New Jersey Breast Augmentation: Risks and Recovery

When it comes to breast enlargement in New Jersey, Dr. Sorokin believes the care that goes into your breast augmentation surgery has as much to do with a successful recovery as the care you receive afterward. That is why he uses the latest technology and techniques at his Southern New Jersey office in order to perform procedures that speed recovery. Surgery that causes less disruption in your body simply offers less chance of complication, and allows you to start enjoying your new look sooner. This page gives you a good idea of what to expect during the recovery process following your surgery, and also references potential complications that can occur.

If you have additional questions about risks and recovery following breast enlargement, don't hesitate to phone Dr. Sorokin at Delaware Valley Plastic Surgery at 856-797-0202. The office is just a short drive from many towns, including Mt. Laurel, Cherry Hill, Voorhees and Collingswood, New Jersey. Breast augmentation is an exciting, positive experience for the vast majority of our patients. Set up an appointment with Dr. Sorokin today.

Recovery and Care Following Breast Augmentation Surgery

After the surgery, you should plan on staying home and engaging in minimal activity for at least a day or two. Swelling and discomfort, though controlled with medication, generally will be at their greatest in the days following the procedure, and then will taper off significantly. Note that recovery following submuscular implant surgery is likely to take longer than surgery that places implants above the muscle. This is because submuscular placement entails cutting of some muscle tissue, which requires additional time to heal.

Depending on the amount of strenuous activity required for your job, you should be back to work within a few days. Most patients report that their breasts are sensitive to direct stimulation for at least two to three weeks, but regular contact with the breasts is fine once they are no longer sore, which can be up to a month after the surgery.

It is important that you take certain steps to care for yourself and your implants, to avoid potential complications and speed recovery time.

• Arrange for a responsible adult to stay with you for the day following surgery.
• Take all prescribed medications according to the instructions you are provided.
• Do not drive for at least two days following your surgery, or any time you are taking prescription pain medication or muscle relaxants.
• Avoid any pushing, pulling, or lifting until your post-op appointment.
• Call Dr. Sorokin immediately if you have: temperature above 99.5 degrees, obvious swelling of one breast compared to the other, or excessive bleeding at the incision.
• Sponge bathe until your post-op appointment. Following this appointment, most patients are allowed to shower. Note that you must not submerge the incision sites until given Dr. Sorokin's approval.
• Engage in only light activity (such as walking) for the first two to three days after surgery.

Potential Risks and Complications of Breast Augmentation

Before discussing complications, you should keep in mind that the vast majority of our patients undergo a successful surgery with minimal discomfort and satisfying outcomes. However, you should of course take the time to thoroughly educate yourself about the risks that may accompany breast enlargement surgery. Note that the following covers the more common complications that may occur, and is not meant to cover all possible risks.

Often the biggest concern that patients have is that a breast implant may leak or rupture. This could occur if the implant is subjected to significant pressure or in some cases during normal compression and movement of your breast, as implants are manmade devices that eventually will deteriorate over time. Ruptured saline implants will deflate in a matter of hours, and the harmless salt water solution inside will be absorbed into the body. Ruptures in silicone implants are often harder to detect. In some cases, the silicone will remain within the breast, while in cases of severe rupture, the silicone may move into surrounding tissue. MRI scans, which may not be covered by insurance, are recommended three years after silicone breast implantation and every two years after that to screen for rupture. Replacement of the leaking implant through a second operation may be required. Silicone implant capsule technology has been vastly improved over the last decade, and the durability of these capsules is partly why the FDA re-certified the use of silicone implants for general use.

Capsular contracture, or tightening of scar tissue around the implant, may cause the breast to feel hard or misshapen. Several treatment options for capsular contracture are available, including the removal or "scoring" of the scar tissue. In almost all cases, capsular contracture can be well-managed if it occurs, but can require future surgeries for proper correction.

Though antibiotics are administered at the time of surgery, around one percent of women develop some level of infection at the incision site or around the implant itself. These infections usually can be treated using oral antibiotics, though in some cases the affected implant may need to be removed and the infection allowed to clear before a second implant can be placed at the site. Excessive bleeding at the incision site may occur, causing some swelling and discomfort. Any bleeding that takes place after surgery generally resolves itself in a matter of days.

Following surgery, nipples may be oversensitive, undersensitive, or completely desensitized in some cases. This phenomenon is often temporary, though permanent changes in the amount of feeling can occur. In rare cases, the ability to breast feed may be lost.

Other complications may include noticeable external scarring or asymmetry, with one breast appearing larger or having a slightly different shape than the other. No two breasts are exactly the same shape prior to breast implantation and occasionally this asymmetry can persist postoperatively.

Though there are some risks involved, be assured that there is no evidence of breast implants affecting fertility or pregnancy. Despite this it is important to check with personal health insurance companies as some policies include exclusions for patients with implants.

Dr. Sorokin encourages you to schedule a consultation at his office in Marlton, New Jersey, to discuss breast augmentation. Call us today at 856-797-0202 to set up an appointment.