What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is perhaps the best known of all cosmetic procedures. Using silicone implants, Dr McMillan will increase the size and change the shape of your breasts.
You might be thinking about breast augmentation to enhance the shape and/or size of your breasts. This could be because you have small breasts, asymmetrical (uneven) breasts, or as part of reconstruction surgery or gender reassignment surgery.
Who is it for?
The reasons for thinking about breast augmentation are entirely personal. Some of them may include:
- To increase the size of small breasts.
- Matching asymmetrical or uneven breasts.
- To restore breasts that are now droopy after breastfeeding.
- Increasing breast size as part of reconstruction after a mastectomy.
- As part of gender reassignment surgery.
To gain the best outcome from breast augmentation it is best that you:
- Are sure that your breasts have finished developing.
- Are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Don’t smoke or have recently quit (smoking impacts recovery from this procedure).
What happens during breast augmentation?
Before surgery
The first step is to make an appointment to see Dr McMillan.
You will meet Dr McMillan at his private rooms in Fernbrae House, Dunedin or in Invercargill to discuss your personal goals in relation to breast augmentation, and talk through the different options. This is an important step; not only to work out your expectations but also to develop your relationship with Dr McMillan as you work together to achieve your goals.
At this time you will decide with Dr McMillan whether your implants will be under or on top of the muscle layer you have in your breasts. This will depend on a range of factors that you will discuss with him.
Most of the time Dr McMillan uses silicone implants, as they are the best solution for most cases. During consultation and assessment you will together confirm that they are the best option for you.
Breast augmentation can be performed at the same time as other cosmetic procedures like breast lift, breast reconstruction, liposuction, and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). Discuss these options with Dr McMillan at the time of your consultation to decide if this is right for you.
Once you have decided on what needs to be done, a date will be booked for you at Mercy Hospital, Dunedin to have your breast augmentation.
During surgery
The procedure will involve having a general anaesthetic. Once you are asleep, surgical incisions will be made. Where and how big these incisions are will depend on the discussion you had with Dr McMillan prior to surgery about where the implants are going and what size you want them to be.
Once the implant is in the right place, sutures will be placed along the incisions to help get the shape, size and symmetry you’re looking for.
It is likely you will have small drains placed under each breast to remove any excess fluid over your hospital stay. Your new breasts will have dressing applied and supported with a surgical bra.
Recovery process
The length of stay in hospital after breast augmentation will depend very much on your own operation. It can be overnight, but could be 2-3 days.
The drains will be removed prior to you leaving the hospital. The surgical bra will be your friend for about 2 weeks after surgery while swelling and bruising goes down.
Although movement will be essential during your recovery, there will be a limit to your bending, lifting and exercise for the first few weeks. Depending on the type of work you do, you may need between 2-4 weeks time off for recovery.
As the surgery site begins to heal your ability to move and exercise will increase, and at 4-6 weeks it is expected you will be back to normal activity levels.
Expected outcome
Breast augmentation gives you an almost immediate sense of the future, as the new breast size is clear as soon as you wake up from surgery.
However, it is expected that around 6 weeks after surgery, when most of the swelling will have gone down, you will have a really good idea of what your new larger breasts will look like. This will also be the time that you will be able to start wearing underwire bras. You may consider organising a lingerie shopping outing to celebrate the new shape of your breasts.
You will have some scars from this procedure near or on both of your breasts. They will fade over time and at 6 months after breast augmentation the final results will be clear.
Risks and complications
As with all surgical procedures there are risks and potential complications with breast augmentation. Dr McMillan will discuss all of these with you during your consultation and answer your questions.
Cost of breast augmentation
As breast augmentation is not funded there is a cost. The exact figure will depend on a range of factors but generally the cost is between $15,000 and $18,000, including hospital and anaesthetic costs.
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