How Long Does Breast Augmentation Surgery Take?
One of the most common questions before undergoing breast surgery is how long breast augmentation surgery takes. The duration of the procedure depends mainly on the technique used and the individual characteristics of each patient.
At Clínica Planas, three breast augmentation options are available: the MIA® technique, the Preservé™ technique, and traditional breast augmentation. Each involves a different approach and, therefore, different amounts of time in the operating room.
In general, MIA® and Preservé™ usually take around 45 minutes, while traditional breast augmentation surgery may take approximately one to two hours, depending on each individual case.
Time in the Operating Room During Surgery
The amount of time a patient spends in the operating room is directly related to the technique selected.
Duration of Breast Augmentation with MIA® and Preservé™
The MIA® and Preservé™ techniques are the quickest options and usually take approximately 45 minutes.
Both are performed under sedation and local anesthesia. These 45 minutes include a waiting period of approximately 10–15 minutes to allow the local anesthesia to take effect and for vasoconstriction to occur thanks to the adrenaline contained in the infiltration solution.
This process allows the procedure to be performed with virtually no bleeding and without pain for the patient.
Duration of Traditional Breast Augmentation
In the case of traditional breast augmentation, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes approximately one hour, although certain cases may take up to two hours.
This variation in duration depends on both the surgical technique and each patient’s anatomical characteristics, as well as the specific complexity of the procedure.
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Factors That Can Influence the Duration
Although there are approximate times for each procedure, not all surgeries take exactly the same amount of time. Different factors can make a procedure quicker or require a few additional minutes.
The Breast Augmentation Technique Used
The surgical technique is the factor that has the greatest influence on the duration of the procedure.
MIA® and Preservé™ usually take around 45 minutes, while traditional breast augmentation may take approximately one to two hours, depending on the individual characteristics of each case.
Therefore, when discussing how long breast augmentation surgery takes, it is important to bear in mind that there is no single duration that applies to every patient and every technique.
The Type of Anesthesia and Incision Site
The type of anesthesia can also influence the surgical time.
In traditional breast augmentation, because the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, there is no need to wait for local anesthesia to take effect. With MIA® and Preservé™, however, a waiting period of approximately 10–15 minutes is required for the infiltration to take effect.
The incision site used to place the implant may also slightly affect the duration of the surgery. For example, an approach through the areola may require slightly more time than an approach through the inframammary fold.
The Complexity of Each Case
The patient’s anatomical characteristics may mean that breast augmentation surgery requires slightly more time.
This may occur, for example, when it is necessary to treat tuberous breasts, perform glandulotomies to reshape the breast gland, or correct breast asymmetry.
In cases of asymmetry, implant sizers may need to be used during surgery to determine the final implant size and achieve the desired result.
The surgery may also take slightly longer if there is increased bleeding during the procedure, although these variations usually add only a few extra minutes.
Stages of the Surgery
The duration of the surgery can also be better understood by looking at the different stages involved in each procedure. These vary depending on whether breast augmentation is performed using MIA® or Preservé™, or a traditional technique.
Stages of Breast Augmentation with MIA® and Preservé™
Stage 1: Infiltration
The procedure begins with the infiltration of the breast with local anesthesia.
Stage 2: Waiting Period
After the infiltration is performed, approximately 10 to 15 minutes are allowed for the local anesthesia to take effect.
This period also allows the necessary vasoconstriction to occur, enabling the surgery to be performed without pain and with minimal bleeding.
Stage 3: Creating the Pocket
Next, the dissector and expander are introduced to create the pocket where the implant will subsequently be placed.
Stage 4: Implant Placement
Once the pocket has been prepared, the breast implant is inserted using the specific device employed for these techniques.
This completes the MIA® or Preservé™ breast augmentation procedure.
Stages of Traditional Breast Augmentation
Traditional breast augmentation follows a different process, adapted to the patient’s anatomy and the plane in which the implant needs to be placed.
Stage 1: Dissection
First, the breast gland is dissected to create the space required to accommodate the implant.
When necessary, the plane beneath the pectoral muscle is also prepared.
Stage 2: Preparation of the Implant Plane
If the selected technique requires placement beneath the muscle, the pectoral muscle is lifted.
When this is not necessary, the procedure is performed directly in the subglandular plane.
Stage 3: Implant Sizing
During the procedure, implant sizers may be used to determine the most appropriate size before placing the definitive implant.
This step is particularly relevant in cases involving breast asymmetry, where different options may need to be assessed.
Stage 4: Placement of the Definitive Implant
Once the appropriate size has been determined, the definitive breast implant is placed, completing the procedure.
So, How Long Does Breast Augmentation Surgery Actually Take?
As a general guideline, surgery with MIA® or Preservé™ usually takes around 45 minutes, including the approximately 10–15 minutes required for the local anesthesia to take effect.
With traditional breast augmentation, the procedure usually takes around one hour, although it may take up to two hours depending on the characteristics and complexity of the case.
Therefore, there is no single duration that applies to every patient. The technique used, the type of anesthesia, the incision site, and the individual anatomical characteristics of each case are the main factors that determine how much time will be required in the operating room.