Breast Augmentation

This is purely a personal decision. No one can tell you that this specific time is “right” or “wrong” for you to have a breast augmentation. Breast augmentation does not affect the ability to breastfeed your baby. However, doctors do warn about a minimal risk that this procedure may decrease the sensations and interfere with the feeding reflexes essential for breastfeeding. 

With age, both augmented and non-augmented breasts will experience some form of sagging and often lose volume due to breastfeeding and hormonal changes secondary to childbirth. 

Studies and post-surgical trials after breast augmentation surgery have not identified any challenge related to breastfeeding. The clinical trials have shown that there is no danger of silicone breast implant materials being passed into the breast milk and affecting your child’s health. 

Breast implants are typically inserted through various incision sites, such as under the breast, around the areola, or in the armpit. While these incisions might disrupt some milk ducts or nerves, many remain intact, allowing for milk production and breastfeeding. 

Although some women may experience temporary changes like decreased milk production, these are often transient and may not hinder breastfeeding. 

Women planning to breastfeed after breast augmentation should discuss their intentions with their plastic surgeons to ensure optimal surgical techniques for breastfeeding outcomes.

Patients with breast implants placed sub-glandularly (above the pectoralis muscle) are more prone to have interference with their mammograms. However, most surgeons greatly reduce this obstruction by placing the implant behind the pectoralis muscle (sub-muscular). You should ask your surgeon for sub-muscular implant to avoid future interference with a mammography. 

The breast augmentation procedure is quite safe and you can return to everyday activities within four or five days after surgery. Any swelling, pain, and discomfort can be reduced by taking medications prescribed by your doctor and following appropriate recovery and aftercare. There is no limitation on taking showers after the procedure and you will have to return to the doctor’s office for stitch removal within a week.

Most patients with breast implants return to office work after a week. Those with tough jobs that require heavy weight lifting, pushing, or stretching are advised to take a rest of at least 3 weeks and let the breast tissue heal. Sub-muscular implants take longer to be symptom-free and you may experience mild pain and a little discomfort for an additional week or two.

Most doctors advise returning to light physical activity and exercise after a week. Strenuous activities – such as push ups, bench presses, and weight lifting – that cause stretching of the chest muscles must be avoided for at least a month.

In most of the cases, doctors apply dressing over the small incision area along with a surgical bra to lift the breast and avoid stretching. You may be advised to wear a special bra to put pressure on the upper edge of the breast and to hold it in a lower position. The process of adjustment of a new implant may take several weeks to months. During this time period, you may have to wear unwired bras or sports bras as advised by your doctor. 

The bra of your choice will be applicable after the newly implanted implant is in a good position, usually from the fourth week onwards.

It depends on several factors, including;

• Your general health
• Your individual frame
• Your appearance goals
• Previous medical or surgical conditions 

The same size implant may look different from patient to patient – according to their built and shape. Your doctor will carefully choose the size and type of implant to fit your appearance goals.  

Breast augmentation from a qualified and experienced breast surgeon will leave you with a short and well-hidden scar underneath your breast creases. They may take 6 months to a year to gradually fade and blend into the surrounding skin.

Only complex procedures such as breast lift –  that require a big incision (from the base of the breast to the nipple) will have a noticeable scar mark. However, these too can be easily covered up by a bra or a bathing suit top. 

The two most common methods used for breast augmentation include;

• Placing the implant under the pectoralis muscle (sub-muscular)
• Placing the implant between chest muscle and breast tissue (sub-glandular)

Sub-muscular implantation is the most common method used by breast surgeons to reduce post-surgical complications and provide a more natural shape to the breast. It also helps to smooth out the skin sagging and improve the breast contour. Screening for breast cancer and mammograms are easier in the sub-muscular implantation than sub-glandular. 

Sub-glandular implantation involves placement of implant close to the skin – above the pectoralis muscle. This option is especially effective for women who want a more “full” and “round” appearance. It also helps correct ptotic breast or “sagging” more quickly than sub-muscular implant. However, it may hinder with breast cancer screening and mammography. Furthermore, it is also linked to  a post-surgical condition called “capsular contracture” – in which hardening of the implant occurs due to scarring of the surrounding breast tissue. People with capsular contracture may need additional surgery to remove the scarring and place a new implant. 

Sub-glandular implants are more noticeable than sub-muscular ones as they are placed close to the skin. In case of insufficient breast tissue, a patient may feel the edges of the sub-glandular implant.

Breast implants are generally guaranteed to be durable for 10 years but it does not mean that you need to change them once the clock strikes. Replacement is usually recommended when the breast implant has ruptured.

Women can also replace the implants if they want to change the size or shape of their breasts.

As far as rupture rate is concerned, the following are estimates:

• 10 % at 10 years
• 30 % at 20 years
• 75 % at 30 years

Breast augmentation costs in Singapore depend on many factors like the technique, implant brand, surgery duration, and the surgeon. The more experienced the surgeon is, the more the cost is going to be. But your health and wellness should always be your priority.

Go for such a surgeon whose health center is MOH approved and is well-experienced and professional. Breast augmentation price in Singapore ranges from about $15000 to $22000. This cost included everything like the implants, surgeon’s fee, surgery, medication, and facilities.

Following complications are likely to occur after breast augmentation surgery:

• Pain in breasts
• Infection
• Implant rejection
• Bleeding
• Accumulation of fluid within breasts tissues

These complications are not common but can occur if precautions are not taken seriously. Therefore, take plenty of rest and eat healthy to avoid the risk of any such complications.