Plastic surgery is no longer as taboo as it used to be, with more people openly and actively seeking medical procedures to enhance their bodies and faces. One of the most popular plastic surgery for women, is, of course, breast augmentation.
Before you head to a random clinic, read on to find out everything you need to know, including types of implants, risks involved, and clinics to visit!
- What Is Breast Augmentation?
- Differences Between Breast Enhancement, Breast Implants and Breast Augmentation
- Types of Breast Augmentation in Singapore
- Suitable Candidates for Breast Augmentation in Singapore
- Breast Augmentation in Singapore: Risks
- How to Prepare for Breast Augmentation in Singapore
- What to Expect During a Breast Augmentation Procedure
- Breast Augmentation in Singapore: Recovery
- Clinics for Breast Augmentation in Singapore
What Is Breast Augmentation?
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Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty or a “boob job” is a surgery to increase the size of the breasts by placing breast implants under the breast tissue or chest muscle.
Since the purpose of it is to increase breast size rather than correct drooping breasts, you should make sure that you’re looking at the right type of procedure to meet your needs.
Should your main concern be lifting your droopy chest, then a breast lift – not augmentation – is the surgery that’s most suitable for you.
Differences Between Breast Enhancement, Breast Implants and Breast Augmentation
If you’re feeling unsure, breast augmentation is known by various names, but breast enhancement is the only other accurate term for it. The main objective of this procedure is to enlarge the size of the breasts, and there are two methods to achieve that: using implants or through a fat transfer.
Types of Breast Augmentation in Singapore
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Saline (saltwater) or medical-grade silicone gel are two types of implants that will give you a significant increase in breast size. Of the two, medical-grade silicone gel is the preferred option for implants because of its natural look and feel.
There are also other factors to consider, such as the shape, projection, width, and height of the implants. Patients will have to attend a consultation first so that the surgeon can advise them on the type of implants to get and the size that’ll best fit their body and chest proportions.
In Singapore, besides inserting implants, a fat transfer can also be done. However, a breast augmentation procedure using fat transfer will only give a moderate boost in breast volume and size. The advantage of this procedure is that no foreign objects (implants) will be placed inside your body.
As long as you have a sufficient amount of fat in your body, you’ll likely be able to undergo this treatment. Fat transfer is not recommended for women with low body fat.
Suitable Candidates for Breast Augmentation in Singapore
While there are no specific age requirements for candidates hoping to undergo the procedure in Singapore, it is recommended that patients be over the age of 15. Individuals below 21 also will need to seek parental consent to have this surgery done in Singapore.
You are a suitable candidate if:
- You are physically healthy and you aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have realistic expectations
- Your breasts are fully developed
- You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
- You are dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or ageing
- You are unhappy with the upper part of your breast appearing “empty”
- Your breasts are asymmetrical
- One or both breasts failed to develop normally or have an elongated shape
Breast Augmentation in Singapore: Risks
As with any medical procedure, this surgery poses its own set of risks, including:
- Scar tissue that distorts the shape of the breast implant (capsular contracture)
- Breast pain
- Infection
- Changes in nipple and breast sensation
- Implant leakage or rupture
Correcting these complications might require more surgery, which could involve either removing or replacing the implants.
How to Prepare for Breast Augmentation in Singapore
Before your procedure, carefully review written information – from your patient information to the manufacturer of the implant you’ll be getting – and keep copies for your records.
You may need a baseline mammogram before your surgery, depending on what your doctor advises.
You will also have to adjust certain medications as well, such as avoiding blood-thinning medication, multivitamins, and supplements at least two weeks prior to your surgery so that you do not bleed profusely from the procedure.
If you smoke, you will be asked to stop smoking at least six weeks before the procedure.
It is also advised that you arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night.
What to Expect During a Breast Augmentation Procedure
This surgery can be performed under local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia.
For local anaesthesia, the breast area is numbed, and the patient stays awake and conscious during the entire procedure whereas, for general anaesthesia, patients are asleep during the surgery. Under either method of anaesthesia, patients should not be able to feel any pain.
Breast Augmentation in Singapore: Recovery
Photo source: Advanced Plastic Surgery Center
The procedure can be done in a surgical centre or hospital outpatient facility. Patients are usually allowed to return home the same day and are rarely required for a hospital stay.
Soreness and swelling are likely to persist for a few weeks after surgery. Patients can experience bruising as well.
You should also expect your scars to fade over time, but not disappear completely. Some recommend that you wear a compression bandage or sports bra for extra support and positioning of the breast implants while you are recovering.
If you don’t have a physically demanding job, you may be able to return to work within a few weeks.
It is recommended that you avoid strenuous activities for at least two weeks, and refrain from any physical contact or jarring movements to your breasts.
Clinics for Breast Augmentation in Singapore
Polaris Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Led by consultant plastic surgeons Dr. Adrian Ooi and Dr. Pek Chong Han, this patient-centric plastic surgery clinic offers personalised treatments in advanced cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, including breast augmentation.
With passion and experience, they both and their team excel in providing only the best breast enhancement treatment for you. Plus, Dr. Pek Chong Han is known for the “Hybrid Breast Augmentation using Implants and Fats.”
Breast augmentation involves placing implants beneath your breast tissues to add volume, creating a fuller look while keeping scars minimal. Additionally, the clinic also offers the option of Fat Grafting or a combination of both techniques, ensuring the most natural-looking results tailored to each individual.
Fat Grafting procedure is done by using your own fat from areas where you have excess. This fat is taken out through a process called liposuction, which is then purified to retain fat cells, stem cells, and growth factors. These are then injected into your breasts to add volume and maximise the aesthetic outcomes.
There is, however, a physical limit to the amount of fat graft that your breast can accept before the fat retention rate decreases. So, you might need more than one session if you’re looking for a significant increase in size.
If you have a low pain tolerance, don’t worry as you’ll be put under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the two hour procedure. Additionally, after the procedure, you may need to allocate some time for you to rest and recover as the downtime period for this treatment is about five days.
Schedule a consultation at Polaris Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery for expert guidance on this transformative procedure.
Contact Polaris Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery to get a customised quote and book a consultation. Prices start from $13,500 onwards.
Allure Plastic Surgery
Allure Plastic Surgery is a day surgery centre that focuses on mummy makeovers, intricate eye and nose surgeries, as well as breast surgeries.
Whether you are looking to regain fullness postpartum or after breastfeeding, or are simply desiring more volume in your bosom, you can opt for Allure Plastic Surgery’s Breast Augmentation Surgery, which delivers instant results right after the procedure.
For this procedure, you’ll be taken care of by Consultant Plastic Surgeon Dr. Samuel Ho, who’s trained in Korea and has extensive experience in performing breast-shaping work such as breast augmentation with fat grafting, breast reduction, and breast lift procedures.
Dr. Samuel Ho is especially adept at dual-plane (submuscular) breast implant placement, where the implant is placed partially under the pectoral muscle in its top half, and the bottom half sits directly under the breast tissue.
This means that the pectoral muscle acts like a clamp to prevent rotation or sagging of the implant that may happen over time. Such a unique positioning also prevents the edges of the implant from being too palpable.
With Dr. Samuel Ho’s signature dual-plane placement, the implant provides better lift, is less likely to sag, and is less likely to be felt through the skin.
Have a low pain tolerance? Fret not, because you’ll be put under intravenous sedation to ensure that you’re comfortable and sound asleep throughout the procedure.
With Dr. Samuel Ho’s skills and under the meticulous care of the team at Allure Plastic Surgery, you’ll even be able to go home the same day after the procedure with minimal downtime.
Contact Allure Plastic Surgery to get a customised quote and book a consultation. Prices start from S$11,888.
Shens Clinic
Dr Shenthilkumar Naidu (or more commonly referred to as Dr Shens) is a highly popular plastic surgeon in Singapore.
He is trained in Korea and has years of experience with more than a few thousand procedures under his belt.
His specialty is in short incision breast augmentation, for which many Singaporean women flock to his clinic.
It is said that just booking a consultation with him can require a wait of more than a month!
Contact them to enquire about rates regarding any breast augmentation and breast enhancement surgeries!
MH Plastic Surgery
This clinic is helmed by Dr Huang, who is a fully trained, certified and accredited plastic surgeon with more than 25 years of experience.
He has had dual training in Asia and the US and is an internationally recognised and respected expert in augmentation, especially in Korea.
Contact them to enquire about rates regarding any breast augmentation and breast enhancement surgeries!
Featured image credit: @djjaderasif, @nicole.choo/Instagram
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