All the hard decisions have been made and it’s finally surgery day. Once you get all checked in and comfortable, you will be given anesthesia to “fall asleep” and the chosen area of incision will be numbed locally. Your Plastic Surgeon, will mark the incision with a marker. The size of the incision will vary depending on the area and implant chosen. Next, the Plastic Surgeon will use a cautery device to open this incision and will then separate the breast tissue. He’ll create a path to the pectoralis muscle, creating a pocket in which to place the implant. There are two placement options that will be decided upon by you and your Plastic Surgeon prior to the surgery. First is just under the breast tissue but above the pectoralis muscle. Second is either partially or completely underneath the pectoralis muscle.
If the implant chosen was saline, it will be filled, and the Plastic Surgeon will ensure the implants are in a symmetrical, natural looking position. The Plastic Surgeon will then close the incision site. Finally, your Plastic Surgeon may decide to place a surgical drain inside each breast to drain any fluid build up, but this is not always necessary. Gauze bandages will then be applied around the sutures. A compression garment is generally advised to be worn for the upcoming weeks to help reduce swelling, fluid build up, and to provide support while you heal. You will likely be in a recovery room for the next few hours being checked on by nurses and your Plastic Surgeon as you come out of anesthesia. If all is well, you will then be able to go home to recover, but you will need to be sure to have scheduled someone to drive you!