Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Karadağ says: “During the pandemic, people's wish to change areas of their body they are not happy with has also greatly increased interest in breast aesthetic surgery. However, for a successful aesthetic result, all the questions on people's minds should be put to a Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery specialist before the operation, and the patient and the physician must plan together by discussing many details.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Karadağ answered the 6 most frequently asked questions about breast aesthetic surgery and gave important warnings and advice.
“I had breast augmentation with silicone implants. Do silicone implants last a lifetime? ”
Although silicone implants mostly last a lifetime, they may need to be replaced in some cases. For example, in some patients a thin membrane called a ‘capsule’, produced by the body, forms around the silicone implant over time. Sometimes, if this membrane wraps tightly around the breast implant, it causes pain and deformity in the patient, in which case the membrane needs to be treated. If considered necessary, the implant can also be replaced in the same session.
“I really liked my friend's result. Will I get exactly the same?”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Karadağ says: “In patients who come to us for breast aesthetic surgery, we often come across requests such as ‘I really liked my friend's result, will I get exactly the same?’ Or people bring photos and say ‘I want mine to look like this’. But unfortunately, each individual's response to surgery differs because of their body structure, tissues, wound-healing potential and environmental factors. Even if you perform the same procedure on two people, you may not achieve the same result. Each person should be themselves rather than try to resemble someone else, and should plan what suits them best together with their physician.”
“ Will my breasts sag again after breast lift surgery? ”
Some sagging will occur over time, although not as much as before. The degree of sagging is determined by the elasticity of the person's skin and tissues and, of course, by the surgical operation performed. If the patient becomes pregnant and breastfeeds after breast lift surgery, sagging is inevitable. For this reason, it will be much healthier to have a breast lift after family planning is completely finished.
“ When can I start exercising after breast augmentation? ”
If the implant has been placed under the muscle, it is necessary to wait at least 2 months before starting sports activities that work the chest muscles, but if the implant has been placed over the muscle, sport can be started after 1 month without too much strain. For this reason, in athletes the breast implant should not be placed under the muscle. Activities such as walking that do not strain the operated area can comfortably be started 1 week after surgery.
“ When can I start breastfeeding after breast augmentation? ”
If breast augmentation is performed by the right hands, it does not create a situation that affects the mother's breastfeeding. But it is important to make the following distinction: even in people who have never had any breast surgery, inability to breastfeed, or no milk or little milk coming in, can be seen. Therefore, if the patient had not yet experienced breastfeeding before the operation and then has a baby after the operation and has problems breastfeeding, it would not be right to attribute this to the operation.
“ Will my back and neck pain go away after breast reduction surgery? ”
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Karadağ says: “Beyond being aesthetic operations, breast reduction operations substantially eliminate the person's health problems. In patients with problems related to breast size, hunching (deterioration of the spinal structure), pain in the shoulders, neck and back, deep bra-strap marks on the shoulders and hygiene problems due to sweating under the breasts are seen. With breast reduction surgery, the breast volume is reduced as much as possible and the sagging breast is lifted at the same time, giving the patient both physiological relief and a beautiful aesthetic appearance.”
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