Breast augmentation with implants

According to statistics, breast augmentation is the most popular plastic surgery procedure worldwide. Every year, hundreds of thousands of women travel to South Korea to enhance their femininity and boost their self-confidence.

The surgery typically lasts from 40 minutes to 2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, the surgeon creates a pocket for the implant and inserts it using a method chosen in consultation with the patient. Afterward, they carefully close the incision with sutures or medical adhesive.

Most of our clients come to us seeking a natural-sized breast that complements their height, shoulder width, and chest size. This often involves increasing the breast size from A or B to B+, C, or C+. If you wish to increase your breast size by more than 2 cup sizes, please specify this in your questionnaire, and we will refer you to surgeons experienced with larger implants.

Under the Muscle or Over the Muscle? Breast implants can be placed either under the muscle (submuscular placement) or over the muscle (subglandular placement). Surgeons opt for submuscular placement in 95% of cases. In this position, the risk of capsular contracture is reduced, the possibility of breastfeeding is preserved, and mammography results remain clear. Implants do not sag, stretching the skin, and the contours are hardly noticeable, minimizing the chance of rippling.

Implants placed over the muscle are rare and typically chosen by patients who engage in professional sports. In this position, there is no risk of implant displacement during heavy physical activity, and the recovery period is faster with minimal swelling. However, most patients lose the ability to breastfeed and obtain clear mammography images, which are significant contraindications for choosing subglandular implant placement.

A plastic surgeon will help you decide where to place the breast implant during the preliminary consultation.

What Type of Incision is Used? There are four types of incisions through which the surgeon can place the breast implant. In South Korea, the most common approaches are through the armpit (axillary) and under the breast (inframammary) incisions because other methods have a higher likelihood of affecting breastfeeding ability or nipple sensitivity.

With the axillary approach, a 3-4 cm incision is made in the armpit, and the surgeon uses a small camera to insert and place the implant. Drawbacks of this approach include a longer recovery period (as more tissue is traumatized during implant insertion), a longer incision, and the need for more careful scar care.

The inframammary approach involves a 2-3 cm incision made at the level of the 5th-6th rib (under the breast where it meets the ribs). Professional surgeons conceal the incision within the natural fold, and proper scar care makes it nearly invisible within six months after the surgery. Interestingly, this approach is preferred by plastic surgery clinic staff and surgeons themselves because it is minimally invasive, allowing patients to return to their normal lives within 3-4 days after the procedure.

Types of Implants. There are four accredited manufacturers of breast implants in Korea: MENTOR, MOTIVA, SEBBIN, and GCA. Each of them offers different sizing options, fillers, and profiles. Only a plastic surgeon can help you select the right implant. MOTIVA, imported from Costa Rica, is considered the most expensive, modern, and natural-looking implant, while MENTOR, manufactured in the USA, is the most popular choice among medium-priced implants.

Recovery Period After Breast Augmentation: The recovery period varies for each patient, but we can discuss the average time required for recovery after the surgery.

Immediately after the surgery, most patients experience minimal pain and discomfort, as the drugs used during the surgery and while in the clinic remain in their bloodstream. Patients who choose the inframammary approach typically find the second and third days post-surgery to be more challenging, but they can return to their normal lives within 4 days of the procedure without significant discomfort.

Patients who opt for the axillary approach may experience difficulties and discomfort for up to a week after the surgery.

Visiting tanning salons and exposure to direct sunlight are prohibited for 3 months after the surgery.

Swimming in the sea is prohibited for 2 months, and swimming in a pool is restricted for 3 weeks.

Engaging in sports activities will need to be postponed for 2 months.

Lifting heavy objects, including children, should be avoided for 2 months.

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Short surgery information

• Surgery Time: 1-2 hours

• Type of Anesthesia: General anesthesia

• Hospitalization: 3-4 hours

• Return to Normal Life: Within 3-4 days

• Clinic Visits: 3-4 times

• Stitches Removal: Day 14

Why do women consider breast augmentation?

• Injuries in adulthood: Patients come to us after sustaining injuries in car accidents and other accidents. For addressing scars and deep scars, we turn to reconstructive plastic surgeons.

• Excessively small breast volume: Women with abnormally small breasts often feel less attractive and confident. In South Korea, achieving a feminine figure and fuller breasts can be done in just 40 minutes.

• Breast deformation and loss of volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding: Breast implants do not interfere with breastfeeding or pregnancy, so many of our clients come to South Korea to restore their figures after giving birth.

• Consequences of mastectomy: Mastectomy does not hinder breast enlargement with implants. Furthermore, some surgeons recommend performing these operations together, so patients do not undergo surgery on the same area twice and do not experience stress due to temporary body deformation.

• Breast reduction after weight loss: In these cases, breast augmentation is often combined with a lift to give the breasts an aesthetic appearance and restore comfort and confidence to the patient.

• Lack of volume in the upper part of the breast: This is a common issue among women from European and CIS countries. Fortunately, volume can be added using implants or lipofilling.

• Breast asymmetry – one larger than the other: Asymmetry can be congenital or acquired, and for many women, it develops after breastfeeding. Asymmetry can be corrected using implants of different sizes, and sometimes different shapes.

• Results of friends or desire to enhance natural shapes: If you’re a perfectionist and want to achieve the perfect breast, especially if your friends have already had the surgery and are satisfied with the results, it’s hard to resist and stay on the sidelines. We will do our best to ensure your surgery goes smoothly, and recovery is easy.

Candidates for surgery

Candidates for breast implant placement typically include:

• Women seeking to improve the size and shape of their breasts to achieve desired aesthetics.

• Those looking to restore breast volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss.

• Patients wishing to correct breast asymmetry.

• Women undergoing breast reconstruction after mastectomy or injury.

Ideal candidates should be physically healthy, have realistic expectations of the procedure, and not have medical conditions that could complicate the surgery or recovery.

Why South Korea?

South Korea annually leads the world in cosmetic procedures and surgeries. Local doctors are considered among the most educated and competitive globally, with only 0.01% of medical school graduates becoming plastic surgeons. Korea’s medical equipment and technology are on par with the USA and Germany, placing it in the top three countries with the best-equipped clinics.

All breast lift surgeries are conducted in accredited clinics authorized to treat foreign patients, with in-house anesthesiologists. Surgeons performing procedures on our patients have 15 to 30 years of experience, specializing in breast augmentation and soft tissue surgeries, performing no more than 2 surgeries a day. Fill out the questionnaire for us to calculate the cost of treatment, provide a preliminary consultation, and prepare a plan for your trip to South Korea for a breast lift.

How to prepare for breast augmentation in South Korea

Are you considering breast augmentation in South Korea? South Korea is renowned for its excellence in cosmetic procedures and medical expertise. Local doctors are among the most educated and competitive in the world, with only 0.01% of medical school graduates becoming plastic surgeons. Additionally, South Korea’s medical equipment and facilities rival those in the USA and Germany, ranking it in the top three countries with the best technical capabilities in clinics.

Here’s how to prepare for breast augmentation in South Korea:

• Fasting and shower: Refrain from eating and drinking for 8 hours before the procedure. Take a shower before heading to the clinic.

• Medication: Avoid medications like Aspirin, Ibuprofen (including Advil or Motrin), and other drugs that may increase the risk of excessive bleeding for two weeks before the surgery. Tylenol should be avoided only for three days before the operation.

• Smoking cessation: Quit smoking, including hookah and e-cigarettes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can slow down tissue healing. Some doctors may refuse to perform surgery on smokers due to the high risk of complications. Avoid being around smokers or in smoking areas.

• Medical history: Review your medical history and be prepared to answer questions about current and past illnesses and any recent medications you have taken. Do not withhold information about your health from the surgeon and coordinators.

• Consultation: Schedule a consultation with the surgeon. During this visit, the doctor will examine the proposed surgical area, including nipple/areola placement.

• Medical records: If possible, provide or send the results of mammography or breast biopsy to the clinic (if not available, these tests can be conducted in Korea).

• Transportation and assistance: Arrange for someone to drive you to the clinic and help you after the surgery. Driving on the day of breast augmentation is strictly prohibited.

• Essentials: Place essential items next to your bed for easy access during your recovery, such as lip balm, water, a chocolate bar, or your mobile phone.

By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth and successful breast augmentation experience in South Korea. For further information and to book a consultation with a clinic coordinator or plastic surgeon, you can fill out the QUESTIONNAIRE here or contact us through any messaging app at +82-10-4214-9603.