The decision to undergo breast surgery is a distinctly personal one. Many women choose breast augmentation surgery for cosmetic reasons, such as enhancing the contours for a woman who feels that her breasts are too small, creating a balance of symmetry when breasts are different shapes, revitalizing breasts that may have sagged, or restoring the breast shape after the loss of volume after childbirth. In other cases the reasons stem from women wishing to return to their old selves after the loss of a breast from cancer treatments or mastectomies. At the other end of the equation are women who wish to have breast reduction surgery. Women with very large natural breasts may experience chronic back problems due to the weight on their chest, and in some cases the best remedy is breast reduction surgery. This type of breast surgery is not only limited to women. Some men who have excessive breast tissue in their chests choose to have breast reduction surgery in order to flatten their chest.

Managing Expectations for Your Breast Surgery

No matter what your reason is, once you have made that initial decision to undergo breast surgery you still have a number of other important decisions to consider. First and foremost, you need to find a reputable doctor with whom you are very comfortable. This will be the most crucial part of your research process since you will want everything to go perfectly. Speak frankly with your doctor about your expectations to ensure that you both understand what you want and what you hope to achieve from the procedure. Your doctor should give you a thorough explanation of what will occur during your surgery and will inform you on how best to prepare. Understanding breast surgery recovery will make it much easier to take care of yourself and your breasts during the post-operative period.

If you choose to have breast reduction surgery, be sure to tell your doctor about your reasons for having the surgery and inquire about the possibility of your insurance helping you with the expenses. If you are undergoing the surgery for aesthetic reasons, be very clear about the breast shape you hope to achieve once the surgery is over and you have completely healed. In the event that you want breast reduction surgery because you are experiencing back problems, you may want to work with a chiropractor in addition to a plastic surgeon. This can help you achieve a breast size and shape that looks great and helps alleviate back pain.

As with any kind of surgery there are possible complications to be aware of. A common condition is the tightening of the scar and tissue surrounding the implant which makes the breast feel hard. Other problems may include temporary loss or gain of sensation in the nipples and excessive bleeding. These conditions can be managed or fixed with follow up visits. Prior to your breast augmentation surgery discuss these potential problems with your doctor so that you fully understand the risks and what can be done if they occur.

Considering Your Choices for Breast Augmentation

For patients about to undergo breast augmentation surgery there are a number of options to consider. Begin by researching the shape and size of the breasts you would like to have. Some surgeons suggested collecting magazine clippings during your research. This gives the surgeon a starting point for recommending the right type of implant to suit not only your wishes but your body's anatomy. Breast implants are designed with a solid rubber silicone shell and filled with saline or silicone and are either a round shape or a more natural teardrop shape. The decision for what shape you prefer will then lead to choosing the type of incision your surgeon will use. The three most common incisions are done on the bottom of the breast in the natural crease, around the areola, or in the armpit. The other option is entering through the navel. Your surgeon will advise this decision based on what type of implants and where he feels there will be the least amount of scaring. The implant will be placed either just under the breast tissue or below the chest muscle in a pocket made by your surgeon.

The breast augmentation surgery will take around two hours. Once the breast implants are in place your surgeon will stitch up your incision or use a surgical tape. After your surgery you can expect to be up and moving around in 24 to 48 hours, but you may feel tired and a little tender and have some bruising around the nipple and areola. In about 10 days you can expect the stitches to come out, and in 3 to 5 weeks your swelling will be gone and you can start enjoying the new you.