Patient information

BreastEnlargement(augmentation)

Golden Jubilee National HospitalAgamemnon StreetClydebank, G81 4DY(: 0141 951 5000www.nhsgoldenjubilee.co.uk

Reviewed: March 2021Next review: March 2022

Version 8

Breast enlargement

About this booklet

The purpose of this booklet is to give you information about your operation and the care you will receive from staff.

During your stay with us, our primary concern will be your comfort and return to good health. If you have any questions or concerns, our staff will be pleased to assist you in any way they can.

Admissions

The booking office staff will make admission plans with you and will make this as easy as possible.

You may have been asked some personal details before you arrive which we may need to ask you again at admission. These may include contact numbers, your GP’s name, address and telephone number and other relevant information.

If at any time during your pre-operative assessment or any other medical assessments you would like to be chaperoned then please tell a member of nursing staff.

What is breast enlargement (augmentation)?

Breast enlargement is an operation to enlarge your breasts by putting an artificial implant either under your breast tissue, or under your chest muscle behind your breast. Implants are made of an outer layer of firm silicone, and are usually filled with silicone gel or salt water. The breast can also be enlarged by taking fat from another part of the body and injecting it into the breasts. The surgeon will have discussed this with you at your initial consultation.

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Before surgery

You will be asked to attend for pre assessment to ensure that you are fit for surgery and anaesthetic. This will be either at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital or your own local hospital. Please bring along any tablets you are currently taking. You may be asked to provide a urine sample and a sample of blood will be taken.

Surgery

The procedure can take between one and two hours. The nurse will prepare you for theatre and walk you to the theatre department. If you have been given a sedative, you will be taken to the theatre on a trolley.

Surgery usually requires a one night stay and is done under a general anaesthetic. This may be done as a day case depending on the extent of yor procedure and recovery. The surgeon would have discussed where your scars will be depending on the type of enlargement you are having done. Your surgeon will discuss the size and shape of implant that will be suitable to you. You should discuss breastfeeding with your surgeon. Breast implants can interfere with mammography, if you are going for screening you should tell your radiographer or nurse that you have implants.

You will be sent out your fasting instructions and admission times by letter prior to your surgery date. The surgeon will visit you on the morning of surgery to discuss the operation and mark the site with a pen. You will be asked to sign the consent form for surgery; this confirms that you understand the risks and benefits and gives your permission for the procedure to go ahead. You may also be asked to consent for photographs to be taken as part of your medical record.

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After surgery

You will have to rest until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. You will be given painkillers to help relieve any discomfort. You may have a drain in each breast to allow blood and fluid to drain away from the surgery site. You may have a drip in your arm to keep you hydrated, it is usually removed when you are able to drink enough fluid.

Your wounds may be covered with a dressing. You should bring in a good fitting support bra with no underwires. You should be able to walk to the toilet with the nurse in the evening, unless your surgery was carried out much later in the afternoon.

If you have drains, these will usually be removed the next morning. If they are still draining, they will be monitored and removed when the drainage stops or is very little.

Some wounds will take longer to heal and dressings may be needed for a few weeks. You will be advised of any follow up appointments before you leave. Stitches are usually dissolving so there are no stitches to be removed.

You will be given advice by the nursing staff on how to move so you do not put any strain on the wounds. You will experience some tightness around the wounds and some patients experience tingling around the nipples; this is normal. You should continue to wear the support bra for four to six weeks, longer if the surgeon advises this.

Side effects:

• Bruising, this can be painful and take a month or so to clear. • Swelling, this may not completely settle for a few months. • Scarring, this usually fades over the course of a year, but won’t

completely disappear.

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Discharge advice

Rest this evening and avoid strenuous activities.

In the first 24 hours you must not:

• drive;• drink alcohol; or• use machinery.

Take your usual medications and any that you may have been given by the nurse today.

It is normal to feel some pain after surgery. You will be prescribed painkillers during your stay in hospital, and will be given some to take home.

Other advice

If a follow up appointment is required, you will be advised of this on discharge. Contact the hospital immediately after discharge for any advice.

Contact your GP if:

• You have severe pain not relieved by medication.• You have excess bleeding from the wound site.• You have extreme redness or swelling around the wound site or

drainage of pus.• You are unable to pass urine.• You have continual vomiting.• You have a fever.

In the event of an emergency, you should go to your nearest Accident and Emergency.

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Specific advice for discharge

Mobility

You will feel tired for the first few days following discharge from hospital. Rest for some of the time, but gradually increase your activity until you feel fit to resume normal activities. This will take a few weeks. You should not go to your bed as if you were ill. Avoid heavy lifting for six weeks following surgery. It is advisable to wear your support stockings during the day until your activity has increased to near normal levels.

Wounds

Your surgeon and nurse will give you specific wound instructions about when you can shower or bathe. Keep wounds dry unless instructed that it is safe to get them wet. i.e waterproof dressings.

Driving

Your GP or surgeon will advise at your follow up appointment when you can start to drive again. You should also check with your car insurance company.

Pain relief

Continue to take the painkillers given to you on discharge.

Returning to work

Returning to work is usually about six weeks after surgery but may be longer depending on the extent of your surgery and the job you do. The surgeon will advise further depending on how well you are recovering after surgery.

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Contact

If you need further assistance or have any questions, please contact the day unit on 0141 951 5400 during Monday to Friday 7am to 8.30pm. Out of hours you should contact the Senior Nurse via the switchboard on 0141 951 5000.

Notes

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PS09

Please call the above number if you requirethis publication in an alternative format

(: 0141 951 5513

Golden Jubilee National Hospital Charity Number: SC045146