Question 1
How many complications occur with breast augmentation surgery? What is the incidence of contracture of the pericardium? What are the reasons for this? What is the rate of post-operative infection?
These surgical complications are described in various books and online, and there are about a dozen of them, ranging from anesthesia accidents to unsatisfactory breast shape, so I won’t go into them all here.
Theoretically, the incidence of contracture is 10-30%, but the statistics of our department do not exceed 3%. Theoretically speaking, there are three main reasons for the occurrence of contracture: the surgeon’s surgical operation, the quality of the implant and the patient’s physical condition.
The rate of postoperative infection generally does not exceed 1%, and the infection of breast implants is extremely rare, only a small infection of the wound can be seen, as for the infection of the implant cavity leading to the removal of the implant, we have not encountered any cases so far.
Question 2
What are the most common complications?
The most common complication is dissatisfaction with the feel of the breast, because the feel of the breast is a complex issue, and the feel of a normal breast is different for people of all ages, fat and thin.
For example, the feel of the same person’s breasts changes during the teenage period and after childbirth, and the feel of a thin person’s breasts is different from that of a person with more fat, so it is unrealistic to ask for a fixed standard of feel after breast implants are done.
Question 3
How many cases require a second surgery and what are the reasons for the second surgery?
Usually patients who need a second surgery have contracture of the periosteum, because there are very few cases of contracture of the periosteum in our department, so there are very few patients who need a second surgery.
Question 4
What surgical incision is best and why?
It should be noted that it is not what incision is the best, but what incision is “necessary” for the patient’s condition. The most acceptable incisions in the East are the axillary and areolar incisions, both of which are commonly used in our department.
Question 5
Is the level of implant placement under the pectoralis major or under the mammary gland? Or is it biplanar?
There are advantages and disadvantages to each level. The use of surgically assisted endoscopy, through this advanced technology, is the least damaging intraoperative procedure, the best postoperative shape and the least complications for breast augmentation surgery.
Question 6
Do you recommend post-operative massage? Why or why not? If so, how long does the massage take? When is the review?
Theoretically, post-operative massage is not required for gross-faced prostheses and is required for smooth-faced prostheses. The massage time is 3 to 6 months and the review time is 7, 14, 30, 90 and 180 days after surgery. The purpose of the early (within 2 weeks) review is mainly to detect problems, and the distant review is mainly for the surgeon to accumulate clinical information.
Question 7
Would you recommend a round or teardrop shaped prosthesis for me? Gross or glossy? Why?
The surgeon will only know after taking planar and 3D measurements based on your body shape, so it is impossible to make an accurate judgment just by looking at the photos. We will only know what shape of implant to use after we have seen you and measured you.
Question 8
What volume of implant is recommended for me and what visual effect will I achieve? What cup size can I reach after surgery?
The answer to this question is the same as the previous one. We will not know the volume of your current breasts until we see you after the 3D measurement.
Question 9
Do I need to stop the medications I am currently taking before surgery? (Vitamin E, calcium tablets)
As per the preoperative routine, you need to stop taking all medications (except those that ensure your life and health) two weeks before surgery.
Question 10
When can I resume my normal activities? To work?
According to the post-operative routine, you can resume your daily activities of normal life one week after breast augmentation surgery, and you can resume your daily work 5-7 days after surgery depending on the nature of your work (except for special work).
Question 11
What tests do I need before surgery? Does it include a mammogram?
According to the preoperative routine, preoperative tests include routine blood and urine tests, liver and kidney functions, ECG, chest X-ray and breast ultrasound.
Question 12
What medications will I need to take to reduce swelling after surgery? Do I need to use antibiotics?
According to the postoperative routine, intravenous antibiotics are required for 3 to 5 days after surgery, and no medications are required to reduce swelling.
Question 13
What kind of anesthesia will I receive? Do I have a choice of anesthesia? What is the difference between these anesthetics?
Intravenous anesthesia is recommended, and you can choose your own type of anesthesia if you have sufficient knowledge of the nature and risks of anesthesia. The prerequisite is that you are medically fit for this type of anesthesia. If you do not understand the nature of anesthesia yourself, it is best to talk to your anesthesiologist before surgery and take his advice.
Question 14
How long does it take for the drainage tube to be removed?
The drainage tube is removed depending on the amount of drainage flow. As a rule, it can be removed when the drainage flow is less than 20 ml in 24 hours.
Question 15
Will my post-operative scars be visible? Is there anything I can do to reduce scar growth? Or to make the scar not look too prominent?
It is not possible to tell if the post-operative scars are visible before surgery. If you are not scarred, the scars are generally not very visible and the way to reduce scar growth is to use anti-scar products after surgery.
Question 16
Do you think vitamin E can avoid contracture of the periosteum? When do I need to take VE and how much?
There is no consensus on whether or not vitamin E can prevent periosteal contracture and we do not recommend its use at this time.
Question 17
If I need 2 surgeries, what will be the incision site? Is it possible to operate in situ?
There are very few cases of secondary surgery, and my opinion is to hold off on a second surgery until the first one has been performed.
Question 18
How long after surgery can I drive or swim?
You can drive 2 weeks after surgery and swim after one month.
Question 19
How long will I need to rest? When can I start my work?
There is no need for “resting” after surgery, you can move freely the day after surgery. The question of when to work has already been discussed.
Question 20
Will the surgery under the pectoralis major muscle affect my muscle strength? When will I recover? Will the biplane cause my chest to flare out?
The subpectoral surgery will not affect muscle strength, and the muscles will still be strong after the surgery, and will recover after one month.
The so-called “breast expansion” is determined by the distance between the nipples of the breast itself, and our surgery is centered on the nipple to place the implant, so the distance of the implant after surgery depends entirely on the distance between the two nipples of the breast.
If the distance between the nipples before surgery is very far, the breast will definitely appear to be “flared” after surgery, and there is no way to change this.
Question 21
Will the surgery affect the sensitivity of my nipples? Will it be permanent or temporary? Why? How long will it take to recover?
The surgery does not usually affect nipple sensitivity, if it does, it is temporary because breast surgery does not usually cut off the nerves that control nipple sensation, so it is possible to recover.
Question 22
Is there anyone to visit during the surgery? Will my surgery be done by you personally or will I need an assistant? What part of the surgery are you responsible for?
If we have a teaching assignment, we will tell you in advance and ask for your permission. I can’t do the surgery by myself, as I said before, but I need the cooperation of assistants and nurses to do it.
Question 23
Do I need to wear special underwear after surgery? What is the style and how is it different from what is generally available in the market and why? Where can I buy them and how long do I need to wear them? When can I wear regular underwear?
After surgery, we have special underwear that you don’t need to prepare yourself, you need to wear it for 3-6 months, and after 6 months you can wear normal underwear.
Question 24
Do I need to wear special underwear after surgery? What style, and how is it different from what is normally supplied in the market and why? Where can I buy them and how long do I need to wear them? When can I wear regular underwear?
After surgery, we have special underwear that you don’t need to prepare yourself, you need to wear it for 3 to 6 months, and after 6 months you can wear normal underwear.