Women choose breast augmentation for a variety of reasons – they want to improve their curves, feel sexier in their bodies, and enjoy more clothing options. These benefits can change your life, as we’ve personally seen at Ideal Face & Body in Beverly Hills, CA. And after a short consultation, we can craft a treatment plan that’s just right for you and your body.
Can Anyone Get a Breast Augmentation?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved saline implants for women over the age of 18 and silicone implants for those over age 22. Implants can range in size from 120cc to 960cc, so ladies with a wide range of breast and body sizes can have this procedure. What we must first do, however, is determine your candidacy.
What does this mean? We first want to understand your reason for pursuing larger breasts. Those who are hoping to please a romantic partner, obtain a raise, or look good for an upcoming event – think wedding or vacation – may not be the best candidates. An augmentation is intended to last many years, meaning it’s a long-term commitment. Conversely, if you want to feel more comfortable in your body or raise your confidence, we fully support your decision.
Sizing Is Important
We know that every woman has the ideal body image in her mind’s eye, but it’s important that together we choose the right implant size for your anatomy. Our staff will therefore advise you on the maximum cups you can safely reach.
In this same vein, you shouldn’t expect to jump multiple sizes all at once. For example, if you’re starting with an A cup, it’s unlikely you’ll increase to a DD in one procedure. Both your skin and body need time to adjust to such changes. We’ll therefore suggest going up only a few cup sizes at first. If you decide you want larger breasts after your first surgery, we can continue increasing your implant size gradually.
In Consideration of Body Weight
Some women ask if body weight or BMI (body mass index) plays into breast augmentation candidacy. Most providers agree neither is a major factor and that women with lower or higher BMIs can safely have surgery if they are in good general health. This matters much more than weight itself, meaning we will ask about your medical history and current infections, illnesses, or diseases.
Our goal is to ensure you don’t have a condition that may complicate surgery or create difficulties in recovery. As long as you’re declared fit to have surgery, body weight is not a major concern.
Discussing Weight Loss
Perhaps you’re a patient who has experienced weight fluctuations you’re entire life, or you’ve recently given birth or begun a healthier routine and aren’t quite where you’d like to be in your weight management. You should know that if you plan to lose weight after surgery, in the range of 10 to 15 pounds, you will not alter the shape of your new breasts.
If, however, you believe you might lose 30 pounds or more, it’s better to delay your procedure. Weight loss can change breast tissue and even alter your satisfaction with your appearance. We want you to be completely happy with your body after augmentation; with this in mind, we’ll likely schedule surgery after you’ve met your weight management goals.
You Have Realistic Expectations
This surgery will certainly change how you look, but it cannot instantly fix body image issues or provide you with a significantly different appearance. Acknowledging these factors before surgery will help you maintain the proper perspective.
You should similarly be prepared for life changes, as breast augmentation can alter your attitude in unexpected ways. After completing your recovery, you’ll likely feel:
- A surge of confidence
- More beautiful
- More feminine
- Improved self-esteem and self-worth
A Feeling That Shows
When you feel good about your body, it shows in the way you carry yourself and interact with others. This can positively change your work and personal relationships; in short, aspects of life you never imagined could be improved by surgery will indeed change for the better.
You’re Unhappy With Your Breasts
This, of course, is the number one consideration in deciding whether or not surgery is right for you. If you’re unhappy with your breast size, feel your breasts are disproportionate to your body size, or want to achieve symmetry between your breasts, this surgery can achieve all three. It can also correct breasts that are elongated, flattened, sagging, or lacking cleavage or volume.
After surgery, you’ll need time to properly rest. Certain tasks will be off-limits, including heavy lifting and exercising, so you’ll likely need help around the house. A friend or family member will also need to drive you home from your appointment; if he or she can stay with you a day or two, especially to care for young children and/or pets, you’ll enjoy a far more comfortable recovery. And within just five to seven days, you’ll feel much like your old self again.
Preparing for Surgery
A few days before surgery, you should grocery shop for simple snacks and foods you can grab with ease. You’ll want to rest as much as possible after surgery, and you likely won’t feel like making extravagant meals. Opting for the following foods will ensure you get the nutrients you need will little to no fuss:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables, cut and stored in the refrigerator
- Nuts
- Gelatin and pudding
- Soups
- Saltine crackers
- Prepared meals
You should also have some outfits – remember shirts that button or zip and soft, cotton pajamas will be the most comfortable – within easy reach. Lay them out in a spare room the day before surgery so you can change in the coming days without reaching, stretching, or searching for clothes.
The Day Of
On the day of your procedure, we recommend you go to bed early and rise early. Rushing on this exciting day will make you feel stressed and anxious. It’s therefore important you allow plenty of time to pack, prepare, and get to your appointment on time.
You should also plan to arrive without makeup or jewelry. As for your clothing, loose, breathable garments made of cotton will be the easiest to get in and out of. Likewise, something a little warmer is ideal; most patients wake from anesthesia feeling slightly cool. Last but not least, soft slip-on shoes make changing before and after surgery that much easier.
Opt for Glasses
We recommend you leave the contact lenses at home and instead wear your glasses. You’ll need to remove them before surgery, but doing so is much easier than fumbling with lenses. You can give them to your friend or family member for safekeeping and then slide them back on after the procedure.
What To Stop
Two weeks before surgery, you should stop smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking aspirin or ibuprofen. In place of alcohol, which can prolong healing, we recommend you nourish and hydrate your body with water. Nicotine can increase your chances of post-surgical complications – it’s best to give it up for good – and certain pain killers interfere with your body’s normal blood clotting abilities.
We also recommend you stop taking all herbal supplements at the two-week marker. Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and green tea extract are examples of supplements that can interfere with your anesthesia.
What Not To Do
Don’t eat or drink after midnight the day before your surgery. Your stomach should be completely empty, meaning you can’t snack, sip water, or chew gum. The best way to prepare is by eating an early dinner and having an early bedtime snack if you feel a little hungry.
Also, don’t worry. You’re prepared, know what to expect from surgery, and are in great hands with our staff. Soon, you’ll have the curves and contours you’ve been dreaming of, and with those, a more positive view of yourself.
All You Need To Know
Breast implants are very safe, and the surgery itself is likewise routinely performed and extremely safe. According to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 98% of all patients feel satisfied with their results. And breast augmentation remains as commonly practiced today as its introduction in 1962, which is to say it consistently ranks as the most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S.
Perhaps more important, recovery is relatively quick and easy. Your energy will rise within a few days, and you can expect to return to work after about a week. Most patients, in fact, only take five to seven days off, although the choice of how long you stay home is entirely your own. You’ll need a longer recovery period if your work involves long periods of standing, heavy lifting, or other physical activity.
When To Resume Exercise
You can resume strenuous physical activity, including exercise, about four to six weeks after your procedure. This is just a point of reference, however; you need to wait until we give actual approval for you to once again hit the gym. What you can do in the meantime is walk, as regular walking helps you regain strength and promotes strong circulation to support your recovery.
You Get All New Wardrobe Options
When they’re unhappy with their breasts, many women feel restricted in the clothing styles they can wear. It’s not unusual to find a top that fits perfectly through the waist and hips, only to find it hangs loosely in the chest. If you fall into this category, you’ll be happy to know breast augmentation substantially increases your wardrobe options.
How This Compares To a Breast Lift
Many patients confuse a breast augmentation with a breast lift, and it’s easy to see why. But subtle differences separate these two procedures. A lift does not involve implants. Instead, this surgery manipulates your existing breast tissue to lift and tighten breasts. The goal is to provide a more natural contour and improve drooping, sagging, or mild asymmetry caused by pregnancy, age, or illness.
If you’re wondering which procedure is right for you, we can help you make that determination. We’ll also provide a realistic idea of what can be achieved and tailor treatment to suit your unique body. Some women combine a breast lift and augmentation, which we can discuss during your consultation.
The Body You Want
There’s no better time than now to achieve the body you want. An augmentation can provide the shape, fullness, and size you want in your breasts. Surgery is relatively easy, recovery is rapid, and your confidence will soar when you see your new curves. Schedule your consultation today by calling Ideal Face & Body in Beverly Hills, CA.
