Pectoral Implants

• Share your health information with your plastic surgeon, remember to mention if you have allergies, previous surgeries, use of medications, hormones, vitamins or supplements and any other relevant medical information
• Your surgeon will ask you questions about what you would like to improve on your chest, what are your expectations for the results and will inform you of what can realistically be achieved.
• Your chest will be examined, taking into account factors such as bone structure, skin thickness, fatty tissue, nipple size and positions and the relationship to your bone structures.
• Photos at different angles will be requested in order to carry out a complete evaluation
• Pre-surgery blood tests will be ordered
• You’ll need to quit smoking completely
• Sometimes a chest ultrasound might be requested

⚠️ For patients over 40 years of age or with any added cardiac, respiratory, renal pathology, etc. The following will be requested:

• Chest X-ray
• Cardiological assessment
• Electrocardiogram

🗓️ 1 MONTH BEFORE SURGERY

• Stop smoking 1 month before your scheduled procedure
• Stop taking alcohol 1 week before the procedure
• Avoid using aspirin, fish oil, garlic and omegas, at least 3 weeks before the procedure *if you are medically required to do so, it is very important you let your medical coordinator know about this
• No exercise 3 days before the surgery
• Avoid eating very greasy food 2 days before your surgery
• No skin tanning 2 weeks before the procedure to avoid skin damage
• Plan for your stay in Cancun for surgery and recovery
• Make sure you have a lose button down shirt to use during the recovery period
• Get a suitcase with wheels!!!! Most of the times you won’t be allowed to carry anything heavy for a couple of weeks.

Anesthesia

The time for the surgical procedure is around 3 hours depending on the technique. General anesthesia is given for a safe and comfortable procedure.

Incisions & Sutures

An incision of 3 to 5 cm is made between the middle axillary line and the anterior axillary line to be able to access the desired area under the pectoral muscle and place the implant.

Sutures are placed in different layers of tissue to close the wounds and hold the new implants in place.

Over time, the incision lines will tend to fade. It is important that you understand that the quality of the scar depends on factors such as skin, genetic predisposition, sun exposure, and nicotine use.

After the chest implant is placed, the surgeon will place a drain in order to prevent any liquid accumulation. This drain will remain for 3 to 5 days after the surgery, and will be removed by your physician during one of the follow up appointments.

Chest Implant Placement

Pectoral implants are placed in a newly formed “pocket” or cavity under the pectoral muscle. These “pockets” ensure that the implant is protected by anatomical structures such as skin, gland and muscle so that it remains in the desired position and shape.

Right After Surgery

After the surgery is done and you have fully woken up from the anesthesia, you will have a compression garment around your chest, you might feel a certain tightness.

You will be offered liquids and if tolerated a small meal. A few hours after the procedure you will be able to go back to your hotel / home.

Before You Leave the Hospital

Your plastic surgeon will come to assess your health condition and give you proper care instructions to take back home. It’s normal that you will be prescribed painkillers and antibiotics during the healing process. Your surgeon will offer you a check up appointment during the following days.

What to expect after chest implant surgery:

After the procedure the plastic surgeon will leave a drain in order to help with the healing process. You will wear a special compression chest garment for 4-6 weeks. You should not lift anything heavy or raise your arms beyond your shoulders to avoid injury. You need to stay out of the sun for one month. It is important that you follow your surgeon’s recommendations in order to have a good result.

You must take in consideration the following:

• Take your medications as indicated on your post-operative care papers that you will receive before you are discharged from the hospital.
• First follow-up post-surgical appointment will be between the 3rd and 5th day to remove the chest drains
• Relative rest for 10 days
• No sexual activity for 4 weeks
• You should not exercise or exert yourself in the next 4 weeks
• You must keep your elbows close to your body, and avoid lifting your arms above your head.
• You will be able to shower after your first office check-up with your doctor
• You should not sunbathe for the next 4 weeks
• You shouldn’t be touching your wounds
• You have to keep your compression garment at all times
• You will need to sleep on your back in a semi-sitting position for  at least the following 10 days
• You should not smoke at all

⚠️ It is very important that you understand that not following this instructions can ruin the results for your surgery.

During the recovery period your surgeon will provide with a list of things to take care during this time. It is usually recommended for the patient to have approximately 12 days stay at the destination, in order to have proper after care and medical check ups with your surgeon. After the procedure a compression garment is placed to help with healing and reduce pain & inflammation. Initial recovery time 1-2 weeks.

The results of chest augmentation are immediate although it’s important that you understand that the final results will take a couple of months until the swelling goes down.

Although risks and complications rarely occur during a chest implant surgery, they can include:

• Anesthesia complications
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Soreness
• Changes in sensitivity
• Capsular contraction
• Implant extrusion
• Seroma

In order to minimize the risks, your surgeon will order a series of blood tests and a cardiac evaluation to ensure that you are in good health for your procedure.

• When you chose an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon by the AMCPER you can expect your recovery to be good.
• It is very important that you are willing and collaborate with your surgeon, who will be monitoring your progress. Following your surgeon’s instructions is the most important part at this moment.
• Chest augmentation recovery is not difficult, although you have to be prepared to feel tired and sored after the surgery, it is a good idea to have some assistance during the first days after surgery.
• Remember that for the next 4-6 weeks you can’t be doing any heavy lifting, driving or excercising.
• Make sure to take all your medication as it has been prescribed by your surgeon. You may feel discomfort and some pressure on your chest but never shortness of breath.
• Rest and sleep. You can get a special pillow so you are comfortable on your bed, you will be required to sleep on your back for the next couple of weeks. The first days you will need to sleep with two pillows on your back. Make sure they are comfy.
• Drink water and eat healthy food with good quality proteins. Avoid high sodium foods, they will make you retain liquids.
• If you are not allergic you can use Arnica Montana to help with the swelling and bruising.

Following the recommendations of your surgeon will promote a good result.