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Such a surgery can be dome in combination with a breast lift (mastopexy)
to boost sagging or limp breasts and uplift the nipple and areola. Both
the processes are done as easy outpatient procedures of 1 to 2 hours,
with a maximum of a nights stay in the hospital in complicated cases.
It requires a general anesthesia, though in many cases it might simply
require a local anesthesia or an epidural.
TYPES OF IMPLANTS
A breast implant is a soft silicone shell containing any of the three
material listed below:
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Saline (saltwater) solution |
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Silicone gel |
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Methylcellulose gel |
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Hydrogel (not used in the United States now) |
Saline solution is lately the most common and safest option, since it can be safely absorbed by the body if the implant leaks or breaks.
POST SURGICAL CARE AND RECOVERY
One must wear a gauze tape over the stitches, an elastic bandage or a
special bra (all day) right after the surgery. Stitches are removed in
7 to 10 days. Medicines are prescribed to relieve the swelling, bruising,
soreness and burning that generally occurs after the surgery. Normal activities
can be resumed soon but with a ban on heavy lifting or vigorous exercises.
Though there is going to be some scars after surgery, it is generally
in less visible areas and also fade out after sometime. A combination
with a breast lift results in more visible scars.
COMPLICATIONS
Breast implants have the following risks:
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Difficulty in detecting breast cancer on a mammogram |
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Capsular contracture or hardening of tissues around the implants |
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Differences and changes in size or shape of the breasts after surgery |
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Change or damage of implants leading to leaks or rupture |
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Infection (rare) |
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Blood clots under the skin or hematoma (rare) |
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Excessive scars (rare) |
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