on Augmentation

Breast Augmentation | Okatie, SC

The decision is have breast augmentation performed by Dr. Smith requires lots of research beforehand from our patients. This is a big life decision and we like our patients to have as much information as possible. This procedure will change your body and the way you see your body. Beyond the decisions such as saline versus silicone and over or under the pectoral muscle for implant placement, our patients have other questions when they’re considering this procedure. 

How long will my implants last?

As with any manufactured product, breast implants have a lifespan. At some point the implants will rupture or begin leaking and will need to be replaced. How long will that be? Manufacturers warranty their implants for 10 years, and will generally reimburse patients for failure prior to that timeframe. But the lifespan of implants between different patients can vary wildly. 

You should expect to have at least one replacement surgery in your lifetime, probably more than one. You should expect to need to replace your implants every 10 to 15 years. Implant durability is increasing, so lifespans could lengthen. Regardless, if you’re in your 30s, you’ll need to replace your implants at least twice in your life, probably more than that. Replacement surgery is much easier than the original augmentation surgery, as Dr. Smith can use the same incision locations.  

How will I know what size to choose for my implants?

Some women think implants are sized similar to bra sizes, but this isn’t the case. Implants are sized by the amount of material filling the implant shell, measured in cubic centimeters (ccs). For instance, an implant could be 300 ccs. 

We have various tools to help our augmentation patients better visualize what different implants sizes and projection types will look like on your figure. 

When can I return to normal activities after my augmentation surgery? 

Most patients are surprised when Dr. Smith tells them they can return to work approximately 3-5 days after surgery. Sutures will be removed after one week. One very important facet of recovery is wearing a support bra 24 hours a day for one full month after your surgery. This is very important to minimize any stress on your incisions. This helps them heal faster, and it helps them become less and less visible more quickly. Otherwise, normal activities can resume in 1-2 weeks, but any impact exercise will need to wait for one month. Upper body exercise, such as lifting weights, will need to wait for six weeks. 

If I’m having a breast lift, can I add implants as well?

Many women opt to add augmentation to their breast lift procedure for two reasons. First, a breast lift doesn’t decrease breast size, but it does return the breasts to a higher position on the chest. Breast lifts don’t add volume or replace volume that may have been lost through breastfeeding or weight loss. Augmentation is the way to add volume in addition to returning the breasts to a higher position on the chest. Second, adding implants during a breast lift is a relatively easy addition to the procedure. This is because the incisions needed for the breast lift can be used for augmentation, as well. Plus, there is just a single recovery period. 

We know you have many questions if you’re considering breast augmentation with the team at Smith Plastic Surgery. A good first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith. Call us at (843) 705-8940 to schedule yours.

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