Breast implant surgery: How does it work?

Breast implant surgery — also known as augmentation mammoplasty or sometimes referred to as a boob job by patients — is a cosmetic procedure that aims to adjust the shape and size of your breasts.

Breast implant surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries worldwide and many women choose to undergo this procedure to feel more confident. For others, it has a reconstructive purpose, such as after mastectomy for breast cancer.

In this article, we are going to give you an overview of how a boob job works step by step, what you can expect after the procedure, and what types of surgery are available.

Why have breast implant surgery?

Here are a few reasons why women choose to have breast implant surgery:

• If you think your breasts are too small or that one is smaller than the other one and you want to achieve more symmetry
• To adjust the shape or proportion of your breasts after pregnancy or if you had significant weight loss
• For reconstructive purposes following treatments such as mastectomy or other conditions

Are there different types of breast augmentation surgery?

Yes. Although we are going to talk specifically about breast implant surgery, breast augmentation can also be performed with a fat transfer. If you are unsure of what procedure best works in your case, our specialists at KCM Clinic will be happy to help. It mostly depends on your goals and expectations.

Breast augmentation with fat transfer

During a breast augmentation with fat transfer, the surgeon extracts fat from one part of your body and injects it into your breasts. Fat is typically extracted from your belly or thighs and is transferred into your breasts with tiny injections to improve their contours. This type of breast augmentation is more suitable for those who are looking for subtle changes.

Breast augmentation with breast implants

If you want to make significant changes in the size and shape of your breasts, breast implants might be the right option for you. Breast implants are filled with either silicone gel or a saline solution. The surgeon will make an incision in your breast to insert the implant. These incisions can be subglandular (placed directly behind the breast tissue and in front of the pectoral muscle), or subpectoral (placed underneath the pectoral muscle).

Breast implant surgery: How the procedure works step by step

Breast implant surgery lasts 1 to 2 hours and requires a one-night stay at our clinic. Here’s how breast implant surgery works in steps.

1. Anaesthesia

Breast implant surgery can be performed using general or local anaesthesia. The type of anaesthesia will depend on the type of implant chosen, or it will be decided on an individual basis.

2. Incisions

Once anaesthesia has been administered, the surgeon will create the incisions that will allow for the implant to be placed. There are three types of incisions:

• Inframammary: a short incision made in the crease underneath the breast
• Periareolar: made around the outer edge of the areola
• Transaxillary: incision is made in the armpit

Your surgeon will discuss with you what type of incision best works in your case. This will largely depend on the type of implant, its size and if other procedures are performed (e.g. breast lift).

3. Implants

Now, the surgeon will insert the breast implants. As mentioned previously, they can be inserted in two different ways:

• Subglandular implant placement: the surgeon will insert the implants in front of the pectoral muscle, behind the breast tissue.
• Subpectoral implant placement: the surgeon will place the implants underneath the pectoral muscle.

4. Incisions are closed

The last step of a breast implant surgery involves closing the incisions with sutures or surgical tape. Then, your breasts will be covered with bandages.

What can you expect after a boob job?

After surgery, you will stay at our clinic for 1-2 days. You will need to wear a special surgical bra for about seven weeks. Soreness and swelling are likely for a few weeks after a breast implant surgery, and some bruising may be possible.

You should not carry weights and do intense physical exercises – anything that could raise your pulse or blood pressure – for a period of about 8 weeks. Avoid sunlight for six months. The full recovery period can take up to a year.

Breast implants typically last around 10 years. After that, you will need to replace them.

Breast implant surgery at KCM Clinic

Many women choose to undergo breast implant surgery to boost their confidence or improve the contours of their breasts after breastfeeding or significant weight loss. This procedure can also be combined with other aesthetic procedures such as breast lift.

KCM Clinic is here to help you understand what procedure best works in your case: from deciding the type of implant to preparing you for surgery, our team of experts is just one click away. Contact us via our form anytime. You will be contacted back by one of our patient coordinators in no time. They will ask you questions about your overall health, medications you take regularly, and your expectations from the procedure. Please consider that you may be required to perform a set of about 15 screening tests, such as morphology, blood clotting and sugar levels.

Once surgery is confirmed, you will be able to select the date for your surgery, depending on when travelling to our clinic in Poland is more convenient for you. Breast implant surgery patients typically need to stay at our clinic for 1 or 2 days. You will be informed accordingly. For any other questions, do not hesitate to ask! You can also have a look at our price list here.