Preparing for Breast Augmentation

Are you planning on augmenting your breasts? If so you will need to have some blood tests done. The blood tests need to be performed within two weeks of your surgery so that the results are up to date. Your surgeon will probably require a complete blood count (CBC). The CBC measures your levels of white and red blood cells, among other things. If your red blood cells are too low, you could be anemic and not fit to have surgery. If, on the other hand, your white blood cells are too high, you could have an infection or virus your body is trying to fight off. If you have too few white blood cells this may mean that your immune system is weak and that you could be at greater risk for an infection. If you have too few cells called platelets, you may bleed excessively.

Before breast augmentation surgery, one must understand what happens in a breast implant surgery and what breast augmentation procedures are used in order to understand what one is getting into.

Before Breast Augmentation Surgery

Before you have your breast augmentation surgery, you should stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or any drug that can interfere with clotting at least a week before your surgery. You must also quit smoking before your surgery, as it hinders circulation.

Breast Implant Surgery

Next you must choose how the surgery will be performed, and what types of implant you will have. Implant size is typically a personal decision for the patient to make. Cup size is an inexact estimate of the final size, since cup sizes vary by manufacturer and fit. Describing the cup size does aid the surgeon, however, although it helps to use photos to show the plastic surgeon the desired look. There are two types of implant, smooth and textured, each of which has different advantages and disadvantages.

The most accurate method of estimating implant size in ounces is to fill a plastic bag with measured amounts of water, place it in a bra with the patient’s estimated cup size, and cover it with a sweater.

Breast Augmentation Procedure

Breast augmentation can be done in one of several ways. One approach involves the insertion of a silicone bag under the breast. This placement is called “submammary.” Another approach involves inserting the silicone bag under the chest muscle. This is called “subpectoral.” Next, the bag is filled with salt water, thereby expanding the breast area, and giving the patient a fuller bosom, increased cup size, better contour, and more cleavage.

Consulting with a Plastic Surgeon is the first step towards finding out if Breast Augmentation is right for you.