Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon. The best candidates for breast augmentation are women who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you’re physically healthy, close to your ideal weight and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health and explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you, based on the condition of your breasts and skin elasticity. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your expectations. If your breasts are sagging, your surgeon may also recommend a breast lift.

Breast Augmentation procedures are performed at the Centurion Day Hospital under general anaesthesia. Your surgeon will give you instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. We advise that you need to stop smoking two weeks before surgery and two weeks after surgery. This will help to expedite your recovery period and encourage better healing on a cellular level and to avoid unforeseen complications. After your consultation, we will provide you with a personalised quotation based on the recommendation of your surgeon. While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days.

Breast Augmentation procedures can take between forty-five minutes to an hour in theatre. The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your anatomy and your surgeon’s recommendation. The incision will be made in the crease where the breast meets the chest. Every effort will be made to assure that the incision is placed so that resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible.

Working through the incision, the surgeon will lift your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath your chest wall muscle (the pectoral muscle). The implants are then centred beneath your nipples and incisions are closed with self-dissolving sutures. Drainage tubes may be used for several days following the surgery, depending on your surgeon’s observation in theatre.

You’re likely to feel tired and sore for a few days following your surgery, but you’ll be able to mobilise post-operatively. You should be able to return to work within a week or two, depending on the level of activity required. You will be fitted with a surgical bra that you must wear for six weeks until the bruising and swelling subsides. Surgical bras are available to purchase at the Centurion Cosmetic Clinic on special request and additional costs.

The first follow-up appointment usually takes place seven days after surgery with a second to follow at six weeks. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by prescribed medication. You may also experience a burning sensation in your nipples or breasts, but this will subside as bruising fades. The self-dissolving sutures will dissolve gradually over time, but the swelling in your breasts may take three to six weeks to disappear. Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months, or even appear to widen. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely.

You should avoid lifting or pushing anything heavy for six weeks. You may be instructed to avoid intercourse for two weeks, and avoid anything but gentle contact with your breast for at least six weeks. A small amount of fluid draining from your surgical wound or crusting is normal. Be sure to keep the suture area dry. Your decision to have breast augmentation is a highly personal one that not everyone will understand. The important thing is how you feel about it. If you’ve met your goals, then your surgery is a success.