Breast Surgery Archives - Apollo Cosmetic Clinics

  • Breast augmentation- preparation, procedure and recovery

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    Are you not satisfied with the size and shape of your breasts? Millions of women around the world feel self-conscious and embarrassed about their breasts, thanks to the bombardment of a “flawless” body on social media platforms. Well, breast augmentation surgery is the answer if you are looking for the perfect body. Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure performed to increase breast size and enhance breast shape. Also known as an augmentation mammoplasty or the ‘boob job’, the main goal of this surgery is to create a well-formed and aesthetically pleasing breast shape. It is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures. It is done typically through the placement of saline, silicone or alternative composite breast implants under the breast tissue or chest muscles. This surgery is not done to fix sagging breasts. However, you can combine a breast lift surgery with breast augmentation to make your breasts look fuller and lifted. It is suitable for women with all skin types. Some of the other goals of this surgery are-

    • Reconstruction, such as after mastectomy for breast cancer
    • To get symmetry when the breasts are asymmetrical
    • To restore the shape and size of breasts after weight loss or pregnancy
    • To enlarge naturally small breasts
    • To have a younger-looking figure
    • Improve self-confidence or self-image and feeling of femininity

    Breast Implants

    There are two types of breast implants- silicone and saline. Silicone-filled implants are silicone shells filled with soft, plastic gel (silicone) and are less likely to wrinkle as compared to saline implants. Saline-filled implants are silicone shells having sterile salt water (saline) and the saline solution can easily be captivated or passed out of your body if the implants were to rupture.

    You are a good candidate for this surgery if-

    • Your one or both breasts failed to grow normally
    • Your breasts are not symmetrical
    • If you feel that the upper part of your breast is empty
    • Your weight and breasts are losing shape and volume after aging, weight loss and pregnancy.
    • Your breasts are too small
    • You have realistic expectation from this surgery
    •   You are physically healthy
    • You are over 18

    Preparation for the surgery

    Your surgeon will take your detailed medical history to evaluate your fitness level for surgery. Your doctor might ask you to avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin before the surgery as they can increase bleeding. He will also ask you to stop smoking for safe recovery. Also, let your surgeon know if you plan to have children and breastfeed as it will help him decide the location of the incisions.

    Procedure

    During surgery, your surgeon may give you general anesthesia or intravenous sedation to ease your discomfort. He will make incisions in unnoticeable areas to minimize visible scarring. You can discuss with your surgeon about which incision options are best suited for you. The options usually include Trans axillary incision, Inframammary incision, and Periareolar incision and depend upon your specific anatomy, the degree of augmentation required and the type of breast implant. A breast implant is inserted into a pocket above or below your chest muscle after the incision is made. Incisions are closed with sutures and bandaged with surgical tape or skin adhesive. The procedure takes one to two hours. It can be done as an outpatient surgery or your doctor may ask you to stay overnight in the hospital. Make sure that you have someone who can drive you home after the surgery.

    Recovery

    Your doctor will give you a complete instructions before you leave the hospital for a speedy recovery. You might experience some swelling in the surgery area, but it will subside within a few hours, so there is nothing to worry about. Your surgeon will also prescribe you some pain medications to help ease your pain. Visit your surgeon if the pain is long-lasting or extreme. Discuss with your doctor how long it will be before you can return to your everyday activities.

    • Avoid any heavy lifting or exercise for up to 4-5 weeks after getting your implants.
    • Your doctor will advise you to wear a surgical bra, which is similar to a sports bra. It will help protect and support your breasts after the surgery.
    • Make sure that you apply a sunblock with an SPF of 30 or more in your breast area to avoid direct sun exposure.
    • Avoid alcohol consumption as it can reduce the effects of the antibiotics.
    • Do not smoke as it can deprive your body of essential oxygen, resulting in wide, raised scars.
    • Eat a balanced diet including yogurt drinks, milk, water, green veggies and fruit juices.
    • Sleep with your head and chest elevated above your lower body for a few days after the surgery.

    Risks

    Breast augmentation surgery might include various risks including-

    • Implant rupture or leakage
    • Breast sensation
    • Infection
    • Breast pain
    • Scar tissue
    • Wrinkling of the skin
    • Fluid accumulation
    • Wrong position of the implant

    You can avoid many risks of this surgery by choosing a surgeon with enough experience. This surgery should only be performed by a registered and highly experienced surgeon.

    Results

    You will be able to see the results of breast augmentation immediately. Many patients have reported a considerable boost in their self-confidence after the surgery.

    Your breast may change due to gravity, hormonal factors, weight fluctuations, and aging. You should know that breast implants do not last a lifetime and will need to be replaced. Visit your surgeon regularly to determine your breast health and understand more about post-operative instructions. This surgery is not recommended for women who are not fully matured as the body can change a lot, naturally.

    Blog written by:
    Dr. Sasikumar
    Consultant Cosmetic Surgery
    Apollo Cosmetic Clinics, MRC Nagar

  • Things to Know If You’re Considering Breast Reduction Surgeries

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    Also known as reduction mammoplasty, Breast reduction surgery reshapes the breasts and makes them smaller. Some people go through this procedure for cosmetic reasons. It is often recommended by doctors if large breasts are causing neck pain, back pain, or other health problems. If you are planning to undergo this procedure, here are some things that you need to consider:

    1. It is not the same as a breast lift procedure

    People are often confused between the two procedures because, during the reduction surgery, a doctor almost always performs a lift surgery. It is important for you to know the difference between the two. Through the breast reduction procedure, all the excess glandular breast tissue and fat will be removed along with some skin. It will reduce the size of your breast. In the breast lift procedure, only the excess skin is removed for reshaping sagging breasts. It improves the breast’s silhouette without removing breast tissue or fat. When the two procedures are combined, it results in smaller breasts with tighter contours.

    1. There are criteria for insurance coverage for the breast reduction procedure

    Before you talk to a doctor about a breast reduction procedure, you should check your insurance policy. Give a call to your insurance provider and talk to them about the preconditions you must meet for getting your breast reduction procedure covered. This might include trying nonsurgical treatments before going for the surgery. In many policies, the length of time for trying other treatments is specified. After approving the surgery, the policy might define the minimum amount of breast tissue that the surgeon should remove.

    1. The surgeon won’t be talking in terms of cup size

    During the consultation appointment for the breast reduction procedure, the surgeon might not describe the results in terms of cup sizes. The reason behind this is that there are no standards in the bra industry. Every manufacturer has a different cup size. Instead, the surgeon will talk about breast tissue grams that will be removed. It might be frustrating because one might be used to talking about cup sizes. In order to gauge the size changes, note that one pound has 454 grams. Another way of describing results is by discussing proportions.

    1. There might be drains in your breasts

    Even though they might sound scary, drains can aid your recovery process. Drains are thin and flexible tubes sitting under the skin that empties into a small bag. They help in removing blood and fluid from the area. So while the patient is healing, this can decrease discomfort and swelling. In most cases, the doctor will remove the drains a week after the procedure. In order to avoid any surprises after the procedure, it is important to ask the surgeon if drains will be required.

    1. Seeing the breasts for the first time after the procedure can be shocking

    Once the surgical dressings have been taken off, the patient might be a little shaken at the results. There will be significant bruising and discoloration on the breasts along with stitches. Depending on the technique used by the surgeon, the stitches might go down the front of the breast and around the nipple. Also, the breasts will be swollen and look unnatural. Bruising will disappear in about 7 to 10 days while the swelling will improve gradually over several weeks.

    1. It will be a little challenging to sleep for a while

    The patient has to keep their upper body elevated to decrease swelling and discomfort while sleeping. Doctors recommend using a wedge, a recliner, or several pillows for propping the body while sleeping. Also, it is important for the patient to stay on their back as much as they can during recovery. They can position pillows along the sides and under the knees for preventing rolling. Sleeping on the stomach should be done only after the surgeon has cleared it.

    1. The final results will take some time

    As the patient recovers, their breasts’ size and appearance will continue changing. In fact, it might take several months to get rid of all the swelling. The breasts need some time for settling into their new appearance. The scars will continue changing as well, slowly fading into softer and paler reminders. It is wise to wait before going out and buying new clothes and fancy bras. The surgeon will help in gauging the progress.

    Women who go through the breast reduction procedure experience improvement in their quality of life. They feel good about their appearance and have increased psychosocial, physical, and sexual well-being. But, it is important to have deep knowledge about the procedure before going through it. So, take some time before deciding on the surgery.

    Blog written by:
    Dr. Sasikumar
    Consultant Cosmetic Surgery
    Apollo Cosmetic Clinics, MRC Nagar

  • Gynecomastia- causes, diagnosis and treatment

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    Gynecomastia is a condition in boys or men where the amount of breast gland tissue is increased because of an imbalance between the estrogen and testosterone hormones. It can affect one or both breasts. In this article, we will be discussing the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition.

    Symptoms

    Here are a few symptoms of gynecomastia:

    • Breast tenderness
    • Swollen breast tissue
    • Pain
    • Nipple discharge from one or both breasts

    Causes

    Gynecomastia is a condition that is triggered when the amount of testosterone decreases in comparison to the estrogen. There are several conditions that can be responsible for blocking the effects of testosterone, increasing the estrogen, or reducing the testosterone level. Here are a few things that can upset the hormone balance:

    1. Natural hormone changes

    The hormones estrogen and testosterone control sex characteristics in women and men. Estrogen controls female traits like the growth of breasts while testosterone controls male traits like body hair and muscle mass. Some people believe that estrogen is an exclusively female hormone, but it is produced by men as well, usually in small quantities. If the male estrogen levels get out of balance with the testosterone levels or too high, it can lead to gynecomastia.

    1. Medications

    There are several medications that can lead to gynecomastia:

    • Anti-androgens for treating prostate cancer, enlarged prostate, or other conditions.
    • Anabolic steroids and androgens are sometimes illegally used by athletes for enhancing performance and building muscle.
    • AIDS medications
    • Anti-anxiety medications
    • Antibiotics
    • Tricyclic antidepressants
    • Ulcer medications
    • Cancer treatment
    • Stomach-emptying medications
    • Heart medications
    1. Alcohol and street drugs

    Here are a few substances that can lead to gynecomastia:

    • Alcohol
    • Marijuana
    • Heroin
    • Amphetamines used for treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
    • Methadone
    1. Health conditions
    • Hypogonadism – Conditions in which the normal testosterone production is interfered with like pituitary insufficiency or Klinefelter syndrome.
    • Tumors – Some tumors, especially the ones involving adrenal glands, pituitary gland, and testes can change the male-female hormone balance.
    • Hyperthyroidism – In this condition, too much thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland.
    • Liver failure and cirrhosis – Any changes in the hormone levels related to cirrhosis medications and liver problems can be associated with gynecomastia.

    Diagnosis

    The diagnosis will begin with the doctor asking you about the health conditions that run in your family and your drug and medical history. This will be followed by a physical examination that includes an evaluation of your breast tissue, genitals, and abdomen.

    Here are some diagnostic tests used for determining the cause of gynecomastia:

    • Mammograms
    • Blood tests

    Depending on the initial test results, you might have to go through the following tests as well:

    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
    • Computerized tomography (CT) scans
    • Tissue biopsies
    • Testicular ultrasounds

    The doctor will make sure that your breast swelling is due to gland enlargement and not some other condition. Here are some examples of such conditions that have similar symptoms:

    • Fatty breast tissue – Some boys and men have breast fat resembling gynecomastia. It doesn’t need any further evaluation.
    • Breast cancer – Even though it is uncommon among men, it can occur. The presence of a firm nodule or enlargement of one breast can be a concern for breast cancer.
    • Breast abscess – This is a breast tissue infection.

    Treatment

    In most cases, you won’t need any treatment for gynecomastia and it will resolve itself over time. However, if it is caused by another underlying condition like malnutrition, hypogonadism, or cirrhosis, it might need treatment.

    In case your gynecomastia is caused by taking some medications, the doctor will recommend either stopping them or substituting them. In adolescents with no definite cause other than normal hormonal changes, the doctor will recommend periodic reevaluations in every 3 to 6 months to check if the condition is improving on its own or not. Usually, it will go away without any treatment in less than 2 years. However, if it doesn’t, here are some treatment options:

    1. Medications

    Medications that are used for treating breast cancer and other conditions can be helpful with gynecomastia as well.

    1. Surgery

    If the medications don’t work and the enlarged breasts are becoming significant and bothersome, the doctor might advise surgery. Here are two surgery options for treating gynecomastia:

    • Liposuction – Through this procedure, breast fat is removed, but not the breast gland tissue.
    • Mastectomy – In this surgery, the breast gland tissue is removed. It is often performed through small incisions that ensures less recovery time.

    Make sure that you talk to your doctor before going through the surgery to understand everything there is to know about the procedure.

    Blog written by:
    Dr. Sasikumar
    Consultant Cosmetic Surgery
    Apollo Cosmetic Clinics, MRC Nagar

  • Breast Reconstruction options after a Mastectomy

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    A mastectomy is a surgery that removes one or both breasts of a woman who has been diagnosed with or runs a high risk of getting breast cancer. Apart from the trauma of the illness as well as the surgery, it can be extremely disturbing to entirely give up a part of one’s body. In such a case, breast reconstruction is an option to fall back on.

    What are the types of breast reconstruction surgeries?

    Breast reconstruction involves the creation of a breast shape using an artificial implant and/or a piece of tissue from another part of the body.

    Implant Reconstruction

    Breast implantation uses implants filled with silicone gel or saltwater to lend shape to the artificial breasts. It is done immediately after breast removal, or after some delay. It requires two or more operations, usually done by a plastic surgeon.

    What are the risks?

    The following conditions may accompany breast implantation and might require further surgery:

    • Asymmetry in the appearance of the breasts
    • Changes in breast sensation
    • Rupture or deflation of the implants
    • Poor healing of incisions sometimes leading to scar tissue that squeezes the implant
    • Pain, bleeding, and infection
    • A rare immune system cancer called ALCL (anaplastic large cell lymphoma)

    Flap Reconstruction

    In this method, the shape of the breast is formed using a flap tissue. The surgeons usually take it from the belly, buttocks, thighs or the back. Unlike implants, this tissue flap lasts a lifetime. The flap can be completely detached from its original blood vessels and moved to the chest, or can remain attached to its blood vessels and simply moved under the skin. This, too, can be done immediately or delayed as required.

    What are the benefits and risks?

     Flap reconstructions help in tolerating radiation therapy better than artificial implants. In addition, the size of the flap reconstruction will increase or decrease according to changes in the body.

    However, like the implantation procedure, flap reconstruction also almost always requires later adjustments through surgery – whether for nipple reconstruction, reshaping or repositioning. Also, the healing process after surgery involves two to four body areas healing at the same time – the receptor sites and the donor sites.

    Outcome

    Breast reconstruction will not make the body look exactly as it was before, nor will it restore the sensation in the breasts. But it does a lot to improve body image and to help one deal with the aftermath of treatment.

    It is advisable an experienced surgeon before going ahead with the procedure. For instance, a surgeon tells you that it is easier to recover from a mastectomy and that delayed reconstruction also heals faster than immediate reconstruction.

    Visit your nearest Apollo Cosmetic Clinic for more information on breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

  • How to get rid of man boobs – 10 Tips – Best chest exercises

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    Man boobs, also known as moobs, are an enlargement of breast tissues. Enlargement happens due to increased intake of foods and chemicals that boost estrogen levels. In some cases, the enlargement can be due to a medical condition called Clinical Gynecomastia. Otherwise, the enlargement is a consequence of puberty or being overweight. More than physical discomfort, the condition can lead to psychological issues, such as low self-esteem. Males tend to develop man boobs in three stages- Neonatal period, teenage and old age.

     

    Developing man boobs during puberty is very common and usually goes away once entered into adulthood. The problem is not difficult to tackle and can go away with the help of an active lifestyle. However, if the problem still persists, one should consult for medical help.

     

    Here are 10 ways, including the best chest exercises, that can help you get rid of man boobs.

     

    1- Watch your plate- Eat three well balanced and healthy meals every day. Choose foods that are rich in iron and high in protein. Leafy greens in form of salads and sautes are good to go. Be careful with what you add for dressing. Have green tea instead of other sweetened beverages.

     

    2- Check for body fat percentage- Human breasts are made of lipids(fat). Hence, it is important to control the intake of fat. Start following a low-fat diet. If you continue eating high-calorie foods after the workout, you don’t see any significant difference as you gain back those calories.

     

    3- Focus more on strength and less on cardio- Strength training breaks the tissues and live growth to new ones. After strength training, the recovery process burns more calories as it takes more strength to build new muscle tissues. The end result of strength training is a nice toned body.

     

    4- Focus on the chest but follow a total body approach- While the main concern is to get rid of excess fat on the chest, it is always recommended to do a full body workout. Full body workout has major compound exercises which lead to strength and muscle gains. This helps in gaining a perfect structured body. Full body movements also help you lay down solid strength base.

     

    Chest exercises to get rid of man boobs

    1- Pushups- Push-ups target your chest muscles. Start with your knees and hands and then add new variations. Military pushup, chest squeeze pushup, archer pushup gives new challenges to your chest.

     

    2- Planks- Doing regular planks can help you get noticeable difference on your chest fat. Start by doing 60 seconds of plank and keep increasing the intensity after few days. Within no time you will see results. Stay dedicated and ensure not missing out on your planks and you will certainly cut down your chest fat and build muscles.

    3- Wall Press- This is comparatively an easy exercise for fat reduction. It works on the pectoral muscles which are located behind the breasts and support them. For this exercise, all you need is a wall. Face the wall and place your arms on it. Now bend your elbows and lean your chest towards the wall as much as you can without arching your back. After five seconds, get back to the normal position.

     

    4- Push-up Burpees- This exercise is a great mix of cardio and strength training. It also focuses on the chest and helps you lose fat quickly. Do it regularly and you will soon notice a firm and muscular chest.

     

    5- Kettlebell Swing – Workout with your kettlebell two times a week and you will the aesthetics of your chest taking an attractive shape.

    6- One arm row-  Three supersets of one arm row, three times a week can help your firm up your chest and get rid of man boobs.

     

    Man boobs can also be treated with the help of Gynecomastia surgery. It’s a cosmetic surgery in which liposuction is performed on the breast to suck out the excess fat under the breast tissue so that they lose their swollen look. Another plastic surgery that can help you get rid of man boobs by removing the breast gland is mastectomy. In rare cases, gynecomastia may be a sign of breast cancer in men. That is why it’s always better to get gynecomastia checked and corrected by a doctor. To get in touch with the best cosmetologists and experienced plastic surgeons, book an appointment at Apollo Cosmetic Clinics.

     

  • Difference Between Gynecomastia and Chest Fat

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    Male breasts sometimes referred to as man boobs, are a collection of fat on a man’s chest. The growth in the breast tissue can either be due to fat accumulation in the chest or due to an imbalance in testosterone and estrogen. Development of breast tissues due to hormonal imbalance is a medical condition known as gynecomastia.

    Breast tissues, in males as well as females, respond to hormones. In case of males, the breast tissues remain small because of high testosterone levels. When the growth of testosterone gets low or the level of estrogen increases, the breast tissues responds by growing resulting in male breasts.

    It’s important to know that there’s a difference between excess weight in the chest and diagnosed gynecomastia, so look for the signs of breast tissue and see your doctor for treatment options. The condition when fatty tissue builds up on the chest wall in the area behind the nipple is called pseudogynecomastia.

    The main difference between the Gynecomastia and Pseudogynecomastia (chest fat)

     

    Difference between gynecomastia and chest fat

     

    Chest fat is very common for men who are overweight. Chances of fat accumulation on the chest are high if you are obese and have a high body-fat percentage. If the other body parts have an excess of fat accumulation, it is obvious that the same would be found on the chest area.

    Fat accumulation on the chest is easily noticeable and is particularly obvious. If a person is of slim built or has a good body muscle percentage, then chances of pseudogynecomastia or chest fat are very low.

    Gynecomastia is common during puberty. Young boys go through frequent hormonal imbalance during this time which can lead to the development of male breasts. In the old age, when testosterone levels are low, people can have gynecomastia. Other causes of gynecomastia are

    • Medication
    • Recreational drugs
    • Steroids
    • Genetic disorders

     

    How to know if you have gynecomastia or fat deposition

    Examining your chest can help you identify the difference between gynecomastia and chest fat. The diagnosis can be made when one notices swelling in the breast area.

    The nipples start to point out and the area behind and around the nipples becomes prominent. Spreading of the breast swelling causes male breasts.

    There is a noticeable difference between chest fat deposits and breast tissues. Fat accumulated chest also looks like breasts but is soft and also saggy due to extra skin.

    Male breasts caused due to gynecomastia are firmer and look more like a woman’s breasts.

    Another way to feel your chest and look for a hard lump in the chest area. Gynecomastia is sometimes be diagnosed by a lump formed under the nipples that grow into looking like a breast.

    If you find a lump it can be a symptom of gynecomastia. It is also important to contact a doctor as it can be a rare form of breast cancer in men.

    Another sign of gynecomastia or man boobs is puffy and erect nipples. The excess of female hormones i.e estrogen in the body can make nipples erect and swollen.

    The swollen is sometimes obvious even undershirts and t-shirts. Therefore, in order to identify gynecomastia, examine your nipples.

    If you cannot self-diagnose and identify the difference between gynecomastia and chest fat, you can take help from a doctor. The doctor can carry out tests, usually, an ultrasound scan of the chest wall, to diagnose gynecomastia.

     

    Getting rid of gynecomastia and chest fat

    The swelling and enlargement of the chest is an embarrassment for every man and can have negative psychological effects. To tackle the problem it is important to know the difference.

    Once you know the difference you can work towards getting rid of the problem.

    Chest fat is easier to get rid of in comparison to gynecomastia. Making chest fat go away is simple if you have the determination and dedication. The best way to lose the chest fat is by losing weight.

    Adapt healthy methods to lose weight and within no time you will have a flat muscular chest. Sign up for a weight loss program that will help you lose fat from the chest wall and reduce the fat and swelling.

    Start a workout routine at home or join a fitness and workout centre.  Avoid taking pills and creams as they can have negative side-effects. 

     

    Getting rid of gynecomastia can be difficult. Teenagers who suffer from gynecomastia can get rid of the problem after a few years when the hormone level settles down.

    It is important to regularly exercise and incorporate a healthy meal plan to improve hormonal balance. Diet and exercise will help reduce the fatty component and improve the appearance.

    If you take any kind of recreational drugs and have man boobs, it is recommended to stop immediately. It is will help you get rid of the swelling around the chest and nipples.

    The issue might also be due to consumption of any prescribed drugs. If you can identify this cause, then you can opt for alternative medication. It is important to discuss the case with an expert. Male breast surgery is the best possible treatment one can opt for gynecomastia.

    Telling the difference can be tricky sometimes but understanding the difference will help determine the best way to get rid of the swelling. When opting for surgery, ensure you take the services of a quality cosmetic and surgery clinic.   

    To get in touch with the best cosmetologists and experienced plastic surgeons, book an appointment at Apollo Cosmetic Clinics.

  • Exercises after Breast Augmentation Surgery

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    If you are planning to get a breast augmentation surgery done or have recently gone through one, then you might want to know what post-op care you need. Most surgeries involving replacements and implants require certain changes in your daily exercise regime for a healthy recovery.

    Physical constraints post-op

    First, let’s focus on what kind of exercises or physical activity you must avoid. Even though a breast augmentation surgery is a cosmetic one, the fact remains that it’s still a surgery. Give your body time to heal naturally. Allow your body to relax. Let your breast muscles and pectoral muscles (under which the implants are placed) get used to the implants which the body treats as foreign objects during the first few weeks.

    Any form of rigorous exercise or weight lifting must be completely avoided for the first 6-8 weeks to prevent:

    • Abnormal/deformed looking breasts
    • Implant rupture
    • Infection due to implant leakage
    • Stretch marks
    • Stressing and pressurizing the pectoral muscles
    • De-alignment of the breast implants
    • Correction surgery due to displaced implants

    Once the swelling and pain are completely gone you can get back to your normal exercise and gym routines, after consulting your doctor.

    Exercises after breast augmentation

    Even though physical activity has to be minimal, there are certain breast implant exercises that you must indulge in for the following reasons:

    • To avoid capsular contracture. It is a condition when the natural capsule or scar tissues formed around the implant during the healing process harden. This tightening reduces the space for the implant inside the breast which can lead to abnormal firmness and discomfort in the breast along with a deformed look. Capsular contracture is said to be the biggest reason for the failure of a breast augmentation surgery. But this can be prevented if the post-op breast implant exercises are adhered to strictly.
    • To assist the implants to settle or drop into the pockets comfortably and naturally.
    • To make the insertion pockets spacious and roomier for the implants.
    • To assure soft and natural looking smooth breasts.

    Post-op breast exercise timeline

    The frequency of your breast implant exercises is different for the recovery stage and the post-recovery stage. Ideally, during every exercise session, each position should be held for 10 seconds and repeated 10 times.

    • Recovery stage: The exercises or massages have to be repeated several times a day during the first 6 to 8 weeks of the surgery. After every 1 hour is ideal.
    • Post- recovery stage: The exercises must be done 3 times a day till the implants gel with the body.

    Three main exercises after breast augmentation

    These exercises are very easy to do and can be done independently without the help of any objects or equipment.  The main objective of these breast implant exercises or massages is to help the implants to settle in freely without any constraints as if they are a part of the body itself. This can happen only when the muscles around the implant are allowed to sooth and relax so that they soften up to make place for the implants to seep in while keeping the original shape of your breasts intact. Remember, these exercises are to be done very gently. Also, make sure you exercise your implants and not your breasts.Here’s how you perform the three vital exercises:

    • The downward push exercise

    Place your right hand on the left breast just below the nipple area. Now roll up or pull up the breast. It should be done in such a manner that while you roll up your fingers should touch your rib (above the breast)and you feel the pressure of the implant moving downwards. Ensure that while you roll up your fingers should eventually be above the implant and not on it. Repeat this with your left hand on your right breast.

    This is essential in the initial days after the surgery. Since the breast implants are treated as foreign objects in the beginning, the implants are not completely behind the breasts. The implants are a bit above the breasts; giving the breasts a high raised look. That is why the downward push exercise is crucial. It trains your breast muscles to slowly loosen up and open up to allow the implants to drop in to their ideal position.

    • The upward push exercise

    Hold your right breast from the bottom with the tips of the thumb and the fingers of your left hand and push it upwards. Repeat the same for the left breast using the right hand.

    This exercise becomes even more important during the post-recovery period. With time and due to gravity the implants tend to sink downwards. This can cause the breasts to sag. The upwards push exercise prevents this from happening.

    • The cleavage exercise

    Crossing your hands across your chest, place your left hand at the outer side of the right breast and your right hand at the outer side of your left breast. Now push the implants inwards i.e. towards the centre.

    This exercise is meant to perfect your cleavage and to avoid the implants from sliding towards the side of your breasts.

    Other helpful breast augmentation exercises

    • The circular motion exercise: Hold your left breast from the bottom with your left hand. Now with the fingertips of your right hand, massage the upper portion of the breast. Place your right hand on the outer line of the implant and massage in a circular motion while moving from the middle line to the outer side of the breast. Repeat the same with your right breast. This is recommended to be done especially for the first week after the surgery.
    • The maintenance exercise: This is advised to be repeated twice a day for 30 seconds during the post-recovery phase. It includes – pushing the breasts up and holding them and pushing them inwards and holding them.

    Every woman heals and recovers in a different manner depending on her body type. That is why it is necessary that you consult your breast augmentation surgeon before doing any of the aforementioned exercises. For the best guidance consult the top cosmetic surgeons of the country only at Apollo Cosmetic Clinic.

  • Do Breasts Look Normal After Breast Augmentation?

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    Will my breasts look normal or fake? Isn’t this the doubt that always stops you from going for breast augmentation? If you wish to enhance your breasts, breast augmentation is a good option to achieve this without making them look unnatural. Don’t let this fear hold you back from possessing good looking breasts. To clarify your doubt or fear, you first need to understand how breast augmentation and breast enlargement works.

    Breast augmentation is increasing the bust size by inserting implants that serve as a cushioned or fluffy padding that naturally make the breasts look bigger. This padding is placed right under the chest muscle with the help of a minor surgery.

    Now that you are clear about the process, here’s what you must keep in mind before you opt for breast augmentation for your breasts to look as normal and natural as possible.

    Surgical scars can be instantly concealed

    As breast augmentation is nothing but a kind of surgery, scars of a slit or cut are inevitable. For an apparently instant scar-free look, it is better to get the implant inserted from under the breast. Like this, the scar will be hidden. Moreover, these scars start disappearing within 2 weeks of the breast augmentation surgery.

    Types of breast implants

    The implants should compliment you. It is very necessary for the plastic surgeon to examine your breast shape and form well to decipher the type of implant that will ensure natural looking breasts.

    • Silicone v/s saline

    Silicone implants are made of silicone gel while saline implants are made of salt water. Since the texture of silicone gel is quite similar to our breast muscle – supple, rubbery, gelatin type – silicone filled implants give a more normal look to the enhanced breasts.

    • Round v/s lachrymiform

    For the purpose of keeping the implant’s shape intact, lachrymiform or tear-shaped implants are made thicker and tauter as compared to the round ones. That is why breasts look normal faster in the case of round shaped ones as the tear-shaped ones take a little bit more time to embed properly into your natural breast form.

    • Thick v/s thin skin

    If your skin is on the thinner side, then you should opt for the round shaped implant instead of the lachrymiform one. The thickness of the tear-shaped implants can make your thin skin to ripple or wrinkle, thus giving your breasts an abnormal look.

    • Smooth v/s textured

    To avoid wrinkly and deformed looking breasts, opt for smooth surfaced breast implants instead of textured ones if you have a thin skin. If you have a normal skin, the advantage of choosing a textured breast implant is that the minute ridges on its surface help the implant/ shell to integrate with the breast muscle better. This, in turn, helps the implant to stay in place. It reduces the risk of implant de-alignment or rotation – a risk that can make your breast look abnormal.

    • Enhancement v/s reconstruction

    The difference between the two is that breast enhancement surgery is adding padding to an already available breast muscle. While, reconstruction is almost like restoring back the fuller look of a breast by filling an empty cavity. The latter is done mostly after a mastectomy (breast removal) as a result of breast cancer treatment. Breasts look instantly more normal/ natural when breast augmentation is done for reconstruction purposes. Breasts after the breast enlargement procedure begin to look normal after a few weeks of the surgery.

    Keeping these points in mind can manifold your chances of restoring the natural look of your breasts while enjoying the benefit of enhancement.  Let’s now move on to the post-breast augmentation surgery stage.

    The swelling after breast augmentation is natural and not permanent

    You might expect the breasts to look normal and natural immediately after the surgery but you will have some swelling in and around the breasts. Here’s why there is no need to worry at all. Just like while healing an injury the body produces fluids in the wound area, the body follows the same mechanism even for healing the surgical incisions or cuts. Hence, the swelling is due to the fluids produced. Once the wound is healed the body reabsorbs the fluids and the swelling vanishes. Good news is that 70 to 80% of the swelling goes off in 2-3 weeks and the remaining swelling disappears in another 2-3 weeks.

    The high raise effect

    Immediately after the breast augmentation surgery, the breasts seem as if they have been raised high. Here’s why.  Breasts implants are foreign agents inside your body. Just like we take time to gel with a new acquaintance similarly even our body takes a little time to accept a foreign agent. As the body keeps getting used to the breast implants, the more relaxed the muscles get. This allows the implants to seep in further and adjust and reposition themselves as per the natural form of your breasts.  Thankfully this ‘high rise’ period occurs simultaneously with swelling up stage which means a speedy recovery towards normal/ natural looking breasts.

    Following the below-given steps for the first few weeks will ensure that breast implants get adjusted in the body naturally so that your breasts that don’t look artificial or fake.

    • Avoid lifting anything heavy. Otherwise, the muscle movements can disrupt the alignment of the implant.
    • Avoid exercise or any rigorous movement to prevent implant rupture and leaking. This would not only destroy the natural look of your breast but also can lead to infections and another surgery.
    • Use a surgical brassiere. The pressure and support provided by it will prove to be an asset to keep your assets in their natural shape.
    • Opt for draining the fluid out if the swelling is too big or painful or for more than 2 weeks. Otherwise, fluid retention can also become septic and cause infections.

    All good things take time. Plan your breast augmentation surgery at least 3 months prior to any special or major event to enjoy a hassle-free bold and confident look. The result of the breast augmentation also depends a lot on the expertise of the surgeon. For a safe experience and natural looking breasts consult only the best of doctors. Reach out to Chennai’s No.1 cosmetic surgeons here.

  • Breast Lift Surgery – Myths & Facts

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    Due to advancement in science and technology, we are able to alter our appearance to achieve a desired look, that too with procedures that are safe and long lasting. Breast lift surgery is one such procedure that has helped innumerable women by changing the size, elevation and contour of their breasts by reversing sagging. Yet, there are many unbelievable myths about breast lift surgery.

    Here are a few of the most common myths about breast lift surgery:

    Myth 1 –Breast lift surgery is only for older women

    Truth – Aging is not the only cause behind breasts losing their elasticity and sagging. This can occur due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, drastic weight gain or weight loss, and even hereditary factors. Hence, age being a deciding factor in breast plastic surgery is one of the many unbelievable myths about this plastic surgery.

    Myth 2 – Breast lift surgery causes heavy scarring

    Truth – This is one of the most common myths about breast lift surgery. Yes, breast lift surgery might leave a few marks just as every surgery does, but they are minimal and not visible as an experienced surgeon can make the incisions on the underside of your breast.

    Myth 3 – Only women with small breasts can get breast lift surgery

    Truth – The size of your breasts is not a factor while considering breast lift surgery. Yes, if you have smaller breasts, you will see a bigger difference post surgery as compared to someone with larger breasts, but this is only because the latter has more weight and pressure.

    Myth 4 – You don’t need breast lift surgery – Exercise will suffice

    Truth – While exercise, especially weight training, can help tone and strengthen your muscles, it only works to a certain point for your breasts. Breast sagging occurs due to a loss of elasticity of the skin and sometimes, this can be taken care of only through a surgical procedure. Hence, exercise can’t replace breast plastic surgery.

    Now that you understand the facts and myths about breast lift surgery, you should visit an expert to understand further details. The team of top-notch cosmetic surgeons at Apollo Cosmetic Clinics has immense experience in the field of breast plastic surgery and will be able to answer all your doubts and queries. Backed by Apollo’s rich legacy of excellence in the field of healthcare, Apollo Cosmetic Clinics comes with the reputation of sound aesthetics, zero infection rates and international standard infrastructure and protocols.

  • Breast Reduction Surgery: A Cure for Back Pain?

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    Just as breast enhancement and breast implants are popular cosmetic surgeries with women these days, breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is quite prevalent because of the high rate of patient satisfaction and for the relief, it brings from pain and overall discomfort. More and more women are asking for breast surgery since non-surgical options do not appear to work in most cases. It is considered one of the most successful of cosmetic surgeries and sometimes may involve liposuction for the removal of fatty tissues.

    While some women look for breast reduction there are others who want breast enhancement surgeries and breast implants done. Most breast enhancement procedures are done for purely cosmetic reasons but many-a-time, breast implants are required for reconstructive purposes, especially after a mastectomy.

    Macromastia

    Heavy breasts, medically referred to as macromastia, come with several related health problems and can cause a lot of anxiety in women apart from making them socially shy or inhibited. The weight of the breasts alone can lead to severe back pain because the heaviness puts excess weight on the chest. Poor posture and even spinal deformity are as a result of this. Heaviness can lead to discomfort and disturbances in the person’s body resulting in severe neck, back and shoulder pain, poor posture, shortness of breath, sleep disturbances. In fact, women with macromastia ask for breast surgery mostly for health reasons than cosmetic.

    And as time passes, the breasts become longer and heavier worsening the physical problems.

    Back Pain

    Back pain is one of the most troublesome side-effects of heavy breasts. Doctors say that large breasts are a common cause of neck and back pain and they are likely to advise breast reduction surgery to be rid of this problem because generally, medications do not give long-term relief. Plastic surgeons claim that in most cases, breast reduction patients find relief from shoulder, neck and upper back pain. Although it is not clear whether lower back pain is also a result of macromastia, there are a few women who did find relief from lower back pain following breast reduction surgery.

    A good way of finding out whether you should go for this surgery to rid yourself of your back pain is to take off your bra and support your bare breasts with your arms instead of leaving it loose. Walk around with breasts cradled in your arms. If you find respite from your back pain it roughly indicates that breast reduction surgery may work for you.

    Studies have discovered that reduction mammaplasty has produced an improvement in back pain in most patients. A research by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons on breast reduction surgery found that before the operation, half of 179 women with breasts size DD or larger had continuous pain in the upper and lower back, neck and shoulder but after the procedure only 10 of these women still reported pain.

    Other Benefits

    Other health benefits of breast reduction surgery are:

    • Improved physical functioning
    • Relief from shoulder and neck pain
    • Relief from shoulder grooving due to bra straps
    • Relief from headaches
    • Improvement in lung function
    • Sound sleep
    • Clearer mammography results

    The Surgery

    The procedure involves removal of some tissues and skin from the breasts and giving it shape. If the surgeon discovers during surgery that most of the breast is fatty tissue then he will carry out liposuction.

     

    You may be suffering since long from backache without a clue of the cause. To stand tall and sleep better, consult a cosmetic surgeon who will help ward off all your inhibitions and provide the right path to a fitter lifestyle.

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