Breast augmentation with silicone implants

Details:

Operating time 1 hour
General & local anesthesia
Major outpatient surgery
No drains or post-op dressings
Recovery in the recovery room: between 1–2 hours
Recovery in 2–3 days
Exercise from 3 weeks

What’s included?

Pre-operative assessment
Surgery
Post-operative follow-up visits
Belt kit and two post-surgical bras
Anti-stretch-mark kit with oils and adhesive tape
Information consultation
24h emergency phone number

What does breast augmentation involve?

Breast augmentation with implants or augmentation mammaplasty is a surgical procedure to increase breast size and improve the shape of the chest. It involves placing an implant in the appropriate plane to project the breast, improving both its shape and volume.

Who is it indicated for?

It is indicated for:

Enhancing a small or underdeveloped breast
Correcting asymmetry
Restoring volume lost after pregnancy or weight loss
Helping to correct congenital conditions such as tuberous breast or other issues. If the areola-nipple complex is positioned lower, it may be necessary to undergo augmentation mastopexy (lifting and breast enlargement).

Planning

During the first consultation, your breast size and shape, skin firmness, and your overall health will be assessed. You will be explained the different surgical techniques, discussed the size and shape your breasts will have, and the options or combination of procedures that are best for you. We have fitting devices (external silicone breast forms) to help you choose the type and size of implant.

You should describe your expectations honestly and openly, so that Dr. Jaime de San Pío can show you the alternatives available for your specific issue, along with the risks and limitations of each one.

We recommend a recent mammogram / ultrasound (less than 12 months) for those over 35 years old.

Surgery

It is performed under general anesthesia at the Hospital Mediterráneo as an outpatient procedure, meaning you do not need hospital admission. The average stay in the recovery room is 90 minutes.

Through a small incision < 5 cm, usually placed in the inframammary fold. This approach is preferred because the scar is practically invisible, it provides access that allows optimal implant placement, it does not damage the breast gland, and it usually does not affect nipple sensitivity. The areolar approach can also be used, but it is always a second option. The incision is designed so that the resulting scar is almost imperceptible. A pocket is created, and the implant is placed directly under the breast tissue or under the pectoral muscle.

No drains are placed, except for a few rare and justified cases. A 3M Micropore paper tape dressing is applied, and it is kept in place for three weeks until the stitches are removed.

What alternatives are available to breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation can be done using breast implants or through fat transfer (lipotransfer). To perform breast augmentation via fat transfer, it is necessary to have enough fat in other parts of the body. During the same surgical session, liposuction would be performed to remove the fat and then transfer it. Approximately 1000 cc of fat are needed. This procedure has limitations: you can increase only one cup size per procedure, and it provides less projection than an implant.

What is the recovery like?

You will not need dressings, since the incision is protected by 3M Micropore paper tape until the stitches are removed. After breast surgery, it is normal to feel somewhat tired for a few days, but once you leave the recovery room you will be able to live almost normally, thanks to the local anesthesia we use during the procedure (lasting 10–12 hours). Remember that you should not lift the equivalent of one or two kilos for a couple of weeks. It is very important to start moving right away in the recovery room; this will help us avoid shoulder, back, and neck contractures, which are responsible for post-operative pain. (video)

Most discomfort is well controlled with the prescribed medication, although your breasts may feel strange for a few weeks.

What risks and complications are there?

Breast augmentation surgery is a safe technique, as long as it is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. To ensure you are in good hands in Spain, it is important that the plastic surgeon is accepted as a member of SECPRE and AECEP.

However, as with any operation, complications and associated risks can always occur:

Capsular contracture: occurs when the natural envelope formed around the implant (capsule) contracts excessively, tightening the implant and making the breast feel harder. 1–4% for textured cohesive prostheses placed under the muscle. It can be treated in different ways, sometimes requiring the capsule to be removed (total capsulectomy) and the implant to be replaced. The risk can be reduced by avoiding the peri-areolar approach and post-operative drains, when possible.
Bleeding / hematoma: uncommon and closely related to excessive effort. Only in specific cases does a new procedure need to be performed to remove accumulated blood (less than 0.5%).
Infection: very rare thanks to the surgical technique (avoiding the peri-areolar approach), a plastic film that protects the nipple, the antibiotics (pre-, intra- and post-operative), and above all by avoiding the use of drains. (less than 0.1%).
Sensitivity changes: Some women notice that their nipples are more or less sensitive, and in some cases, there is no sensitivity. These changes are usually temporary (less than 12 months), although in a few cases they may be permanent. They are directly proportional to the width/size of the implant used.
Implant capsule rupture: infrequent before 10 years with current cohesive implants. If a rupture occurs, the implants must be replaced.

Frequently asked questions

Does breast augmentation hurt?

Mammoplasty is a straightforward cosmetic surgery performed in the operating room on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia, to which we add local anesthesia. As a result, the patient feels no pain during the procedure. The immediate post-operative period (first 12 hours) is not painful, thanks to local anesthesia with adrenaline. When you get home, you begin the medication and the exercises to avoid muscle contracture, which causes post-operative pain. This way, the patient can return to their usual routine, avoiding exercise and weight gain. The most important thing is to follow Dr. Jaime de San Pío’s instructions correctly after surgery so that the recovery process is as comfortable and painless as possible.

When can I return to my everyday routine?

After breast augmentation, you can return to work in a few days, depending on the activity you do. In the first two weeks, you will be able to move your arms and lift up to one kilo of weight. Your breasts will be more sensitive than normal for 2 to 3 weeks, so it may be advisable to avoid excessive physical contact until the 3rd or 4th week.

When can I resume my sports activities?

You can go running starting approximately after 3 weeks, but we recommend delaying sports that involve working the upper body for a period of about a month and a half. Start those activities in a moderate and gradual way.

Is any type of massage recommended after breast surgery?

At Clínica de San Pío, each patient receives a specific recovery program that includes different stretching exercises, as well as other specific techniques.

Breast massage is not recommended, but massage of the shoulders, back, and neck is.

Is the aesthetic result immediate?

The result will take between 6 months and 1 year to become definitive. Your breasts will change during that time, as the periprosthetic capsule forms and the implants settle in order to achieve a natural result; surgery is only the beginning of the process. At Clínica de San Pío, you will have periodic check-ups during that first year to ensure the best results.

Will the scars be visible? Where are they placed?

The procedure is done through a small 5 cm incision, usually placed in the inframammary fold. This approach is preferred because the scar is practically invisible, provides access that allows optimal implant placement, does not damage the breast gland, and usually does not affect nipple sensitivity. The areolar approach can also be used, but it is always a second option.

At first, the scars will look pink, and that appearance will improve progressively.

Will I be able to breastfeed if I get pregnant?

A woman with breast implants can become pregnant, carry the pregnancy to term, and give birth without any problems. It is also possible to breastfeed the baby, because since the implants are placed behind the pectoral muscle or in front of it, they do not affect the breast gland.

Can fat be added via fat transfer at the same time as breast augmentation with an implant?

Yes, it can be done. This is called “supercharged breast augmentation.” It is used to improve cleavage, a scar, a volume defect, and a congenital condition (tuberous or asymmetric breast).

When will we be able to see the results?

Shortly after surgery (2–3 weeks), there is a very marked swelling of the upper poles and the lateral pole. This gives the breast a deformed and unnatural appearance. The initial result can be seen after the first 6–12 weeks. The final result will be at 9–12 months.

Is Clínica de San Pío a good place to get breast augmentation in Almería?

The only thing that is certain is that only a reference surgery center with a long track record in this field, such as Clínica de San Pío, can ensure the safety and quality that are needed for such an important step as breast augmentation surgery in Almería.

At Clínica de San Pío in Almería, we provide an all-in-one service that begins from the first visit, ensuring that your experience goes far beyond the aesthetic change itself. Breast implants are one of the most requested procedures at our clinic, and for that reason we offer a personalized service in every case.

We have a team of professionals who will provide comprehensive follow-up from the first consultation, with a fully personalized treatment so that your choice and surgery are a success and the recovery process is much faster, more comfortable, and safer.

In Spain, you can verify the training of the plastic surgeon you are consulting with at the College of Physicians in your province, and by visiting the website of the Spanish Society of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery (SECPRE) and the Spanish Association of Plastic Aesthetic Surgery (AECEP).